Podcasts about in letter

What is one of the most fruitful of spiritual practices? The practice of the presence of God. In Letter 1 (of 16 that survive), Brother Lawrence speaks of himself in a veiled way and his practice of living as often as he can in an awareness of God"s presence. Not a priest, but a simple lay brother in a Carmelite monastery, Br Lawrence became known throughout Europe for his simple wisdom. He spent fifty years cooking, fixing broken sandals, and praying much. Throughout the day, he tried to keep himself before the Lord. And his methods have been handed down to us.

See NOTE below. Very important!"Once again I write these things to give you courage so that you do not fear illnesses, even if they make you suffer for life. Since God is continuously present, why do you worry? For in Him we live and move. We are carried in His arms.""Since our sweet Jesus is so good, compassionate, and kind, why should you despair? We seek one small thing from Him, and He gives us so much. We ask for one beam of light, and He gives us Himself as all Light, Trust, and Love. So humble yourself and rest all your hope in Him."This letter, including his subsequent letters, shows us the heights of Orthodox spirituality as it relates to illness, fear, and death. Imagine what St. Joseph would say to us today when the sins of fear and rationalism abound and are justified, sins of justifying evil that good may come, even by the leaders of the Church. Let us follow the Saints, begging God for their faith, for they and those who follow them are the only true guides God has established for us. NOTE: In Letter 30 we read “Believe me, for I tell the truth: Ever since I became a monk, every time I got sick, I absolutely never took care of myself; nor did I let anyone care for my physical health, but I placed all my hope in the unmercenary Physician.” A footnote here reads, “The Elder later modified his opinion of health care, as is evident in his 49th Letter. In Letter 49 we read, “Three times they stayed up all night thinking that I would die. They called everyone to come to my side. I bid them farewell for the last time. They cried by my side day and night. Finally, I recovered once again. They sent me a special medicine, and it, after God, healed me. I hadn't eaten for forty days. When I took the medicine, I ate, slept, and got better. Glory to Thee, O God! I began to move somewhat and to write again…. Courage! It's not just you. There are many others. Many people have come to me, and with prayer and fasting they were healed. But now, the Lord doesn't hear me, so that I learn about medicine and the doctors and be lenient with others. I also read the letters of St. Nectarios, and I saw how much he, such a great saint, paid attention to the doctors and medicines! I am just a poor ascetic who has grown old in the wilderness, and I wanted to heal only through faith. But now I, too, am learning that both medicines and grace are necessary. So now I shall say like the saint, “See to it that you get well.” Fix your nerves in any way you can, and you will find your prayer and peace again.” How instructive! We see a great saint adjusting his stance according to God's will. He, like St. Basil the Great so beautifully taught (see recording on this channel), “both medicines and grace are necessary.” Have faith in God above all, and do not spurn those things the He Himself have provided for us. Not all medicine is given to us by God. Nothing produced based on the murder of babies or other such evils will produce the eternal good that medicine exists for (see Romans 3:8). Trust God above all, endure suffering, neither rush to nor reject medicine, and do not be anxious, for “we are carried in His arms.”St. Joseph the Hesycast is one of the greatest ascetics of the 20th Century and spiritual father of St. Ephraim of Katounakia and Elder Ephraim of Philotheou and Arizona. Learn more about St. Joseph here: https://stanthonysmonastery.org/pages...This reading is Letter 30 from “Monastic Wisdom: The Letter of Elder Joseph the Hesychast”. Purchase the book here: https://stanthonysmonastery.org/produ...This channel is dedicated to sharing the writings and lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/orthodox-wisdom/message

In "Letter to the Brothers" we read on the advice of Nichiren to be shared with the brothers and to the sangha in regards to filial responsibility and patience with their father, a nembutsu follower. In this letter we find that the father has converted and now practices the Lotus Sutra as his sons do. We also learn in greater detail the condition of the Japanese society of his day. We can observe today very similar conditions.

Dear Pennies & Pallers, For our first letter this week, we hear about a listener's first date with his common law wife, plus an idea for a new Instagram account. In Letter 2, a listener tells us of her encounter with Michael J. Fox when she was a baby, and he was filming Back to the Future 3. Plus so much more! Sincerely,  Your Pen Pals Daniel & Rory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We began with Letter 55 about Warfare with the Passions. Once again Theophan shows himself to be a magnificent teacher. He knows Anastasia well; her strengths, her background, her desire for God and - - her weaknesses, which are few, namely inexperience. She desires above all to embrace the full dignity of the Christian.  And it is this goal that Theophan wants to help her achieve. He begins to reveal to her the nature of the warfare with the passions. Often they are very attractive and so we can suddenly be drawn into them and linger in conversation with them. It is for this reason that Theophan gradually begins to teach her that she must not act with pity when it comes to dealing with her own thoughts. No matter how trivial or insignificant they appear, she must immediately call upon God and drive them out of her mind. If she inadvertently falls or is overtaken by one of the passions, she should not be anxious. Rather Anastasia should humbly repent at the passion that has slipped in and then adopt measures for the future in order that she might be more guarded. One method that she must embrace is to avoid self-indulgence. It is the Traitor. Self-indulgence is to blame for all the troubles in the spiritual life. It leads us into the kind of self-pity that inclines us to give sway to our thoughts without examining them and bringing them before God for his blessing or judgment. In Letter 56 he begins to show Anastasia the slightest movements of the passions. He tells her that she has made great strides in her life and can see good and evil. But in reality she has not been tested. Again, one of her weaknesses is that she could regard stronger passions with indifference; thinking that they are no great thing or that they are not dangerous. When this happens they go from being small things to becoming large things. She will no longer be able to drive them away with a single unfavorable glance. If she wants to maintain Christian dignity, he tells her, she must become a more fierce warrior.   ---- Text of chat during the group: 00:12:46 Joseph Muir: I got to see Queen + Adam Lambert in Central Park, in September 2019, Eric

