Into the vast ocean of the light ineffable

[Affinity]

—Men have called me mad; but the question is not yet settled, whether madness is or is not the loftiest intelligence— whether much that is glorious— whether all that is profound— does not spring from disease of thought— from moods of mind exalted at the expense of the general intellect. They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night. In their gray visions they obtain glimpses of eternity, and thrill, in awakening, to find that they have been upon the verge of the great secret. In snatches, they learn something of the wisdom which is of good, and more of the mere knowledge which is of evil. They penetrate, however, rudderless or compassless into the vast ocean of the "light ineffable," and again, like the adventures of the Nubian geographer, "agressi sunt mare tenebrarum, quid in eo esset exploraturi.(they ventured out against the sea of darkness to see what they would find)"
              —   Edgar Allan Poe "Eleonora"

[Grand Speculator]

[Affinity]

Most excellent GS!

[Guest]

Interesting topic. I think of madness and enlightenment in much the same way as the relationship between love and hate. There is a thin line which separates the two. If one isn't careful or attentive in their thoughts it's very easy to be swayed in one direction or the other. Thanks for bringing this up, I've been pondering this topic for the past month so it's great to see someone bring it up.

[Wei Shan Yang]

To _ _
I heed not that my earthly lot

Hath little of earth in it--

That years of love have been forgot

In the hatred of a minute:--

I mourn not that the desolate

Are happier, sweet, than I,

But that you sorrow for my fate

Who am a passer by.
                                     ~EAP

[jumpingmouse]

Madness is often only one's thinking and percieving out side of the "modality of the times", as diagnosed by one who percieves what one has been taught is "normal". I often run into people who I consider crazy, and lately I have to wonder, if they are biologically shorted or possibly partially or fully in the second attention and have no idea what the hell is happening to them. I, therefore, try to respect people who are acting crazy, giving them the benefit of the doubt. I also try not to get pissed at people who look at me sideways when I act kooky or speak of my beliefs. I'm sure I sound crazy to many who are engulfed in the modality of the times. Any input from you is welcome.

[Mornings Son]

jumpingmouse wrote:Madness is often only one's thinking and percieving out side of the "modality of the times", as diagnosed by one who percieves what one has been taught is "normal". I often run into people who I consider crazy, and lately I have to wonder, if they are biologically shorted or possibly partially or fully in the second attention and have no idea what the hell is happening to them. I, therefore, try to respect people who are acting crazy, giving them the benefit of the doubt. I also try not to get pissed at people who look at me sideways when I act kooky or speak of my beliefs. I'm sure I sound crazy to many who are engulfed in the modality of the times. Any input from you is welcome.
kudos! I wish I could explain the same,
but there are madness like obsessions and others too. Like the current lifestyle of humanity..

[Guest]