A few months ago, I mentioned how, at times, I have the habit of lighting up a candle when I work. It brings in more clarity... or just simply "more light".
Yesterday, we had the usual weekly power interruption. So, I had some fun in the dark.
Mostly, the photos were taken with my low-res tablet. It was not as pitch dark as it seems. My desk is close to the windows----I never seem to work anywhere that has none. I love windows. I love the fresh air. And I often look out, enjoying the view between breaks.
My desk has accumulated a pile, since I cleared it up. And I no longer have a space for travel magazines (I usually keep them on my desk as "windows to distant lands"). Nevertheless, the real-life, real-time view keeps me grounded and connected. Why go for the photograph, when I have a mountain and garden right out my window?
However, that does not really console me. Back in June, I was asked to run some errands at the church. I walked into the wrong building, and found myself at the monsignor parish priest's office. All alone, too. Though the interior was somewhat bare, I still took a minute or more to look around. I had to admire the huge wooden desk he has. I wanted to run my hands through it, and just admire the wood work. Nothing fanciful. No "burloloy". Just good plain real wood. Even from a distance, I could not help murmuring, "Oh, yes, I would love that one or something as huge and even more to my liking, please."
I digress...
As I was going over my notes and pushing pens (I kid, everyone knows I love my job) in the dark, I felt like I just warped back in time. And I wondered to myself, "Back in 19-kopong-kopong (a colloquial term used to refer to the olden times), this is what it must have been like for heroes."
The thought put a smile on my face.
As most (or some) know, a lot of our national heroes who had the opportunity to study abroad were members of mason or occult groups. There is a number rumored to be esoteric or psychic themselves.
Thus, I thought it apt that, a few hours later, I went online (thank God, I managed to charge up my phone and pocket Wi-Fi) and found out through my FB feeds that the occult world happened to be celebrating some kind of occasion that involves Crowley. The way I say that, I bet you can tell I belong to the faction that is not much of a fanatic over the dubbed Thelema Prophet. Gee whiz, to think that Thelema most antagonize Christianity (who mostly worship Yeshua as the messenger and savior). I think they should reconsider contesting Muhammad, the Islamic acclaimed Prophet, for holding the same title.
Anyway, as I always say, I am apparently not much of a fan of anyone, dead or alive. I am often very light with my words. I often use them loosely. But here, I do use the word "fan" strongly for what it fully means, by essence and by definition. I can easily appreciate the life a person led, or the ideals s/he might have dedicated his/her life for. But hero-worship and fanaticism are not my cup of tea.
I do not judge. I tell you. I can let some things be. But I never tolerate that which my mind cannot fathom, grasp, muster, comprehend. There are many things in this world that do not require the test of logic. In fact, foolishness often bypasses logic and gets "free passes", merely because it has a degree, certificate, license, title... or ends with a Ph. D. A lot of people have cunningly and shamelessly used their titles and the art of argumentation, to evade truth and integrity.
Who certified who? Everybody seems to be getting certified nowadays. As though you cannot even guarantee you exist, if you don't have one.
As an old acquaintance joked, "Certified gwapo? Saan ba nakakakuha ng ganun?" By which he meant, "Seriously???????"
These days, discernment is a virtue and an ally. I do not see why people should fall prey to dupery. Or why anyone should accept the ideals of another, solely by argument that s/he has a certificate to flaunt.
Personally, if your nonsense cannot pass through common sense and the radar of clarity, you get marked and barred.
Speaking of boundaries, of which some Thelema members I have come across supposedly take pride in... I draw lines.
It does interest me, because it so happens that Aleister is not his true name. And he is considered by others as merely a "ceremonial magician". I would deduce, "craft man", in a somewhat sarcastic way. I would choose to refrain from calling him as such, as I do respect true practitioners of the craft.
It is easy to find people who shrink in comparison to the achievements of the dead and gone. I wonder at that. Their legacy is worth being grateful for. But... you know... they are dead and, most of all, gone.
I light up when I meet people who know how alive they are, and their existence throbs and reverberates in every thing they do, in every breath they take, in every thought they speak.
I love people who see their brilliance, and shine fiercely.
I endure among the insightful----those who can see through falsehood and deceptions.
Rare qualities. We do talk about unique-hood. We do search for the real. How about starting with the alive, awake, and bursting with ardor?
I admire truthfulness.
I fall in love with your truth.
