tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post4814153616300100271..comments2024-03-29T10:24:20.171+00:00Comments on Bruce Charlton's Notions: Why don't we let ourselves be happy? (There is a good reason - William Arkle)Bruce Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09615189090601688535noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-25715511246253727012019-07-05T05:45:14.538+01:002019-07-05T05:45:14.538+01:00Thank you for this post on Arkle's thought, Dr...Thank you for this post on Arkle's thought, Dr. Charlton.<br /> My perception is that there are ideas introduced to human life that lead to what I would call salvation. I'm thinking not only of true religious ideas but of things that we experience every day like good health practices and when people are motivated to make a good product for their customers, which is part of economics.<br /> How this relates to the post is that there are definitely things which take away from the experience of joy and happiness and enjoying the good characteristics of others and being appreciated for one's own characteristics. These things which take away have been termed by Christians as 'the world' and among LDS as 'the great and spacious building' (from Lehi's dream in the Book of Mormon in 1 Nephi 8). <br /> When you are taking on a principle to guide your actions you are taking on an understanding of the world. This could be true knowledge or false knowledge. One of the things that Arkle's words in this post made me realize is that we yearn to express obedience to law, because obedience brings knowledge, and knowledge brings power, and with power we can be more free. <br /> I don't think it is a fruitless endeavor to think about how our mind's potential can be unlocked, because there are things we can only achieve on our own through our own experience and agency. <br /> That being said, we all hold back from seeking instruction in some areas because our agency is so important and we mistrust letting it be influenced by other's ideas, because we have all experienced the hurt of trying something that just leads to misery like Arkle said. <br /> Christ said 'strait is the gate, and narrow is the way' that leadeth unto life, and when we see good ideas for what they are and follow them for the reason that we want to follow them, we are free. When we are too preoccupied with something else that isn't a good idea that we don't enjoy the benefits of a good idea, we are in bondage to what we are preoccupied with.<br /> This is why I think that perhaps devils or evil spirits or whatever are in a phase of their existence where they have allowed one aspect, or certain false knowledge or preoccupations, to dominate, so like for example the man who was possessed with evil spirits and did crazy violent actions and then the Lord sent the spirits into a herd of swine and they all went crazy and ran into the sea and drowned. People who know a lot more than me have warned though that the devil is very old and so he knows a lot, so I'm definitely not advocating to underestimate those devils as beings who are determined to harm us. That being said, Joseph Smith said all beings having a body have power over those who do not.<br /> To sum up, 'a man is saved only as fast as he gets knowledge' (paraphrased from the Doctrine and Covenants) and 'a man cannot be saved in ignorance'. God introduces truth into the world, and the truth shines, and light cleaveth unto light, and intelligence to intelligence. (from the D&C) But He gives here a little and there a little, and line upon line and precept on precept (from Isaiah). I'm not sure why He does this, but I have my guesses.<br /> Joseph Smith said that the devil could not use compulsory means, and God would not. God wants us to take steps that we can take for ourselves. Which is why I think this blog is good, because it helps us think about the truth that God has revealed.<br /> When Joseph Smith translated scripture, Oliver Cowdery wanted to as well (he was the scribe). But he began as thinking it would just come to him without any thought, and finally because of that he couldn't do it.<br /> I think the same as Arkle on this post's subject, I think. I think we all will learn a lot more when we lay down our weapons of rebellion against God, whether they be inspired by evil spirits or are just our own weakness and imperfection.Jaredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08598434344351174026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-81060560602574243612019-07-04T15:55:56.512+01:002019-07-04T15:55:56.512+01:00Dear Bruce,
I do appreciate your response so than...Dear Bruce,<br /><br />I do appreciate your response so thank you. I agree that nearly all modern poetry is not poetry at all and unfortunately even classic poetry is mostly ignored these days. I try to write things with a nugget of truth or wisdom in them. It's an interesting challenge. PhilipPhilip Keefehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12854833885277266390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-73486103019252115052019-07-04T13:40:21.739+01:002019-07-04T13:40:21.739+01:00@Philip - My problem with poetry over the past for...@Philip - My problem with poetry over the past forty years is not so much that it is not traditional, but that it is not poetry - but something else altogether. <br /><br />I would say your sonnet IS poetry, or has poetry in it - and, except for the final couplet - which does't work, satisfying. Bruce Charltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09615189090601688535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-20804099031717486262019-07-04T13:33:04.246+01:002019-07-04T13:33:04.246+01:00Dear Bruce,
I first visited your site some time a...Dear Bruce,<br /><br />I first visited your site some time ago when you commented on the lack of traditional formal poetry being written today.Since then I visit every so often and catch up on your postings. I have to say a lot of it is over my head but as, in my old age, I search for something spiritual to hold on to I find the topics that you cover very interesting.<br />So back to the poetry, I write and my 'voice' seems to be what you might call classical and formalist. I submit to you a sonnet with perhaps a little bearing on today's post. Don't think you have to put it on your site necessarily but I would love it if you would read it and send me a comment thank you Philip Keefe philipkeefe@hotmail.com<br /> <br />Achievement surpasses happiness <br /><br />So fleet of foot is happiness in life<br />If we compare it to that laggard – care,<br />With worry, sadly, is existence rife,<br />Thus peace of mind and true contentment rare.<br />Yet there are moments when our dark clouds part<br />And rays of warming sunlight briefly show<br />Though beams as these may thaw the coldest heart<br />The joy they bring proves just a passing glow. <br />But man is not a beast with simple needs,<br />Or satisfied with comfort, food and drink.<br />The human mind on each new challenge feeds<br />And rapture seldom helped his brain to think.<br /> Euphoria ne’er Seven Wonders made,<br /> And how their glories much less quickly fade.Philip Keefehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12854833885277266390noreply@blogger.com