The Emerald On Singing to the Beloved in Times of Crisis
Dr. Omid Safi, a professor of Middle Eastern Studies at Duke University with a focus on Sufism, shares profound insights on navigating crises through creativity. He discusses how singing and poetry serve as vital expressions of longing and connection in tumultuous times. Safi emphasizes the importance of embracing uncertainty and fostering genuine relationships to heal societal wounds. By viewing the universe as a beloved mystery, he advocates for cultivating sacredness and empathy amidst modern disconnection, urging listeners to find strength through emotional expression.
02:07:38
Analysis vs. Dreaming
- Josh is wary of offering more analysis of the American wound, questioning if it's truly needed.
- He suggests that more analysis might not be the solution and that deeper contemplation is necessary.
Trump on Mushrooms
- Josh recalls a humorous anecdote about hearing Donald Trump's name for the first time in 1988.
- He uses this to illustrate the unpredictable, fairytale-like nature of current events.
Parzival's Vision
- Josh uses the example of Parzival, the grail knight, to illustrate the power of stillness and love amidst chaos.
- Parzival's vision guides him to act with mercy and love.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Cultural Preservation and Healing Through Community Initiatives
02:27 • 2min
Exploring the Depths of the American Wound
04:51 • 3min
The Burden of Over-Diagnosis in Society
07:50 • 3min
The Power of Song Amidst Crisis
10:53 • 14min
Longing for Connection in Modern Life
24:28 • 33min
Hunger for Connection: Embracing Sacredness in Crisis
57:03 • 21min
Embracing the Beloved's Mystery
01:17:57 • 25min
Healing Through Connection
01:43:04 • 19min
A Celebration of Music and Artistic Expression
02:02:32 • 5min
The turquoise bee
The turquoise bee
Rick Fields
Brian Cutillo
Mayumi Oda
The Songs of the Sixth Dalai Lama
The Songs of the Sixth Dalai Lama
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M. Tatz
Stolen Heir
Stolen Heir
Poems by Osip Mandelstam, translated by Christian Wyman
Osip Mandelstam
Stolen Heir is a collection of poems by Osip Mandelstam, translated by Christian Wiman. Mandelstam was a prominent Russian-Jewish poet known for his powerful imagery and critical stance against Stalin's regime. His work often explores themes of exile, oppression, and the human spirit's resilience in the face of adversity. The poems in this collection showcase Mandelstam's unique poetic voice and his ability to capture the complexities of human experience during a turbulent historical period. The translation by Christian Wiman aims to preserve the nuances and emotional depth of Mandelstam's original work, making it accessible to a wider audience. Mandelstam's poems continue to resonate with readers today, offering insights into the enduring power of art and the human spirit's capacity for resistance.
He held radical light
He held radical light
Christian Wiman
Percival
Percival
null
Wolfram von Eschenbach
Wolfram von Eschenbach's 'Parzival' is a medieval German epic poem that retells the Arthurian legend of the Grail. The poem is renowned for its complex characters, intricate plot, and exploration of spiritual and philosophical themes. Parzival, the protagonist, embarks on a quest to find the Holy Grail, encountering various challenges and moral dilemmas along the way. The poem delves into themes of chivalry, courtly love, and the search for spiritual enlightenment. 'Parzival' is considered a masterpiece of medieval literature, influencing subsequent works and continuing to fascinate readers with its rich tapestry of narrative and symbolism.
One Whisper of the Beloved
One Whisper of the Beloved
null
Jalaluddin Rumi
Jalaluddin Rumi's works, including poems often compiled into collections like "One Whisper of the Beloved," are characterized by their profound spiritual insights and their exploration of the mystical union with the divine. Rumi's poetry is known for its evocative imagery, its use of metaphors and symbolism, and its celebration of love and devotion. His work often explores themes of longing, surrender, and the transformative power of divine love. Rumi's poems continue to inspire and resonate with readers from diverse backgrounds, offering guidance on the spiritual path and insights into the nature of the human soul. His work is a testament to the enduring power of love and the transformative potential of spiritual experience.
Serenade
Serenade
null
Adelia Prado
Poems number 405 and 209
Poems number 405 and 209
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Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson's poems are known for their unique style, characterized by unconventional punctuation, slant rhyme, and exploration of complex themes. Her work often delves into the mysteries of life, death, faith, and nature. Dickinson's poems are characterized by their intense emotionality and their ability to capture the essence of human experience. Her use of unconventional poetic forms and her exploration of unconventional themes set her apart from her contemporaries. Dickinson's poems continue to resonate with readers, offering insights into the human condition and the enduring power of poetic expression.
