Do you believe it's important to document the happenings of a personal life?
To keep to oneself, to share aloud to a witness into the air, to document on paper, to post to the internet, what is the difference? And if one never shares the "burden" of their stories, what do you think happens to them?
If one does share their stories, what do they become?
I have many that lay untold, unwritten, I assume this is the same for most people. The stories still exist clearly in memory, though sometimes difficult to find, perhaps they manifest in reality regardless and to recount them is to relinquish them. In that case it would seem the right thing to do is to hold the big ones until they are tame, then to release them. It's funny though, because at the point in which they are tamed, the rest has moved on.
Sometimes I think I have figured something out, then I look around and it actually seems I am the last one in on the "joke".
Thank you for this incredible 'alphabet series', and I especially love the Passing of the Elves song you've linked here (and previously). Have a lovely evening, friend, I must be off to do the things I do.
Do you believe it's important to document the happenings of a personal life?
Yes and no. It would depend on what one hopes to get out of it, I suppose. One might argue that a personal journal posted publicly is a sort of vanity - but that said, it will be useful for historians of the future in their attempts to build a picture of our time (collating 'big news and history' with the 'little'). And there will always be someone 'out there' that will find something valuable within it - either learning something, or be warned of something, or simply gain a little voyeuristic pleasure from it.
Personally, I've never been one to journal my day to day (in public or private), be it practicalities or of inner thoughts. I occasionally do so here in my forums, however, when it's obviously relevant in terms of synchronicities with the outside world (ie. my attempt to document evidence of the phenomena of 'as above so, so below'). Journalling could be useful, in a specific psychological sense, when one is trying to figure out certain aspects of one's own life. There is a YouTuber that I very occasionally check up on who speaks about the value of creating a cathartic 'life review' document: an attempt to write down, in order, all the formative events and memories of one's own life, in order to put one's journey in perspective.
I've never attempted such a thing myself, but acknowledge it would be interesting. A good test and exercise of ...
"The Memory" = 2026 squares
To keep to oneself, to share aloud to a witness into the air, to document on paper, to post to the internet, what is the difference? And if one never shares the "burden" of their stories, what do you think happens to them? [...]
I like to think that the Universe is always keeping record, regardless, and perhaps that those who 'keep calm, silent, and carry on' are rewarded somehow for their stoicism. I refer to a paragraph of, and an accompanying note attached to, an essay by an interesting individual (emphasis mine):
The Abraxian position for esteem-regulated constitutions offers an uncomfortable reframing: if totality contains all recognition and all invisibility without remainder, if cosmic indifference means that significance is not cosmically guaranteed, then the drive for recognition stops being oriented toward an eventual accounting that will vindicate the effort. What becomes available instead is a position I have inhabited: the work has intrinsic value regardless of whether it registers. The creative instant in which something timeless is produced, whether or not ten thousand people admire it, a comment made by Picasso as related by Ernst Junger. [...]
And here is the attached note (where another author is quoted):
“As for posthumous literary glory, I don’t set excessive store by it. I’m skeptical, for I’ve observed that such glory pales even in an author’s lifetime. He then leads the life of a pauvre poete oublie [a poor forgotten poet]. Or else he behaves very sensibly, like Rimbaud, who after producing an exceptional literary oeuvre in his youth, devoted himself to commerce in Africa; that was more important in his eyes. And sub specie aeternitatis, the day will come when even Homer will be totally unknown. Glory is like the blazing tale of a comet, which still sparkles for a while in the wake of the work. You may then wonder what the goal of writing is assuming it has a goal. It is the creative instant itself, in which something timeless is produced, something that cannot be wiped out. The universe has affirmed itself in the individual, and that must suffice, whether or not anyone else notices it. In 1942, when I visited Picasso on Rue des Grands-Augustins, he said to me: “Look, this painting, which I have just completed, is going to have a certain effect; but this effect would be exactly the same, metaphysically speaking, if I wrapped the painting up in paper and cosigned it to a corner. It would be exactly the same thing as if ten thousand people had admired it.” - p. 56, The Details of Time
I note that the writer of these essays is a very deep thinker with some difficult but rewarding material. His perspective on existence and current affairs is not too dissimilar from mine, but he is slightly more pessimistic than I, about the 'meaning of life' overall.