Dear Pennies & Pallers, For our first letter this week, we delve into parasocial relationships. In Letter 2, we talk all about fishing! Sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel & Rory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight we picked up with Letter 46 to Anastasia including general rules about staying on the spiritual path. St. Theophan's guidance is very sensible. He begins by encouraging her to pray, read and meditate in order to engage her mind, body and memory in every aspect of her prayer. He does not want it simply to be a discipline for her but rather a relationship. She must labor with all of her strength trusting in God and that He will provide things in His own time and in accord with His Providence. In Letter 47 St. Theophan begins to lay out for her the foundations of a prayer rule. He begins by telling her that this has been the practice of great practitioners of prayer from the beginning. It helps us to avoid laziness but it also helps us to restrain our enthusiasm so that it is always measured. She must not be overly concerned about the number of prayers she is doing but rather the manner in which she is engaging God. One of the great pieces of advice that he offers her goes back to the earliest of the Fathers. He wants her to begin to memorize her prayers and not always be reading from a book. He wants her to have access from her own heart the longings and desires expressed in the prayers that she has memorized. In particular, he encourages her to memorize the Psalms that speak to her soul in a particular way. We will pick up there next time.

Once again St. Theophan expresses a kind of a holy genius as he speaks to Anastasia. We began the evening by discussing his final simple rule to follow in order to progress in the spiritual life. Patience, he tells Anastasia, will help her to endure and see through the trials and tribulations of life. It will allow her to remain steadfast her discipline. She is not always going to see the fruit of her labor and perhaps not for many years. So she must hold on to the wisdom of the fathers and of the Church; trusting that God will make all things work for the good of those who seek Him. In Letter 44, St. Theophan offers Anastasia three precautions to take  so that she might avoid some of the pitfalls involved in walking along the spiritual path. The first is never to think that you've already succeeded in doing something. The  thought that “I've done it!” easily slips into our mind in such a way that we lose our energy in the pursuit of the spiritual life. Secondly we must not allow ourselves to relax under any condition. By this, he does not mean that we do not allow ourselves time to rest and to be restored physically. What is warning against is that the Evil One can tell us that we've been working very hard and that we should ease up on self-constraint and self-observation. When this happens we begin to indulge ourselves indiscriminately. It is like a hole in a dam; it eventually wears away the earth until the water floods through. The evil enemy will speak these words of sweetness to us to give us false encouragement. And finally, Theophan begins to offer a word a special caution that is tied to the celebration of Easter as well as the coming of spring. As we come to the end of the penitential season and as we see new life emerge in our world and its beauty, we can find ourselves overcome by the senses. Simply put, the new life that emerges in spring time can be enough to arouse all the senses and unless we are vigilant as to what's going on within we can be led astray even by what is good. The devil often takes the form of an angel of light or uses that which is good in order to distract us - ultimately leading to our fall.

Dear Pennies & Pallers, In our first letter this week, we receive not only an incredible hotel lobby piano cover of our theme, but also an intriguing question from a listener who is wondering how to relate to a much younger sister. In Letter 2, we hear from our friend Jen, who tells us about what it's like to know someone who becomes a murderer. Plus we discuss: Playing Red Rocks, crystals, and Shanley's birthday. Happy Birthday, Shanley! Sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel & Rory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is The Lord of the Rings an Allegory? The answer we give in today's episode might surprise you. Most people are familiar with Tolkien's "cordial dislike of allegory," but few are familiar with what else he said in his letters about allegory. In Letter 186, he identifies LOTR as one kind of allegory, but not the type he disliked in Letter 131, which he called "the conscious and intentional" kind of allegory. Joining me to discuss this and to help put our finger on why we love Middle-earth so much is Dr. Devin Brown, who is a Lilly Professor at Asbury University and the author of many books about Narnia and Middle earth. Don't miss this episode! Relevant links for Dr. Brown are below: Dr. Brown's Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.com/Devin-Brown/e/B001JS67MW%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share Dr. Brown's Website: https://www.asbury.edu/about/directory/devin-brown/

Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week, our first letter deals with a tricky issue in a casual romantic situation. In Letter 2, we discuss how to maintain healthy boundaries in a relationship. Plus: an emo cover of the theme song, Rory's doc, Bingo Night Lights, s'mores, and a whole lot more! Sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel & Rory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In J.R.R. Tolkein's Fellowship of the Ring—A band of individuals with disparate backgrounds come together to accomplish an important quest. After Frodo and Sam, my favorite character is Smeagol—the hobbit who became Gollum. His character teaches an important lesson about the consequences of idolatry and isolation. He lived for his precious—the ring that he had acquired by murdering his cousin and best friend, Deagol. Although Gollum loved his ring for its powers, it also gave him a long life in darkness and isolation. To make a long story short, Bilbo found the ring in Gollum's lair and passed it onto Frodo. There's an incredible scene in The Two Towers where Gollum is guiding Frodo and Sam with obvious internal conflict. His eyes flicker back and forth between grey (Smeagol) to green (Gollum). He wants to trust the hobbits, and he appreciates Frodo's kindness, but he is also desperate to take his ring back. This scene represents his final opportunity to turn toward Smeagol, away from Gollum.  And so Gollum found them [Frodo and Sam] hours later, when he returned, crawling and creeping down the path out of the gloom ahead. Sam sat propped against the stone, his head dropping sideways and his breathing heavy. In his lap lay Frodo's head, drowned in sleep; upon his white forehead lay one of Sam's brown hands, and the other lay softly upon his master's breast. Peace was in both their faces.  Gollum looked at them. A strange expression passed over his lean hungry face. The gleam faded from his eyes, and they went dim and grey, old and tired. A spasm of pain seemed to twist him, and he turned away, peering back up towards the pass, shaking his head, as if engaged in some interior debate. Then he came back, and slowly putting out a trembling hand, very cautiously he touched Frodo's knee—but almost the touch was a caress. For a fleeting moment, could one of the sleepers have seen him, they would have thought that they beheld an old weary hobbit, shrunken by the years that had carried him far beyond his time, beyond friends and kin, and the fields and streams of youth, an old starved pitiable thing. Sam wakes up to see Gollum hovering over Frodo and yells at him for sneaking around. He calls him an old villain. In Letter 96, Tolkien calls this “the tragedy of Gollum who at that moment came within a hair of repentance - but for one rough word from Sam.” In a moment where Gollum longed for the kind of companionship he witnessed between Frodo and Sam, after this exchange with Sam, Tolkein writes, “the green glint did not leave his eyes.” In this scene, Tolkein beautifully illustrates our universal longing for fellowship and the power of our words. Every church bears similar goals for fellowship, but not all produce the same fruit. In Philippians, Paul is concerned to reveal his genuine appreciation for these beloved saints. He chooses his words carefully to build them up. Many of you know what it's like to long for a community where deep friendship can form, but always feeling like you're on the outside. That is a miserable place to be, especially when it is the church. Because now we feel torn between our obligation to one another and our God-given desire for something that truly resonates with us at a more profound level. Everyone longs to be a part of a genuine community where they can give and receive loving support. And they recognize the difference between joyful and miserable service. Paul's love for the saints in Philippi is rooted in their mutual commitment to the gospel which fills him with gratitude and joy. Read https://ref.ly/logosref/Bible.Php1.3-5 (Philippians 1:3-5).  Remember With  Gratitude  (3) Not only are the Philippians on his mind often, but his thoughts about them fill him with gratitude. He is thankful for them. Gordon Fee points out that Paul typically gave thanks for people not things. On the one hand, gratitude...

