What is more, I can relate to the widow in the story saying “It’s hard to live.” Even without all of the hard physical realities of an agrarian society, as the body grows older, it doesn’t work like it used to and you begin thinking of the reality of death. Not necessarily in a fearful way, but you see now the possibility that so many people talk or write about. It’s sobering but also an occasion to set things on the right course spiritually, even if you can’t do a lot about aging!
Interesting thoughts here, which resonate with me. I grow my own fruits and vegetables and this year's disastrous weather impacting production reminded me of the precariousness of human life, which we no longer perceive in our societies. Famine is never far from abundance, pain in growing plants or animals is a constant (my aching back from last week's digging); the emergence of my garlic from the ground this week pointing towards next year while the fallen leaves covering the ground remind me of the death of this year. The constant cycle of birth, growth, suffering and death in agrarian communities are synchronous with the Christian cycle. But our distance from this former medieval life masks these key elements so we view suffering as something to be avoided, negated, hushed. One thing I have learned is that suffering is an essential part of our humanity. I'm looking forward to your next post!
So agree. Sometimes physical pain seems unbearable, but eventually it lifts (unless one is painful unto death by disease). I have often tried to offer that pain to God, but even that thought flees if the pain is too intense. I have found that, having come out of the pain, somehow I feel more connected with life and its sorrows and the humanness and helplessness of being a child of God. It’s humbling but also makes me feel I’ve grown a bit in a way. Pain is a mystery but essential, just as the Cross is a mystery and vital to our being.
This is a wonderful comment, thank you for taking the time to write it. I've lived in ways similar to what you described, not only in eastern Europe but also in different regions of the United States, and I completely agree with the sentiments that you expressed.
Yes, this is the life-saving pain which comes from the elemental knowledge of knowing you are alive. It may be why the Amish suffer from much lower rates of "dysthymia" - that persistent, low-level of depression which plagues modern man.
Very interesting comment, thank you. I've never heard this specific fact about the Amish, but I've spent quite a bit of time near Amish communities and it definitely accords with my personal experience.
"the life-saving pain which comes from the elemental knowledge of knowing you are alive"—that's extremely well said.
I worked at a Lebanese deli in Minnesota, and whenever things were going wrong, the cook, who spoke very broken and very eloquent English, would throw up his hands and say, "what is this life!?" It remains one of my favorite phrases. I love how these old languages capture something "primal" as you said.
That's a great example, and you bring up a very real point about the state of the English language and what we might be able to learn from those who speak "very broken and very eloquent English."
Oh, I just noticed you recorded this post and I’ve now also listened to it. Thank you for that. And I hope you are feeling much better. So many good thoughts you have given us. I look forward to your next post. Just an aside, if you don’t like the side effects of over the counter NSAIDS ~ I feel the same way ~, why not try the medieval way of herbs? White willow and meadowsweet can take the edge off, though usually not remove pain entirely. The people in medieval times ~ lay and monastics ~ I think knew many secrets of herbs and plants that most of us have largely forgotten because of the ease of popping a pill instead of finding and tincturing some herbs. But the info is out there if anyone wants to find it.
I have a simple and somewhat depressing answer to your question: Despite extensive study and effort, I have never had any significant success with herbal remedies for serious conditions, and I don't think much about them anymore. I'm in this strange state of believing in herbal medicine and admiring the European tradition of herbal medicine and at the same time feeling that for some reason it just doesn't work for me.
I do understand. Everyone is different, and serious conditions are not wise to rely on herbs, unless medical help is unavailable in some remote area. I have found some remedies that do work for me - for instance, for arthritis pain that sometimes keeps me awake. I can no longer tolerate OTC products and most serious drugs (too many side effects) so I have had to find a means to function a bit more easily. I have not made.an extensive study, nor do I have the time. Nor do I want to make herbs a type of god, if you understand me. I've concentrated on those herbs that have the most value and efficacy that have actually been studied extensively. I think most often benign herbs work gently as tonics rather than cure-alls. I figure they are God's gifts to us in times of need, freely given to us to help us along the way after we left Eden...we needed all the help we could get!
profoundly written and beautiful ! As a widow myself who has undergone extreme mental and emotional pain, this really touched me. Thank you.
