Thursday, April 20, 2006
What the Thunder Said
T. S. Eliot's poem "The Waste Land" (1922) became famous as a depiction of the despair and spiritual emptiness of western Europe at that time of history. However, in the final section, he offers some hope, turning to the Upanishads of India for inspiration. Quoting from the ancient text, he uses the "seed syllable" (da) which then translates to three different Sanskrit words; these he expresses as meaning "Give" "Sympathize" and "Control." The first (Give) he explains as "the awful daring of a moment's surrender," the willingness to take the great leap of faith or love which tells us we are indeed alive, and not just automatons. To "sympathize" is to break out of the prison of isolation in which so many are caught in our time. And "Control" suggests that the heart (one's own or another's) could be, in the right circumstances, controlled by "obedient hands." It would then respond "gaily," gladly, openly , rather than remaining closed and shut down. (At least, this is how I interpret it.)
When I was in graduate school (English) we virtually memorized this poem, and considered it an emblem of our "lost" and failing world. The use of Sanskrit terms seemed quite esoteric, for few if any of us had any knowledge of Eastern spirituality.
The other day, I happened by chance to open to the passage in the Upanishads which was the source of Eliot's message. I was delighted to come upon it--it was like greeting an old friend, and the message it conveyed is as valid for us now as it was for Eliot (or the ancient devotees.)
Here is some of the passage,which is presented as a conversation between teacher and students:
'Tell us (something), Sir.' He told them the syllable Da. Then he said: 'Did you understand?' They said: 'We did understand. You told us "Damyata," Be subdued.' 'Yes,' he said, 'you have understood.'
Then the men said to him: 'Tell us something, Sir.' He told them the same syllable Da. Then he said: "Did you understand?' They said: 'We did understand. You told us, "Datta," Give.' 'Yes' he said, 'you have understood.'
Then (they) said to him: 'Tell us something, Sir.' He told them the same syllable Da. Then he said: 'Did you understand?' They said: 'We did understand. You told us, "Dayadham," Be merciful.' 'Yes,' he said, 'you have understood.'
The divine voice of thunder repeats the same, Da Da Da, that is, Be subdued, Give, Be merciful. Therefore let that triad be taught, Subduing, Giving, and Mercy.
This instruction deserves attentive reflection. I think that to be "subdued" suggests that one should be humble, and walk gently on earth, without letting ego run away with psyche. We seem to be in a age of fanaticism, where various factions raise loud voices (or weapons) to impose their beliefs on others. We have daily evidence of those "out of control," here and abroad.
"Sympathize" implies acknowledging another's need, another's plight in society, rather than turning away with a "not my problem" response. Sympathy in this sense is akin to compassion and caring, qualities too often missing from the current scene. Many seem unable to comprehend another's background, culture, or situation. Rather than seeking to understand, they lash out in words or deeds to harm or destroy the "enemy," (all that is not themselves.)
And, of course, we can never have too much mercy in our world. Frequently, we get "justice" without the tempering quality of mercy, so needed to keep our human compass on course. In particular, those in authority have need to keep mercy always in mind, lest we wantonly punish or annihilate.
Yes, I was pleased to encounter this familiar passage, and discover its lasting wisdom. How would our world be if we followed these simple guidelines?
When I was in graduate school (English) we virtually memorized this poem, and considered it an emblem of our "lost" and failing world. The use of Sanskrit terms seemed quite esoteric, for few if any of us had any knowledge of Eastern spirituality.
The other day, I happened by chance to open to the passage in the Upanishads which was the source of Eliot's message. I was delighted to come upon it--it was like greeting an old friend, and the message it conveyed is as valid for us now as it was for Eliot (or the ancient devotees.)
Here is some of the passage,which is presented as a conversation between teacher and students:
'Tell us (something), Sir.' He told them the syllable Da. Then he said: 'Did you understand?' They said: 'We did understand. You told us "Damyata," Be subdued.' 'Yes,' he said, 'you have understood.'
Then the men said to him: 'Tell us something, Sir.' He told them the same syllable Da. Then he said: "Did you understand?' They said: 'We did understand. You told us, "Datta," Give.' 'Yes' he said, 'you have understood.'
Then (they) said to him: 'Tell us something, Sir.' He told them the same syllable Da. Then he said: 'Did you understand?' They said: 'We did understand. You told us, "Dayadham," Be merciful.' 'Yes,' he said, 'you have understood.'
The divine voice of thunder repeats the same, Da Da Da, that is, Be subdued, Give, Be merciful. Therefore let that triad be taught, Subduing, Giving, and Mercy.
This instruction deserves attentive reflection. I think that to be "subdued" suggests that one should be humble, and walk gently on earth, without letting ego run away with psyche. We seem to be in a age of fanaticism, where various factions raise loud voices (or weapons) to impose their beliefs on others. We have daily evidence of those "out of control," here and abroad.
"Sympathize" implies acknowledging another's need, another's plight in society, rather than turning away with a "not my problem" response. Sympathy in this sense is akin to compassion and caring, qualities too often missing from the current scene. Many seem unable to comprehend another's background, culture, or situation. Rather than seeking to understand, they lash out in words or deeds to harm or destroy the "enemy," (all that is not themselves.)
And, of course, we can never have too much mercy in our world. Frequently, we get "justice" without the tempering quality of mercy, so needed to keep our human compass on course. In particular, those in authority have need to keep mercy always in mind, lest we wantonly punish or annihilate.
Yes, I was pleased to encounter this familiar passage, and discover its lasting wisdom. How would our world be if we followed these simple guidelines?