We continued our reading of Letter 39. St. Theophan wants to prepare his beloved Anastasia for the spiritual battle that lies ahead. He begins by telling her that the adversary never sleeps. This thought alone could be the object of our meditation endlessly. The evil one is relentless in his desire to disrupt our relationship with God. Anastasia must not fear this reality but forever hold it in mind and let it help her understand that she must relentlessly call to God and rely upon his grace and his help. The devil will either withdraw and allow for the illusion of spiritual strength to grow and then attack the person all at once to pull them down. Or he will afflict them right from the beginning so as to discourage them. Attack after attack will come until the individual gives up. Thus, she must be steadfast; and as Theophan has told her she must be courageous and a plucky fighter. She must fight as one who has placed all of her hope in God. In Letter 40, St. Theophan continues along this line of thought. He begins to discuss with Anastasia the various causes of spiritual cooling. Anastasia fears her own lack of diligence. Wisely, Theophan tells her not to let go of that fear but let it kindle within her a greater enthusiasm to drive her forward in the face of her own weaknesses. Eventually hope for salvation will emerge as one comes to experience the depth of God‘s grace and his constant help. Until then, she must cry out to God with an anguished heart; and anxiety that flows more from the urgent longings of the heart for love than it does from fear of punishment. She must strive to enter by the narrow door and so unite her prayers to the Spirit that calls out to God from the very depths of her being. ---- Text of chat during the group: 00:48:29 Fr. John (Ivan) Chirovsky: Oh, I can relate to that..... 00:53:59 Eric Williams: I love that bit. Instead of being annoyed and disappointed that their fellow close disciples are pridefully seeking honors in Christ's royal court, they get jealous! They make the problem worse! 00:59:18 Anthony Joyce: Vicki beckons..thank you, good sir, for your time for us. Til next time! 01:01:08 Eric Williams: Psalm 39 (38) seems relevant here. 01:20:35 Eric Williams: “Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets.” 01:26:57 Ren Witter: Or that weird “Man makes plan and God laughs” one. Does not, as you said, reflect the real, deep love of God. 01:32:55 Fr. John (Ivan) Chirovsky: Before we end today, a little taste of Byzantine-Ukrainian spirituality:  To the servant of God, Father David, with the upcoming 27th anniversary of his presbyteral ordination on January 15, grant, O Lord, a blessed and peaceful life, health, salvation, success in every endeavor, and preserve him and his loved ones, for many happy and blessed years!  God grant you many years! Many happy years! God grant you many years!  Many happy years!  May you be blessed with health and salvation!  God grant you many happy years!

