a collection of processes

a collection of processes

fiction
edward w pritchard

I had a medical test using the latest technology to survey the source of the spark of life within my body. The objective was by examining one specific part of me to allow that which I call myself collectively to continue its existence.

In protest for the first time the collective entity that is my soul spoke to me about the invasion of it's temporary domain. I did not understand how the soul communicates with us but the message was stone cold crystal clear. This was not a metaphysical inference or message from the soul but more of a warning and obviously it produced a certain dread and alarm that instantly was understood at a mysterious level.

Over the years I have read a hundred fifty books and references in theology, philosophy and mystical writings of the experiences of the saints on the soul and self and the various inferences, guesses  and interpretations of what is the self in us and what is the soul in us. Previously I would say my philosophy on the matter of the existence of soul and within us a self or non-self was not a speculative doctrine of psychology or philosophy but an obscure soteriological one. Now for the first time I see and understand as a dim  distant light the question of non self and soul as something perceptible and comprehensibly interesting but at the same time as of possible importance at a level above mere curiosity.

climbing mount Ventou with Petrarch

climbing Mount Ventou with Petrarch

fiction
edward w pritchard

One day in April long ago the Poet Petrarch decided to climb 6,700 foot Mount Ventou in southern France. On a whim, while reading the "History of Rome" by Livy Petrarch had an impulse to climb
the highest hill near to where he currently was staying. His essay describing the climb has been passed on to us and it makes for interesting reading.

Near the beginning of the essay Petrarch discusses how he picked a companion to accompany him on the arduous climb. Not surprisingly among his companions Petrarch can find none of his pals who is ideally suited  to climb a mountain with. At last unable to find a friend to accompany him Petrarch chooses his younger brother to go with him and two servants and sets off battling and conquering wind and terrain to reach the top of mount Ventou.

Nowhere in the essay on climbing mount Ventrou does Petrarch mention considering his ideal woman Laura who he often thinks about and writes poetry to as a possible candidate to climb with him up the highest local mountain. Perhaps Petrarch was worried Laura wouldn't choose him as an ideal candidate to ascend the highest local mountain or perhaps Petrarch preferred to keep Laura compartmentalized as his Muse and let it go at that.

my apostate

fiction
edward w pritchard

Once I was a time magazine intellectual but now be a strict follower of Wiki's opinions of all matter's.

Since there is no sacred scripture on the matter and no man made final Nicene Creed to censure and guide me sometimes do I secretly question Wiki's dictates Authoritatively and Confidently revealed on all obscure subjects.

Nous and vous what does it mean?

madness as acceptance

madness as acceptance

fiction
edward w pritchard

Anyone who is reasonably sane must admit that our country as a collective conglomeration has gone slightly mad lately.

Look no further than our leaders, politics, and the various beautiful famous people  trying to get ahead in life. What a racket they make with their squawking as they come in and out of grace each year.

Then there is the social media of television telling us how to think and behave. Case in point the guy in the commercial who buys two new vehicles for he and his wife at Christmas. In another commercial he can't figure our how to wrap them for the surprise unveiling.

There's not much spirituality left in america these days. No wonder sometimes some of the foreigners think our country is a bit lacking at some level.

portent or bodement

portent or bodement

fiction
edward w pritchard

Once an unpaid  graduate assistant I have to comment on the recent strike of graduate students at Harvard University. The graduate students are asking for $25. per hour as compensation for their labor.

I have forgotten; is this student demand a bodement or a portent of the future expectations of our future leaders?

for our Russian readers/ part 2

for our Russian readers/ part 2

fiction
edward w pritchard

Even here in America when we want to emphasize that somewhere is very cold we use Siberia as the place of compare.

Yesterday after my work of watching the grandchildren I went down to the Lake near the house and spent five cold hours gathering fallen tree branches building a fire near the shore and walking about enjoying a cold winter evening. Unfortunately the sky was over cast so no star watching but it was a delightful winter evening capped off by a cold beer from a nearly frozen can.

Sometimes as I walk I imagine myself in Siberia at 50 below zero. Surviving the cold is a matter of willpower, habit and a good Russian style hat.

Live a life less ordinary.Turn off the TV and walk in the cold for a few hours. It will bring you much happiness.