September 25, 2005
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Gibbon’s Decline and Fall by Sheri S. Tepper… for the last several years this book has stayed in my consciousness and has been my bible. it has been a deeply spiritual experience whose intensity has never wavered. for years I sought to share that experience with like-minded friends, but I never found them to have had the same kinship to this work that I have had. the experience of truth is highly personal. we’re told no two individuals see color the same (in theory), so how much more complex must spirituality be? still, it makes me sad that I am alone in this way; but then, many things make me sad, and perhaps that sadness, something I can almost touch, helps me frame the borders of my path, which is otherwise invisible to my own eye.
the ideas espoused by this story help me to grasp the violence of my own world view. so overwhelmed am I by the violence and hatred, the blatant sexism I experience in this world, that without this framework I had found myself stunned and adrift. the patriarchy whose power forms the very core of what I see as Evil in the World forms a stark relief to the good that I experience in individuals, both male and female. but this book is no religeon to me:
Formalities are gates… Catechisms and rites and canons, all these are gates. We believe that each of us has an inner and outer path toward (Wisdom), each of us must find our own. This isn’t a place of worship. We believe that nothing worthy of our worship would want our worship. This is merely a place of reverent attention.
…Sheri S. Tepper, Gibbon’s Decline and Fall, pg. 401
my current foray into conscious celibacy is merely a rite. it’s not something offerred to a power greater than myself. it is offerred TO myself, a device which acts not as blinders but as an act to remove a veil blocking my vision, a veil of my own making. until sex, or seeking sex, or truly, seeking the intimacy that goes along with sex, is something more than an intoxicant, I wish to eschew it. it blunts my desire for something I need much more, truth, or wisdom. until I find that missing part, or more likely rediscover it, sex and love will never be more than a fix when it should be a life-affirming celebration.
It is hard to be wise in the body. Hard to be wise when one is hungry, or tired, or lusting.
…pg. 386
“End of story?” Carolyn had asked, enthralled.
“No,” Sophy had replied, staring into the distance as though mesmerized. “I have to give it a new ending because of all the new stories I’ve learned. I think that Elder Sister was very angry, and she started making a new medicine bag right away, and every time there is a rape, she weaves a little. Every time a man beats or kills a woman, she weaves a little. Every time men lock a woman up, or veil her face, or beget children on her out of pride in their manhood but without regard for the children’s future lives, Elder Sister weaves a little, and in the fullness of time the bag will be rewoven and sex controlled once more. Then we will see one another clearly and we will have peace again.”
…pg. 168
Comments (23)
sometimes its good to step back and see things from the high level. to see the whole picture rather than being caught/trapped in the gestalt of the drama. but if the phone rings i always pick it up and say “hello?” just in case
Wow.
I agree, but only to a certain extent. Just as everyone sees color differently, those of us who choose celibacy do it (or, not do it..haha) for different reasons.
Regardless, this is extremely well put. And if anyone argues with you whether or not this is the correct choice, they need to think: would they argue with someone who wanted to give up smoking, drinking, sugar, ect for a time to see if they can withstand it and how attached they are to it? (I know that’s not your reasoning, but it’s yet another arguement in our defence).
By the by…curious if I could get my edited essay back from you? I need to turn it in, pronto!
I’ve never heard of that book, but it looks like it’d be very interesting to read.
-M
you’ll find it.
what the heck is celibacy?
Have only read The Visitor so far, although I have The Companions on standby. Will add this one to my collection.
I’ve never quite looked at it that way before, but it totally made sense when I read it.
“It is hard to be wise in the body. Hard to be wise when one is hungry, or tired, or lusting.
…pg. 386″
I did this for two years once, although I didn’t know it was going to be two years when I consciously chose to be celibate. During that time I did what I wanted to do, things especially where I would not particularly meet men, I lived for me, if you like. I sailed the Atlantic, went up the Amazon, climbed mountains and travelled everywhere. It was hard leaving the flirty, ‘available’ me completely behind, but it was worth it.
Wow. Enchanting post. I’m going through a difficult time and…I don’t know why…but your post had a calming affect on me.
Bahaha, I was so confused reading this. To me, ”Gibbon’s Decline and Fall” means Edward Gibbon’s definitive text, “Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire”, which is almost invariably abbreviated to “Gibbon’s Decline and Fall”. Coincidence? I think not..
You’re gonna make a hell of a “I ain’t gettin’ nun“. I applaud your consciousness – - and honor it too.
…celibacy?
You would have liked being a man Lara. All you have to do is not shower for a few days, and your celibacy is assured
i am tired and hungry. i am also lusting…. for sleep and food!!
CoNgRaDuLaTiOnS!!!
8=======D
You have just recieved a penis gram!!
note: this is just a joke..please do not get offended..random props!
Interesting site! Random props! Hit me back nugget!
good for you. it saves so much energy and avoids so much anxiety. namaste
I’m still laughting becuase of paracetamol’s comment, so I can’t really comment.
I Still love you, though.
I’m not familiar with Tepper’s work, but Gibbon’s Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire was the first big thick serious adult book that absorbed my attention as a child. I had to have it taken away from me at bedtime and some nights I’d get up after everyone was asleep and read more.
Thank you for pointing out the bad link. I fixed it.
Very interesting! I hope to hear more from you about this.
That does sound like a really interesting book. I’m defintiely going to have to check it out next time I’m at the library.
this book sucks!