Brainstorming about history, politics, literature, religion, and other topics from a 'gypsy' scholar on a wagon hitched to a star.
I wrote this religious poem about a month ago.
No One Feels Death
No one feels death, but Jesus,
who reckons my every stroke,
the forty minus one
of which the rabbis spoke.
No one seeks death, but Jesus,
who counters every blow
and bears our every sorrow
because he loves us so.
But how in the Hell do we know? (This query is not part of the poem.)
posted by Horace Jeffery Hodges @ 12:17 AM
14 comments
I am a retired professor. I last taught at Ewha Womans University, mostly composition, research writing, and cultural issues, but also the occasional graduate seminar on Gnosticism and Johannine theology and the occasional undergraduate course on European history. My doctorate is in history (U.C. Berkeley), with emphasis on religion and science. My thesis is on John's gospel and Gnosticism. I'm also an award-winning writer, and I recommend my novella, The Bottomless Bottle of Beer, to anyone interested. I'm originally from the Arkansas Ozarks, but my academic career -- funded through doctoral and postdoctoral fellowships (e.g., Fulbright, Naumann, Lady Davis) -- has taken me through Texas, California, Switzerland, Germany, Australia, and Israel and has landed me in Seoul, South Korea. I've also traveled to Mexico, visited much of Europe, including Moscow, and touched down briefly in a few East Asian countries. Hence: "Gypsy Scholar."
14 Comments:
Very nice. I'm reminded of this.
Thanks, Kevin. Anything happening in the blogging realm? I'm retired and should have more time for blogging, but I have less time.
Jeffery Hodges
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Pretty much the same old nonsense.
I'll skip it maybe.
Jeffery Hodges
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I just took a look at your new neighborhood on Naver Map. Looks nice! Quiet and clean. And out of curiosity, I checked out how far of a walk it might be from where I live. If I follow Naver's suggested walking route, it's 20 km. If I follow the bike route (which will probably be more pleasant), it's 27 km. I might try walking to your place some day. Once I arrive, I'll be horribly stinky, so I promise not to intrude in your domicile (besides, it would be rude of me to invite myself into your home!), but maybe we can meet somewhere outside your place and have a drink and a snack. With fall coming soon, a 27K walk sounds like a pleasant idea. Maybe sometime in late September? I'll be gone for much of October, but early November would also work, when the weather is nice and brisk.
Sounds good. I will check with Sun-Ae.
Jeffery Hodges
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Sun-Ae says you are required to take a shower upon entering this fine urban incorporated center. Sorry. Town ordinance. You are allowed, i.e., you are permitted, to stay overnight if and only if you keep yourself clean. If you are a scofflaw about this, you might be defenestrated. Just think of this as friendly advice.
After 26 of September would be fine.
Jeffery Hodges
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Got your email about this reply. I'm leaving for Jeju on the 28th of September (walk blog), so that's cutting it a bit too close for me. How about after I come back? I'll be back in the office on October 25 (Tue). Would you all be okay with a visit on Saturday, October 29? And hey, if a shower is my ticket in, then okay! We can all take one together! As for staying overnight—no, that won't be necessary, but thank you for the hospitality. I live close enough that I can take a bus, subway, or cab right back to my place.
Sounds fine! We'll see you then.
Jeffery Hodges
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The real man or woman learns to live by becoming willing and able to die.
Such a one is able to confront the difficult barriers and frustrations of this world and, yet, remain capable of ecstasy in every moment.
Therefore, the primary initiation that leads to human maturity is the confrontation with mortal fear.
Only when the ultimate frustration that is death has been fully considered and felt and understood as a process can the individual live without self-protective and self-destructive fears.
Only in intuitive freedom from the threat and fear of death is the individual capable of constant love of The Divine Being, and also capable of transcending the frustrating and self-binding effects of daily experience.
Only in freedom from mortal recoil is the individual capable of ecstasy under all conditions.
Therefore, be fully alive - but learn right life by first dealing with your death.
Become aware that you do not live, but that you are Lived by The Divine Person.
Surrender your illusion of independent life in ecstatic communion with The Living Divine Person.
Become willing to die in any moment, and maintain no inward armor against it.
Die in every moment - by not holding on to your life
I fear the dark. Death is very dark.
Jeffery Hodges
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