This week’s free association comes down to from the Moon to the Sea.
The Sea is intrinsically diverse and contradictory - given that its waters may be peaceful or aggressive depending on the context.
As you know the sea in certain traditions is linked to the bearer of all life. In Greek Mythology for instance, Oceanus - or Okeanos - the Titan God, ruled over the great earth-encircling river Okeanos, the font of all the earth’s fresh-water: including rivers, wells, springs and rain-clouds. Okeanos was also the god who regulated the rising and setting of the heavenly bodies which were believed to emerge and descend into his watery realm at the ends of the earth. Okeanos’ wife was Tethys, the nurse, who was probably thought to distribute his water to the earth via subterranean caverns.
But the Sea can also be depicted as a dangerous environment. Carl Jung for instance stated that in dreams, the sea represents the unknown region of your psychic sphere, where many dangers stay hidden.
Now, you take the floor : what do you associate with the Sea?
By Paulo Coelho
“I am willing to give up everything”, said the prince to the master. “Please accept me as your disciple.”
“How does a man choose his path?” asked the master.
“Through sacrifice,” answered the prince. “A path which demands sacrifice, is a true path.”
The master bumped into some shelves. A precious vase fell, and the prince threw himself down in order to grab hold of it. He fell badly and broke his arm, but managed to save the vase.
“What is the greater sacrifice: to watch the vase smash, or break one’s arm in order to save it?” asked the master.
“I do not know,” said the prince.
“Then how can you guide your choice for sacrifice? The true path is chosen by our ability to love it, not to suffer for it.”
Welcome to Share with Friends - Free Texts for a Free Internet
By Paulo Coelho
At the beginning of his struggle, the Warrior says: “I have dreams.”
(Manual of the Warrior of Light)
Welcome to Share with Friends - Free Texts for a Free Internet
Your new book is critical to religion, where dictates and doctrine are stronger than compassion and effort to serve. Did someone warn you against the eventual controversy caused by celebrating the Great Mother - or did you even warn yourself sometimes?
I always knew the potential for controversy in this book but I also thought that the feminine side of God is increasingly being recognized. People are no longer interested purely in religion, what matters now is personal faith. And you can see that this preoccupation is taking the lead in all nations despite the extremisms that, unfortunately, are more visible.