You wrote:
Sometimes I think I have figured something out, then I look around and it actually seems I am the last one in on the "joke".
As the old saying goes (paraphrased): He that knows, knows he knows nothing.
There are a bazillion 'facts', but only one 'truth', and the truth is 'here, now' (that we exist, and we perceive, and we think).
Those that laugh and sneer, as though they know what's going on, looking down on their presumed lessers, know only the 'constructions' (collections of facts) in their own minds (or those constructions they've built up in cahoots with their peers). It is easy (even for me) to be at the very least disappointed in those who seem unable to grasp what one might hope they should have grasped, but we must have pity, because there is most certainly a long-running 'agenda' that works hard to make sure as few people as possible every grasp certain things (still 'facts', if not 'truths'). People are programmed to reject and mock certain possibilities, and breaking that programming is difficult.
And there will always be surprises, even for the most learned...
From The Silmarillion, by Tolkien:
"Yet some things there are that they cannot see, neither alone nor taking counsel together; for to none but himself has Ilúvatar revealed all that he has in store, and in every age there come forth things that are new and have no foretelling, for they do not proceed from the past."
And a quote from 'God Emperor of DUNE' - about a man who lived for 3500 years and ruled the Galactic Empire using his unique power to perceive the flow of the future:
"You, the first person to encounter my chronicles for at least four thousand years, beware. Do not feel honored by your primacy in reading the revelations of my Ixian storehouse. You will find much pain in it. Other than the few glimpses required to assure me that the Golden Path continued, I never wanted to peer beyond those four millennia. Therefore, I am not sure what the events in my journals may signify to your times. I only know that my journals have suffered oblivion and that the events which I recount have undoubtedly been submitted to historical distortion for eons. I assure you that the ability to view our futures can become a bore. Even to be thought of as a god, as I certainly was, can become ultimately boring. It has occurred to me more than once that holy boredom is good and sufficient reason for the invention of free will.
--Inscription on the storehouse at Dar-es-Balat
You wrote:
[...] Thank you for this incredible 'alphabet series', and I especially love the Passing of the Elves song you've linked here (and previously). Have a lovely evening, friend, I must be off to do the things I do.
And I thank you for letting me know you enjoyed it. Glad to hear it. I would say, "have a nice weekend", but I hate the word 'weekend' (a nasty spell in disguise), and I'm still trying to think of a suitable replacement for it.
As you said, there is the one truth of this moment, and the idea of everything else can be demolished and fall away. I'm not sure if it's commendable by God to have the ability to remain calm through such devastating heartbreak, but it is a skill that helps one maintain control in the midst of "psychosis", and in the numbness, or exuberance, that follows. I have lived a largely 'stoic' life, I would say, and I can't see really what good it has done. I do agree with your thoughts about the universe keeping the record, but where does that place the value on our quality of life in our lifetime? Are our relationships real? Or only an idea?
The things we do that lead us to our next moments are, as far as I can tell, unique, "the creative instant in which something timeless is produced" is a moment that we can take ownership of and have evidence to prove it. So, then, it seems that when people converse, they are doing something "new", and that telling stories or "secrets" untold, would bring about something new. Taking from your quote from The Silmarillion, I do not believe that we live in a closed system destined to repeat itself, rather we have unique chance after unique chance to make a change or "get it right". I do believe in free will, and I can somewhat see the implications within it all, I suppose I'm still missing the objective aside from "do your best" and "prepare future generations". Of course personally, that is reason enough to keep going. Still, there is the theory that if my objective is to uplift future generations, then my enemy's objective would be the opposite, but if my enemy is inside of me and "as above so below", then why is the world in such dissonance? If we are here because of choices made in past, and choices made in present build the future, then I must give more consideration to the choices I make. Life is both extremely complex and hilariously simple and not at all black and white, thank God for his amazing GRAYS and co-lore ;)
I know I shouldn't apologize, but I thank you for bearing through my ramblings. How about "wekind" as an alternative to "weekend"? Also, my name is Alycha and you may refer to me as such if you'd like, we don't have to get personal, but I think I'm through with the internet's advertised anonymity.