*Please note that there were some technical difficulties which caused the audio to drop a few times between the 40-45min mark.  We began this evening with Letter 38. St. Theophan shows Anastasia where she should take up for her Lenten disciplines. It may be surprising for some of us when we hear it. He tells her that she should begin with the renewal of her baptismal vows; vows that were made on her behalf when she was a child. At the very beginning of Lent she must in a clear and decisive fashion commit herself to Christ and her renunciation of everything that is contrary to His will. How different this is from our day when we typically renew our baptismal vows at Easter.  St. Theophan would have her see them as the lens through which she views all of her disciplines and takes them up. They mean nothing if they do not lead to Christ and they must be shaped and embraced with the fulfillment of these vows in mind. In Letter 39, St. Theophan becomes more specific: he begins to tell her about the battle that lies ahead. She must be ready and prepared to engage in the fiercest kind of struggle with the most hostile opponent. The evil one will do everything he can to destroy her hope in the Lord or to distort her vision of the discipline she now embraces. Therefore, she must be humble in the battle and remain constant even in the midst of affliction. She must have strong courage and remain steadfast even when she seems to fail repeatedly. Such failure, in fact, will always be present; but it will not be absent the providence of God. Everything is from him and he shapes all things in secret. Anastasia's prayer must simply be: “Save me by the way Thou knowest” And in the end, through these words she must give herself over entirely and irrevocably to God. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:42:05 Mary McLeod: I read somewhere that fasting without prayer is just dieting :) 01:00:49 Fr. John (Ivan) Chirovsky: From the Third Hour:  Prayer of Saint Mardarios O God and Master, Father almighty, Lord, only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit, one Godhead, and one power, have mercy on me a sinner; and by the judgements which You know, save me Your unworthy servant; for You are blessed for ever and ever. Amen. 01:01:53 Fr. John (Ivan) Chirovsky: General Prayer of the Hours:  In every season and at every hour, in heaven and on earth You are worshipped and glorified, O good God, longsuffering, rich in mercy, loving the just and compassionate to sinners, calling all to salvation by the promise of the blessings to come; now at this very hour, Lord, accept our prayers, and direct our lives in the ways of Your commandments. Sanctify our souls, purify our bodies, correct our thoughts, and make our knowledge whole and sober. Deliver us from every distress, evil, and pain. Surround us with Your holy angels as with a rampart so that protected and guided by their host we may reach the unity of the faith and the knowledge of Your unapproachable glory; for You are blessed for ever and ever. Amen. 01:15:27 Fr. John (Ivan) Chirovsky: the Russian or old church Slavonic govenie, with its Ukrainian counterpart, hoveennia, when it is used in the Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom petition when we pray for everyone who enters the temple in order to pray in the spirit of “blahohoviynist'”, means more than just reverence or respect, for it is the kind of attitude that creates worship which is “full of the most sincere homage, respect and devotion as an expression of his own underlying measureless surrender to God”.  This aspect of surrender is also the ability to perceive everything as coming from God, and not just perceiving it in any old way but with gratitude.  This is why as he was dying almost literally on the road on the way to his place of exile, St John Chrysostom's last words were "Glory to God for all things!" 01:16:35 Fr. John (Ivan) Chirovsky: https://janotec.typepad.com/terrace/2007/10/the-last-words-.html John remembered all these things, and he knew that his time was ending. He was not afraid. Even as a young monk he was never afraid of the night, because for him it was never dark. In one of his many sermons on the Psalms, he said that “… it is during the night that all the plants respire, and it is then also that the soul of man is more penetrated with the dews falling from Heaven … night heals the wounds of our soul and calms our griefs.” He was exhausted, and his body was broken by exposure to the wind and rain, the rocks and thorns, strong enemies and a weak body. But he wasn't brokenhearted, and he was not bitter. He was not depressed or hopeless. He remembered all these things: his enemies, his disappointments and defeats, his last long journey into the wild lands, and the beatings and lashings of his two imperial guards. He forgave them, every one, for each and every hurt and trespass. In this world, you can forgive, but you 01:16:53 Fr. John (Ivan) Chirovsky: He forgave them, every one, for each and every hurt and trespass. In this world, you can forgive, but you don't forget. But every time you remember is one more instance in the infinite count of seventy times seven. John remembered and forgave them all, just as his own Lord forgave his every sin on the Cross. His body was fading, but he was still on fire for the Lord. His soul was even brighter with the flame of Divine Love, and the glory of God's grace. On fire and not in darkness, in strength and not weakness, and in the greatest sermon of his lifetime, St. John Chrysostom the Golden-Mouthed, whispered out his last words: “Glory to God for all things!” Only a man who had given his heart solely to the Lord Jesus, who had sacrificed his everything to the Holy Trinity, who had soared to the heights of the Church and earthly power, who had it all taken away and spent his last years on dusty, forgotten roads … only such a man could say such things, giving God all the glory, Who gave this last sermon such 01:17:00 Fr. John (Ivan) Chirovsky: golden eternal wings." 01:18:30 Sheila Applegate: That is really beautiful. Thanks. I love his words on the night.      

In Letter 37, St. Theophan begins to feed Anastasia with solid food. He draws her from simply resolving to amend her life to yearning to act in accord with and in harmony with the will of God. It is this that she must be most diligent in seeking in her life. Anastasia must begin to examine her life in light of this general rule: everything she does should be done in accord with his divine will and for the sake of pleasing God. The person who does this, he tells her, even though they might have no talent, no riches, no special ability, will come to experience the joy of the kingdom and know themselves as seen by God as pleasing in His eyes. There is no greater gift. Most of the world, however, lives carelessly. People's acts are done haphazardly - they act not because they desire to do the will of God but rather because they are drawn along by the ways of the world. The majority of the people in this world are driven by the spirit of lukewarmness. They have nothing against God but they have no deliberate desire to please him either. They are not egoists but yet they preserve their own self interest at every turn, avoiding every self-sacrifice. They are not blatantly vain, but they have no objection to amusing themselves in worldly matters. They want to be seen as part of the world and sharing in its delights rather than seeking to see God. ----- Text of chat during the group: 00:55:37 Fr. John (Ivan) Chirovsky: Eastern Canon law often legislates the bare minimum, but in the UGCC, spiritually the general goal for everyone is: all Wednesdays and Fridays of the year are fasting days except for when a feast of the Lord or of the Theotokos occurs on that day; Four penitential seasons: the Great Fast (aka Lent), dairyless and meatless at least forty days before Pascha, (abstaining from meat seven days earlier actually), the St Philip's Fast, forty days before Christmas, Sts Peter and Paul Fast (aka Apostles' Fast) from the Second Monday after Pentecost until June 29, and the Savior's Fast (aka Dormition Fast) from August 1-14.  Granted there is no fasting even on Wednesdays and Fridays between Pascha and Ascension Thursday and between Dec. 26 and Jan. 4.  Byzantines also never fast, although we do abstain, on Saturdays and Sundays even during the penitential seasons. 00:56:09 Fr. John (Ivan) Chirovsky: UGCC = Ukrainian Greco-Catholic Church 01:00:49 Eric Williams: Orthodoxy/Byzantine Catholicism: Hard disciplines, mercifully taught ;) 01:01:19 Fr. John (Ivan) Chirovsky: yes.... 01:10:02 Eric Williams: “Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves. Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession...Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.” ― Dietrich Bonhoeffer 01:19:54 Mary McLeod: Thank you, Merry Christmas!

