"WE possess nothing in this world other than the power to say 'I.' This is what we must yield up to God." - Simone Weil
Lately, I have been thinking a lot about Simone Weil. I'm not sure why. I never particularly liked her.
I read Waiting for God when I was 18, and it made my head explode. I still reject the idea that starving yourself to death can ever be what God wants (as if there are things that God wants, if God even exists). Perhaps it is better to speak more abstractly and say that I doubt, in a broader sense, if it can ever a good idea.
But, even at the time I read Waiting for God, I was intrigued by the idea of spiritually emptying oneself in order to become a vessel for God. This continues to hold my attention, though I believe our innate fallibility makes it impossible. Yet, unattainable goals are my favorite kind of goals, and so it stays with me.
Now, I don't know about all this. I'm not saying I agree with it or buy into it. Still, I can say I have thoughts along the same lines.
At this point in my life, I can only understand "God" to mean "Love." Can I open myself up entirely to Love? Can I dedicate my every thought and action to Love? Can I come to live a life that is, itself, Love?
No, I can't. At least, I don't think I can. Because, as I mentioned before, that whole fallibility thing gets in the way, and last time I checked I was human. But that doesn't mean it isn't worth it to try.
A few weeks ago, I saw the film Milk, and it prompted me to refocus my attention on Love -- expressing it, internalizing it, cultivating it in others, engaging it, believing in it.
This all goes hand in hand with my outrageously heretical belief that there is no ethereal Heaven hovering over reality. Instead, I think it's more something that can be attained by humanity, here on earth. If everyone on earth allowed themselves to be filled with Love, then that would be Heaven. I mean, it would be kind of awesome, I think.
I guess I sound like a hippie (cue the sweeping violins for "Imagine"), but I really believe all this. So, in that sense, I agree with Simone Weil. But I have to take issue with the idea that starving herself to death somehow brought Love into the world. I still reject that, and she still drives me insane.
Lately, I have been thinking a lot about Simone Weil. I'm not sure why. I never particularly liked her.
I read Waiting for God when I was 18, and it made my head explode. I still reject the idea that starving yourself to death can ever be what God wants (as if there are things that God wants, if God even exists). Perhaps it is better to speak more abstractly and say that I doubt, in a broader sense, if it can ever a good idea.
But, even at the time I read Waiting for God, I was intrigued by the idea of spiritually emptying oneself in order to become a vessel for God. This continues to hold my attention, though I believe our innate fallibility makes it impossible. Yet, unattainable goals are my favorite kind of goals, and so it stays with me.
Now, I don't know about all this. I'm not saying I agree with it or buy into it. Still, I can say I have thoughts along the same lines.
At this point in my life, I can only understand "God" to mean "Love." Can I open myself up entirely to Love? Can I dedicate my every thought and action to Love? Can I come to live a life that is, itself, Love?
No, I can't. At least, I don't think I can. Because, as I mentioned before, that whole fallibility thing gets in the way, and last time I checked I was human. But that doesn't mean it isn't worth it to try.
A few weeks ago, I saw the film Milk, and it prompted me to refocus my attention on Love -- expressing it, internalizing it, cultivating it in others, engaging it, believing in it.
This all goes hand in hand with my outrageously heretical belief that there is no ethereal Heaven hovering over reality. Instead, I think it's more something that can be attained by humanity, here on earth. If everyone on earth allowed themselves to be filled with Love, then that would be Heaven. I mean, it would be kind of awesome, I think.
I guess I sound like a hippie (cue the sweeping violins for "Imagine"), but I really believe all this. So, in that sense, I agree with Simone Weil. But I have to take issue with the idea that starving herself to death somehow brought Love into the world. I still reject that, and she still drives me insane.
As such, I close with T.S. Eliot's thoughts on Weil:
"In trying to understand her, we must not be distracted . . . by considering how far, and at what points we agree or disagree. . . . I cannot conceive of anybody's agreeing with all of her views, or of not disagreeing violently with some of them. But agreement and rejection are secondary: what matters is to make contact with a great soul."
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