"The whole course of human history may depend on a change of heart in one solitary and even humble individual - for it is in the solitary mind and soul of the individual that the battle between good and evil is waged and ultimately won or lost." ~ M. Scott Peck
That is a very profound statement, which I will ponder for awhile before moving on. Thank you, Teresa, for bringing it to me this morning. Blessings from me to you. :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm doing some pondering on it myself ... blessings to you, DJan. Have a good day ... :)
DeleteI've not thought of Scott Peck in some time. His book, "People of the Lie: The Hope for Healing Human Evil," is one of the best there is. Heaven knows there's abundant evil in the world today, and we need to take it seriously. I may give the book another read.
ReplyDeleteI don't think the illustration is a Magritte, but it certainly seems to show his influence. It's great.
I hadn't thought of him, either, and then saw this quote. It seemed apropos to where my thought has been and where the world appears to be with the question of evil.
DeleteI believe the image is from a televisions series, but I'm not familiar with it. For some reason, though the hat is not a fedora, I thought of Oppenheimer ...
There certainly have been individuals over the eons who have influenced the lives of the general populace in good and in bad ways. And every single person has influence for positive or negative in somebody's life. A great quote to chew on. Thanks. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I think it's important to be aware of where our own thought is on this question of evil and what do we entertain in our thought that gives rise to it or exacerbates it.
DeleteI love your sense of faith ... that you're packing for the imminent move ...
I am not familiar with Scott Peck. Will have to find out more about him and possibly read shoreacres suggested book. -- barbara
ReplyDeleteYes, it does sound intriguing. "The Road Less Traveled," is among the most popular of his books.
DeleteHe was the guy who wrote "The Road Less Traveled", I think. I try to keep my heart and mind open.
ReplyDeleteYes, he was. You seem to be open to whatever life offers that would expand your horizons and I love that.
DeleteHaving just listened to the world news one can only hope that this solitary individual, whoever it is, has a change of heart and mind very soon.
ReplyDeleteMaybe he is you, John ... :)
DeleteEvery change, no matter how small or how large, begins with one dedicated effort that eventually resounds into the cosmos leaving a wake of joy or disaster behind. I believe this is why we must all focus on consistent and positive energy in order to keep some sort of static level of peace in the world.
ReplyDeleteYes! I woke up this morning with a renewed dedication to just that. We can bomb ISIS into oblivion (and I actually do in my more human moments wish for that), but then another group will arise and there we go again . .. the answer has to lie in some higher view of the world and its inhabitants. Now I'm left with the question of whether or not the bombing of these groups into oblivion couldn't represent the eradication of evil. I have a long way to go ...
DeleteFascinating picture.
ReplyDeleteWe will never eradicate evil. Who is to say what or who is evil anyway?
Absolute certainty of being right, i.e. self righteousness, is the greatest evil on this earth.
Whenever it becomes a question of ’them and us’ humans leave humanity behind and descend into destruction of all that is good and kind.
I agree: self righteousness is the very thing we need to eradicate. Them vs. us is a very destructive way to view the world.
DeleteThank you for visiting. It is exactly as you said in your comment ..... people give up something beautiful for a shift toward the mundane. That is usually when money rears it's ugly head and beckons.
ReplyDeleteI bet you had a beautiful summer on your land in all it's growing glory. We are entering another glorious season and Mn's countryside can take on a different look. Here's to the blessed seasons.
It's so good to connect again .. thanks for commenting.
DeleteDear Teresa, I just keep having troubles leaving this comment. This is the third time I'm trying--it's all been because I've clicked on the wrong words or changed my password. So perhaps you have already received this comment. If so, ignore!
ReplyDeleteLike you and DJan and many of your other readers, I need to ponder Peck's words. During the last 50 or 60 years, it seems to me that our culture has lost its sense that we truly are our "brother's" keeper. That we are all on a journey toward wholeness together. And that it is with one another--in Oneness--that we grow into wholeness. Peace to you and to all those whose lives you have touched and to those whose lives have touched you.
To me, "solitary mind and soul" are relative terms used to describe the human condition, but we are One, One Mind and One Soul, in the absolute. We must challenge the belief in evil, its various manifestations and guises in order to see and experience that Oneness. That is done in our daily life, in the choices we make. IMO. :)
DeleteThis is a difficult one. Evil comes around imo when a lot of people come to the collective conclusion that they are right and another group or groups of people are wrong. It only takes a messianic, charismatic leader/orator to chrystalize such sentiments into a movement which can take a destructive direction. Organisational psychology has much to teach us on this. I've always worked for large organisations. In all of them only a small cabal really knew what was happening and decided on what was to happen in future. Cabals galvanised by 'leaders', rather than leaders/individuals themselves, I reckon, are the key to the emergence of evil.
ReplyDeleteAnd there never seems to be a shortage of those who want leaders to take them down this very slippery slope. I've been thinking a bit about the book "Lord of the Flies." It's a strong indictment of human nature's baser instincts.
DeleteThanks for a thoughtful response. I appreciate it.
Such a great quote, Teresa, and one that I needed to here this morning as I dare to peak at the news with its myriad reports of wars, murders, abuses, viral pandemics, tyrants, and dysfunctional governments. Yes, each of us can make a small difference today, and we each need to remain mindful of that. Love that header photo of the long, disappearing road.
ReplyDeleteAnd that's just in the so called United States ...
DeleteLaying aside my snark ... it is a tough old world out there and each of us can make a difference. It starts with our thought and our choices. So good to hear from you, George.