Dear Pennies & Pallers, For Letter 1 this week, we hear from a listener writing in about reaching inner peace with their sexuality. In Letter 2, our friend Amanda writes in to remember her Badass Grandma, who recently passed. Plus, we talk: Halloween, The Good Night Show ending, mid life crises, unicycles, Sam Elliott, & more! Sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel & Rory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week, our first letter deals with the subjects of struggling with weight issues, and the best ways to stay motivated. In Letter 2, we hear about the joy of watching Survivor, and answer questions about Survivor strategy, and what reality shows we'd want to appear on. We also talk: porn star names, Garbage Pail Kids, and more! Sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel & Rory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dear Pennies & Pallers, For Letter 1 this week, Rory finally gets an email about Pinterest! In Letter 2, we hear the tale of a house fire and a serendipitous moment that followed. Plus: Guessing the letters in the theme song, live show updates, Eddie Money talk, and more! Sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel & Rory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dear Pennies & Pallers, In Letter 1, a listener is looking into new careers, and wants to know what Dan and Rory would be doing if they weren't doing comedy -- and also about their memorable dreams. For Letter 2: a listener has the opportunity of a lifetime to join a touring band. But he's about to bring a child into the world. How can he commit to both things? Plus: The Venn Diagram Tour / Overlap Tour, cookie talk, coffee talk, a house announcement, near-death experiences, Tom Cruise, Clorm & Niff, and something new at the end of the show! Sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel & Rory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Letter 9 of Letters from a Stoic, Seneca talks at length about how Stoics should view friendship. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thecheerfulstoic/message

Dear Pennies & Pallers, For Letter 1 this week, a listener writes in about going F2F with a father who was not present in his life. In Letter 2, a listener who has been sharing posts about the protests is now losing family relationships as a result. Also discussed: peacocks, a Pen Pals ring, and more! Sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel & Rory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week, we address the current times before jumping into our letters. Then in Letter 1, a listener tries to provide the benefits of a small town life from their childhood to their own child while living in a much different time and place. In Letter 2, a listener from Pittsburgh wants to know what accents we like the most. We also discuss: Sigur Rós, plans for our upcoming 100th episode, and being a Noah-It-All. We hope you're staying safe. Sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel & Rory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week, we meet a listener in Letter 1 who is seeking music recommendations after many years in a sheltered family. In Letter 2, a newfound Paller hopes to learn to better navigate their brain! Stay safe and healthy. Your Pen Pals Daniel & Rory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dear Pennies and Pallers, In Letter 1, we discuss a different kind of haunted house. In Letter 2, a worker at a meat processing plant is conflicted about how to deal with a very serious, dangerous issue. Plus: discussions about Robbie, Soul Collective, MIchael Bolton, "the third wall," and more. Sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel & Rory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dear Pennies & Pallers In Letter 1, we have the ultimate show grower! In Letter 2, we discuss dealing with a friends stages of divorce Sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel & Rory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dear Pennies and Pallers,  In Letter 1, we explore the options when parents are split between their two children. In Letter 2, we discuss what it means to "read" something. Sincerely,  Your Pen Pals Daniel & Rory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dear Pennies & Pallers,  Rory is back in the studio and we read a letter about a surprise concert from an awesome parent. In Letter 2, we discuss the many things people can be into!  Sincerely,  Your Pen Pals Daniel & Rory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dear Pennies and Pallers, This week we come to you live from Clusterfest! First, we set up a brand new pair of pen pals from the audience.  Then we dive into Letter 1, which is all about a creepy ghost child named Jessica. In Letter 2, we lend some encouraging words to a listener who failed the bar exam! Sincerely,Your Pen Pals Daniel & Rory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dear Pennies & Pallers, Rory's still in Atlanta, but we still have an episode for you! In Letter 1, a man isn't sure if he was too mean to an old guy, and we jump into it. In Letter 2, we talk about whether bachelor parties are worth it. Sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel & Rory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dear Pennies and Pallers, In Letter 1, we discuss: what would be worth risking a year of prison for? In Letter 2, we respond to a listener who is facing a choice between traveling to live somewhere new after graduating or settling down. Sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel and Rory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pull up a cozy chair and join us as we chat about the works and Catholic faith of J.R.R. Tolkien! I hope this podcast encourages you to carry a little piece of Middle-Earth into your own life as we grow together in hobbitness and holiness. Thanks so much for listening!‘How do I feel?’ he cried. ‘Well, I don’t know how to say it. I feel, I feel’ — he waved his arms in the air — ‘I feel like spring after winter, and sun on the leaves; and like trumpets and harps and all the songs I have ever heard!’If you listened to our Tolkien Reading Day episode yesterday, this is one of my favorite Tolkien quotes that I had mentioned. And today I wanted to talk a bit more about it and Spring in general, particularly because last week marked the beginning of Spring for us and because March 25th is of course the day on which the Ring was destroyed as well as the Feast of the Annunciation.Spring represents or calls to mind images of hope, new life, a fresh start, the light after dark, warmth after the cold, cleansing rains, a gentleness after the harshness of winter. It is soft, and joyful, a season to be celebrated. Tolkien was a lover of myth and symbol and the natural rhythms of the seasons, and the way The Lord of the Rings flows is a testament to that.Tolkien writes in Letter 210, “Seasons are carefully regarded… They are pictoral, and should be, and easily could be, made the main means by which the artists indicate time-passage. The main action begins in autumn and passes through winter to a brilliant spring: this is basic to the purport and tone of the tale.”Tolkien, being a devoted Catholic, lived in line with the Church’s liturgical calendar. To Catholics, Spring is closely associated with Easter: the Resurrection, which Tolkien called the Greatest Eucatastrophe.In Letter 89 he wrote, “The Resurrection was the greatest ‘eucatastrophe’ possible in the greatest Fairy Story — and produces that essential emotion: Christian joy which produces tears because it is qualitatively so like sorrow, because it comes from those places where Joy and Sorrow are at one, reconciled, as selfishness and altruism are lost in Love. Of course I do not mean that the Gospels tell what is only a fairy-story; but I do mean very strongly that they do tell a fairy-story: the greatest. Man the storyteller would have to be redeemed in a manner consonant with his nature: by a moving story. But since the author of it is the supreme Artist and the Author of Reality, this one was also made to Be, to be true on the Primary Plane….”After death, comes life; after winter, comes spring. And we see this all over the place in his writings as they are so rooted in both physical actual time, as he had mentioned before, and in the symbolism of the seasons. Both Bilbo and Frodo leave Bag end right at the beginning of Autumn, and the Ring is destroyed right at the beginning of Spring…

