Kazantzakis 1 - The Dark Abyss

Curriculum Focus

Reality Base

Material

Kazantzakis, Nikos, The Saviors of God: Spiritual Exercises. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster, Inc., 1960. p 43.

We come from a dark abyss, we end in a dark abyss, and we call the luminous interval life. As soon as we are born the return begins, at once the setting forth and the coming back; we die in every moment. Because of this many have cried out: The goal of life is death! But as soon as we are born we begin the struggle to create, to compose, to turn matter into life; we are born in every moment. Because of this many have cried out: The goal of ephemeral life is immortality! In the temporary living organism these two streams collide: (a) the ascent toward composition, toward life, toward immortality; (b) the descent toward decomposition, toward matter, toward death. Both streams well up from the depths of primordial essence.

Reflection Questions

Where do you experience the dark abyss When did you first meet the dark abyss and how does it show up in your life

How do you experience the luminous interval differently because of your awareness of the dark abyss

Where do you experience the return How does this show up

Where do you experience the struggle to create, to compose, to turn matter into life

What is the awareness that this section fosters in me

How might I live my life differently in this next week as a result of this awareness

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