Wow, so much of this essay really resonates with me John!
I absolutely 'related' to the character of Roland when I read "Elidor"...honestly, I cannot remember a time in my life that I wasn't looking for something 'more' or imagining that any given corner turned might yield a sudden opening into another world.
And then, after having my daughter (24 yrs ago), as I began to be aware of the increasing darkening of the world, and my Faith became a battle to continue Believing -
- a very real sense of 'purpose' began to grow within me and become part of my relationship with God, as I felt more and more that I was 'here for a reason'.
This, of course, is the kind of thing you can't really talk about to anyone you know - it sounds 'less than sane'....and yet...why should it? Especially among fellow Christians? We believe in a purposeful Creator who has, purposefully at times, intervened in His creation...
...And then, those of us who are inclined to 'Romantic Christianity' and are drawn to Nikolai Berdyaev's ideas of being "Co-creators" with God - well, it only make sense that we might feel some degree of 'destiny' in the particulars of our birth and life experiences.
I'm glad that your next essay will expound on "That Hidden Strength". I only just read it for the first time about 3 years ago (while reading the Albion Awakening Blog)....
I have to tell you -
- I was struck, not only by the prescience of that book (are we not currently living in the world that the N.I.C.E. were trying to create?), but also by a sense that...there's something it's telling us...and I think your writings on this Substack are part of that.
Well, that's all I've 'got' for now.
I'm so sorry that I can't contribute to the coffee fund! If you were in the U.S., I could slip a $20 bill in an envelope and mail it to you, but as it is - my husband does all the digital 'purchasing', and unless there's an actual 'item' I can point him to (such as the "Albion Awakening" book, which he was happy to buy for me)...well, it's just very difficult.
Thanks very much Carol. Don't worry about the coffee - I'll live :-) When I start work at 9 am, as is the case this week, I go to a pub which opens at 8 and the coffee there is only £1.25. So even in these straitened times that won't break the bank :-) Your presence here and the quality of your observations and comments counts for far more.
Yes, it's s shame that we feel we can't talk easily and naturally with others (even fellow-Christians) about our lives having a divinely-appointed purpose. I'm finding it hard at the church I attend to be honest. Social conditioning and mechanical phrases and responses are very deeply embedded in us. It's a battle to be Real and to give voice to the Real. Yet that is what counts and that will be all that is left - the only thing left standing - on the last day.
Much as with Carol, this resonated with me greatly. Most of my life has been spent adrift with only fleeting ideas of purpose, while always dreaming of something beyond. I used to put such dreams down to a combination of life circumstances mainly out of my control.
I can see myself in Roland, in the starved fool. Only in the last two years have my senses of Self and God really had room to grow, and though they still need some work, a kind of destiny has become apparent of late. The three closely entwined, I hope the fire within will flourish as I go.
On another note, both your essay and some of Garner's books (I went on a Wiki walk) were quite synchronistic. I'll have to track down a copy of each story.
Your work is well appreciated, John sir. Thank you.
'Most of my life has been spent adrift with only fleeting ideas of purpose, while always dreaming of something beyond. I used to put such dreams down to a combination of life circumstances mainly out of my control.'
Same, to be honest. Like yourself, I've only properly become conscious of this in the last couple of years or so. There's lots more unveiling/revelation to come too. That's both a frightening and an inspirational thought!
I think this is why The Lay of the Starved Fool chapter jumped out at me this time. I've been reading Elidor for 40 years now and writing about it for over 10 yet I don't think I've truly taken in its significance before.
I hope - and I'm sure - that your destiny will become clearer and clearer, and the fire within burn brighter and stronger as the pattern and shape of your life unfold and become manifest.
Wow, so much of this essay really resonates with me John!
I absolutely 'related' to the character of Roland when I read "Elidor"...honestly, I cannot remember a time in my life that I wasn't looking for something 'more' or imagining that any given corner turned might yield a sudden opening into another world.
And then, after having my daughter (24 yrs ago), as I began to be aware of the increasing darkening of the world, and my Faith became a battle to continue Believing -
- a very real sense of 'purpose' began to grow within me and become part of my relationship with God, as I felt more and more that I was 'here for a reason'.
This, of course, is the kind of thing you can't really talk about to anyone you know - it sounds 'less than sane'....and yet...why should it? Especially among fellow Christians? We believe in a purposeful Creator who has, purposefully at times, intervened in His creation...
...And then, those of us who are inclined to 'Romantic Christianity' and are drawn to Nikolai Berdyaev's ideas of being "Co-creators" with God - well, it only make sense that we might feel some degree of 'destiny' in the particulars of our birth and life experiences.
I'm glad that your next essay will expound on "That Hidden Strength". I only just read it for the first time about 3 years ago (while reading the Albion Awakening Blog)....
I have to tell you -
- I was struck, not only by the prescience of that book (are we not currently living in the world that the N.I.C.E. were trying to create?), but also by a sense that...there's something it's telling us...and I think your writings on this Substack are part of that.
Well, that's all I've 'got' for now.
I'm so sorry that I can't contribute to the coffee fund! If you were in the U.S., I could slip a $20 bill in an envelope and mail it to you, but as it is - my husband does all the digital 'purchasing', and unless there's an actual 'item' I can point him to (such as the "Albion Awakening" book, which he was happy to buy for me)...well, it's just very difficult.
God Bless you John - you're in my prayers!!
Thanks very much Carol. Don't worry about the coffee - I'll live :-) When I start work at 9 am, as is the case this week, I go to a pub which opens at 8 and the coffee there is only £1.25. So even in these straitened times that won't break the bank :-) Your presence here and the quality of your observations and comments counts for far more.
Yes, it's s shame that we feel we can't talk easily and naturally with others (even fellow-Christians) about our lives having a divinely-appointed purpose. I'm finding it hard at the church I attend to be honest. Social conditioning and mechanical phrases and responses are very deeply embedded in us. It's a battle to be Real and to give voice to the Real. Yet that is what counts and that will be all that is left - the only thing left standing - on the last day.
Thanks again and best wishes,
Jf
Excellent, lots of food for thought (and further reading too) I found this very encouraging.
Thanks very much Alan. I appreciate that. Very pleasing to read. All the best, John.
Much as with Carol, this resonated with me greatly. Most of my life has been spent adrift with only fleeting ideas of purpose, while always dreaming of something beyond. I used to put such dreams down to a combination of life circumstances mainly out of my control.
I can see myself in Roland, in the starved fool. Only in the last two years have my senses of Self and God really had room to grow, and though they still need some work, a kind of destiny has become apparent of late. The three closely entwined, I hope the fire within will flourish as I go.
On another note, both your essay and some of Garner's books (I went on a Wiki walk) were quite synchronistic. I'll have to track down a copy of each story.
Your work is well appreciated, John sir. Thank you.
'Most of my life has been spent adrift with only fleeting ideas of purpose, while always dreaming of something beyond. I used to put such dreams down to a combination of life circumstances mainly out of my control.'
Same, to be honest. Like yourself, I've only properly become conscious of this in the last couple of years or so. There's lots more unveiling/revelation to come too. That's both a frightening and an inspirational thought!
I think this is why The Lay of the Starved Fool chapter jumped out at me this time. I've been reading Elidor for 40 years now and writing about it for over 10 yet I don't think I've truly taken in its significance before.
I hope - and I'm sure - that your destiny will become clearer and clearer, and the fire within burn brighter and stronger as the pattern and shape of your life unfold and become manifest.
Many thanks, John