Dear Pennies and Pallers, It happened. We went to Galveston, Texas to attend the Local Billionaire's ball. Usher may have even talked to Daniel. We were Junior Grand Marshals in the Mardi Gras Parade. And we performed our first-ever live show! This is the recording of that historic event. In Letter 1, we talk all about fetishes -- what they are, where they come from, and more. Letter 2 brings us the twisty-turny tale of a man who has found himself in a sticky romantic plight of his own making. Then some listeners read us postcards they brought, on topics such as best birthdays, chair-replacement policy, and more! The Weekend of Tuxas was a blast, and we'll be doing more live shows soon -- so keep posted! Sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel & Rory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I wanted to spend some time with a character I have a very dear place in my heart for and that character is Sméagol, also known as Gollum.At first glance he’s just this gangly, wicked, nasty little monster that you may find easy to hate. Maybe you even find yourself, like Frodo, wishing Bilbo had simply killed him when he had the chance and that was the end of it. And yet when we spend just a little bit of time looking for the humanity within Gollum, we find Sméagol, and we are reminded that he himself is a creature worthy of love and yet desperately broken and lost. I wanted to start out with a little bit of background information on Sméagol before the Ring.Sméagol spent his early childhood living with his Grandmother. When he was 33 years old, he was fishing with his cousin Déagol who found a gold ring in the water. I want to pause just for a second here to mention the importance of that age, 33. It isn’t in the books and I haven’t been able to find an actual source for this but I’ve read it in several places and I wouldn’t put it past Tolkien to choose this age intentionally. So you can take it or leave it, but I thought I’d mention it. His birth year is listed as Third Age 2430 and then the year he got the Ring is approx. 2463 which would put him at 33. He also referred to the Ring as ‘his birthday present’, although it’s unsure if it it was actually his birthday because Sméagol is such an unreliable narrator. This age is important for a few reasons. First, 33 is the year when a hobbit is considered officially an adult, they’ve come of age. So Sméagol chose to take the Ring as an adult, not as a child. Second, Frodo was also 33 when he was given the Ring, on his birthday. So we were talking about this on twitter and @danielhlogan referred to him in this sense as “Frodo’s Shadow”. Sméagol is, in a kind of way, an inverse of Frodo in the way that he came about possessing the Ring and what followed after. Sméagol takes it by force, where Frodo was given the Ring as a gift. (Also, drawing from Tolkien’s Catholic influence, 33 is the age of Christ when he was crucified. Just wanted to point that out.) So almost immediately, Sméagol finds himself obsessed with the Ring and ultimately chokes his cousin to death and takes the Ring for himself. After that, he quickly devolved as the Ring corrupted him, he’s kicked out of his grandmother’s home and finds a home for himself in a cave in the Misty Mountains where he lived for more than 400 years. “they Banished Us” by Foxinshadow via DeviantArt Eventually, Bilbo comes across the Ring and ultimately takes it with him home to the Shire, which leads Gollum to leave the mountains and search in vain for Bilbo. He ends up being captured and tortured in the dungeons of Barad-dur, where he reveals to Sauron what he knew about the Ring. After that, he was freed but then captured by Aragorn and brought to Mirkwood. He then escapes with the help of Orcs and continues searching for the Ring, eventually finding the Fellowship in Moria and following them until he is caught by Frodo and Sam and they take him as their guide. There’s this quote towards the end of his tale -- Book 4, Chapter 8, The Stairs of Cirith Ungol -- in which we are shown the last flicker of light within his heart and it just kills me, just absolutely kills me. After hours of sneaking around and plotting, Gollum finds Frodo and Sam asleep. Tolkien writes, “Peace was in both their faces.” “Gollum looked at them. A strange expression passed over his lean hungry face. The gleam faded from his eyes, and they went dim and grey, old and tired. A spasm of pain seemed to twist him, and he turned away, peering back up towards the pass, shaking his head, as if engaged in some interior debate. Then he came back, and slowly putting out a trembling hand, very cautiously he touched Frodo’s knee -- but almost the touch was a caress. For a fleeting moment, could one of the sleepers have seen him, they would have thought that they beheld an old weary hobbit, shrunken by the years that had carried him far beyond his time, beyond friends and kin, and the fields and streams of youth, an old starved pitiable thing.”But at this, Sam immediately wakes up and sort of yells at Gollum, accusing him of sneaking and calling him an old villain. In Letter 96, Tolkien calls this “the tragedy of Gollum who at that moment came within a hair of repentance - but for one rough word from Sam.”“Gollum withdrew himself, and a green glint flickered under his heavy lids.” Tolkien uses the back and forth of the green gleam or glint in Gollum’s eyes from the grey in his eyes to show us the internal struggle going on within Gollum, this turmoil between Sméagol the Hobbit and Gollum the lonely creature he has become, and after this exchange Tolkien writes “the green glint did not leave his eyes.” “Smeagol’s Remorse” by NickOnPlanetripple via deviantart After this moment, I would argue, Sméagol’s fate is sealed. We can’t really know what might have happened if Sam might have reacted differently, and even if Gollum would have had a complete change of heart in this moment there’s nothing to guarantee he wouldn’t have given into the overwhelming desire for the Ring once again. But it still makes me wonder. Can we blame Sam? I don’t think so. Sam is right not to trust him, after all. And given what he’s gone through and the desperate situation he’s found himself in, I don’t think many of us could say that we would have been any kinder. But despite his cruel words and his general disdain for Gollum, Sam ultimately chooses the same path as Bilbo when given the chance to kill him. In Book 6, Chapter 3, Frodo and Sam are scrambling up the Slopes of Doom when Gollum finally finds them once again. Tolkien writes:“'Don't kill us,' he wept. 'Don't hurt us with nassty cruel steel! Let us live, yes, live just a little longer. Lost lost! We're lost. And when Precious goes we'll die, yes, die into the dust.' He clawed up the ashes of the path with his long fleshless fingers. 'Dusst!' he hissed. Sam's hand wavered. His mind was hot with wrath and the memory of evil. It would be just to slay this treacherous, murderous creature, just and many times deserved; and also it seemed the only safe thing to do. But deep in his heart there was something that restrained him: he could not strike this thing lying in the dust, forlorn, ruinous, utterly wretched. He himself, though only for a little while, had borne the Ring, and now dimly he guessed the agony of Gollum's shrivelled mind and body, enslaved to that Ring, unable to find peace or relief ever in life again. But Sam had no words to express what he felt.” Sam allows Gollum to live, just a little bit longer… and ultimately it is Gollum who brings about the destruction of the Ring. I find it so fitting and so beautiful that Gollum, most harmed by the Ring, is ultimately the source of its destruction and the world’s salvation from it. It’s a reminder that Providence can work through the most wretched of us to bring about something so beautiful and redemptive. We are reminded, in the glimpse of his humanity, that even Sméagol was created for goodness— and even though the power of the Ring has caused him to wander so far from his original path, Providence can still work through him to help heal the world. Artist Credit: Shockbolt via DeviantArt Gollum carried the Ring for nearly 500 years. And as he carried it, it carried him away from everything beautiful or kind or true he had ever known. When Sméagol took the Ring for himself he entered into his own personal hell on earth, we might say, and he was consumed by it until the last moment of his life.I’ve been thinking about this for a while: can we hold Gollum accountable for his actions? After all, the power of the Ring is far stronger than the will of any simple Hobbit. Even Frodo himself succumbed to it at the last moment. Tolkien actually addresses it in Letter 181, and it isn’t the happy answer we might have wished for, but I think it’s better than that, it’s a good answer. He writes, “Gollum was pitiable, but he ended in persistent wickedness, and the fact that this worked good was no credit to him… I am afraid, whatever our beliefs, we have to face the fact that there are persons who yield to temptation, reject their changes of nobility or salvation, and appear to be ‘damnable’... But we who are all ‘in the same boat’ must not usurp the Judge. The domination of the Ring was much too strong for the mean soul of Smeagol. But he would have never had to endure it if he had not become a mean sort of thief before it crossed his path. Need it ever have crossed his path? Need anything dangerous ever cross any of our paths?”I think, ultimately, we are faced by the truth that although Gollum did not intend to be carried so far away from the light of the world, it was his choice to take the Ring for himself and so the burden of what he became afterward is on him. And I think that should be somewhat alarming for us to recognize in our own selves too!So what do you think about all of this?I want to end with another quote from The Stairs of Cirith Ungol, as a reminder that we’re all a part of the same story, the same world. I think often we might be tempted to look at others, maybe those living radically different lives than us, those who believe differently than us, who we disagree with, and we see them as something less than human. And guys, that’s terrible, we can’t do that. Just cut that out immediately. Frodo and Sam and Smeagol, they’re all hobbits, all worthy of love and deserving of mercy.The choices we make have led us all down our own paths, some deep into the tunnels of the Misty Mountains, some to the dungeons of Barad-Dur, some to the Field of Cormallen… but we’re all a part of the same tale. “’Why, to think of it, we’re in the same tale still! It’s going on.Don’t the great tales never end?’‘No, they never end as tales,’ said Frodo.‘But the people in them come, and go whentheir part’s ended. Our part will end later—or sooner.’”

