|
Musicmystery -> RE: Gorean or not Gorean,,,,,,can you read? (6/9/2009 2:31:20 PM)
|
quote:
that is why I make this post, Gorean is what is inside a person and was described in a set of books written by JN. Gorean is not something you read about and become, it is what is inside you and you let come out.
Tal Brule,
This is the heart of your post, even labeled as such. I understand where you've coming from on this, I think, but I can only agree with it in part.
Yes, though we can see outer manifestations, Gorean is an inner quality. You seem to describe it as a thing, either something some people just have and allow to show, or something all people have and some people allow to come out (not sure which from your post). If it were as simple as that, though, we wouldn't have 27 books, and when new people come around, we could just give them a checklist, "Are You A Gorean?" or "Have You Let Out Your Inner Gorean?" and let them do their thing. I don't think so. Living as a Gorean is instead a process, as you indicate with "what is inside you and you let come out" but deny with "not something you read about and become."
When I read the books, I had already been long familiar with the cultural and philosophical references Norman uses as his basis, so yes, reading was at first largely recognition. But Norman doesn't merely report and mix, but rather examines, and his characters and social structures evolve over time. That's really the point, isn't it? To live a carefully examined life, one not merely embracing social conditioning, one more in tune with our natures and the order of nature in which we live. So we read, we think, we consider, and our thoughts and approaches to life evolve. Indeed, we become, we change, adapt, adjust, incorporate--we grow.
Certainly we have principles, constants, codes, but the application of those codes and principles will call for constant vigilance, continued consideration, an on-going examination of self and society.
Thus, I can entirely envision someone reading the books, considering carefully, and gradually adopting a life we would recognize as Gorean. I can't see someone just "letting something out" and being Gorean, except perhaps by improbable accident. The principles, the home stone, the codes--where would these be? And how could the result then be Gorean?
I'm always puzzled when new people come along, as they do from time to time, and announce a sudden interest in becoming Gorean, that this is the path for them, even though they've yet to read a book. How does such a decision come about? Based on what? Who would come along and say, "I've never read any of the philosophy, but I've decided to become an Existentialist. Where do I start?" No. I can understand curiosity, I can understand desire to learn--but these steps come first, before the Gorean. Otherwise, Brule, we might well say to some, "Hey, never mind! Turns out--you already ARE a Gorean! How about that?!"
No. No one can share in Gabriel Conroy's incredible epiphany at the end of Joyce's Dubliners, for example, without reading the stories first. Plenty of esources will offer overviews, but not the understanding to see and feel why this is such an incredible moment and experience, one that makes many readers consider Joyce's The Dead the greatest short story written and such a powerful conclusion to the work. And only long careful thought and reflection will bring absorption of truths and errors of our lives and society. Norman's Gor series is the same--it's a long, carefully thought out analysis of ourselves, our natures, and our societies and civilizations. Trying to understand "Gorean," let alone live it, just isn't possible without the read and the process.
Nice to see you post, Brule. I hope we see more.
Live well,
Tim
|
|
|
|