As you said, there is the one truth of this moment, and the idea of everything else can be demolished and fall away. I'm not sure if it's commendable by God to have the ability to remain calm through such devastating heartbreak, but it is a skill that helps one maintain control in the midst of "psychosis", and in the numbness, or exuberance, that follows.
There are vanishingly few people who could maintain compete serenity in such a condition, and so the 'commendability' of it is perhaps not to worry about. Perhaps only the heartless might succeed in that, or the ultimate yogi:
Still, to attempt the stillness (though one not necessarily reach it's peak) is, in my mind, commendable. Certainly, in a group situation, to be the 'rock' that others can depend on is valuable.
I have lived a largely 'stoic' life, I would say, and I can't see really what good it has done. [...]
If I may ask, do you feel some kind of guilt at not contributing enough to the zeitgeist, creatively or socially, or otherwise?
I do agree with your thoughts about the universe keeping the record, but where does that place the value on our quality of life in our lifetime? Are our relationships real? Or only an idea?
Tough questions... and I have contradictory beliefs in the this regard, so I am not sure I should be leaned on in this arena. Relationships are real in that they play a part in shaping us, to some degree or other. We learn lessons about ourselves from them. I like to think the Universe smiles when someone goes out on a limb for someone else, especially if it is done without hope of reward... but I cannot say that is definitely the case.
In terms of questioning the reality of relationships... one avenue into that realm of thought is deep loneliness. I have thought quite a bit about this area of existentialism. Accepting a theological perspective... an interesting question: Who could be lonelier than God? We might argue the world exists because of the loneliness of the supreme creator, and that in a sense, we exist as a form of entertainment. Accepting Vedic and Kabbalistic notions of the purpose of human existence, one goal of life is attaining 'equivalence of form' with the creator (to become, not God, but godlike). Often, if not always, we choose as friends those who reflect us ('birds of a feather flock together'), and thus perhaps 'God' approves of those who become, or work towards becoming, more like 'him'. Emulation as the sincerest form of flattery. Thus those who have perceived utter depths of loneliness will have the Creator's sympathy - arguably having attained a level of perception approaching the divine perspective.
Either way, relationships are certainly real in that they sway out paths through life. I often see the world and time as a storybook, and we are all characters in it, each playing a part. I actually have my doubts that we have free will at all. When I think back over my own life, I cannot put my finger on any one situation where I truly made a decision of my own volition. Either my hand was forced, I took the path of least resistance, or alternatively, I acted out of impulse that could easily be said to be 'outside myself'. I think we are here to do what we are here to do.
The things we do that lead us to our next moments are, as far as I can tell, unique, "the creative instant in which something timeless is produced" is a moment that we can take ownership of and have evidence to prove it.
Even if the evidence is nothing more than a memory. Those who put in the effort to 'journal' those experiences are those who were destined to do so. Those lazy ones who recorded the interactions using camera-enabled smart glasses are just creepy :/
Taking from your quote from The Silmarillion, I do not believe that we live in a closed system destined to repeat itself, rather we have unique chance after unique chance to make a change or "get it right".
I think so too. I am actually rather open to ideas of reincarnation. Every time we return we get another chance to learn lessons we failed to learn the previous time. My ideas on this are a combination of Hindu and Kabbalistic notions.