Dear Pennies and Pallers, This week, Letter 1 brings us questions from Ryan, who is nervous about bringing children into this crazy world of ours. In Letter 2, a listener asks us what national day we would create, if given the chance! Sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel & Rory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dear Pallers, In Letter 1, a listener tells us about a Back to the Future-themed coffee shop, which opens up a larger coffee shop discussion. In Letter 2, a listener asks about board game traditions. Plus, we learn a new fact about Mr. Belvedere. #PloppedAndPopped Sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel & Rory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dear Pallers, In Letter 1, a listener tells us about all about their badass Grandma, and also passes along a wedding invite! For Letter 2, a listener wants to know how to best deal with some newfound wealth. Sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel & Rory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dear Pallers, In Letter 1, a listener fulfills one of our wildest dreams by inviting us to hypothetically be in a Mardi Gras parade and attend a black tie event put on by a local billionaire. Will we do it? The odds are #8020. For Letter 2, a listener is honored to have been chosen to make a speech at her former high school's graduation, and wants some tips. Sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel & Rory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dear Pallers, Happy Holidays! In Letter 1, a listener wants to know if she is being too dramatic about her sister not visiting for the holidays. Plus, we read her sister's response letter! Letter 2, from Al the Pal, seeks to investigate and understand the very nature of humor itself. Sincerely,  Your Pen Pals Daniel & Rory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dear Pallers, So much in store for you this week. Before we get to the letters, Rory tells a spooky post-Halloween story about a haunted giraffe figurine. In Letter 1, a pen pal wonders if the millennials in his workplace are entitled and lazy.  It's a tricky question, but then again, didn't every generation think that of the younger crowd? For Letter 2, a pen pal has fallen for their best guy-friend, and doesn't know whether to stay on the easy path, or follow their heart and risk it all for love. #todayisnottomorrow Sincerely, Your Pen Pals  Daniel & Rory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In response to Letter 1, Daniel and Rory answer a question about their favorite things, while laughing all the way to the Cracker Barrel store. In Letter 2, a pen pal doesn't know how to -- or whether he even should -- tell his girlfriend that he thinks she's wearing too much makeup.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Letter 1, Daniel and Rory address questions about what order to eat a meal in, and whether college is supposed to be the best years of your life. Letter 2 is from a pen pal who wants some advice on finding a romantic partner. Also, Daniel and Rory debate the definition of "stationery." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Letter 1 brings us a housetraining dilemma, and Rory drops some breaking news about his family dog. In Letter 2, Daniel and Rory wade into a philosophical query that involves karma and how it relates to eating lobster. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You know those people who can quote passages of Shakespeare, have read all the great novels, and who always seem to have an aphorism to hand? Well, fuck them. Having a moribund storehouse of other people's knowledge isn't the same as being smart, let alone creative. In Letter 33, Seneca doesn't want us to learn the Cliff Notes version of anything; he doesn't want us to post brief quotes on Instagram; and he certainly doesn't want us to keep hiding behind other people's wisdom, however valuable it might be. Or, to put it another way: It's good to know, dog, but don't be trippin'! – Seneca But wait a minute – is it really so bad to know a few useful, guiding quotes or summaries of the greats? We can't all read the complete works of Shakespeare... But Seneca has a point. The summary might seem powerful, but if we don't know how the artist got there, we can't appreciate the full meaning, resonance or impact of those words. There's also a danger to thinking that everything said by someone we admire is important or insightful. So we play a 'guess who said this inspirational quote' game – because 'bad' people sometimes say great things, and vice versa. Wisdom out of context isn't wisdom at all. It can even become evil. The words don't have the wisdom, but they can help us unlock what we're ready to learn. So what if we use maxims and quotes not as the end point, but as the starting point for us to find out more? What if we let them pique our interest rather than do our thinking for us? Seneca wants us not to just parrot the opinions of others, but put something of our own forward – to create something new, believe that you have something to offer, but still appreciate that everything we say and do is part of the broader context of what's come before. What's the use of knowledge if it's not being put to use? Thinking and learning is only meaningful if it has some resonance in your life – Jon We do need to practise, we do need to learn the basics. But there's a turning point when that knowledge becomes alive, when you've internalised the concepts and can now become creative. It's time to step out of the masters' shadows, just as they had to in their own time. Men who have made these discoveries before us are not our masters, but our guides. – Seneca This is one of our favourite episodes to date; let us know what you think and if you're ready to take the leap and contribute what you think. Also Including: Why Epicurus was a girly-man Music and truth The real meaning(s) of 'The Prodigal Son' Why forgetfulness is important for creativity Thesaurus Hunting! Find Out More: Hit us up on our brand new Instagram! The full text for free on WikiSource Be Silly. Be Kind. Be Weird.

