The Curse of Grace

The Visitor is not an easy read.  It is not what it appears to be, and even if you think you do understand it, it would be best to place such understandings to the side.  Today, for the first time, I am going to share personal insights that are instrumental in understanding why this book cannot be interpreted by anyone; for anyone else.  It is why The Visitor when talking about Knowledge on page 59 says:

He strips you from reason to reveal the truth
For these visions he sees are not yours.
He guides you to knowledge that lives within you
And leaves you - to open the doors.

As outlined in the very first pages of the book, this story moves from fiction to non-fiction without notice or apology.  As described in blogs to this date; there are two parallel stories that run through The Visitor at the same time; a Love Story, and a Story of Love.  However, neither of those stories will lead you to what is in the pages.  Both of those stories are "fictional".  We have yet to explore the Truth of the novel; the fact that the work itself is one of non-fiction.

To help explain the non-fictional basis for The Visitor - today's blog is about "The Curse of Grace".  To some, this concept may seem blasphemous, crazy, distorted or just simply hard to grasp.  However, The Visitor is very intentional in meeting the reader half-way in this discomfort on page 10 where the author shares;

The rumours of who he was were not the reality, but rumours in time became the accepted version of the truth. Depending on who you talked to he was either a mystic, an intellect or just a crazy old man with a bad temper who had chosen to become a bit of a recluse.

This concept that rumour and versions of realities may not accurately depict "Truth", but may still become accepted as reality is important.  The literal description of the Visitor as possibly being a mystic, an intellect or crazy are all just versions or reality.  It is never clarified which version may or may not be real.

So here, for the first time, are personal insights never before shared with others that may lead the reader to have to choose whether the Visitor is a mystic, an intellect or just crazy.  (To the Visitor, it matters not...as stated very early (on page 3); The Visitor was aware of his shortcomings in not being able to see the middle between extremes; however, he would not have changed his understandings for anything. And here, we have the first glimpse into the suffering of the Visitor -  "The Curse of Grace". 

Grace by the understanding of most people is viewed as positive.  As a "blessing" or "comfort".  It is even viewed by many as a virtue.  So to talk about it as a curse, may be strange for you to understand.  However, The Visitor is intentionally very consistent in the non-fictional underpinnings of the central message.  

In Joy and Sorrow (pg 56) the reader encounters the following statement where the Visitor is warning the reader to not make assumptions beyond the moment - but then talks about "pain" and "current state".  This passage, like the novel itself fails to make sense when read from traditional understanding of what Grace is, yet it is doubtful that the reader actually breaks from the rhyme or rhythm of this verse of poetic parable to notice that it is probably discordant with their understanding of Grace.

Do not pre-judge your future
By your current state of grace
For by pain we all are nurtured
Until all sorrow is erased.

Grace to the author is an understanding and acceptance of a Truth which has no need to be defended and may be hard to accept.  It is to face a situation without hope of it getting better, but Faith to accept what is and will be.  It is why the Visitor is described as "hopeless" and goes to great lengths to talk about Faith.

Grace is to accept pain without blame.  Grace is to accept reality without distortion.  Grace is to give up defending, explaining, or victimizing yourself or anyone else.  

The author shares early on (page 2) the central concept of the Curse of Grace when describing who the Visitor was/is:

The Visitor could have been anyone. In fact, he would have argued he was everyone…more or less. He was not extraordinary, he was certainly no angel, and he was far from a saint. He had laughed and cried, felt pleasure and pain, and endured most of the emotional tides
which we have all shared. Perhaps he differed from most of us in his hopelessness. By that I mean he did not believe in hope.
 

It was not always that way. There was a time when he lived every day in hope, but over time the constant cascading disappointments became too heavy a load to carry. It made sense for him to give up on hope and instead anchor himself in Faith - Faith tied to destiny.
 

He would not have been keen to entertain arguments with others on whether life was a series of events open to arbitrary choice or a matter of predetermined fate. Such arguments he felt were fruitless and without consequence. Instead, he was more prone to admire a
perfectly designed system of ordered chaos constantly in flux with individual human choice. He felt there was something beautiful in the concept of unpredictable chaos within an intentional master design: a duality, like body and spirit.

This is the non-fictional underpinning of the Curse of Grace.  Simply put, the awareness and appreciation of a reality that is as dualistic in nature as the Visitor himself. 

Physical - Spiritual; Predetermined - Individual Choice; Chaos - Intentional Master Design.

As the author, I can attest that I have on numerous occasions encountered Grace, but never by my choice or at the time of my choosing.  I have been witness to things I cannot understand, I cannot explain and that defy logic.  Yet those experiences are real.  It has been found while being lost in the eyes of my Beloved while trying to deny Love.  It has been found in isolation and tears when broken down and subjected to intentional hurt by others and struggling to not hurt back.  It has been found in anger for which I can blame no-one; as all anger is owned by the one who experiences it.  Just as all hatred is owned by the one who hate; and blame lies on the conscience of the blamer.

The Curse of Grace is to be aware and to accept.  No matter what the situation.  It is to forgive while hurting.  It is to Love while being rejected.   It is to say a prayer for those who curse you.  Those are the easy parts.  The Curse is where it becomes hard.

It is to let those who you Love suffer rather than betray yourself or the truth.  It is to allow yourself to be judged in cases where defending yourself would allow an opportunity for one to dilute the Truth.  It is to "not forgive" someone (or yourself), when it may be misconstrued as giving relief to a cause for which they are not truly sorry.  At the same time, it is forgiving someone (or yourself) when you are still hurting from damage inflicted when you see that they are hurting themselves and truly ask for forgiveness. Even when you do not want to forgive.

The Curse of Grace is to be aware, and accept that which you do not wish to accept.  To understand that while your body is literally created in pleasure, your soul is born through pain.  

