Markings
I’ve recently discovered a book by Dag Hammarskjold called Markings. I’ve not read his work before but was so moved by Markings, that I look forward to reading other works by him.
Dag Hammarskjold was Secretary General of the United Nations from April 1953- Sept. 1961. Mr. Hammarskjold died in a plane crash while on a UN mission to Congo.
Markings is written in diary form, though the many entries have the appearance of an aphorism. The entry dates extend from 1925 to 1961. The entries trace the development of his spiritual thought throughout this period of his life. Dag Hammarskjold was not afraid to look deep inside himself (psyche, soul?) and ask tough questions. The book shows his progression toward a deep spirituality.
I love the title. The word markings evokes connotations of a touchstone. Those places on our spiritual journey that mark great insights and revelations. Dag Hammarskjold is sharing his own insights, written of himself, to himself. I am posting a few of my favorite entries from the book. I hope they will tease everyone into reading Markings.
- Life only demands from you the strength you possess. Only one feat is possible-not to have run away.
- The road to self-knowledge does not pass through faith. But only through the self-knowledge we gain by pursuing the fleeting light in the depth of our being do we reach the point where we can grasp what faith is. How many have been driven into darkness by empty talk about faith as something to be rationally comprehended, something “true”.
- Isn’t the void which surrounds you when the noise ceases your just reward for a day devoted to preventing others from neglecting you?
These last few are mine. I was so taken by Markings , that I wrote a few of my own markings. If inspiration is contagious, I look forward to reading markings from you in the comments.
- Participation on the Spiritual Path is like stalking through the lawn, shovel in one hand, coffee can in the other, seeking evidence that the family pet’s excretory system is intact. Quicken the pace, let the eye wander, and you’ve stepped into an unintended consequence. But then, what is redemption, if not finding beauty in the smelly, messy pieces of our lives.
- God is wisdom. Yes, but…
God is beauty. are you…
God is love. there yet?
God is omniscient. Do you know what that means?
And still you categorize.
Peace, Ed
What an awesome post! I really really like this. I didn’t read this book. It seems to be very interesting. I think i should read Markings. Thanks for sharing.
Ed, heavy thoughts for a Saturday Morning.
Here’s a few of mine (most are not original, but as they say…if the shoe fits…)
There is a God, and I’m not it.
If I am asking God to be involved in my life, then why do I have so much difficulty with allowing others to ask God to be involved in theirs?
I’ve noticed that the people with what appears to be the strongest Faith, are those who, somewhere along the road, lost virtually everything or found themselves passing through some unspeakable tragedy. This raises two questions: First, if I want powerful faith, do I have to do that too? Second, does this fall in the category of being careful what you pray for, you might just get it?
What would my life be like if I could recapture the absolute joy at being alive that I see in small children, kittens, and puppies?
hs, Thank you for your aphorisms. They are awesome.
ginkgo, Thank you for the positive vibes.
Namaste