tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4585134877503047781.post8807309228427828630..comments2023-07-21T08:31:52.663-07:00Comments on Angina Pectoris: Meditation on the Innovation of BoredomJohn Paullinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12286709775482914784noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4585134877503047781.post-52646907776526116012010-08-26T16:13:43.932-07:002010-08-26T16:13:43.932-07:00David, I think you're right. It's an impor...David, I think you're right. It's an important distinction. I would imagine that chronic boredom is, as you said, man-centered in its nature. Chronic boredom makes ego-centric demands from the world, instead of contributing (or aligning itself) with it. In that way chronic boredom is as indifferent toward God's creation as a shrug of the shoulders. Where acute boredom is instead a burdening of said shoulders, those times when we let the weight of this world fall on us and admit that we are not its master. <br /><br />This *does* account for the pace of scripture, which is a very insightful way to put it. It convicts me on both accounts.Nathan Jordanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152478194998152444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4585134877503047781.post-79407147919624129832010-08-26T05:37:22.623-07:002010-08-26T05:37:22.623-07:00Great perspective Nathan. Maybe we're talking...Great perspective Nathan. Maybe we're talking about two kinds of boredoms. The first is man-centered. Its an anxious, needy, demanding restlessness made worse by a two-dimensional view of creation.<br /><br />The kind you mention is completely opposite - "a way for man to let go of mastery and take on humility." <br /><br />That latter kind really accounts for the pace of the Bible - seedtime and harvest, waiting for babies, traveling thousands of miles, jail terms, seasons of prosperity, etc. The very fact that we sleep a third of our lives puts a damper on life's dynamism. <br /><br />You've got me thinking brother. Or better, maybe you've got me relinquishing my need to be intellectually captivated.david gentinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04682161542505476663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4585134877503047781.post-87250501296110429062010-08-23T18:23:49.029-07:002010-08-23T18:23:49.029-07:00I, too, really *really* admire the language of thi...I, too, really *really* admire the language of this post. thanks Jon.<br /><br />With that said, I want to ask the obvious question: I wonder if any of us could stand to be around someone who was incapable of "boredom" in the most immediate sense of the word? I think we would all get a little fatigued being in the company of someone who was constantly on the cusp of epiphany or ecstasy every moment of the day. Even our beloved (albeit fictional)Ames, found his sacramental world through boredom and not necessarily in spite of it.<br /><br />Hannah Arendt has some interesting things to say about boredom in "The Human Condition." She encourages us to seek out work that is "mind numbing" because she believe it is a necessary kind of suffering for man. I guess the question is whether the boredom you mention is acute or chronic. If we lived in an agrarian society and, by necessity, had to spend hours at a time behind a team of mules, we would certainly suffer being "bored" but beneath that boredom there would be a kind of humility that can only come when we relinquish our demands for intellectual captivity or entertainment. so maybe "boredom" is necessary and, at times, good for us. maybe it isn't always the symptom of disillusionment. You seem to argue that it requires a distrust of reality, but perhaps it is also an important reality check. boredom is a way for man to let go of mastery and take on humility. <br /><br />"And, please, a little boredom--boredom is so healthy in small doses." -Hannah ArendtNathan Jordanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152478194998152444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4585134877503047781.post-54775660912015106102010-08-22T21:51:59.974-07:002010-08-22T21:51:59.974-07:00David, I'm not sure I follow you. Could you e...David, I'm not sure I follow you. Could you elaborate?Jon Fursthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11224414515875067495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4585134877503047781.post-26115818507539364572010-08-22T12:45:40.146-07:002010-08-22T12:45:40.146-07:00Wow Jon, this is just a different caliber of writi...Wow Jon, this is just a different caliber of writing.<br /><br />I've been thinking a lot about this in regards to prayer. Why do I have a ready-made rational explanation for every answered prayer? Like the blind man's neighbors, I'm so quick to dismiss God's handiwork.david gentinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04682161542505476663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4585134877503047781.post-48759961018493479222010-08-22T12:24:49.247-07:002010-08-22T12:24:49.247-07:00Jon. This is amazing.Jon. This is amazing.Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11344624747788377400noreply@blogger.com