Universal Language of the Soul

1 Corinthians 14:10   There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning.

In part, this corruption of language spurred him towards a belief
in what he called “the universal language of the soul”, or language
with no spoken words. A language best heard (or felt) in silence.  Pg. 4 The Visitor

If you have had the patience and perseverance to follow all the blog entries in "The Visitor - Re-Visited" you would be aware that The Visitor is not a simple story.   You would also be aware it is a story that not even the author fully understands, and invites readers to search for their own interpretations.

That said, moving forward, these blogs will start to take a much deeper dive into possible interpretations.  Today's interpretation is focusing simply on a statement made by the narrator on page 4 of The Visitor about "corruption of language", and a belief in a universal understanding that requires no spoken words, no language and perhaps is best "felt" in silence.

However, now as a seasoned reader (if you have followed this far) you are going to start to see more of the influences on The Visitor and perhaps understand why it is not just a Love Story, but a Story of Love.  This deep dive is the beginning of truly understanding what The Visitor is about, and why individual interpretation is actively encouraged by the author.

The concepts of silence, universality, and language are central themes in The Visitor.  The previous blogs on Love explain how the Visitor believes sacred words like Love, Faith (and even hope) have been corrupted to the point the words are now meaningless.  

“Shared, but maybe not emphasized to the same degree, is the strong suggestion that deep within us, in the silence of our souls, we know intuitively the differences between what is right and what is wrong.”

Other sections of The Visitor talk about the need for Love, Empathy, Understanding, Judgement, Pain, Sorrow, Joy etc.  All these are claimed by the Visitor to be universally shared states of the human condition.  This idea of silence, and universal understanding is hinted to in the prologue (pg viii):

In fact, one of the pivotal contextual points in The Visitor is in his search for silence.  That is what partly drives him away to his home outside of the city prior to his death.  This is clear at the end of the section of Crime and Punishment (pg 43) when the narrator shares the following:

Although I still did not fully understand what he meant, he was passionate in his belief that the more he withdrew from everyone, the better he was able to connect with anyone. From his solitude and isolation, he could connect with everyone rather than be consumed by any one. His description of how we are all connected and of how we are all one was beyond a romantic notion. He believed the connection was beyond spiritual. Just as a high tide lifts all boats, the hurting of one hurts us all. He believed there was shared responsibility and accountability amongst everyone.

The idea that there are many languages in the world, each with meaning is not a novel idea.  We are more than aware we don't all speak the same language.  And while a foreign language may sound like gibberish to one not familiar, the support for something deeper is found within 1 Corinthians 14:10

There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning.

In the eyes of the Visitor this concept is pushed to the idea that there is even meaning in a language without words.  Reference the poetic parable on Joy and Sorrow to understand at a minimum the Visitor sees "emotional states" as universally shared.

Your joy and sorrow are not yours alone
They are both universally shared states
Unless your heart is carved out of stone
Such feelings are our shared human fate.

The Visitor's assertion that you can "understand" or derive meaning from such universally shared states directly follows the stanza above in the chapter on Joy and Sorrow.

You may witness the pain in the eyes of a stranger
Or smile when someone else laughs.
Or feel the fear when someone’s in danger
As we all walk along a shared path.

The idea of witnessing pain in the eyes of a stranger is the idea that we can "understand" pain in someone without the need for words.  The fact that we may smile when someone else laughs invokes the idea of an innate ability to respond to an "emotional" stimuli.  This is again emphasized in that we can actually "feel fear" when someone else is in danger.

Words are not required to share, in fact all of these examples are actually better "felt" than heard.  Words require translation, are open to misinterpretation and are filtered through a cognitive process.  We are much more in control of the words we utter.  And as such, we can intentionally confuse, manipulate, control and hurt others for whatever purpose we choose.

We are much more responsible for the words we say and the impact of those words.  Again, this concept is not new or unique.  See Ephesians 4:29

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

In the extreme dualism that makes up the personality of the Visitor, it is not surprising that we can draw the conclusion that for the Visitor, words are not only "inadequate" but mundane; where as silence and prayer are sacred.  There are various examples of this duality to be found throughout The Visitor, but they will be highlighted in future blogs.

Quickly however, to understand the "sacredness" of silence to the Visitor we can refer to the poetic parable on Prayer (pg 71):

Prayer is the expansion of your inner self
In prayer, you rise in communion.
Prayer is not a deal you can barter or sell
It is a sacred, silent, union.

The idea of three simple words "sacred, silent, union" pretty much sums up the connections I am talking about.  Although silent - prayer is meaningful communication.  And although the action may be initiated individually, the concept of "rising in communion" shouts a universal connection shared within this act.  The Visitor would argue that we don't really "pray" alone.  This concept is reiterated in the poetic parable below:

Words are not required to speak to the spirit.
If you forget how to pray, then be still.
Stay silent and listen - and your soul - you may hear it
Faith like Grace, is more than free will.

When you can hear, the voices of others
And join in the suffering of what we’ve all done
Without a word, your doubt will be smothered
When you join prayer, with others; as one.

This poetic parable is unquestionably influenced by Romans 8:26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;

Again, concepts of communication requiring NO WORDS (in this case actually groanings too deep for words), but rather SILENCE.  The idea of "join in the suffering of what we've all done" found within the Visitor's poetic parable is another call to not only how we are all connected, but an understanding regarding judgement.  Whole sections of The Visitor are devoted to "taking care when to judge".  Words spoken carelessly and without Love are just part of the noise.  Again, this whole central concept sprinkled throughout The Visitor can be traced pretty easily to the Bible.  This time, 1 Corinthians 13:1

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal

As well as Colossians 4:6

Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

Again we can see confluence of influence - Ephesians 4:29

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

The idea of NO WORDS, but rather communication through a more adequate spiritual fashion (prayer being one example) is again influenced by another passage, this time 1 Corinthians 2:13

which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.

One more example of the inadequacy of words is found in John 8:43

"Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word.

It really should be no surprise by now as you are in the midst of the "first deep dive" into interpretation that when the Visitor does speak, (even though he finds words inadequate and would prefer silence) he speaks ONLY in poetic parables.  Influence for this type of speaking is found in John 16:25

"These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; an hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but will tell you plainly of the Father.

