Oh, Simon. Today’s posts are incredibly moving. I clicked the link to Joni singing “Woodstock” and let it play in the background as I read the update. The orchestration, her voice and lyrics are the perfect soundtrack for today’s revealed, timeless truths. Thank you for so beautifully weaving it together. I confess a few grateful, heartfelt tears this morning.
This week’s chapters were especially moving for me. Simon, your initial section on the week’s theme, “We are stardust,” is beautifully written and captures these readings so well.
“Pierre’s quest in War and Peace is our journey in reading it. A strange unfinished voyage in the art of noticing; a slow and mindful listening to the universe, to others and to ourselves.” Beautiful - thanks, Simon💗
And I’m thinking about your question about this phrase: “Even wormwood grows on its own root.” I read it as meaning that we all start from the same place — even something (someone) bitter, distasteful, potentially toxic. I was wondering if there was something to explore about grafted plants vs. rootstock, but that’s probably taking it too far. I agree with you that it suggests even enemies can gather around a fire. A nod to our shared humanity.
I agree with other's comments, this week's writing was touching and beautiful. Thank you Simon. I also enjoyed the "Woodstock" link. I had never heard the song before but will be listening again and to the Patti Smith version. It was the perfect musical piece to go with this week's theme. I think in some ways I feel envious of Pierre and his new found insight and inner peace. These things are not always easy to attain yet sometimes I find it is the people who are struggling the most that are the most insightful and calm. I have also come across people who appear to have everything they need and want, yet fail to have contentment and continually seek to put others down to make themselves feel better. Pierre seems to have found this contentment from having nothing.
This sometimes seems be the point of fiction: to make characters live extraordinary lives and make us experience them so fully that their revelationa become our own.
The version I'm most familiar with is by Crosby, Stills & Nash. Joni was living with Graham Nash at the time, I think? She was supposed to appear at Woodstock too, but her agent talked her into staying in New York to appear on the Dick Cavett Show instead. (!!) So she wrote that song without ever actually being there!
The CS&N version is the one I know best – Joni Mitchell gives it a more haunting quality though. And Patti Smith's, if I could find it, makes your hair stand on end.
Oh, Simon. Today’s posts are incredibly moving. I clicked the link to Joni singing “Woodstock” and let it play in the background as I read the update. The orchestration, her voice and lyrics are the perfect soundtrack for today’s revealed, timeless truths. Thank you for so beautifully weaving it together. I confess a few grateful, heartfelt tears this morning.
There's a powerful version of this sung by Patti Smith, but I can't find it online. I picture Pierre as Joni's "child of God."
The sky, my old friend, I’ve learned to see as a main character in my own life. I love its return to the pages here.
Thank you for guiding us on this journey!
Yes! The book that teaches you to look up at the sky and down at your feet.
This week’s chapters were especially moving for me. Simon, your initial section on the week’s theme, “We are stardust,” is beautifully written and captures these readings so well.
I agree 👏🏻
Thank you, Sheri.
“Pierre’s quest in War and Peace is our journey in reading it. A strange unfinished voyage in the art of noticing; a slow and mindful listening to the universe, to others and to ourselves.” Beautiful - thanks, Simon💗
Thanks Elsa.
And I’m thinking about your question about this phrase: “Even wormwood grows on its own root.” I read it as meaning that we all start from the same place — even something (someone) bitter, distasteful, potentially toxic. I was wondering if there was something to explore about grafted plants vs. rootstock, but that’s probably taking it too far. I agree with you that it suggests even enemies can gather around a fire. A nod to our shared humanity.
I like how Kutusov, Ramballe and Pierre all link this them together this week. A shared humanity indeed.
“ We are wonderfully complete.”
Yes, thank you. We need to hear that now.
Tolstoy affirms us. You affirm us, with poetry and verve.
I’m usually too far behind to comment, but I’ve caught up just in time to commend you on a fine, moving post.
Thanks Fran and well done for catching up!
I agree with other's comments, this week's writing was touching and beautiful. Thank you Simon. I also enjoyed the "Woodstock" link. I had never heard the song before but will be listening again and to the Patti Smith version. It was the perfect musical piece to go with this week's theme. I think in some ways I feel envious of Pierre and his new found insight and inner peace. These things are not always easy to attain yet sometimes I find it is the people who are struggling the most that are the most insightful and calm. I have also come across people who appear to have everything they need and want, yet fail to have contentment and continually seek to put others down to make themselves feel better. Pierre seems to have found this contentment from having nothing.
This sometimes seems be the point of fiction: to make characters live extraordinary lives and make us experience them so fully that their revelationa become our own.
The version I'm most familiar with is by Crosby, Stills & Nash. Joni was living with Graham Nash at the time, I think? She was supposed to appear at Woodstock too, but her agent talked her into staying in New York to appear on the Dick Cavett Show instead. (!!) So she wrote that song without ever actually being there!
The CS&N version is the one I know best – Joni Mitchell gives it a more haunting quality though. And Patti Smith's, if I could find it, makes your hair stand on end.
That's really interesting. Going to find that version too.