Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Heraclitus
Though Heraclitus' sayings are very short they are condensed with meaning. "All things flow," reminds me of Albert Einsteins theory of relativism. However, I'm sure it is more closely related to the yin yang and the idea of equilibrium. From analyzing the other quotes from this excerpt, most seem to include this idea of flow, or somehow suggest it. A prime example being "Opposition brings together, and from discord comes perfect harmony." There is no flow or equilibrium without an opposite and this seems to suggest that much like the yin yang, where there is good there is evil and they will always coexist. Of course this would also apply to most polar identities like hot/cold, tall/short, angel/demon, etc. "From all, one; and from one, all," is probably the most eloquently crafted statement I've ever read. Not only does it elude to the unity of self but from the self to all; in order to convey that a great spirit is in all of us, individually and as a group. I've never read anything by Heraclitus before and although his statements are brief, they are sagacious in nature.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
This idea of flow and opposition bringing equilibrium is so fundamental to everything concerning human race and the universe. Science, religion, philosophy. In order to have anything there has to be something opposing it. Which is no surprise that this idea shows up so often in matters dealing with spirituality. It is not only the polar opposites that this concept applies to. It is not just hot and cold there is warm and cool. at every level of existence this concept applies. If this is true wouldn't there be such things as absolute right and absolute wrong? absolute good and absolute evil. Not that there is no intermediate steps like the warm and cool. But they would exist right?
ReplyDelete