josh is stupid and boring and self-centered and stupid and has crabs

this is from a series of letters rainer maria rilke wrote to a young (and somewhat banal) poet whom he treated with nothing but the utmost respect and kindness.

~~~
Once the realization is accepted that even between the closest human beings infinite distances continue, a wonderful living side by side can grow, if they succeed in loving the distance between them which makes it possible for each to see the other whole against the sky.
~~~

the book is about acceptance of human isolation and the possession of one's inner space. it is highly excellent.

that's true, and i'm really too busy to rectify it. but if you must have content, this feed is to become a collection of tidbits from whatever it is i happen to be reading/watching/listening to. i hope it's not too preachy

~~~
Then, one day, after a shot, the Master made a deep bow and broke off the lesson. "Just then 'It' shot!" he cried, as I stared at him bewildered. And when i at last understood what he meant I couldn't surpress a sudden whoop of delight.

"What I have said," the Master told me severely, "was not praise, only a statement that ought not to touch you. Nor was my bow meant for you, for you are entirely innocent of this shot. You remained this time absolutely self-oblivious and without purpose in the highest tension, so that the shot fell from you like a ripe fruit. Now go on practicing as if nothing had happened.
~~~

Eugen Herrigel