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.
i think david wilcox could make anything into a nice song. even ontological lightness (egomaniacal heaviness).
i love reading the conversations that seth and sarah have with each other. sarah the pseudo-cynic and seth the soothsaying-singer.
I’m assuming you’ve read The Unbearable Lightness of Being? Fabulous discussion of this topic. Which is worse: Being sunk by the weight of the world, or having no anchor point?
I’m reading that same book “Sacred Romance). Where can I find that romance? Not here on this earth to be sure…. We are so self-centered and our love always comes with motives and agendas…how sad.