''Here in the West, they hypocritically sell the soul for a dollar for the sake of self-interest, or exchange it for heartlessness as an unnecessary commodity.''
''Here in the West, they hypocritically sell the soul for a dollar for the sake of self-interest, or exchange it for heartlessness as an unnecessary commodity.''
Yes, you are right, but the point is that the disease does not spread from the Russians, but from the West, and consequently, no cure should be expected from the sick...
That is precisely the point I think Dostoyevsky was trying to make in his "The Possessed". The demonic ideas brought home from the West by the returning youth were infecting/infesting Mother Russia. But, the "adults" allowed themselves to be influenced in a vain attempt to remain relevant, so, they kind of deserved what they got.
Thanks for the reminder, I read it a long time ago, now I will read it again, carefully and with intense concentration. This is a very, very interesting read. I will have to put aside my attempt to read 10,000 pages of the collected works of Saint Bishop Velimirović.
There is a Russian-made adaptation of "The Demons" in a film that was produced in, i think, 2012. It was a year that I believe the Russian Government were trying to promote Russian Culture. It is a two-part, and very well produced. There were some interesting motifs and scenes that stick in my mind - the dancing in the pig sty, especially. They, of course, couldn't display the whole and all the nuance, but, wow, a heartbreaking story, with a little bit of hope. Worth watching.
Thanks for the comment, the problem is that people don't read, not only Russian writers but also domestic ones. I have personally read many writers from the West, and I do not think that they are less valuable than Russian ones, but Russian writers have one great advantage, which is that they have an old traditional culture, which is rooted in Christianity and the virtues of the old world. Western writers are without solid ground, perhaps their success is even greater because of the bad circumstances of their starting point.
I read everybody, or at least attempt. I allow myself to set down, unfinish, that which I find to be unworthy or not entertaining. I do love the few Russians of the 19th Century that I have read (and re-read), although I think it is wise for first-time readers to give themselves both time and solitary space to sink into the story. For cadence and names, the names can be tricky to keep straight at first.
I completely agree the essential component of Christ in...well, everything that is expressed to give understanding since his coming. And there is a profound arrogance in the Western writers for a good long time now who have attempted to explain anything they have deemed worthy of explaining without including Christ and what He Is. This has led to a flatness and superficiality that renders their efforts meaningless - it speaks more about the author than the reader. I read fiction to connect with mankind as a whole - same with film - and everything hinges on the ultimate question "What is Truth?" Since the scandalous murder of God, we know that it is the Person of Christ and yet the rebels continue to argue for "naught" and, therefore, art & literature has has devolved to the point of - forgive me here - painted shit.
But on a happy note, I do find much read and watch that does stimulate my soul and keeps the fire of divinity burning away the imperfect ideas that have attached to me through the world. Much work to be done.
Beautifully said, I am glad that there are people in the west who are returning to the true values, which are Christian values. I notice that after the corona violence many people return to these values, especially in the west. I used to read a lot of everything, as you say, Bukowski and Henry Miller, and Nietzsche, etc., but now I can't do that anymore, the only thing I can read is spiritually imbued literature, and in fact, I read almost exclusively Orthodox literature. I wouldn't impose anything on you, but I was completely delighted when I discovered Seraphim Rose, he was an American, extremely educated and intelligent, even a genius, who converted to the Orthodox faith, there are his books and lectures in English, so that would be my recommendation.
EDIT: He was especially well educated in philosophy and later theology, no one explained the moral and spiritual decline of the West better than him.
PS. Seraphim Rose is widely read and appreciated in Russia.
It is clear, my new friend whose name I cannot type due to keyboard issues, that we have both made intellectual and spiritual journeys that would be a delight to discuss. This forum, wonderful as it is, makes me feel like a hen pecking the ground for seed. I intend to search out this Seraphim Rose as well as the Bishop of 10,000 pages you mentioned elsewhere. Like you, I dabble in writing exercises of poetry and prose; unlike you I do for the purposes of purging the idea or thought so I can move on. It may either be a treasure for my grandchildren or a danger they may have to burn to keep from being shot-by-association.
''Here in the West, they hypocritically sell the soul for a dollar for the sake of self-interest, or exchange it for heartlessness as an unnecessary commodity.''
Russia sure caught up quick...