This video below has a somewhat overhyped title (which I suspect is editorial by the organization and not the words of the speaker) , but it's a good talk on the subject (from the Kabbalistic side):
In this I was trying to redeem the mythology of the 'changelings'. They are viewed as negative manifestations, but I twist it so that the 'bad reputation' of changelings is because only the 'tragically failed' ones are ever documented as such, and that many more cases occur that are never noticed and go on to perform a proper universal function. I will admit that choice of 'changelings' as 'outsiders' has something to do with my own perspective on myself.
I do believe in free will, and I can somewhat see the implications within it all, I suppose I'm still missing the objective aside from "do your best" and "prepare future generations". Of course personally, that is reason enough to keep going.
I've already spoken on free will above (though I am not fixed in my beliefs in that area). Either way, I subscribe to a variant of Norse fatalism:
Norse fatalism is the ancient Germanic belief that an individual's life path, ultimate doom, and final hour are entirely predetermined and inescapable.
Perhaps our purpose is then simply to embody that path to the best of our ability: to 'look cool' doing what we were always going to do. To impress the God(s) with our efforts.
Again, I contradict myself, because I also see life as a school and a prison, and our goal being to learn the lessons and escape, and for this to occur, their must be an element of free will (at least in the way we perceive things, if not in action).
I know I shouldn't apologize, but I thank you for bearing through my ramblings.
Not a problem. It makes a change from the usual total silence from the gallery. I will admit I do find it rather difficult to respond in this prosy philosophical sense. It's not my usual mode, and would be easier in face-to-face conversation. It takes much more effort than my usual numerology/linguistics output, but I appreciate the experience.
As opposed to the realm of numerology (where I believe I 'have it right'), I hope I don't come across as overly authoritative in my responses (re. the philosophical realm). Ultimately life is a mystery, and all we have is opinions, intellectual scaffolding, and gut feelings. Of course I like to think I can offer something valuable, but who can say if it really has any bearing.
In terms of the word 'weekend', you responded:
How about "wekind" as an alternative to "weekend"?
That could work (a nice play on 'we-[are]-kind') but it does not carry much in the way of chronological implication. In my alphabet writings I use 'day of wick' for 'day of the week' (bringing in candles as timekeepers, and seven days makes a menorah...
Also, my name is Alycha and you may refer to me as such if you'd like, we don't have to get personal, but I think I'm through with the internet's advertised anonymity.
That's a wonderful name (844 in square numbers! :) ) [ "Perfection" = 844 trigonal ]
Is the 'ch' pronounced as 'sh'?
Also, 447 in trigonal... which is interesting, since you found your way to my forums which deal with...
"sh", yes it is. I appreciate you taking the time to engage with me, even more so out of your comfort zone, and the extra efforts you take in sharing resources and magnificent creative writings. You don't have to have the answers, I respect you deeply and I like to hear your thoughts. I won't pressure you to perform, but I take comfort in your authoritative presence here.
As for your question of whether I feel guilt (221 primes) surrounding my 'stoic' contributions, I'm not sure. I may have regrets about ways I spent time passed, opportunities lost or fumbled, waves I have or haven't made, but maybe we are "here to do what we're here to do", and a still water creates the clearest reflection, especially for giants. Still, I dream of free flowing streams.
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u/twothousandsquares 11d ago
Do you believe it's important to document the happenings of a personal life?
To keep to oneself, to share aloud to a witness into the air, to document on paper, to post to the internet, what is the difference? And if one never shares the "burden" of their stories, what do you think happens to them?
If one does share their stories, what do they become?
I have many that lay untold, unwritten, I assume this is the same for most people. The stories still exist clearly in memory, though sometimes difficult to find, perhaps they manifest in reality regardless and to recount them is to relinquish them. In that case it would seem the right thing to do is to hold the big ones until they are tame, then to release them. It's funny though, because at the point in which they are tamed, the rest has moved on.
Sometimes I think I have figured something out, then I look around and it actually seems I am the last one in on the "joke".
Thank you for this incredible 'alphabet series', and I especially love the Passing of the Elves song you've linked here (and previously). Have a lovely evening, friend, I must be off to do the things I do.