At this point you the reader might make the assumption that the Visitor is a literary personification of Jesus.  I can assure you as the author of The Visitor, this is not the case.  As clearly outlined in The Visitor, the Visitor is not Jesus or any other incarnation of a prophet.  

Page 2 of the chapter Corvus makes this clear:

The Visitor could have been anyone. In fact, he would have argued he was everyone…more or less. He was not extraordinary, he was certainly no angel, and he was far from a saint.

So, Who is the Visitor?  

There is an answer, but the answer cannot be given.  Words are inadequate. Be assured however, the Visitor does exist.  To actually find out who the Visitor is cannot be achieved without the background provided by the rest of the books within The Corvus Chronicles.  However, a very strong hint as to who the Visitor is is found on page 10 of the novel where the narrator shares, "If anyone had asked the Visitor who or what he was, he would have simply said:"
I am a part of you, just as you are part of me.
No more, no less; just another guest
Whose time has come to leave.

The last part to touch briefly on in this deep dive before I let you up for air, is to be found within the intersection of these central themes of "universal, language, silence, Love" and the damage done by inadequate words is the idea of the strength and sacredness of silence, to let silence by your message or your last word.  This idea is found in the poetic parable on "Talking" (pg 62):

“Do not be tempted in your need to talk
When you’re driven too hard to be heard
Sometimes it’s wiser to get up and walk
And let silence be your last word. - The Visitor”

The power of silence as a response again is not a unique concept and heavily influenced from external sources.  For example Acts 8:32

 "HE WAS LED AS A SHEEP TO SLAUGHTER; AND AS A LAMB BEFORE ITS SHEARER IS SILENT, SO HE DOES NOT OPEN HIS MOUTH.

Luke 23:9

And he questioned Him at some length; but He answered him nothing.

Proverbs 10:19

When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise.

Psalm 39:9

"I have become mute, I do not open my mouth, Because it is You who have done it.

1 Timothy 5:13

At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention.

And finally: two of my personal favourites:

Proverbs 17:9

He who conceals a transgression seeks love, 

and

Proverbs 26:20

For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.

As such, the Visitor is probably prone to not defend his positions.  Afterall, The Visitor takes place three hours before death.  There is nothing to be gained in attempting to defend.  It is not only a strong position, it is the only position.  Again support for this position can be found on page 43 of The Visitor:

He shared how he was no different and had spent far too many years justifying everything he did to others and himself. It took many years and many hard lessons to learn that justification was not called for nor required. If we acted in Faith, guided by Love, there was never a need to defend. In fact, he would contend that defending righteousness only diluted it.

So the message is to take care.  Care with your words.  Care not to defend as those who are asking you to defend are motivated by something you do not need to, and probably should not even entertain acknowledging.  Instead, hold to Faith, and be guided by Love.  And finally, take care when judging.

“John 8:3-11

The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. “Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?”
They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court. Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either Go From now on sin no more.””

If you made it this far....congratulations.  Go up for some air, but as in any deep dive, take time resurfacing.  

Journey in Love

Michael Paul

From Cover to Cover - The Visitor - Chapter 1

The blog posts starting from here will be looking at various interpretations of The Visitor.  It is recommended that the reader first look inward for their own interpretations prior to looking at the following blogs so that they may be enlightened by their own introspection.

Remember, the interpretations that follow are not the only, or even necessarily the right interpretation(s).

The people walked in darkness, But have seen a brilliant light.

The Visitor - Chapter I - page 1

You cannot unsee what you have seen
Nor unhear what you have heard.
Turn around now and take your leave
Or you too will own each word.

The poetic parable above are the first words we hear recounted by the narrator.  It is important for the reader to remain aware that although the visitor's words are represented in poetic parables and italics throughout the novel, that we never actually hear the visitor himself speak as the story is written after the visitors passing.  We only hear the narrator's recollection of the visitor's words, or the narrator sharing the words he heard.

On the surface, this verse is easy enough to understand.  Most of us have experienced the truth in this verse, although unfortunately, we typically have learned these lessons through "negative experiences".  

If you have ever seen or witnessed a horrendous event, you will know what is meant by not being able to unsee what you have seen.  Myself, as the author have witnessed numerous events that I had not planned or wished to see.  For example, my wife Deborah and I were first on the scene at a tragic hit and run in Edmonton years ago.  When we fled from our coffee from the outside patio at a Second Cup to run to the aid of the lady who had been hit by the runaway driver, we came upon the broken sprawled out body of a young women who was hit at high speed and was literally split open with her insides spilling outwards onto the pavement.

This is a vision burned within my mind.  Mostly because I was helpless to do anything.

As the visitor shares (via the words of the narrator) most of our memorable moments are connected strongly to either joy and/or sorrow.  Emotional responses tied to an event.  In the case above, my helplessness at a moment of sorrow tied the sights, the sounds and the even the smells of the event into my memory.

Soldiers, military people, first responders and anyone who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) would understand the impact of negative events that cannot be erased from your mind.

The same concept applies to the idea that "you cannot unhear what you have heard".  Again, too many people will understand this line from experience with negative events.  If a loved one says something hurtful, we tend to hold onto it.  Where young kids are bullied and/or embarrassed it can have a lasting impact.

The idea of the opening lines of The Visitor though are not meant to trudge people down negative experiences.  Rather, this verse is a reminder and warning of the notion of responsibility and accountability which remains central within the context of The Visitor.

If you are not aware of something, than it is hard to be accountable for it.  If you hurt someone's feelings unintentionally and were not aware that you had hurt their feelings you would suffer from neither guilt or remorse.  In short, you would probably not even say "sorry" as you are unaware of the damage that you inflicted.

However, if you were aware that something you said or did was hurtful, and you said and did it anyway, then you are both responsible for your actions and accountable for your actions.  Even though you cannot "undo" your actions.

