Sunday, November 24, 2013

Duke Ellington on "Seeing God"


"There was a man who was blessed with the vision to see God. But even this man did not and does not have the power or whatever it takes to show God to a believer, much less an unbeliever." - Edward Kennedy Ellington

Seeing God”, by Duke Ellington
(a one-page chapter from his book, Music is my Mistress)

If you can see by seven caroms to the seventh power, then you can see God. If you could see total carom, to total power, you would be thought to be God. And since you can’t do either, you are not God, and cannot stand to see God, but if you happen to be the greatest mathematician, you will discover after completing carom that God is here with you.

So be wise and satisfied with the joy that comes to you through the reflection and miracle of God, such as all the wonders and beauty we live with and are exposed to on Earth.

There have been times when I thought I had a glimpse of God. Sometimes, even when my eyes were closed, I saw. Then when I tried to set my eyes – closed or open - back to the same focus, I had no success, of course. The unprovable fact is that I believe I have had a glimpse of God many times. I believe because believing is believable, and no one can prove it unbelievable.

Some people who have had the same experience I have had are afraid or ashamed to admit it. They are afraid of being called naïve or square. They are afraid of being called unbrainwashed by the people who brainwashed them, or by those they would like to be like, or friendly with.  Maybe they just want to be in. Maybe it’s a matter of the style, the trend, or whatever one thinks one does to be acceptable in certain circles.

There was a man who was blessed with the vision to see God. But even this man did not and does not have the power or whatever it takes to show God to a believer, much less an unbeliever.

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