Dreaming permits each and every one of us to be quietly and safely insane every night of our lives.
William Dement
********************
Hello Mark
*********************
"We are such stuff s dreams are made on" wrote Shakespeare. If that is so how can we tell the difference between the sleeping dream and the waking dream? Furthermore, if the sleeping dream affords us the right to go insane, doesn,t the waking dream do so too? And if insanity is what the sleeping dream feeds on why can't the waking dream do the same? Or are we all still asleep while we think we are awake?
When I read the news I perceive many human activities that seem to have no other explanation than that someone, or some group of people, has gone not so quietly or safely insane. How else but by madness can you explain some of the outrageous behavior of humans: suicide bombers, decisions by fundamentalist religions, the plundering of citizens by banks and other institutions, the kidnapping of children, millions of dollars being poured into a relatively small Midwestern state to garnish votes of doubtful worth. legalized torture, rape, murder, cruelty, infidelity, police brutality, nuclear weapons, the exploitation of children, other people being paid a fortune for performing acts of dubious quality, home owners being disallowed to display an American flag on their property, drones. Are we all guilty of this daytime craziness, and do we all need to wake up?
"Keep a level head" the saying goes. How level is my head? Rudyard Kipling wrote about that:
"If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you," and
"If you can dream - and not make dreams your master."
That's the question. Are we letting our dreams master us? When a man blows up a building and says that God told him to do it in a dream or in a vision you can be sure there is a mad man loose.
It seems to me the peculiar type of insanity that people are victimized by is not being able to tell the difference between a rational and irrational act or decision. Where is the buzzer, the alarm clock that should wake us up? Are we still asleep after we crawl out of bed? Do we sleepwalk through the day? And when we decide on the mad act, whatever it is, do the non thinking tools of passion, will power and tunnel vision take over our lives and hold us captive?
It's an odd fact that we spend most of days somewhere between asleep and alert. What we need to do is to understand, first of all, that we may well be still asleep and moving through a dream of life. Then let the cold breeze of reality blow across our thoughts and startle us into alertness. We need to ask "Wait a minute, what am I thinking of. Does it make any sense? Do I really want the results I'm heading for? Are these really my thoughts or do they come from some goblin of the night?" We need to be clear, "level headed," to keep our own heads and not rent them out to some inane fantasy. We need to confine our own inexplicable madness to the night time slumber.
"O dreamer, leave thy s dreams for joyful waking,
O captive, rise and sing, for thou art free."
(Rosa Turner)
DB -Vagabond Journeys
Never Give Up
************************
This is an invitation for anyone and everyone to post an entry of their own on my journal, Vagabond Journeys http://vagabondjourneys.blogspot.com/.
The new year is upon us and since it is a time for celebrations, remembrances, resolutions and plans for the future I think people have things to say.
Not to take away from the postings on your own journals, but to add to the joy of my own is why I invite you to write for mine.
I want to read what your thoughts are about this magical time of the year. This invitation is open to everyone: Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Pagans, Agnostics, Atheists and the Uncertain.
Tell me your thoughts on Chanukah, Christmas, Ashura, Kwanzaa, the Winter Solstice, the New Year. or any subject you wish or associate with this holiday season.
There are no limits in regard to length. The only limitation is that, for reasons so far unexplained to me, my blog does not take photographs, animations, videos or pictures of any kind. I deal in words.
Please accept my invitation. Send your entry to my email address dbdacoba@aol.com I will copy and paste it into my journal and it will be displayed promptly. You may sign your name or not as you wish, and you may leave a link to your blog or your email or not, as you wish. I will do NO editing or censoring. Eloquence is not necessary, mind or heart or both is all.
I have 11 Guest Authors so far. Check them out.
All are welcome. Admission is free.
DB
***************************
Showing posts with label madness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label madness. Show all posts
Monday, January 2, 2012
Monday, November 21, 2011
Watch Your Head
In a completely sane world, madness is the only freedom.
J. G. Ballard
******************
Hello Stuart
******************
If this was a completely sane world Ballard's pronouncement would be appropriate. But since when has there ever been a completely sane world? It seems to me the current world is crazier than it's ever been. Cruel dictatorships here, religious fanatics running things over there and terrorists in the other place. How does the human race survive?
Now, in my country, we have a group of total mad men and women in the United States Congress.
When I was younger I admit to a lot of insanity. I did crazy things. I took foolish risks. I supported groups and activities that made no sense. I fought irrationally just to win an argument. I overlooked many facts of life that were right in front of me. I was jealous, suspicious and non sparing in my harsh criticism of others. I gradually grew up, became more of an adult and saw the moronic error of my ways. Now I am not completely sane. No one is. But I recognize that reason is the only freedom in a completely insane world. Surely the members of Congress have grown up to the same understanding and rely upon reason, logic and clear thinking to conduct their business. Or do they?