In the context of the visitor, the warning is about "lifting of the veil".  For example;

If you were not aware that anger can lead to hate, and that hate will drive away Love than you may be innocent of not understanding the destruction your own anger can have to an environment of Love.  However, once you have read (or heard) the visitors words throughout the novel - that "anger" provides fertile soil for "hate", and that where there is hate, Love cannot exist; then you now have inner knowledge about the danger and damage that your anger can do.  

Even though it intuitively makes sense, by having the "veil lifted" you are now responsible for the damage inflicted towards Love by your own anger.  Whether your anger is justified or not, you are still responsible for the impact of your anger.

Whether you agree or not, really doesn't matter.  No more than whether you agree or not with any laws in the land you live.  

It is no wonder that many people feel "ignorance is bliss".  

The idea of "innocence verses ignorance" has always been a topic of debate.  From the "two bite rule" when it comes to dogs, to the ways the Western world and the legal system works when it comes to "pleas of insanity" leading to a dismissal of guilt.  

None of that is new. Regardless of the reader's own personal belief system, going back to some of the earliest written script found within the Bible, we see a parallel concept.

The people walked in darkness,
But have seen a brilliant light.
They sat in lands death-shadowed,
Then light dawned [and banished night].
(Matthew 4:16, Isaiah 9:2).

Truth and Honesty - Stanza VII

When you claim “Love” in describing possessions
You diminish the meaning of your word
So when you say, “I Love” it may lead to questions
And your true passion may never be heard.

In Stanza VII on the poetic parable on Truth and Honesty, the visitor describes the conflict between the sacred and the mundane.  However, it is not just the dualistic conflict which is presented, but also the confusion which is created when blurring the lines between sacred and mundane.

Truth and Honesty - Stanza VII - Line I : When you claim “Love” in describing possessions

While the words of the stanza may seem a bit confusing on first read, the moment the reader recognizes what the visitor is saying, the message becomes instantly clear.  Although the poetic parable on Truth and Honesty doe not sure up until exactly mid-way through the novel, the visitor's views on this matter are presented early (page 3) where the narrator describes from a third party perspective how the visitor reacted to people using the term "Love" casually.

The word PASSION comes from the Latin passionem which really means "suffering, enduring"

Saying he may have been “offended” by people who prayed with hope, as if tossing coins in a fountain during difficult times, is probably a bit unfair. I am not sure he would have been “offended”, but he did struggle with people habitually turning the sacred into the mundane.
You would see a flash in his eyes when people used terms like “Love” to describe their favourite meal.

To him the word “Love” had been misused so often it was now corrupted beyond any practical use. To the Visitor, Love was a word reserved for the sacred, such as the spirit of another person - not for chocolate or wine.
 

It is worthwhile to note in this line the idea of someone being able to "claim" Love.  This means that Love can be viewed as a personal declaration (you claim).  Here in lies part of the problem.  Claiming something does not make it necessarily true - and that is why this poetic parable falls under the category of Truth and Honesty. 

Truth and Honesty - Stanza VII - Line II : You diminish the meaning of your word

The next point worth noting is the idea of using the declaration of "Love" in describing possessions (as presented in Stanza I).  As already outlined in previous blogs; the visitor is clear that everything from the earth remains with the earth.  So here is the dualistic conflict regarding Love which we find ever present in the visitor's words.  How do you claim something which is mundane (possessions) as sacred (claiming Love).

Can you factually and actually Love something material?  Or is Love something beyond the material realm.  That is the point of the visitor.  People are blurring the lines between sacred and mundane.  You can Love the spirit of another person, but is that same emotion present in your like for coffee or chocolate?  If you use the same word for both, you are diminishing the use of the word itself.

If I tell my Beloved, "I Love you", but also tell her; "I Love the Edmonton Oilers hockey club"...what is the message?  Do I really have the same emotional, spiritual connection to my wife as I do to my favourite sports team?  

The important thing to note on this line is the fact that by misusing the word Love you don't really diminish Love.  What you do is diminish the meaning of your word.  You nor I have the power to diminish what is sacred; but we do have the ability to diminish ourselves.  

Truth and Honesty - Stanza VII - Line III : So when you say, “I Love” it may lead to questions

This line follows closely the two previous lines.  If you toss around the word Love for things that are mundane, and you diminish the meaning of your word, than it may lead to questions.  Too often people use words like "Love" to get something they want, or to avoid unpleasant situations.  The word Love has weight.  It should not be used lightly.  It has become habitual how people toss the term "Love" around now to the point it is no longer recognized as a word best reserved for what is really important.  

If there is one central element in The Visitor it is around the concept of Love.  It is why the author uses the phrase, "Journey In Love".  It is why the word "Love" is always capitalized.  It is why the word Love is used 102 times in 91 pages.  Yet; the visitor cautions against over using the word.  So what this tells us is that the visitor's message is a message about Love.

The fact that the visitor sees Love as an acceptable response for all of life's issues is brought to the readers attention in many different ways:

Pg 7:  While he did not know this at the time, saying yes to Love would save him, even though accepting the gift would almost destroy him.

Pg 25: So far, the crowd had only asked the Visitor about the base human needs of food, clothing, shelter, and the need to work to meet such needs. However, if they had listened carefully they would not have failed to observe that the response was often about Love and compassion, with a constant consistent message that they already held the answers to their questions within themselves.

Pg 27: While his answers acknowledged the needs of the crowd, the discourse was slowly moving into areas of discomfort. From the first exchange, which was almost a “mocking” of his message of Love, he had slowly disarmed the resistance of the crowd. The air was now
heavy with the expectation of words we wanted to hear, but we could not voice.

Truth and Honesty - Stanza VII - Line IV : And your true passion may never be heard.

Here the visitor shares the cost of lightly using the term "Love".  If you throw the word around loosely; in describing both the sacred and the mundane, then how will anyone ever be able to hear you when you are speaking from your spirit.  How will you actually make a point in being able to share your true "passion" apart from things that you really just like or enjoy?  

