Archive for December 12th, 2003

Friday December 12, 2003 at 05:00 pm

idea of the day: “ontological lightness”

here’s what “the sacred romance” (a book i’m re-reading) says about it:

“if i try to hold still, my soul reacts like a feather in the afternoon breeze, flitting from place to place without purpose or direction.� i almost seem invisible in the noise or blankness.� theologians refer to this condition as ‘ontological lightness’, the reality that when i stop ‘doing’ and simply listen to my heart, i am not anchored to anything substantive.� i become aware that my very identity is synonymous with activity.”

“our whole american culture is infected with ontological lightness, celebrities and pro athletes being the most dramatic examples of this victimization of our souls that ruins us for any substantive love relationship.� they are anchored only to their performances and out of their performances come their identities– and ours who worship them.� as soon as they stop performing, their identities– and ours– disappear.”

ugh, i think i’m infected.