Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Skillful Living

Sublimate (literally raised, uplifted): To transform an animal impulse into spiritual energy.

To "transmute what in form is the grossest sensuality into purity and devotion"1 is the art of sublimation. It is absolutely necessary that we master this skill or even our natural appetites will sully our true nature.





1Henry David Thoreau in Walden
at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

A Question of Morals

Moral degeneration is a downhill slide. Moral regeneration is an uphill battle.

  • Jolted Awake
    Enlightenment is the shocking realization that you exist.
  • Growing Pains
    Suffering deepens the roots of our compassion and is as necessary for our growth as is the rain to the mighty trees of the forest.
  • A Tempting Offer
    The desire to teach other men how to live would be laughable if it were not so pitiable.