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| WARNING: THIS SITE FEATURES ORIGINAL THINKING...Jim Croce once sang Don't tug on Superman's cape..., which seems like reasonable advice should we not wish to anger the supreme powers. We do have this duality in our culture: the Superman that is the state collective, the leftist call to a politics of meaning managed by the state, the deification of "we're from the government and we'll take care of you" - versus the Superman that celebrates individual freedom, private property, freedom of conscience, free enterprise, and limited government. We humbly take on the latter's mantle and, eschewing the feeble tug, we dare to PULL, in hope of seeing freedom's rescue from the encroaching nanny state. We invite you, dear reader, to come and pull as well... Additionally, if you assume that means that we are unflinching, unquestioning GOP zombies, that would be incorrect. We reject statism in any form and call on individuals in our country to return to the original, classical liberalism of our founders. (We're also passionate about art, photography, cooking, technology, Judeo/Christian values, and satire as unique, individual pursuits of happiness to celebrate.) |
Superman's product of the century (so far):
Going past the gate is a little like climbing the bamboo. The elevation change attracts my view to higher planes...
The entry into the upper garden is not as breathtaking as below - but it has become more subtle. It is narrow and steep - and every single angle matters to the designer.
The upper garden is not as large as the lower garden - maybe ten percent of the size - but this part of the garden (to my thinking) is about struggle - the struggle to control the mind. I don't know this for certain - I haven't read it in the literature from Saihoji - it's just my take on this part of the garden. Each view one can take represents a part of the human condition - there is fear, there is death, there is obstruction, there is doubt, there is confusion, there is misunderstanding - and this place assists in working out these things - mostly by realizing that most of the struggle happens within our minds.
Barrenness, a dry season.
Temptation, stumbling...
We see a place ahead - it is not the destination, it is a stop along the way. It is Shitoan temple - originally built in 1388 by Muso.
It is from here that Muso contemplated the design of these gardens. From here that he envisioned the unfolding story that they tell.
Even the plantings reach and grasp to achieve the hill.
And the moss is everywhere.
Once on the little perch where the temple is - across from the temple - are these stones. This 'dry' garden was constructed by Muso at the same time as the temple. You are looking at the vision of an ocean made by a Zen gardener more than 600 years ago. Further, I think, it is the ocean of mind attempting to grasp the infinite.
This is the effigy of Muso Kokushi in the temple.
But, the temple is not the highest point in the upper garden. It is not the destination. It is, perhaps, some respite in the struggle - but the struggle continues on. Here, there is a small ascent and then the path heads back toward the monastery.
Coming back down the path - I can't help but think that the small trees look like the bars of a jail cell.
And we move on down - past the roots - I am reminded of the convolutions of the brain and how we often struggle for clarity amidst a jungle of thoughts.
And unless we are deeply rooted....
Our thoughts may give way to confusion.
At last, we come back down from the land of struggle to the monastery again.
But I am not ready for this day to end. I will not loose this angel until he has blessed me.
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Wonderful place. Your understanding of it is amazing. Well done.
>^..^<Thanks Jan. I do want to understand it. Can you tell it's one of my favorite places now?Posted by: jlb at Oct 21, 2005 5:30:39 PM
James Pell - Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class - American hero with stories to tell about Iraq, Kosovo, and Bosnia.
Emcee - "Don't encourage him!" Jeff Goldstein
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