When I met Frank on the train, I was reading a book entitled Gravity and Levity. This binary continues to preoccupy me and to inform my thinking about how I’m doing here on the planet.
Thank you, Susan. The use of the word lyricism means a lot to me. I think it indicates I've broken out of a cynical prison and am inhabiting this beautiful world for better or for worse.
Oh my Goodness! This piece so deserves a huge audience, perhaps a Buddhist-leaning audience.
I liked the part about reflection. I'm drawn to taking phone photos of reflections on water, snow, sidewalks, grass.....But this made me consider my thought reflections, the ones I usually mistake for being solid. Then I looked back a few pages in my journal--nope, thoughts not solid either. As you say, "Everything in motion." I also really like how you spice up with humor some heavy philosophical statements: "space is infinite, but not out to get you....and how you describe the depth of us humans as "a circus of a person." Thanks, once again, for a great read.
I first got mesmerized by the beauty and the images of that which we can’t pin on a bulletin board. I had to read it again to try to understand some of the more subtle, philosophical parts and was helped by your reference to the “ain sof “Thanks for both.
Thank you for sticking with me, Rachael. Sometimes I go far afield. As I wrote, I'm drawn to the insubstantial...but also to the ineffable. So I try to write about ideas that really don't lend themselves to explanation. It's a challenge!
Yes . . it was The Tao of Physics. I think I still have it. Shcrodinger's Cat was readable, as far as I got. Maybe the Dummies book would be useful .. I've often found them so !
I just remembered another writer who's really good with this arcane stuff....Carlo Rovelli. I was very taken with his book "The Order of Time" a few years back.
Well . . I've commenced endeavors in that direction three times that I remember, with three different books, and not gotten more than half way in any of them ! The name of the first I can't remember, though it was big at the time. The second was The Dancing Wu Li Masters. The third, most recently, was In Search of Schrodinger's Cat: Quantum Physics And Reality, which I purchased, via Kindle, in late 2017. And there actually is this, which I haven't read or looked at:
The Tao of Physics maybe? Was In Search of Schrodinger's Cat readable? I'm actually looking for something that will give me something to hang my hat on but not necessarily reach out into the philosophical realm. That part I do myself...but I'd like to have a better idea of what I'm basing my fantasies on. Know what I mean?
Susie you capture the ineffable with such grace and lyricism - spectacular piece. Enjoyed the levity and gravity of it!
Thank you, Susan. The use of the word lyricism means a lot to me. I think it indicates I've broken out of a cynical prison and am inhabiting this beautiful world for better or for worse.
Oh my Goodness! This piece so deserves a huge audience, perhaps a Buddhist-leaning audience.
I liked the part about reflection. I'm drawn to taking phone photos of reflections on water, snow, sidewalks, grass.....But this made me consider my thought reflections, the ones I usually mistake for being solid. Then I looked back a few pages in my journal--nope, thoughts not solid either. As you say, "Everything in motion." I also really like how you spice up with humor some heavy philosophical statements: "space is infinite, but not out to get you....and how you describe the depth of us humans as "a circus of a person." Thanks, once again, for a great read.
I'd love to see some of those photos of reflections. I learn so much from encountering reality outside of language.
I’ll send a few
I first got mesmerized by the beauty and the images of that which we can’t pin on a bulletin board. I had to read it again to try to understand some of the more subtle, philosophical parts and was helped by your reference to the “ain sof “Thanks for both.
Thank you for sticking with me, Rachael. Sometimes I go far afield. As I wrote, I'm drawn to the insubstantial...but also to the ineffable. So I try to write about ideas that really don't lend themselves to explanation. It's a challenge!
Love this piece that sings with gravity and levity, and I love reading the comments too. You have such great readers, Susie.
We are vibrating on the same wavelength, aren't we?
So special that you share this gift with us.
Beautiful piece
🩷
It brings me joy to think of you reading my words down in Berkeley. The more sharing, the better.
Great exploration of the balance inherent in all change and growth and life - thank you once again!
Much appreciated, Carol. Big subjects help me to keep my head above water.
Yes . . it was The Tao of Physics. I think I still have it. Shcrodinger's Cat was readable, as far as I got. Maybe the Dummies book would be useful .. I've often found them so !
I just remembered another writer who's really good with this arcane stuff....Carlo Rovelli. I was very taken with his book "The Order of Time" a few years back.
Extraordinary piece. Beautifully written and thought provoking. Like music for the soul.
As long as we can sing it together.
So beautiful. I too am drawn to the ephemeral! There’s such a potent poignancy to it.
All efforts to undo this basic feature of life (like cryonics) give me the willies!
This is so rich it needs to be sipped and savored, like fine wine.
And you can get kind of tipsy on it, don't you think?
Ssusie, Another killer column!!! Be well, zingy guy
Thanks, Larry. Love hearing from you.
Ein sof!
Well . . I've commenced endeavors in that direction three times that I remember, with three different books, and not gotten more than half way in any of them ! The name of the first I can't remember, though it was big at the time. The second was The Dancing Wu Li Masters. The third, most recently, was In Search of Schrodinger's Cat: Quantum Physics And Reality, which I purchased, via Kindle, in late 2017. And there actually is this, which I haven't read or looked at:
https://www.amazon.com/Quantum-Physics-Dummies-Steven-Holzner/dp/1118460820. Let me know how you make out !
The Tao of Physics maybe? Was In Search of Schrodinger's Cat readable? I'm actually looking for something that will give me something to hang my hat on but not necessarily reach out into the philosophical realm. That part I do myself...but I'd like to have a better idea of what I'm basing my fantasies on. Know what I mean?
So lyrical, and so smart! Quantum physics . . the Uncertainty Principal, and Ein Sof . . the connections once again manifesting !
Thank you, Mitch. Can you suggest any high quality quantum physics for dummies books? It would be gratifying to actually know something.