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Is there a tension between (a) 'It is time to stop complaining, stop seeking pity, and to instead channel the Gods of power and rage, and to fight alongside them to bring modernity’s entire edifice crumbling to the ground' and (b) '... we must lie still, with the peace and stillness of the heart, and be patient, for the Gods are on our side'?

Or does it say more about myself? That I'm still trapped inside the pre-fabricated world the Machine has made? That I can't see past its false binaries? It's either A or it's B! Either full-on physical action in the world or intense contemplation and 'waiting on God.' How does one learn to sense and feel this call to arms as both/and rather than either/or?

Blessings and Respect,

John

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I don't subscribe to binary logic. The ancient Egyptians knew that a could be both a and not a. They also knew there was no contradiction between the one and the many.

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Farasha, thank you for these chapters, all of which have opened up Lawrence for me. I was aware of his connection to Rolf Gardiner and, through him, to the Soil Association, or nascent organic movement. There are also striking resonances between DHL's and Schumacher's engagements with the world of mining. This was brought home to me as I watched the recent remake of Chatterley, which I enjoyed. Finally, and coincidentally, I'm writing this from Italy, where, not unlike DHL decades ago, I find some respite from the madness currently invading Anglo-Saxon society. Your work has helped me along in all of this. A Happy Christmas to you (and even if you don't celebrate Christmas, please accept it in the spirit in which it is offered). Robert

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Buon Natale Robert,

Thank you for this comment. These are difficult times in the world, and positive feedback is fortifying.

Some of Lawrence's most interesting letters were to Gardiner. Whereas his letters to Koteliansky describe Rananim in general terms, he really went into detail with Gardiner in ways that have helped me a lot in later chapters.

I am also writing this from Italy. Currently, I am in Castelmola, a short walk up the hill from DHL's beloved Taormina.

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On a related note, Farasha, I recently watched some talks at a conference, held at Notre Dame, that might interest you. (Converging Wisdom? Questioning the Continued Relevance of the Perennial Philosophy- you can find the talks, but not the list of speakers, online). In his address, S. Nasr mentions the recent resurgence of interest in Traditionalist ideas, but I was struck by the seeming absence of younger voices, such as yours and Paul K's., from the gathering. Are there venues that bring together older and younger Traditionalist-minded people? If not, I think this would be beneficial. All the best to you for the New Year, Robert.

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Greetings Robert, and happy New Year. I watched a number of the presentations from the recent Notre Dame conference and was struck by the absolute lack of innovation. Now, as a traditionalist, I believe in eternal principles, but criticisms must change to meet the times, and the old criticisms of the Traditionalist School are just not cutting it. Additionally, I feel the Traditionalists take too heavy a hand regarding Western thoughts, ideas, philosophy, and poetry. The Romantics are thoroughly Western, but also thoroughly anti-modern. Even Nietzsche can be studied and utilized fruitfully, though the Traditionalists would never accept that. I am something of a lone-wolf, and I wouldn't dare state that I would either belong or fit in at a conference of that sort, but I do think that inviting someone like Paul would be a great idea for the organizers of the next such meeting.

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