What is more, I can relate to the widow in the story saying “It’s hard to live.” Even without all of the hard physical realities of an agrarian society, as the body grows older, it doesn’t work like it used to and you begin thinking of the reality of death. Not necessarily in a fearful way, but you see now the possibility that so many people talk or write about. It’s sobering but also an occasion to set things on the right course spiritually, even if you can’t do a lot about aging!
You're very welcome, thank you for commenting.
Interesting thoughts here, which resonate with me. I grow my own fruits and vegetables and this year's disastrous weather impacting production reminded me of the precariousness of human life, which we no longer perceive in our societies. Famine is never far from abundance, pain in growing plants or animals is a constant (my aching back from last week's digging); the emergence of my garlic from the ground this week pointing towards next year while the fallen leaves covering the ground remind me of the death of this year. The constant cycle of birth, growth, suffering and death in agrarian communities are synchronous with the Christian cycle. But our distance from this former medieval life masks these key elements so we view suffering as something to be avoided, negated, hushed. One thing I have learned is that suffering is an essential part of our humanity. I'm looking forward to your next post!
So agree. Sometimes physical pain seems unbearable, but eventually it lifts (unless one is painful unto death by disease). I have often tried to offer that pain to God, but even that thought flees if the pain is too intense. I have found that, having come out of the pain, somehow I feel more connected with life and its sorrows and the humanness and helplessness of being a child of God. It’s humbling but also makes me feel I’ve grown a bit in a way. Pain is a mystery but essential, just as the Cross is a mystery and vital to our being.
"Pain is a mystery but essential"—indeed.
"I have found that, having come out of the pain, somehow I feel more connected with life"—This is my experience as well.
This is a wonderful comment, thank you for taking the time to write it. I've lived in ways similar to what you described, not only in eastern Europe but also in different regions of the United States, and I completely agree with the sentiments that you expressed.
Yes, this is the life-saving pain which comes from the elemental knowledge of knowing you are alive. It may be why the Amish suffer from much lower rates of "dysthymia" - that persistent, low-level of depression which plagues modern man.
Very interesting comment, thank you. I've never heard this specific fact about the Amish, but I've spent quite a bit of time near Amish communities and it definitely accords with my personal experience.
"the life-saving pain which comes from the elemental knowledge of knowing you are alive"—that's extremely well said.
Lots to think about in this essay. Mostly--I hope you are feeling better.
I worked at a Lebanese deli in Minnesota, and whenever things were going wrong, the cook, who spoke very broken and very eloquent English, would throw up his hands and say, "what is this life!?" It remains one of my favorite phrases. I love how these old languages capture something "primal" as you said.
That's a great example, and you bring up a very real point about the state of the English language and what we might be able to learn from those who speak "very broken and very eloquent English."
Praying for a speedy recovery.
Thank you Father, I'm feeling much better now.
Oh, I just noticed you recorded this post and I’ve now also listened to it. Thank you for that. And I hope you are feeling much better. So many good thoughts you have given us. I look forward to your next post. Just an aside, if you don’t like the side effects of over the counter NSAIDS ~ I feel the same way ~, why not try the medieval way of herbs? White willow and meadowsweet can take the edge off, though usually not remove pain entirely. The people in medieval times ~ lay and monastics ~ I think knew many secrets of herbs and plants that most of us have largely forgotten because of the ease of popping a pill instead of finding and tincturing some herbs. But the info is out there if anyone wants to find it.
I have a simple and somewhat depressing answer to your question: Despite extensive study and effort, I have never had any significant success with herbal remedies for serious conditions, and I don't think much about them anymore. I'm in this strange state of believing in herbal medicine and admiring the European tradition of herbal medicine and at the same time feeling that for some reason it just doesn't work for me.
I do understand. Everyone is different, and serious conditions are not wise to rely on herbs, unless medical help is unavailable in some remote area. I have found some remedies that do work for me - for instance, for arthritis pain that sometimes keeps me awake. I can no longer tolerate OTC products and most serious drugs (too many side effects) so I have had to find a means to function a bit more easily. I have not made.an extensive study, nor do I have the time. Nor do I want to make herbs a type of god, if you understand me. I've concentrated on those herbs that have the most value and efficacy that have actually been studied extensively. I think most often benign herbs work gently as tonics rather than cure-alls. I figure they are God's gifts to us in times of need, freely given to us to help us along the way after we left Eden...we needed all the help we could get!