Monday, November 30, 2009

Voices

The voice of Lewis Mumford usually finds its way into my head when I'm writing in my journal.

"On the terms imposed by technocratic society, there is no hope for mankind except by 'going with' its plans for accelerated technological progress, even though man's vital organs will be cannibalized in order to prolong the megamachine's meaningless existence."--The Pentagon of Power


Agatha Christie then comes to save the day:

"'There is always a brave new world,' said Poirot, 'but only, you know, for very special people. The lucky ones. The ones who carry the making of that world within themselves.'"

7 comments:

Filip T. said...

>>"'There is always a brave new world,' said Poirot, 'but only, you know, for very special people. The lucky ones. The ones who carry the making of that world within themselves.'"<<

Rings true for me. Reminds me a bit of...

“Look at every path closely and deliberately, then ask ourselves this crucial question: Does this path have a heart? If it does, then the path is good. If it doesn't, it is of no use.”

- Carlos Castaneda

Curt said...

I like the Castaneda quote, Filip.

I hope all is well with you.

Filip T. said...

It has been abundant for me. Many opportunities for me to grow, and see things in a new way and from new perspectives.

This year has been the hardest year of my life, hands down. Can't help but quote another little tidbit from Castaneda... this time, not word for word.

Life seems to be providing me with many challenges, at times it has gotten so tough I was not sure I was gonna make it. Well, in Castaneda's writings Don Juan teaches him that warriors live perpetually in the light of "and yet..."

Just when you think things are at their worst and you are about to be annihilated, there is this little bubble of awareness that pops up. Its the light of "Yeah, my life is insane, I think I might die... and, yet..."

That little bubble of awareness comes from awareness of our ever-present companion...

death.

Filip T. said...

I don't see myself walking the warriors path, but I have learned some profound stuff from studying it through several traditions.

Carlos Castaneda certainly shaped my world view, but I do not feel his writings are a large part of my life. Though the little nuggets of priceless knowledge I gained from applying certain suggestions made in those books has.

Filip T. said...

By the way, I have been checking in on your blog about once per week. I hope you and I can reconnect again sometime soon.

Here's hoping you have been having amazing adventures!

Thanks for doing what you do!

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Curt said...

Hi Filip,

I appreciate your thoughtful comments. It's also good to know that you are out there checking out my posts.

Some time we should set up a time and date to do a Facebook chat, sort of like before.

Also, thank you for doing what you do too!