I was speaking with a good friend of mine the other night and the topic of hard, hard times came up. We had both been struggling in our own respective ways and I began to think about a series of selections from the Epistle of James that deal with temptation and scatteredness and all the various tribulations and maladies that can make the mind and body suffer. It was helpful to me so I present a few thoughts here that might spread that nectar. Oh yeah, and don't worry (if you are the type prone towards such actions), this blog isn't about being a Christian or the Holy Bible as ultimate truth or anything else like that. It's just a good chance to share in the wisdom of those wiser than myself. [P.S. This is my own translation/interpretation of James. The Catholic church would likely not approve]:


"My brothers and sisters, count it all joy when you face the trials of life; knowing this, that the testing of your faith (be that faith in goodness, love, peace, justice, compassion, or in the sweetness of the universe) produces patience. Let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

If you lack something, ask the power of the universe, that gives to all life liberally, don't make a fuss or get indignant; and it shall be given to you. Draw neigh to Goodness and Goodness will draw neigh to you. But, But, BUT!, ask in FAITH! Ask in knowing, knowing what you want, nothing wavering. For one that wavers is like the wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed and they receive nothing from the universe. A DOUBLE MINDED, SCATTERBRAINED BEING IS UNSTABLE IN ALL WAYS!

Blessed is the one that endures all the muck: for when they are tried they shall receive the crown of LIFE AND JOY, which the universe promised those that live in love.

Let no one say when they are tempted that they are tempted of the supreme, for the goodness of the universe can't be tempted with your mundane, banal, and asinine ridiculousness, nor is it the force that tempts you.

Everyone is tempted and enticed by their own imbalanced desires, emotionalities, and selfishness. This brings about unwise and inharmonious action which, in turn, brings about a loss of your joy, your precious happiness, life itself!

Do not be deceived my beloved. All goodness and every perfect gift is waiting for you in the blissful unseen and it comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of deceit. The sweetness of the universe has willingly revealed to us the word of truth that we should be a kind of first fruits of it's creatures.

Therefore, my beloved, let us all be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to give up our energy to all that junk which wastes our beings away: For the selfish, callous actions of people brings about no nectar. Wherefore toss away all the junk and the abundance of wasted efforts given towards attaining things that you know won't make you happy anyway and receive the deep peace of your innermost teacher which alone can lead you towards your highest goodness and bliss."



Yours in the experiment,

Dylan Schwartz