A Poet's Journal: July 11th, 2014

July 11th, 2014

There is a certain pleasure in being confounded; for it is not through the process of thinking that we come to our conclusion, nor is it a shot in the dark, but the clarification comes offhandedly.  

Aristotle had said that memory was founded upon relation and that something forgotten could only be remembered through a long series of opposites connecting, like cold to hot or wet to dry; and however far we felt ourselves from the 'right' answer, our erring was essential in bringing forth the reality sought.  We can see of course how burdened the mind becomes, and how easily indifferent it makes itself when squirming about as such, but nonetheless we must feel occupied and fool ourselves into doing something, with the belief that we control the appearing and the vanishing of every little thought.  

The fact is, the quieter the mind the more open it becomes and gives to our confusion a creative aspect that is not involved in our running around against every question brought forth.  So it is that the pleasure of confoundment comes in seeing eye to eye with ourselves and not ear to mouth with someone else.

Douglas Thornton