The crenellated mind

"I suppose, in old age, there is advantage in retreating into a world of one's own, but not if the place one finds is hell."
                                - P.D. James, Children of Men

Being There

About four years ago, I was told to read Jerzy Kosinski's Being There. In those four years, I moved 3 times and donated a ton of books. Yet this one always managed to retain a spot on each bookshelf variation I purchased after moving. It was also the first book I decided to read.

"Yet plants were different from people. No plant is able to think about itself or able to know itself; there is no mirror in which the plant can recognize its face; no plant can do anything intentionally: it cannot help growing, and its growth has no meaning, since a plant cannot reason or dream."

Kosinski is conflicted about ambition. Chauncey Gardiner, the main character, is a plant--no growth, no ambition, no meaning, no dreams. He simply exists, things happen to him, and because of his guileless nature, a world filled with cloying ambition reacts to him as a refreshing antidote to a cynical world.

As I read the book, I was reminded of Winston Groom's Forrest Gump, which featured a character similar to Kosinski's Gardiner. In both stories, it is aspirational to live with childlike wonder, not expecting good things to happen; instead, just letting things happen.

It is reminiscent of Buddhist philosophy, much of which is intended to control desire. It paints a sharp contrast to Coelho's idea: "When a person really desires something, all the universe conspires to help that person to realize his dream."

It is difficult to find balance between these two philosophies. Most would agree that Gardiner and Gump have good things happen to them precisely because they are not looking. 

However, when a lack of desire turns into a lack of motivation, there is an arguably greater risk. When do we just sit around waiting for good things to happen in our lives? 

The universe conspires

When a person really desires something, all the universe conspires to help that person to realize his dream.

Ancestors

One of my professors recently tweeted: Sounds weird, but as exams begin, think about grandparents. Studies show parts of brain used for achievement are activated.

Years ago, I took an undergraduate religion class. I don't remember what the topic was, but as I was taking notes, I had this overwhelming thought.

I wrote: What would my ancestors think if they could see my life?

I think about that sometimes.

Life improvement #1: Being well-read

Roger Ebert is quickly becoming one of my favorite commentators on popular culture.  I just finished reading this article, which discusses the longevity of art.

At the end of the day, some authors will endure and most, including some very good ones, will not. Why do I think reading is important? It is such an effective medium between mind and mind. We think largely in words. A medium made only of words doesn't impose the barrier of any other medium. It is naked and unprotected communication. That's how you get pregnant. May you always be so.

You are what you love, not what loves you

I sometimes think about this scene.

How does this happen?

"Abbott shared a common driveway with his neighbors, Michael and Mary Scarano. The Scaranos engaged a contractor to pave their portion. Abbott obtained some asphalt from the contractor and made a doorstop to keep his garage door from swinging onto the Scaranos' property. Nicholas Scarano, who was visiting with the Scaranos, his parents, objected to Abbott's innovation. After some words between them a fist fight ensued.

"Although Abbott managed to land the first punch, with which he sent Nicholas to the ground, a jury could find Nicholas was the aggressor. At this point Michael Scarano came at Abbott with a hatchet...

"Mary Scarano followed, armed with a carving knife and large fork...

"The end result was that all of the Scaranos were hit by the hatchet."

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