Some of them are now dickering around with each other, trying to win arguments while, meanwhile, bills are written and waiting to be turned into legislation that would deprive Americans of the benefits that making living in this country worth it. There is argument about instantly erasing the federal debt which could be solved over the long run my good fiscal management, about which no one seems to know anything. And even as they argue they are refusing to go where the money is and get it. Some of those madmen still believe the Medieval idea that the wealthy are somehow superior human beings. We can't even say that these lunatics walk among us because they don't, and that's part of the problem.
There is no doubt an endemic of madness has taken over Washington. One wealthy senior was heard saying that if he were taxed he would only have $200.000 left to feed his family. One of the candidates for President said he would overturn the Supreme Court, another has suggested to put the poor students to work cleaning the schools and pay them to teach them the work ethic and the value of a dollar, instead of putting the rich kids to work to teach them the value of the wealth their parents have. And about the Occupy Wall Street protesters it was said they should take a bath and find a job. There is no excuse for that low level of ignorance, particularly among men who presume they are qualified to be President of the United States. President of the rich, President of the Middle Class, President of the poor, President of the native Americans and President of the immigrants.
About the Occupiers another senior member of Congress asked "What do they want?" I reply if you don't know what they want then you have no business being in a position where you even have the right to ask that question.
The angels with the vials of the seven last plagues has poured one of them
on the heads of Americans and only the rational, clear thinking, sane ones have the freedom to resist it.
---------------------------------------
DB - The Vagabond
**********************
J. G. Ballard
******************
Hello Stuart
******************
If this was a completely sane world Ballard's pronouncement would be appropriate. But since when has there ever been a completely sane world? It seems to me the current world is crazier than it's ever been. Cruel dictatorships here, religious fanatics running things over there and terrorists in the other place. How does the human race survive?
Now, in my country, we have a group of total mad men and women in the United States Congress.
When I was younger I admit to a lot of insanity. I did crazy things. I took foolish risks. I supported groups and activities that made no sense. I fought irrationally just to win an argument. I overlooked many facts of life that were right in front of me. I was jealous, suspicious and non sparing in my harsh criticism of others. I gradually grew up, became more of an adult and saw the moronic error of my ways. Now I am not completely sane. No one is. But I recognize that reason is the only freedom in a completely insane world. Surely the members of Congress have grown up to the same understanding and rely upon reason, logic and clear thinking to conduct their business. Or do they?
Some of them are now dickering around with each other, trying to win arguments while, meanwhile, bills are written and waiting to be turned into legislation that would deprive Americans of the benefits that making living in this country worth it. There is argument about instantly erasing the federal debt which could be solved over the long run my good fiscal management, about which no one seems to know anything. And even as they argue they are refusing to go where the money is and get it. Some of those madmen still believe the Medieval idea that the wealthy are somehow superior human beings. We can't even say that these lunatics walk among us because they don't, and that's part of the problem.
There is no doubt an endemic of madness has taken over Washington. One wealthy senior was heard saying that if he were taxed he would only have $200.000 left to feed his family. One of the candidates for President said he would overturn the Supreme Court, another has suggested to put the poor students to work cleaning the schools and pay them to teach them the work ethic and the value of a dollar, instead of putting the rich kids to work to teach them the value of the wealth their parents have. And about the Occupy Wall Street protesters it was said they should take a bath and find a job. There is no excuse for that low level of ignorance, particularly among men who presume they are qualified to be President of the United States. President of the rich, President of the Middle Class, President of the poor, President of the native Americans and President of the immigrants.
About the Occupiers another senior member of Congress asked "What do they want?" I reply if you don't know what they want then you have no business being in a position where you even have the right to ask that question.
The angels with the vials of the seven last plagues has poured one of them
on the heads of Americans and only the rational, clear thinking, sane ones have the freedom to resist it.
---------------------------------------
DB - The Vagabond
**********************
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
The Playpen
In old age we are like a batch of letters someone has sent. We are no longer in the past, we have arrived.
Knut Hamsun
*******************
I'm a mad man. No, there's no doubt about it, I'm completely cracked; stark, shivering crazy. I've lost it.
Shakespeare calls old age "second chilishness." It is a theory that all babies are born insane and gradually grow into sanity and wisdom as they mature. I don't remember much about my babyhood but I'm of the opinion that it might be the other way around. I think it's possible that all babies are born completely sane and knowing everything which they can't articulate except to other babies and that they gradually grow to lose it in the carriages and play pens of the world. Imagine how frustrating it must be for a baby not being able to tell anyone what you know. It's enough to make you wet yur diaper and wake up in the middle of the night crying for no apparent reason.
Not having lived a normal life has taught me that there is no such thing. Being a wanderer has taught me that the only place anyone really lives is in his own head. And being an artist has taught me to gracefully let go of the ball and chain which is generally known to the world at large as common sense.
But being mad is a good healthy way to be as far as I can determine. I do illogical things. If I am on my way to the market I stop and feel the leaves of a tree or a bush. If I pass the kitchen sink I squeeze a little soap into the sponge and wash three dishes instead of the whole sink full. If anyone lived with me they would become exasperated at my behavior or else go mad themselves.
I say things no one understands. I know that, because every time I make a statement of pure, inspired wisdom it's met with a blank, uncomprehending stare. There's a small tree in front of the house. When I refer to it as "yonder wood" no one cares to know why.
