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Rethinking Failure
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- čas přidán 5. 03. 2024
- Success and Failure are modern concepts. Our ancestors did not think in these terms. Their focus was primarily on survival and living as an important part of a larger community. Are we any happier, or more fulfilled, than they were? This video takes a critical look at where the modern concepts of success and failure originated and suggests that they have a malevolent source. We all love success, and find failure painful, but in today's world they are not simple experiences. They have become the very means by which we define ourselves. Therefore this makes them dangerous, very dangerous, especially for our young people.
Abbey Website: www.trappistabbey.org
Contact: brian@trappistabbey.org
I have been told that Mother Teresa of Calcutta said that the question we must ask ourselves is not "How can I be successful?" but "How can I be faithful?" Thank you for this insightful post
thank you brother, Keep doing what you're doing, you're on the right track.
Thank you for time you put into the video Br. Brian. It was interesting the way you brought Machiavelli, Nietzche, Darwin and Marx. It never occured to me that the ancients 'would think we were crazy' with the prevailing notion of success.
Thanks for the comment. I recently got a greater awareness of the tragedy of millions of young girls in the Western world who are slightly overweight and feel they are a failure because they are not 'petite' which is an illusion very cleverly presented to us as 'perfection'. In ancient times they would have been viewed as super healthy and therefore highly desired as marriage partners by the young men of the day.
You mentioned in one of your videos Br. Brian that there was a hermit in your monastery. Would you consider doing a video on the hermit way of life in monasticism in general? People may be curious as to what the hermit life involves as opposed to living with the monastic community and why someone would become a hermit. Also how does someone who takes a vow of stability to a monastic community transition to the hermit way of life? What does the hermit's life have to say to the modern world.? @@brianbr5388
Thank you for sharing the very difficult step you felt compelled to take to overcome your stutter, Br. Brian. That must have taken great courage - I admire and am delighted for you.
I admit that I don't understand why anyone would pray for suffering, however. That, and the rejection of this life and world doesn't seem healthy to me. Could you say what you consider the purpose of our existence in this world to be please, as I fear we may be light years apart? The life and love that we share in this beautiful, if fallen, world is precious beyond words. There is suffering here too, of course, but to imagine that that is its sole purpose does not make sense or seem like an appropriate response to all that He has made and seen fit to bless us with, at least to me.
Míle buíochas/ many thanks for your thought-provoking videos.
Regarding the 'cure' for the stutter. I could never go through that again. Next time I choose to keep the stutter 😀
Thanks for your comment. I really appreciate it. What you mention about apparent 'creation/world rejection' is something I could have made much clearer in the video. I think the Church has representatives of both positions. There is St Francis of Assisi who went to the contemplation of God through the beauty and wonder of nature and there are anchorites, like St Julian of Norwich, who shut themselves off from the beauty of this world by enclosing themselves in sealed hermitages. Both of them would agree that the world is very beautiful. Both have a strong 'hunch' that the creator of this worldly beauty is even more beautiful because he is the source of all beauty and goodness. They would also agree that at some point the heart has to be emptied of created beauty if it is to receive the fullness of uncreated beauty, i.e. God. Some mystics go so far as to say that God will not share a vessel (heart) with the image of a created being. This is where some people get lost and, in their current condition, they are clearly more called to discursive prayer and meditation and not specifically called to contemplative prayer at this particular point in time. Contemplative prayer is very very demanding and not for the feint-hearted. Devotees entering that level of detachment are not saying the world is bad but they do have a deep realization that God is better. Like you I do not understand the saints begging Christ to share his cross with them. But when you get a glimpse of their burning love which is consuming them, you start to get a glimpse of why they would ask for this. Let me know if I have not addressed your question. Thanks again.
@@brianbr5388 thank you for your considered and enlightening reply - it is appreciated. Táim buíoch díot - I am grateful to you.
Jesus saying depart from me for I never knew you is very scary to me. Lord Jesus Christ son of the Living God have mercy on me a sinner. Since my wife died I find that many things have certainly lost their meaning. I certainly see many of my failings. Please continue with your videos. I see them as deeply personal compared to talks that are just, at the end of the day, theological.
I really appreciate your comment. I think the Lord placed the fear of judgment in your heart because he loves you and wants you to realize that your judge is also your 'lover', I know this because I have met people for whom the final judgment is greeted with a sneer of contempt and superiority. The demon despises the Divine Authority of the carpenter from Nazareth. So your fear puts you on safe ground, I believe. Cherish it and nurture it. From what you are saying it seems that the death of your wife has helped you to waken up to the meaningless of so much of modern life. I think this could be a gift. Now you are more free to concentrate on what really matters most. The hope and promise of Eternal Life.
Hi Brian.
I did not enjoy the music, I much prefer to hear your voice alone.
Important and interesting topic. I'm in a state of mediocre physical & psychological health, and I carry some recent and past failures with me. Since my relationship with God was strengthened two and a half months ago I've experienced some drastic improvements in several of my weaknesses and sufferings.
One of my issues that are still ongoing (but has improved a decent bit) is a racing mind that fantasizes a lot, and one of the topics are future successes. As my health and overall wellbeing increases through God's Grace and guidance I find my fantasies of future successes (only) seemingly becoming purer and better, but the core issue of me wanting various kinds of successes and believing that I will be the one to achieve them, rather than God, still remains. I keep failing to remember that it's by God's Grace whatever good may come to me, as it already has, and that I must submit to his will, whatever that may be.
One thing I believe Hinduism and Buddhism does well is their focus on elimination of the ego.
I do agree with you that the focus on success, especially status and material is a central and destructive part of our culture now. Good video, as always. Thank you.
I really appreciate you letting me know your feelings about the music. I was wondering if it would be positive or negative as I was uploading it. I heard somewhere that for every one person who gives you feedback then it means that at least 50 people are thinking the same thing. So I think I will definitely drop it for future videos.
I think it is a very great grace that you know how your mind is working and can see your compulsions and fantasies. Most people live their lives without seeing this. What you are practicing, quite successfully it seems, is spiritual interiority which is the way of all the Catholic mystics. The more you become aware and seeing yourself being overwhelmed by compulsions and fantasies the more your prayer for help and grace is powerful in direct contrast. As St Paul says, "Where sin abounds, grace abounds even more." But we have to be able to see the interior mess first, which is exactly what you are doing. Keep going. I would day you are doing great.
@@brianbr5388 I was not a fan of the music either. I could take it or leave it but your talks are interesting enough for me to listen to without the music
@@danielk6878 Much appreciated. I discovered recently that most people do not like the sound of their own voice when they hear it played back to them. I guess I was trying to hide my shame!!!! 😀
I think it depends on what you are talking about. What element. But, I believe we are all mostly failures. Saints are the only ones other than Mother Mary and Jesus who were successful. There are very few that succeed. Look to history. There is the proof. Most of us get born, live, and die and are forgotten with nothing special really to brag about other than knowing God and following Jesus, and what more is there than that? In that, you succeed.
Thanks for the comment. I appreciate it very much. Your first sentence really grabbed my attention! It made me think that if the video does not make clear what I am talking about, and I get more comments suggesting the same, then I will have to consider taking it down and doing it again. The content is quite new and somewhat startling for me. So maybe it needs more time to mature. I like what you are saying about us all being failures without God's grace. I know this from long hard experience and I think it is a solid foundation to build faith and prayer. Thanks again.
Little Nellie of Holy God, pray for us all. Amen.@@brianbr5388