Although we cannot bargain with the Daimon, we can reason with it. In my case, it goes something like this:
“I see you. I recognize your existence and your nature-given right to use me as your instrument. I know what you want and fully intend to do your bidding. But in order to do so, I must make sure that I have the capabilities and resources necessary to act on your behalf. For this reason, I can’t just blindly follow your prodding; I must take care of my immediate needs too, so I can more effectively work towards your goals. If I don’t do so, we both lose. So please be patient and bear with me. It is in your best interest to do so.”
This inner attitude towards the Daimon—reverential but also assertive, like that of Job talking to God—often works for me.
-Bernardo Kastrup, “The Daimon and the Soul of the West: Finding identity, meaning, and purpose in a sacrificial life”
Wonderful piece ! I'm currently reading another work following a parallel course on this theme - Cosmos and Psyche - by Richard Tarnas, a philosopher / cultural historian. There is much need at this critical time in our collective zeitgeist, to re-vivify our connection and rapport with the World Soul - wonderful that your voice comes forward at this time.
Thanks, Richard! Tarnas's work has been important to me, too. Cosmos and Psyche is fascinating, and his The Passion of the Western Mind is on a short list of the books that have influenced me the most and served as my longest lasting intellectual and spiritual companions.
I'm afraid the quote that you took as the basis or start of your post is not actually from Frankenstein. It's a widely circulated line from de Tocqueville's Democracy in America.
Wow. I'm so excited to discover your writing, Matt. I look forward to reading much more. This resonates strongly with me. Not even sure where to start. I'm going to explore more of your content here and order your book! Thank you.
It's great to meet you, Matt. I'm glad this post resonates, and I hope the rest of the book does, too. In case it's of interest, I wrote an earlier book titled A Course in Demonic Creativity that's available for free at my author website. It, too, is about the daemon muse, so it might similarly intersect with your interests.
Although we cannot bargain with the Daimon, we can reason with it. In my case, it goes something like this:
“I see you. I recognize your existence and your nature-given right to use me as your instrument. I know what you want and fully intend to do your bidding. But in order to do so, I must make sure that I have the capabilities and resources necessary to act on your behalf. For this reason, I can’t just blindly follow your prodding; I must take care of my immediate needs too, so I can more effectively work towards your goals. If I don’t do so, we both lose. So please be patient and bear with me. It is in your best interest to do so.”
This inner attitude towards the Daimon—reverential but also assertive, like that of Job talking to God—often works for me.
-Bernardo Kastrup, “The Daimon and the Soul of the West: Finding identity, meaning, and purpose in a sacrificial life”
Wonderful piece ! I'm currently reading another work following a parallel course on this theme - Cosmos and Psyche - by Richard Tarnas, a philosopher / cultural historian. There is much need at this critical time in our collective zeitgeist, to re-vivify our connection and rapport with the World Soul - wonderful that your voice comes forward at this time.
Thanks, Richard! Tarnas's work has been important to me, too. Cosmos and Psyche is fascinating, and his The Passion of the Western Mind is on a short list of the books that have influenced me the most and served as my longest lasting intellectual and spiritual companions.
https://open.substack.com/pub/egretlane/p/inspiration-to-start-your-week-monday-9a0?r=5ezmlv&utm_medium=ios
I'm afraid the quote that you took as the basis or start of your post is not actually from Frankenstein. It's a widely circulated line from de Tocqueville's Democracy in America.
Wow. I'm so excited to discover your writing, Matt. I look forward to reading much more. This resonates strongly with me. Not even sure where to start. I'm going to explore more of your content here and order your book! Thank you.
It's great to meet you, Matt. I'm glad this post resonates, and I hope the rest of the book does, too. In case it's of interest, I wrote an earlier book titled A Course in Demonic Creativity that's available for free at my author website. It, too, is about the daemon muse, so it might similarly intersect with your interests.