Yes, you are right, but the point is that the disease does not spread from the Russians, but from the West, and consequently, no cure should be expected from the sick...
That is precisely the point I think Dostoyevsky was trying to make in his "The Possessed". The demonic ideas brought home from the West by the returning youth were infecting/infesting Mother Russia. But, the "adults" allowed themselves to be influenced in a vain attempt to remain relevant, so, they kind of deserved what they got.
Thanks for the reminder, I read it a long time ago, now I will read it again, carefully and with intense concentration. This is a very, very interesting read. I will have to put aside my attempt to read 10,000 pages of the collected works of Saint Bishop Velimirović.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demons_(Dostoevsky_novel)
There is a Russian-made adaptation of "The Demons" in a film that was produced in, i think, 2012. It was a year that I believe the Russian Government were trying to promote Russian Culture. It is a two-part, and very well produced. There were some interesting motifs and scenes that stick in my mind - the dancing in the pig sty, especially. They, of course, couldn't display the whole and all the nuance, but, wow, a heartbreaking story, with a little bit of hope. Worth watching.
the dancing in the pig sty
A days work in the Gremlin
Yes, I found it, with a quality Serbian translation, thank you, I didn't watch it.
https://kinorusija.wordpress.com/2014/08/24/besy-2014/
Thanks for the comment, the problem is that people don't read, not only Russian writers but also domestic ones. I have personally read many writers from the West, and I do not think that they are less valuable than Russian ones, but Russian writers have one great advantage, which is that they have an old traditional culture, which is rooted in Christianity and the virtues of the old world. Western writers are without solid ground, perhaps their success is even greater because of the bad circumstances of their starting point.
I read everybody, or at least attempt. I allow myself to set down, unfinish, that which I find to be unworthy or not entertaining. I do love the few Russians of the 19th Century that I have read (and re-read), although I think it is wise for first-time readers to give themselves both time and solitary space to sink into the story. For cadence and names, the names can be tricky to keep straight at first.
I completely agree the essential component of Christ in...well, everything that is expressed to give understanding since his coming. And there is a profound arrogance in the Western writers for a good long time now who have attempted to explain anything they have deemed worthy of explaining without including Christ and what He Is. This has led to a flatness and superficiality that renders their efforts meaningless - it speaks more about the author than the reader. I read fiction to connect with mankind as a whole - same with film - and everything hinges on the ultimate question "What is Truth?" Since the scandalous murder of God, we know that it is the Person of Christ and yet the rebels continue to argue for "naught" and, therefore, art & literature has has devolved to the point of - forgive me here - painted shit.
But on a happy note, I do find much read and watch that does stimulate my soul and keeps the fire of divinity burning away the imperfect ideas that have attached to me through the world. Much work to be done.
Beautifully said, I am glad that there are people in the west who are returning to the true values, which are Christian values. I notice that after the corona violence many people return to these values, especially in the west. I used to read a lot of everything, as you say, Bukowski and Henry Miller, and Nietzsche, etc., but now I can't do that anymore, the only thing I can read is spiritually imbued literature, and in fact, I read almost exclusively Orthodox literature. I wouldn't impose anything on you, but I was completely delighted when I discovered Seraphim Rose, he was an American, extremely educated and intelligent, even a genius, who converted to the Orthodox faith, there are his books and lectures in English, so that would be my recommendation.
EDIT: He was especially well educated in philosophy and later theology, no one explained the moral and spiritual decline of the West better than him.
PS. Seraphim Rose is widely read and appreciated in Russia.
But...the corona violence was also at play in Russia...At least as we knew by Edward Slavsquat....
No one denies that.
It is clear, my new friend whose name I cannot type due to keyboard issues, that we have both made intellectual and spiritual journeys that would be a delight to discuss. This forum, wonderful as it is, makes me feel like a hen pecking the ground for seed. I intend to search out this Seraphim Rose as well as the Bishop of 10,000 pages you mentioned elsewhere. Like you, I dabble in writing exercises of poetry and prose; unlike you I do for the purposes of purging the idea or thought so I can move on. It may either be a treasure for my grandchildren or a danger they may have to burn to keep from being shot-by-association.
Those demonic ideas are rooted in a certain tribe
Mankind is sick, the cure is to embrace it. No more hopium lies