Thomas Traherne/Adiji

[Guest guest]

Adiji wrote:

 

What an 'ingenious' addition to the List of Thomases! Yes ! We have

Thomases and Thomases - Thomas Jefferson ( President of U.S.A )

u.s.a ) , Thomas Hardy ?(famous writer) , Dylan Thmas ( famous

poet-

singer) and of course Thomas alva Edison ( famous scientist who

invented the light bulb) and Thomas Malthus ( British economist ).

eC.

 

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Namaste Adiji,

It's slightly more ingenious than that. Thomas a Kempis

would have represented the reaction against the perceived over

intellection of the Scholastic tradition. His intense sobriety may have

seemed an antidote for the flights of fancy of the scribbling classes,

however in my opinion his meditation on death would have been

wasted on the serfs of the day who had more than enough of famine,

war and pestilence to keep them tuned to that reality.

 

May I offer another contrast to the pre-reformation latinist Catholic a

Kempis, the post-reformation vernacular Anglican, Thomas Traherne

(1637 - 1674). His 'Centuries of Meditations' is a hymn to felicity

(ananda). It is our nature and what is to be wondered at is that we

miss it. He writes:

 

#65: You are as prone to love, as the sun is to shine; it being the most

delightful and natural employment of the Soul of Man: without which

you are dark and miserable. Consider therefore the extent of Love;

its vigour and excellency. For certainly he that delights not in Love

makes vain the universe, and is of necessity to himself the greatest

burden. The whole world ministers to you as the theatre of your

Love. It sustains you and all objects that you may continue to love

them....

 

Best Wishes,

Michael.