The Prophet was gifted to me as a young person, and i was transported by its lyricism, felt seen in a way i could hardly express at seventeen. and that continues to be the case. now i'm so looking forward to adding The Madman to my shelf! (i particularly relate to the story of burying old selves.) thank you for this!
I’m pretty sure that so far every book that’s been suggested in your book club, Troy is one I haven’t read and yet am very intrigued to read. Which is awesome and all but it’s making me feel like I haven’t read much haha.
Also, Terry’s thoughts on the book is super interesting and well said.
And finally, I loved this:
“I say misplaced because my father would have passed such a gift to my mother without looking at it, and told the son-of-a-bitch who gave it to him that Pepsi was for slobs and to give him his paint thinner neat.”
Wonderful, Terry. I feel enlightened by now knowing more about Gibran. I loved the quotes you supplied. You (and thus Troy) have once more opened my eyes to literary works.
"But the seventh self remained watching and gazing at nothingness, which is behind all things." -- lovely, and even more so with the text you supplied after this about meditation.
Thanks, Nathan. As i said to Donna, I wasn't sure about including the meditation stuff, so I'm glad you thought it enhanced the narrative rather than detract from it, if I may be permitted to paraphrase.
I hadn’t heard of this earlier Gibran! Love the story of the king drinking the insanity-inducing water and then being deemed as sane. A fable for our times, or perhaps all time.:)
Troy and Terry, thank you for this fantastic essay. Of course I’m familiar with many Gibran quotes but have never read a full book. I appreciate how you brought your own meditation knowledge to this piece Terry. The story that hit the most for me is about removing the masks, which is something I’ve been working on for a long time. Your essay definitely perked my interest in reading Gibran.
Thanks, Donna. I was actually a bit worried about including notes about meditation, in case people thought it was too "woo woo", so I'm really pleased you appreciated that. Gi ran is definitely worth reading in full, even though the quotes are wonderful.
Terry, you introduced me to Gibran’s work a year or so ago. So fascinating! It’s great to see where your eclectic style that is shaped from detail and humour and history and so many layers comes from. This was a great read!
Fascinating! I've never really taken to Gibran, but I loved the story about the king drinking the adulterated water... somehow it reminds me of an early Bowie song (perhaps he was influenced by Gibran's story?):
Great talk, Terry - thanks for pointing the way on this "lost" classic! I especially loved "On Giving and Taking" and "The Grave-Digger." Glad "Richard" didn't spoil your enjoyment. ;)
The Prophet was gifted to me as a young person, and i was transported by its lyricism, felt seen in a way i could hardly express at seventeen. and that continues to be the case. now i'm so looking forward to adding The Madman to my shelf! (i particularly relate to the story of burying old selves.) thank you for this!
I do as well, Kate. It's really short, but so profound in my opinion.
i absolutely agree!
:-)
I think that's my favorite one too - and shows flash fiction has been around for awhile. ;) Thanks Kate!
You're right! A bit like fables really, and a lot of Zen stories. Oooh, I must post something about that
Yes please!!
done!
I’m pretty sure that so far every book that’s been suggested in your book club, Troy is one I haven’t read and yet am very intrigued to read. Which is awesome and all but it’s making me feel like I haven’t read much haha.
Also, Terry’s thoughts on the book is super interesting and well said.
And finally, I loved this:
“I say misplaced because my father would have passed such a gift to my mother without looking at it, and told the son-of-a-bitch who gave it to him that Pepsi was for slobs and to give him his paint thinner neat.”
How cool - other than Tales of the City, I'm in the same boat actually - and I only read the first one in that series! Thanks Michael!!
Thanks very much, Michael. Paint thinner neat: 🤣
Wonderful, Terry. I feel enlightened by now knowing more about Gibran. I loved the quotes you supplied. You (and thus Troy) have once more opened my eyes to literary works.
"But the seventh self remained watching and gazing at nothingness, which is behind all things." -- lovely, and even more so with the text you supplied after this about meditation.
The credit is all Terry's. :) Thanks Nathan!
Aw, shucks
Thanks, Nathan. As i said to Donna, I wasn't sure about including the meditation stuff, so I'm glad you thought it enhanced the narrative rather than detract from it, if I may be permitted to paraphrase.
Certainly enhanced for me.
I hadn’t heard of this earlier Gibran! Love the story of the king drinking the insanity-inducing water and then being deemed as sane. A fable for our times, or perhaps all time.:)
Thanks, Kimberly. I agree. I think it was a very pertinent observation!
Gibran is one of my favorite authors of all time. The Grave Digger is fantastic. Thank you for sharing!
Mine too! Thanks for the feedback 😃
Troy and Terry, thank you for this fantastic essay. Of course I’m familiar with many Gibran quotes but have never read a full book. I appreciate how you brought your own meditation knowledge to this piece Terry. The story that hit the most for me is about removing the masks, which is something I’ve been working on for a long time. Your essay definitely perked my interest in reading Gibran.
Thanks, Donna. I was actually a bit worried about including notes about meditation, in case people thought it was too "woo woo", so I'm really pleased you appreciated that. Gi ran is definitely worth reading in full, even though the quotes are wonderful.
LOVE a good woo woo
🤣
Terry, you introduced me to Gibran’s work a year or so ago. So fascinating! It’s great to see where your eclectic style that is shaped from detail and humour and history and so many layers comes from. This was a great read!
Thank you, Kathleen, glad you enjoyed it. Yes, I am like a sponge!
Fascinating! I've never really taken to Gibran, but I loved the story about the king drinking the adulterated water... somehow it reminds me of an early Bowie song (perhaps he was influenced by Gibran's story?):
"'Cause I'd rather stay here
With all the madmen
Than perish with the sadmen roaming free
And I'd rather play here
With all the madmen
For I'm quite content they're all as sane
As me."
"All the madmen" (1970)
That's a great reference, Jeffrey, thanks for pointing it out!
Thanks, Jeffrey. Of course! I remember that song, but hadn’t made the connection. Gibran was big in the 70s, so I'm sure you're right. Thanks!
Great talk, Terry - thanks for pointing the way on this "lost" classic! I especially loved "On Giving and Taking" and "The Grave-Digger." Glad "Richard" didn't spoil your enjoyment. ;)
Thanks for the opportunity, Troy. It would take more than the Richards of this world to spoil it for me!