Craving paradise

[vaneramos]

Eramosa River


I awoke with preternatural matters in mind, and the eternal question: why?

I believe we exist for no particular reason. Not the prettiest answer, but most graceful. So if the answer is simple, why must life be complicated and painful?

Because we arise from a natural process that reproduces and elaborates itself. Survival requires struggle. We mustn't surrender to death too easily. Many organisms flourish without pain, anxiety or even thought, but possess other strategies. Humans happen to be endowed with dissatisfaction.

Study mammals and you'll realize we aren't unique in this, nor in our capacity for curiosity and make-believe. We are, however, especially equipped. The brain is our most peculiar feature. Imagination helps us rehearse and respond resourcefully to complexity.

Modern security obviates the struggle, providing us time to entertain ourselves with unanswerable, perhaps useless questions. Rather than fighting nature, I embrace my unique creativity by stringing words and ideas together, imagine somehow breaking through reality's dark wall into some ineffable beyond. Paradise is really a symbol for what we crave: success, abundance, to live without unpleasant surprises.

But in playing, I accept moments of transcendence and joy. Life can't all be good, but maybe some days will be.

~~~~~~~~~~

Two more photos are posted in texture.

Comments

[rticboy.livejournal.com]

Your photos are always excellent, but I absolutely LOVE this one. Very nice!

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I get a lot out of walking by the river regularly, and it's nice to share.

[artricia.livejournal.com]

Gorgeous -- the pictures, the writing, the ideas. Ah.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

We often seem to connect on the ideas. I appreciate it.

[ubermunkey.livejournal.com]

very lovely
the image in the water
reminds me of a skull in profile
hmmm dr. jung?... lol

be well

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Hehe, yes. This image made me think along Jungian lines myself, reaching for what is hidden and inexpressible, the collective unconscious perhaps. Carl Jung and his wife appear as significant, troubled characters in one of my favourite, dark novels, Pilgrim, by the late, great, gay Canadian author, Timothy Findley.

Cheers.

[shadowshape.livejournal.com]

what a lovely image;
and what powerful and apposite thoughts
thank you
love and blessed be
xxx

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Yes, that image is like breaking through to something beyond, isn't it? Thanks for your words.