The use of the word "passion" is also purposeful.  As already shared in previous blogs, it is  the intentional use of certain words that sometimes break the rhythm or rhyme, or seem out of place (different language, font etc.,) that give clues to the deeper parable.

Most people think of passion in the romantic sense.  It is used interchangeable to describe an intense desire.  However, the word itself comes from the Latin passionem which really means "suffering, enduring". The word itself as used actually depicts something different than a longing, but rather a "suffering, enduring".  In Christianity "the Passion" is the final days of Jesus leading up to his crucifixion.  

This imagery used by the Visitor again is repeated and consistent in the poetic parable on Freedom where the image of the crucifixion is used to explain the cost of Freedom:

Even at costs that run dearly,
Like a cross / cross your back / on your knees
Then you may finally see clearly.
Then you may finally be free.

__________________________________________________________________________

So the parable within Stanza VII is not just a story about being careful with your words so that you are not misunderstood...but paints a picture of taking care not to paint the mundane as sacred.  To understand the importance of the words you use, and the impact they have on you. Used properly, the same term should not really be used to describe how much I enjoy a cold beer on a hot summer day and the suffering enduring passion of someone who gives all for others.

Until next time, Journey in Love: Michael Paul

__________________________________________________________________________

When you claim “Love” in describing possessions
You diminish the meaning of your word
So when you say, “I Love” it may lead to questions
And your true passion may never be heard.

Truth and Honesty - Stanzas VI through X

Never say “Love” as a word with no weight
Sacred words should stir from your soul
Nor should you ever speak dark words of hate
As dark words of hate take their toll.

Our words impact not just others, but ourselves.

When you claim “Love” in describing possessions
You diminish the meaning of your word
So when you say, “I Love” it may lead to questions
And your true passion may never be heard.

Such is the way of the tricksters
To diminish the truths you would speak
To confuse all your brothers and sisters
And to hide the truth you would seek.

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For the next few blogs I will be moving on from excerpts on the poetic parable on Love (see previous blogs) and offer some insights into the interpretation of stanzas VI through X regarding the poetic parable on Truth and Honesty.

Again, the literary device of a poetic parable is to provide an easy story upfront, but offer the opportunity for personal introspection into deeper meaning.  Each reader may interpret something different.  What follows is only the interpretation of the author.  And fair warning, there are many different interpretations of the stanza's which follow.  Your own personal interpretation may differ.

For today's blog I am specifically going to look at stanza VI of Truth and Honesty.

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Stanza VI, Truth and Honesty - Line I : Never say “Love” as a word with no weight

It is important to recognize  the word Love is again capitalized.  This provides it the literary value of a proper noun; such as the name of a person or place.  It is not used as an adjective.  As discussed in the previous blogs on Love, the visitor sees Love as an entity.  In this use of the proper noun, the visitor is really using the word Love in the form of a "name".

The word "never" is a strong word.  The visitor is not saying, "try not to use the word Love loosely" such as in describing something mundane - for example; "I love chocolate or I love wine or love how cute that puppy is".  He is saying "Never" use the word Love carelessly. This is again a consistent message shared by the visitor.  Love is an entity, not only deserving respect, but crossing the line to "sacred".  Therefore, understand the "weight" or the seriousness of using that word.

How do we know the visitor regards the word as sacred?  Simply by the second line immediately following this first one.

Stanza VI, Truth and Honesty - Line II : Sacred words should stir from your soul

Here the reader is left with no doubt that the visitor sees the word "Love" as sacred.  So even though talking about Truth and Honesty the visitor is again delivering a message using a continued story of "Love" as the answer.  Love being more than an adjective, but being a "noun or name to represent something sacred".  As such, the word when used should be motivated (stir from) your soul.  This concept is nothing new.  From Jewish tradition, the name Yahweh is sacred and is described as being both unpronounceable and incommunicable.  It is a word spoke more from the heart or the soul rather than from the lips.  As such it is often represented by the tetragrammaton (four letter word/symbol) YHWH.

For those following the blogs to date or reading The Visitor and understanding the influence of Thomas Merton, it should come as no surprise to see another reference which bridges inter-faith understanding.  

This practice of sacred words that cannot be spoken actually was recently reintroduced into the Catholic Church when the Vatican reiterated a directive that the name of God as revealed in the tetragrammaton YHWH is not to be said in liturgy or music. (http://www.catholic.org/news/ae/music/story.php?id=29022) 

"As an expression of the infinite greatness and majesty of God, (the name) was held to be unpronounceable and hence was replaced during the reading of sacred Scripture by means of the use of an alternate name: 'Adonai,' which means 'Lord,'...Invoking a Vatican document from 2001, the Congregation reminded bishops that the name "Yahweh" in Catholic worship should be replaced by the Latin "Dominus" (Lord) or a word "equivalent in meaning" in the local language.

The concept itself has even made it into popular literature in J.K. Rowling's books regarding Harry Potter.  In this case however, it is portrayed as the villian and symbol of evil in the character of Lorde Voldemort as "he who cannot be named".  Incidentally,  in Danish "volde" means "to cause" and in French "morte" means death...so it can be argued the character name of the villain (he who cannot be named) actually translates into "cause death".  

So be it historical, or pop culture, the idea of "sacred words" should stir from your soul and that there are words that should not be said lightly is nothing new.

Stanza VI, Truth and Honesty - Line III : Nor should you ever speak dark words of hate

The reader should easily note how the word Love is capitalized while the word "hate" is not.  That is the first clue.  The word hate is not from the sacred realm.  However, just like the popular culture of Lorde Voldemort the visitor would agree such words should still not be spoken.   This becomes more apparent in stanza VII of the poetic parable on Good and Evil.  In that specific parable the visitor states:

For where Love is absent darkness takes root
Where darkness takes hold, anger thrives.
And where anger grows, there hate may be born
And where hate lives - Love can’t survive.