When I find conservative nonsense and liberal grunting humorous people don't get it. But when I become fascinated by some obscure news item that doesn't make the papers or the TV news every day they just think I'm off the beaten path of life. Well, I am. I'm the crazy old loon who lives by himself in the attic, harmless in his madness. He listens to Wagner operas and reads philosophy. He's a total fruitcake.
The letters have been sent and read and the attempt to summarize the contents has taught me that there are no summations (which it also says in my Profile).
So what's left for an old crackpot to do? To what have I arrived? A certain benign orneriness, acceptance and refusal, an abiding sense of humor, willingness to face the fog and walk into it. I can now change my own diapers, if I wake up in the middle of the night the only thing I want to know is what time it is. I accept the fact that I will never have all the things in my playpen that I want. I refuse to get angry at any one but myself. I refuse to do today what I can put off to tomorrow. I don't follow the Phillies. I refuse to accept everything any authority tells me. I will think for myself and not worry about it if the thoughts come from the mind of a lunatic.
I refuse to be afraid of death. If you go to England you can visit the grave of Charles Dickens, but Dickens isn't there, he's still alive. If I could live my life all over again I would change almost everything. But would I then have something to summarize? I doubt it.
Being an actor has taught me that the world is a stage and the roles keep changing, but they are all masquerades. So I will set Sir Percival spinning, wash my hands and face in the words of some other old maniac's sink, play in my pen and enjoy, as much as possible, the role in which I have somehow cast myself.
DB - The Vagabond
*********************
SPRING QUESTION
(This is not a contest.)
In your opinion what is the most amazing thing that could happen during this decade? Make it as outrageous as you want but keep it within the realm of what you consider a possibility.
Only 4 responses so far.
Answers will be published the first day of Summer.
dbdacoba@aol.com
DB - The Vagabond
*******************
Knut Hamsun
*******************
I'm a mad man. No, there's no doubt about it, I'm completely cracked; stark, shivering crazy. I've lost it.
Shakespeare calls old age "second chilishness." It is a theory that all babies are born insane and gradually grow into sanity and wisdom as they mature. I don't remember much about my babyhood but I'm of the opinion that it might be the other way around. I think it's possible that all babies are born completely sane and knowing everything which they can't articulate except to other babies and that they gradually grow to lose it in the carriages and play pens of the world. Imagine how frustrating it must be for a baby not being able to tell anyone what you know. It's enough to make you wet yur diaper and wake up in the middle of the night crying for no apparent reason.
Not having lived a normal life has taught me that there is no such thing. Being a wanderer has taught me that the only place anyone really lives is in his own head. And being an artist has taught me to gracefully let go of the ball and chain which is generally known to the world at large as common sense.
But being mad is a good healthy way to be as far as I can determine. I do illogical things. If I am on my way to the market I stop and feel the leaves of a tree or a bush. If I pass the kitchen sink I squeeze a little soap into the sponge and wash three dishes instead of the whole sink full. If anyone lived with me they would become exasperated at my behavior or else go mad themselves.
I say things no one understands. I know that, because every time I make a statement of pure, inspired wisdom it's met with a blank, uncomprehending stare. There's a small tree in front of the house. When I refer to it as "yonder wood" no one cares to know why.
When I find conservative nonsense and liberal grunting humorous people don't get it. But when I become fascinated by some obscure news item that doesn't make the papers or the TV news every day they just think I'm off the beaten path of life. Well, I am. I'm the crazy old loon who lives by himself in the attic, harmless in his madness. He listens to Wagner operas and reads philosophy. He's a total fruitcake.
The letters have been sent and read and the attempt to summarize the contents has taught me that there are no summations (which it also says in my Profile).
So what's left for an old crackpot to do? To what have I arrived? A certain benign orneriness, acceptance and refusal, an abiding sense of humor, willingness to face the fog and walk into it. I can now change my own diapers, if I wake up in the middle of the night the only thing I want to know is what time it is. I accept the fact that I will never have all the things in my playpen that I want. I refuse to get angry at any one but myself. I refuse to do today what I can put off to tomorrow. I don't follow the Phillies. I refuse to accept everything any authority tells me. I will think for myself and not worry about it if the thoughts come from the mind of a lunatic.
I refuse to be afraid of death. If you go to England you can visit the grave of Charles Dickens, but Dickens isn't there, he's still alive. If I could live my life all over again I would change almost everything. But would I then have something to summarize? I doubt it.
Being an actor has taught me that the world is a stage and the roles keep changing, but they are all masquerades. So I will set Sir Percival spinning, wash my hands and face in the words of some other old maniac's sink, play in my pen and enjoy, as much as possible, the role in which I have somehow cast myself.
DB - The Vagabond
*********************
SPRING QUESTION
(This is not a contest.)
In your opinion what is the most amazing thing that could happen during this decade? Make it as outrageous as you want but keep it within the realm of what you consider a possibility.
Only 4 responses so far.
Answers will be published the first day of Summer.
dbdacoba@aol.com
DB - The Vagabond
*******************
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