The Demon Conquered.

Here is my reply to the wonderful woman's letter. This should be the last you hear of the matter (it is pretty well covered), unless someone else has anything more to say.


I took exception to a few things. Know that I love you and respect you in spite of our slight differences.
Just three points.
First. "Age brings a realization that things cannot be fanciful, carefree, and wild."
To put "realization" means that ah, that's the way things were all along and I only now woke up! I believe that things CAN be fanciful, carefree, and wild--and not only that, but they were meant to be. Who stands with me here? I believe that the only chains there are, are voluntary, the rest is an illusion.
Maybe that's because I'm living in a capitalistic world. Or maybe because I believe in a spiritual one. Still, I am reading Anja right now. That woman had no end of chains yet remained wild, carefree.
Also the subtle allusion that age brings this so-called "realization". What age tends to bring is a settling, where you allow chains to be put on you--mostly by yourself, but there are spiritual forces involved. You know of these already, I won't witness to you.
I would re-write that, "Age brings a tendency to accept the chained reality/mentality of the rest of the world, and to shrug off the simplicity and the spirit of being fanciful, carefree, and wild, as foolishness. I would see that as the beginning of decay, and fight it with everything in me."

Next. "I do not claim to be mature. I have feelings. I do not claim to be immature. I do hold them in."
So, having feelings is immature, and holding them in is mature, and you wear this proudly like a medal? I am probably misreading you.
Still, this is exactly the "maturity" mindset I am talking about. This is exactly the prison that I balk against. "Let's all be mature and not have feelings, and if some do slip through, let's just not tell anyone."
I would say, "Feelings are not a necessity of life. But if you are blessed to have them, balance them of course, but enjoy them to the full. For God's sake, don't stifle them like a poisonous bug. Many in the world envy even being able to feel at all. Being heartless is a poor state/goal."

And last. "Real freedom cannot be sought or achieved. It is a gift. Some have it more than others."
Ooooo. What can I say? "If you were born a slave, heck with it, buckle down in the mud for the rest of your life. There's nothing you can do anyway." This I disagree with.
Strongly.
Well, too strongly for this forum.
There have been a number of GNs on this subject though, that I could refer you to. If you're the movie watching type, I could refer you to some good movies on the subject. I could refer you to songs if you are musically inclined. If you're the realist type..... then, I'm sorry, there's nothing I can do for you.
Me, I don't believe in reality.
Keep in mind that realism is usually just a front for the bars. If you're arguing on just a physical plane, reality is reality. Too bad. Still, you can tooth and nail. Us, we go beyond even that. I think you would agree.
I would say, "Real freedom can be sought or achieved, but you have to want it bad enough. It is a gift, but one that is dispensed freely to anyone who reaches for it, like oxygen or saliva. Some have it more than others, true, but that's their own fault. Poor losers. Know that there is a better way!"
And then I would shut up.

Joe.