Again, the reader should easily see the clue of how Love is capitalized and words like hate, anger and darkness are not.  This line when taken into the full context of the visitor's words re-emphasizes why you should never speak dark words of hate.  Simply put, Love and hate cannot co-exist.  Where hate lives - Love can't survive.

Stanza VI, Truth and Honesty - Line IV : As dark words of hate take their toll.

A couple of things are clear in the last line of stanza IV.  The dualistic black and white nature of the visitor, when describing words of hate as dark, and the idea that the words "take their toll".  Literally, "to take their toll" means their is a price, as in payment for crossing a toll booth or road or section of your own personal journey.  The connotation of "take their toll" is even more direct, meaning "causes damage".

So summed up, Stanza VI on Truth and Honesty is a strong warning.  Love is a sacred word with heavy meaning, and should not be used carelessly.  However, even dark words which are the exact opposite such as hate should not be used, as they are damaging.  This stanza illustrates again both the extreme dualistic nature of the visitor, and his consistent message regarding "Love".

Until next time, Journey In Love - Michael Paul

Never say “Love” as a word with no weight
Sacred words should stir from your soul
Nor should you ever speak dark words of hate
As dark words of hate take their toll.

Love - Stanza VI

Love will heal wounds of desire,
Then bleed you dry as stone
Love throws you into sacred fires
Where you will burn alone.

In the previous stanzas on Love the reader was introduced to the concept of Love as an entity (more than a feeling; see blogs on stanzas I-III inclusive), followed by Love as physically expressed (see blog on stanza IV) and then the feelings of hurt of associated with Love (binding and piercing; see blog on stanza V).

In stanza VI we see all these previous elements combined.  Love having the power to heal and hurt, but also the concept of purify or sanctify.  This is the concept of Love being trans-formative.

This particular stanza also serves as a prime example of how the visitor speaks in "poetic parables".  This stanza is open to a very real interpretation of the pain many may have felt when it comes to Love.  However, as a parable, there is a story within the story open for interpretation by the reader.  In this stanza, the underlying story of the parable is actually about the acceptance of Love as a trans-formative power.  It is actually from the visitor's perspective a story about the experience of Grace.

Love - Stanza VI, Line I :  Love will heal wounds of desire,

In the first line of stanza VI the visitor depicts Love again as an entity with an ability.  In this case Love (object) heals (action).  Love in stanza VI is not talking about "feeling"...except the stanza is also rift with the idea of physical feeling (wounds, bleed, burn).  As such, this stanza is complex with discordant messages that fit well with visitor's dualistic view of the world, but may be a little confusing to those who hear his message.  

To "heal wounds of desire" is to heal hurts associated with loss, rejection, and loneliness. While there may be other such feelings, typically wounds of desire are not of a physical nature, but rather an emotional nature.  When we lose someone we Love, or our feelings for someone are not reciprocated, or when we feel isolated.  Although these are not "physical" pains they are still very much real.  As such, they need healing as much as any cut, break or bruise.  

Physical injuries are healed through the bodies process of healing itself.  Sometimes it may need help, from doctors, from antibiotics, even blood transfusions.  The point is, all the remedies for physical injury are physical remedies.  For healing wounds of desire, which are non-physical, the cure is also non-physical.  Whether it is time, or Love, or a combination of; the point is that Love will heal these very real non-physical wounds which are associated with feelings such as loss, rejection and loneliness.

Love - Stanza VI, Line II :  Then bleed you dry as stone

As already described above, here Love is acting as an entity or force, not a feeling.  To most readers this line will appear to be associated with "pain", the idea of being bled as dry as a stone is not a comforting thought.  However, that is not the meaning of the visitor.  

To be bled as dry as stone is not an uncommon concept.  The saying, "you can't get blood out of a stone" means "to attempt that which is impossible".  In the easiest translation of the underlying meaning of the visitor's poetic parable in line II is "Love can do that which is impossible".  

Love - Stanza VI, Line III :  Love throws you into sacred fires

Again in line III we see Love as an entity/power/force which is acting (throwing) rather than a "feeling".  However, the reader once again probably interprets this line through a more sensual lens, of the pain which may be associated with Love.

However, there are specific meanings associated to the concept of "sacred fire" underlying the visitor's words.  Many indigenous North American ceremonies incorporate the use of a sacred fire.  In many of these celebrations, fire is seen as a gift from the Creator and a manifestation of the Spirit.  Although you cannot touch it without pain, the warmth and the light touches us.

The concept of fire and sacredness is also common in Jewish and Christian doctrine, as witnessed by when God spoke to Moses through a burning bush' or in Matthew 3:11  where Jesus is described as one who will baptize you "with the Holy Spirit and Fire".

As the novel The Visitor is influenced by Thomas Merton and his appreciation for inter-faith understanding, it should not be surprising by the reader to see a line which contains cross-cultural references to Faith.  

The point of line III, stanza VI as relayed by the visitor is not about the pain of Love but rather of the sanctifying ability of Love as a spiritual power.  

Love - Stanza VI, Line IV :  Where you will burn alone.

The concept of alone was discussed in length in the previous blog on stanza V of the poetic parable on Love.  The underlying message in the visitor's comments are not about suffering pain alone caused by Love, although for many readers that interpretation may be valid.  

For the visitor however, as described throughout the continuum of poetic parables, this is the personal sacred part of the journey.  Just as you enter the world alone, you leave alone.  To be touched by the Spirit is a personal experience, not open for debate or comparison with anyone who has or has not been touched by a similar experience.  The visitor was never keen on such debates.  This attitude of the visitor is explained early in the novel (page 2) by the narrator who points out how the visitor would have responded to such challenges:

He would not have been keen to entertain arguments with others on whether life was a series of events open to arbitrary choice or a matter of predetermined fate. Such arguments he felt were fruitless and without consequence. Instead, he was more prone to admire a perfectly designed system of ordered chaos constantly in flux with individual human choice. He felt there was something beautiful in the concept of unpredictable chaos within an intentional master design: a duality, like body and spirit.

