Absolutely, Bob! There are many more of these vignettes. There are about 18 of them in my Modern Dreams collection, but when time permits, the goal is to create a full book around the Mountain Man poems, which will be a combination of prose interspersed with these visions. So it will be something like a cross between Boethius' Consolation of Philosophy, The Analects of Confucius, and Thus Spoke Zarathustra. I envision them meeting an evil sage at the top too, which will make for some interesting dialogues.
Yes, I note you have been experimenting with different forms, Dave. I am not well versed in the the classic form you use for the Mountain Man poems, but they have a pleasing philosophical appeal, albeit a bit esoteric. On the other hand, I thoroughly enjoyed your brilliant"Mother Martha" satire and will look forward to more of these.
BTW, I hope that "evil sage" isn't Aristotle! ... :) Bob
Indeed, Isma'il, without faith, the student cannot get far. But before there is faith, is there not doubt? The process of coming to faith usually involves certain challenges that test our faith. For, which one among us has never had their faith tested, or never had doubt? Hence, the last line: "there is no shortcut through this wood." Our faith becomes solidified as it is tested.
Good point with your example about faith and loyalty in marriage, Isma'il!
Naturally, I don't think there is an innate contradiction in what either of us are saying. I'll tell you why I think that is. Firstly, the piece is definitely meant to raise more questions than it answers. So in this respect, it's not about faith per se so much as it is knowledge per se. When it comes to pursuing knowledge, doubt is necessary. At the same time, one embarks on a journey for knowledge without first having it, necessary implying that you know there is something that you don't know. That necessarily requires some kind of faith, confidence, or belief in the idea that some kind of knowledge or wisdom is attainable, even before one attains it.
In this light, faith and knowledge are not in contradiction because they don't actually speak to the same thing per se. They are intimately related, but in the simplest terms we can observe that there are differences because one word exists for knowledge and another for faith. To the degree one is clear on the separate and distinct nature of each, then a discussion of how they relate becomes easier; to the degree there is confusion among either, naturally distinguishing the two or their relationship becomes difficult. The importance is to be clear on what the nature of each one is, and then, proceed to examine how exactly they are intimately related. At the same time, one could also say knowledge is a special kind of faith and faith is a special kind of knowledge.
On that note, the previous vignette, "The Foggy Peaks," (which actually comes later in the series, though it was posted on Substack earlier) does begin (however humbly) to speak to this question (in some ways) with the concluding line, "All that we know are mysteries."
Nice finish, Dave...may the student keep his faith, and may the sage be worthy!
Absolutely, Bob! There are many more of these vignettes. There are about 18 of them in my Modern Dreams collection, but when time permits, the goal is to create a full book around the Mountain Man poems, which will be a combination of prose interspersed with these visions. So it will be something like a cross between Boethius' Consolation of Philosophy, The Analects of Confucius, and Thus Spoke Zarathustra. I envision them meeting an evil sage at the top too, which will make for some interesting dialogues.
Yes, I note you have been experimenting with different forms, Dave. I am not well versed in the the classic form you use for the Mountain Man poems, but they have a pleasing philosophical appeal, albeit a bit esoteric. On the other hand, I thoroughly enjoyed your brilliant"Mother Martha" satire and will look forward to more of these.
BTW, I hope that "evil sage" isn't Aristotle! ... :) Bob
Actually, I believe it was "Aunt Martha" now that I think of it.
Indeed, Isma'il, without faith, the student cannot get far. But before there is faith, is there not doubt? The process of coming to faith usually involves certain challenges that test our faith. For, which one among us has never had their faith tested, or never had doubt? Hence, the last line: "there is no shortcut through this wood." Our faith becomes solidified as it is tested.
We are humbled through that process.
Sincerely,
David
'Great faith plus great doubt plus great perseverence,' said Ashvagosha, a Japanese zen master.
Good point with your example about faith and loyalty in marriage, Isma'il!
Naturally, I don't think there is an innate contradiction in what either of us are saying. I'll tell you why I think that is. Firstly, the piece is definitely meant to raise more questions than it answers. So in this respect, it's not about faith per se so much as it is knowledge per se. When it comes to pursuing knowledge, doubt is necessary. At the same time, one embarks on a journey for knowledge without first having it, necessary implying that you know there is something that you don't know. That necessarily requires some kind of faith, confidence, or belief in the idea that some kind of knowledge or wisdom is attainable, even before one attains it.
In this light, faith and knowledge are not in contradiction because they don't actually speak to the same thing per se. They are intimately related, but in the simplest terms we can observe that there are differences because one word exists for knowledge and another for faith. To the degree one is clear on the separate and distinct nature of each, then a discussion of how they relate becomes easier; to the degree there is confusion among either, naturally distinguishing the two or their relationship becomes difficult. The importance is to be clear on what the nature of each one is, and then, proceed to examine how exactly they are intimately related. At the same time, one could also say knowledge is a special kind of faith and faith is a special kind of knowledge.
On that note, the previous vignette, "The Foggy Peaks," (which actually comes later in the series, though it was posted on Substack earlier) does begin (however humbly) to speak to this question (in some ways) with the concluding line, "All that we know are mysteries."
Sincerely,
David