Category: Personal

philosopher

What’s a book you never finished but still think about?

I could mention a number of books but here is one: When Nietzsche Wept.

TBH: I found it a little pompous and the plot with very slow. I like the subject – Nietzsche’s relationship with Lou Salomé – and the general premise is very promising but somehow does not deliver for me.

It is one of those books where I get to a certain point, wonder what is happening next, and then cannot go on. But always wonder how it ends. Maybe I should skip to the end and find out!?

modern spirituality

It is intrinsic to ascetical theology to adapt itself to the contemporary situation, yet it can only evolve out of a living tradition with roots in the past. We have now discovered, rather painfully, that a scholar cannot just sit down and compose a new liturgy; nor can another scholar sit down and write a modern spirituality. Both depend upon the worshipping community developing a tradition. That, by the grace of God, seems to be happening, but it needs a compatible ascetical theology to support, guide, and nurture it, and the only source of such a theology is the tradition itself: it is sometimes more progressive to look back a thousand years than to look forward three weeks.

English Spirituality, 13

Optina Pustyn

Which fictional world would be the most fun to vacation in?

This is not a fictional world but rather a world about which I have read.

I would like to vacation in the Optina Pustyn (during the 19th century) – Russian religious community that is famous for its elders. It is everything about which I dream. And it is Russian (cf the last tsar). The above icon is in my book of icons.

I am not writing more but it would be so special I doubt very much I would ever leave. So maybe a permanent move?

the last tsar

If you could go back and witness any historical event, which one would you pick?

This changes every day but …

I would like to witness the last days of Tsar Nicholas II, especially the death of Rasputin. They are somewhat removed from each other but form a single event. If I could also see St Elisabeth the New Martyr that could really make the event.

Anyway …

the church and me

So I was thinking about “church”. Maybe there are are two issues I have:

  1. ecclesiolatry
  2. clericalism

Ecclesiolatry means excessive or obsessive devotion to the church as an institution, its traditions, or its physical and ceremonial trappings, rather than to God or the spiritual faith it represents.

It is therefore necessary, on the one hand, to decisively overcome the scourge of clericalism. Listening and leaving aside stereotypes are powerful antidotes to the risk of clericalism, to which an assembly such as this is inevitably exposed, despite our intentions. Clericalism arises from an elitist and exclusivist vision of vocation, that interprets the ministry received as a power to be exercised rather than as a free and generous service to be given. This leads us to believe that we belong to a group that has all the answers and no longer needs to listen or learn anything, or that pretends to listen. Clericalism is a perversion and is the root of many evils in the Church: we must humbly ask forgiveness for this and above all create the conditions so that it is not repeated.

Pope Francis

There is something the same in each of the above. And I think it is not reserved to liturgy or hierarchical institutions. Some of the most “dictatorial clergy” I have met are non-conformist.

In the end, there is no institutional answer to a personal question.

Russian cross

If you had to get a tattoo right now, what would it be and why?

Oh wow!!! Great question. I have two tattoos – one of Kierkegaard and the other my favourite quote – so I am not anti-tattoo.

Most likely, if I were to get another, it would be a Russian orthodox cross. Something simple! My tattoos are meaningful to me, they describe a period of my life. In the last year I have read much Russian literature with much appreciation. And some has been religious. So a Russian cross!

Maybe like this:

Jesus?!

How did you meet your significant other?

I did have a significant other but no more. And it is way too painful!!! So …

When did meet Him? At my baptism He introduced Himself but it took me a few years to get back to Him. I am still really bad with staying in touch but He is super kind and always welcoming. I try and He really appreciates it.

dentist

For I determined not to know anything among you, except Jesus Christ, and him crucified

I have a visit to the dentist today – emergency type! I am terrified. I do not like the whole doctor thing but the pain is not much fun either. So the least evil of the two!

The above is from Mattins (1871 lectionary, if you must know). Nothing but Jesus! “Carry your cross and follow me”. Maybe that is the image to carry today?

Anyway …

nah!?

If you could relive one day from your past, which day would it be and why?

There are many days I remember with fondness, I would not want to relive any!

Why? My memory is better than the reality because it has a layer of time and emotion. Meeting a person is only special because of who they became to me. So some moments are special because of what came after them. So memory of what happened is better than the actual event.

How strange is that?!