As described by the visitor, the idea of "where you will burn alone" is in essence a description of the state or personal experience of Grace, where when you are touched by Love in this sense.... you will burn alone.

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I hope that you have found some surprising elements of the underlying messages in stanza VI.  Although your own personal interpretations will be valid for you, I hope that for those who have read the blogs on Love stanzas I-VI inclusive are starting to get the sense of what is meant by the concept of a "poetic parable".  

The visitor speaks only in poetic parables, and as such the reader is challenged to interpret the story within the story.  Part of the beauty of the parable is that every reader may extract a different meaning, and that meaning is the one meant for them. 

Until we meet again to discuss stanza VII,  I now present to you the poetic parable on Love, stanzas I through VI together and uninterrupted.  

Journey in Love,

Michael Paul

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 When Love beckons, do not sleep
And let none stand in defiance of;
Though cost be high and loss be steep
Leave doubt behind and yield to Love.

As sure as Love will lift you high
To heights beyond your reach
To fully grasp; you must partly die
Self-interest must be breached.

And Love will drop you like a bird
Scorched flying near the sun
Do not the dizzy heights disturb
Love’s quest to become one.

For your body; it will bless
And guide you through all weather
While softly naked it will caress
Your body like a feather.

Then it will bind and chain and flog
Till you can take no more
And leave you stumbling in the fog
Alone - lost in amour.

Love will heal wounds of desire,
Then bleed you dry as stone
Love throws you into sacred fires
Where you will burn alone.

Love - Stanza IV

Love and sex are not mutually exclusive nor mutually incompatible

For your body; it will bless
And guide you through all weather
While softly naked it will caress
Your body like a feather.

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The fourth stanza of the poetic parable on Love probably "feels" the most familiar to most readers.  This is not surprising, as words such as "body, softly, naked, caress" are often associated with the sensuous (and more common) meanings of Love when associated with poetry.

It is on purpose that this line marks a clear distinction between Love in the "spiritual entity" sense which is offered in stanzas I-III inclusive (see previous three blogs) by the first line in stanza IV.

Love - Stanza IV, Line I: For your body; it will bless

This first line in the fourth stanza makes it clear we are switching concepts of "Love" by the opening three words, "For your body".  It is also clear however that even though we are starting to talk about the physical expression of Love, we do not have to abandon the spiritual (entity) concept of Love, as in this line, Love (object) is blessing (action).  

What is also important to understand in this transition to speaking about physical love is the notion of "bless".  Basically, a blessing is a gift.  So this stanza could be translated as saying,

Love (an entity) provides a gift (blessing) for your body (physical).

While Love may be viewed as an entity as in the first three stanzas, the gift of Love (physicality) is not mutually exclusive of the action of physical pleasure.  It should be noted however that in the novel's section on Pleasure the visitor also acknowledges  the existence of sex (pleasure) without Love.

Pleasure is the soul’s song played out in the flesh.
It is the caged bird within taking wing.
It is the urge to shed clothes and fully undress
It is natural, and normal to sing.

In this poem on Love however, it is clear the visitor is talking about the expression of Love through physical pleasure.

Love - Stanza IV, Line II: And guide you through all weather

The concept of both "guide" and through "all weather" is in simple terms the concept of Faith.  It is close to the notions seen in many western wedding vows, "through good times and bad times, in sickness and health"...  This is just another way of saying the same thing "to trust, through all weather, be it sunny, raining, cold, snowing, dark, bright".  Again, in this poetic parable the visitor is clearly talking about when Love and the physical expression of Love (sex) occur together.

Love - Stanza IV, Line III: While softly naked it will caress

It is very clear by line III in the fourth stanza that the visitor is talking about sex. The words softly and caress are almost interchangeable, as to caress is to touch softly.  Naked of course could mean the state of being nude, but some may also see the interpretation to mean to be vulnerable.  Either way, the description of sex with Love, as in this line brings forth ideas of softness and vulnerability.

Love - Stanza IV, Line IV: Your body like a feather.

The fourth line of the fourth stanza on Love brings together the imagery of both sex (body) and reference to the crow (feather).  The one concept that is probably not as clear but still there is the concept of "your".  

The visitor speaks volumes about "we are one" , "universal language", and a commonality among all humans.  However, when talking here it is clear the visitor describes your body as "yours".  It is a possessive state.  

A large amount of time regarding possessions, gifts, economics (all talked about in the novel) makes it clear to the reader that these things which you possess (can hold in your hands...including a lover's body) are temporary in nature.  All possessions will remain and return to the earth from which they came - including your body.  As such, by the simple word "your" it is very clear that your body is only a temporary possession - it is different than Love.

This is a consistent dualistic view of the visitor.  To see all things as either sacred or mundane.  The visitor would view the body as mundane, and Love as sacred.  It is also clear throughout the book that it was not until he met his Beloved that he was able to clearly see that there were other viewpoints, such as when the sacred and the mundane combine.  To see sex as a gift enhanced by the power of Love.

Until next time, I leave you know with the first four stanzas of the poetic parable on Love.

When Love beckons, do not sleep
And let none stand in defiance of;
Though cost be high and loss be steep
Leave doubt behind and yield to Love.

As sure as Love will lift you high
To heights beyond your reach
To fully grasp; you must partly die
Self-interest must be breached.

And Love will drop you like a bird
Scorched flying near the sun
Do not the dizzy heights disturb
Love’s quest to become one.

For your body; it will bless
And guide you through all weather
While softly naked it will caress
Your body like a feather.

Journey in Love

Michael Paul

Love - Stanza III

And Love will drop you like a bird
Scorched flying near the sun
Do not the dizzy heights disturb
Love’s quest to become one.

As explained in the first two blog entries previous to this, the poetic parable on Love has meanings and interpretations which flow as an under-current and at times contrary to the face value of the poem. 