Crime and Punishment
Bibliophile Bibliophile Pro
Constance Black Garnett
FYODOR DOSTOEVSKY
Published in 1866, 'Crime and Punishment' is a psychological novel set in St. Petersburg, Russia. It revolves around Rodion Raskolnikov, an impoverished and intellectually gifted former student who formulates a theory that some individuals are morally justified in committing crimes for the greater good of society. Raskolnikov puts this theory to the test by murdering an old pawnbroker and her half-sister, leading to a profound exploration of his psychological and emotional struggles with guilt, paranoia, and the consequences of his actions. The novel delves into socio-economic disparities, moral dilemmas, and the psychology of criminals, making it a classic of Russian literature and existential thought[2][4][5].
Man's Search for Meaning
Viktor Frankl
The book is divided into two parts. The first part recounts Frankl's harrowing experiences as a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps, including Auschwitz, between 1942 and 1945. He describes the inhumane conditions and the psychological and emotional struggles of the prisoners. The second part introduces Frankl's theory of logotherapy, which posits that the primary human drive is the search for meaning, rather than pleasure. Frankl argues that meaning can be found through three main avenues: work (doing something significant), love (caring for another), and suffering (finding meaning in one's own suffering). The book emphasizes the importance of finding purpose and meaning in life, even in the most adverse conditions, as a key factor in survival and personal growth.
The waste land
T. S. Eliot
The Waste Land is a 434-line poem divided into five sections: 'The Burial of the Dead', 'A Game of Chess', 'The Fire Sermon', 'Death by Water', and 'What the Thunder Said'. It is a complex and erudite work that incorporates numerous allusions to mythology, classical literature, and religious texts. The poem reflects the spiritual disillusionment and moral decay of the Western world after World War I, portraying a sterile and fragmented society. It was initially met with controversy due to its innovative and often obscure style but has since become a central work in the modernist canon[2][3][4].
The Lord of the Rings
J.R.R Tolkien
The Lord of the Rings, written by J.R.R. Tolkien, is an epic high fantasy novel set in Middle-earth. The story follows Frodo Baggins, a hobbit who inherits the One Ring from his uncle Bilbo. The Ring, forged by Sauron, holds the power to control all other Rings of Power and must be destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom to prevent Sauron's return. Frodo is joined by a fellowship of other characters, including Gandalf the Grey, Samwise Gamgee, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and Boromir, as they embark on a dangerous quest across Middle-earth. The novel explores themes of good vs. evil, the corrupting influence of power, and the struggle between fate and free will[3][4][5].
The book of hours
Rainer Maria Rilke
The Book of Hours is a collection of poems that marks an early but significant work in Rilke's career. It delves into themes of spirituality, the search for meaning, and the poet's introspective journey. The poems reflect Rilke's unique style and his questing, challenging, and demanding approach to poetry[2][4].
The double flame
Octavio Paz
Octavio Paz's "The Double Flame" is a profound exploration of love and eroticism, delving into the complexities of human desire and its relationship to spirituality and culture. Paz examines the historical and philosophical perspectives on love, tracing its evolution across different societies and eras. He explores the interplay between passion and tenderness, highlighting the tension between individual freedom and the desire for union. The book offers a rich tapestry of insights into the nature of love, its transformative power, and its enduring mysteries. Paz's elegant prose and insightful analysis make "The Double Flame" a timeless classic in the study of human relationships.
My Bright Abyss
Chris Wyman
We live in times of individual, sociocultural and planetary crisis, exacerbated by rising divisions between people. How have humans historically navigated such times of crisis? Yes, we've organized, taken action, and responded as we've been called to respond. But we have also deepened our connection to the greater cosmos, through songs and poems and rituals of devotion, through crying out to a beloved universe whose workings remain a mystery but to whom we feel intimately and inextricably connected. In times when we are raw and situations are precarious, many poets tell us, the breath of life is closer than ever. So we have sung aloud to source, and honored the emotional intricacies of our relationship with a beloved world whose turnings can be maddening, painful and often beyond our control. Singing to the beloved in this way isn't about blissing out and bypassing, it's about finding a practice that honors the depth and emotional texture of our experience of a paradoxical world and that matches the intensity of the times we're living in. For the wounds of these times cannot simply be addressed through rational analysis and diagnosis, nor can they be addressed only with the short-burning flame of outrage. We need a deeper resourcing. At a time of a profound pan-societal longing for meaning and sacredness, connecting to the cosmos as beloved and seeing the sacred in every phase of the beloved's waves has deep implications for how we resource and replenish ourselves, how we align our movements to the actual ebbs and flows of the natural world, and how we begin to heal the divided sociocultural space between us. Featuring a conversation with Dr. Omid Safi and music by Leah Song, Chloe Smith, Duncan Wickel, Jeunae Elita, Marya Stark, Sidibe, Serena Bixby, Forest Sun, Haley Young and others, this episode of The Emerald podcast encourages us to pause for a moment in the midst of all the great world-turning events and remember and connect to the living, breathing, source of it all. Just... for a moment.