Typically, the reader who does not reflect on these meanings will feel the story is about emotional or romantic love.  And that is fine.  As it partly is.  The reality is though that in the visitor's use of the word Love he means more than the emotional / romantic / feeling connotation of Love.  The Visitor makes an argument through the novel that it is the misuse of language which makes many words now meaningless; and cites the word Love as being one of those words.

The first two stanzas on Love (discussed in previous blogs) explain how through the Visitor's eyes Love is more than a feeling, but rather an entity and describes it as a sacred sentiment.  As such, the first two stanzas talk about Love (subject) beckoning or lifting (action); and then wrap up by the concept of our response to Love may best be served by the concept of sacrifice.

Love Stanza III - Line I :  And Love will drop you like a bird

In the first line of stanza III again the reader is subjected to the concept of Love as an entity capable of action.  This is similar to the notion in the first two stanzas, but in this case Love (object) drops (action).  

The idea of "like a bird" is consistent with the Corvus/Crow concept.  Here again we build on the physical (height, flight, vantage) as well as the spiritual notions of the impact of Love on our lives.  Often we talk about "falling in Love".  In this reverse perspective, we talk more of the idea of "falling from Love".  

It is a cost of Love.  The reader will see this sentiment in various other areas of The Visitor, such as at the outset of the book (Silence is Broken) when the narrator describes:

As all those who enter our lives are destined to go, we embrace the initial welcome, even knowing the pain of departure will someday arrive. Still, the Visitor knew that to go in peace he must come in peace, and leave thoughts of his leaving behind.

This is further reflected in some of the first comments of the visitor in the same chapter (Silence is Broken).  When speaking to the crowd he shares in his style of poetic parable

I wish I had more time to live,
And yet less time to grieve.
To feel the ground beneath my feet,
And taste the Love I leave.

Besides other examples which will be explored later, this concept is really driven home in the first chapter of The Stranger (Book II of the Corvus Chronicles) which is shared in the epilogue of the The Visitor.  In the opening chapter of The Stranger the main character comes across a stranger outside a hospital while grieving for his mother, and the stranger engages him with the comment of:

“Have you just now realized that the price for life is death and the cost of love is hurt?”

Love Stanza III - Line II :  Scorched flying near the sun

Phoenix from Metz Cathedral, Lorraine France.

The imagery now of a bird flying too close to the sun depicts the mythology of The Phoenix. The reference to the phoenix calls to mind the influence of Kahlil Gibran on The Visitor.  Although Gibran does not mention the phoenix, the phoenix is a Greek mythical creature that symbolizes cyclical regeneration and rebirth (which is a similar message with Gibran's The Prophet).

But why a departure from Gibran and the imagery of the phoenix?  As the reader will understand; the common message of the phoenix it is about rebirth, or arising from the ashes. This can be interpreted as either moving on after death, or a spiritual rebirth as in baptism.  

The imagery and height was not lost on the architecture of Metz Cathedral, A Roman Catholic church built in 1200 in Lorraine France.  The image in this blog is from Metz Cathedral, a Roman Catholic church also known as "The Good Lord's Lantern" due to the fact it boasts the largest display of stained glass windows within a Catholic Church.

Love Stanza III - Line III :  Do not the dizzy heights disturb

The idea of Love, of lifting, of flight, of heavens have already been discussed in the previous two blogs on Love which dealt with the first two stanzas of the poetic parable on Love.  This concept of "rising up" is also captured by the phoenix imagery in the first two lines of stanza three.  It is not mere coincidence that "The Good Lord's Lantern" (from where the image of the phoenix in this blog is from) also boasts one of the highest naves of all churches.  

But the idea of dizzy heights disturb also calls to the feeling or disorientation one may experience in the acceptance of Love.  It can be scary.  To accept Love as well as to sacrifice as the cost of acceptance (described in stanzas I and II; see previous two blogs) and deny self interest (Self interest must be breached) is disturbing.  This third line basically again brings up the notion of "staying strong" or FAITH.  To not be disturbed.

Love Stanza III - Line IV :  Love’s quest to become one.

If there was any doubt in the "personification" of Love, (the concept of Love as an entity) this line itself should remove all doubt.  Here Love as described by the visitor is not a feeling.  It is an entity.  An entity with purpose.  To declare Love has a quest, is declare it has intention.  That intention as described by the visitor in the fourth line of the third stanza is "to become one".

This is again a common theme throughout The Visitor and The Corvus Chronicles.  The journey of Love is a quest to become one.  The very first words of the visitor in the first chapter of the book direct the course of this journey when the narrator states, "If anyone had asked the Visitor who or what he was, he would have simply said"

I am a part of you, just as you are part of me.
No more, no less; just another guest
Whose time has come to leave.

Upon reading the novel the reader will not be able to evade this concept.  The idea that "we are one" is constantly refreshed both through the narrator's narrative and through the visitor's poetic parables.

If you have read the first three blogs, I hope that within these first three stanzas of the poetic parable of Love you are starting to feel and see that The Visitor is not the simple read it appears to be at first passing.  Again, the interpretations are broad, and you may find other meanings or messages that resonate for you.  Take the time, explore and look inwards.  I can not, even as the author, tell you what message waits for you on your journey.  As the Visitor comments in the section regarding KNOWLEDGE when asked about teaching (see Chapter V - Communion) , the visitor shares:

He strips you from reason to reveal the truth
For these visions he sees are not yours.
He guides you to knowledge that lives within you
And leaves you - to open the doors.

He leaves you to walk through the threshold alone
As we all stand alone before God
And lifting your gaze you will see we are one
And the division is but a façade.

Until my next blog, when I discuss my interpretation of Love - Stanza IV I leave you with the first three stanzas on Love:

When Love beckons, do not sleep
And let none stand in defiance of;
Though cost be high and loss be steep
Leave doubt behind and yield to Love.

As sure as Love will lift you high
To heights beyond your reach
To fully grasp; you must partly die
Self-interest must be breached.

And Love will drop you like a bird
Scorched flying near the sun
Do not the dizzy heights disturb
Love’s quest to become one.

Journey in Love

Michael Paul