This one's about staying the course, knowing how to recognise progress from how it feels, and the dangers of internalising other people’s narratives of what your life should be. In Letter 32 Seneca wants us to stay the course, rather than endlessly making fresh starts and chasing fads. As he puts it, 'We break up life into little bits and fritter it away' – Seneca That can cheat us of doing the Deep Work we need to make progress, rather than endlessly skimming the surface and thrashing about like a hyperactive child in a paddling pool.  But we're not so sure things are always that simple, especially when it comes to creativity and self-development. Sometimes we don't need a laser-like focus on just one thing, to the exclusion of all others. Sometimes we just need to be able to put those 'little bits' in the right order so they start making sense rather than disrupting our flow. Focus is as much a matter of timing as gritting your teeth and going all-out. Think about it this way, in the words of the legendary jazz musician: 'I don't need time – what I need is a deadline' – Duke Ellington So this episode we take a different tack to Seneca. Let's not be remorselessly focused, but able to live in a diffuse way that allows the subconscious and creative mind the space they need. Then, when the time comes to knuckle down, you can coalesce and get things done in the shortest time possible. But we're not advocating one-stop-shop solutions here. Very few things that are wrong about how we feel can be fixed with one change, whatever your CrossFit-obsessed friends may tell you. What matters isn't the 'solution', in any case: what matters is what questions you're asking and how you feel about a particular solution. That's a tricky distinction, but it's a crucial one, which we unpack in a few practical and powerful steps. Progress sounds good, but imagining change can be one of the hardest things we do. Part of the problem lies in a deep philosophical issue that we all face: Not being able to properly imagine or recall a different state than the one we're in. We forget what it felt like to be pain free, or not depressed, or what a psychedelic state actually feels like when we're not in it. That's why we're always oddly surprised when winter comes round again and it really does get dark at 4pm (at least in Britain – urgh). Don't worry, though – we've got lots of ideas on how to overcome these challenges and make change and progress that feels tangible, meaningful, and positive. Plus there's time to ban 'being happy' as an idea, and to hear about Dre's rather intense plans for electing an heir to his legacy...  Also Including: Yoga vs. crystal meth Bruce Lee's regrets Does happiness compound over time? Parents who want 'the best' for you Captain America on LSD Find Out More: Hit us up on our brand new Instagram! The full text for free on WikiSource Check out the beautiful Human & Alien shirts and caps from Jamie C Johnstone! – Use the code VITD at checkout to get 15% off (expires 1 April 2018) The author Jon was forgetting is Robert Anton Wilson, author of Prometheus Rising Be Silly. Be Kind. Be Weird.

This week we're chopping up the NYT bestseller "Resilience" by Eric Greitens. Today we're jumping over to Letter 5: "Happiness"... In Letter 5 Eric says that we need resilience not only for hard times, but we need resilience to be happy as well. Greitens goes on to write that there are 3 primary kinds of happiness and we need all 3 to flourish in life.Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/marshbuice/message

The Nicks fall into a meme-hole, discuss the doings of Gandalf and Saruman, and finally get down to brass tacks to decide what is to be the fate of this Council... and The Ring. THIS JUST IN! A COUNCIL HAS GATHERED….TO COUNCIL.... ELVES, DWARVES, MEN, AND HALFLINGS TOGETHER UNDER ONE ROOF! DELIBERATIONS ENSUE AND STORIES ARE TOLD -- INCLUDING BILBO’S! ISILDUR’S BANE REVEALED! WHY ARE WE HERE? CAN ONE SIMPLY WALK INTO MORDOR, AND WHAT IS GANDALF’S STORY? Maps Map of Middle-earth  LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers! Notes for this episode Use the Force Harry Vader Brita Saruman Trololo Trolling Saruman Part 2 Trolling Saruman Part 3   Other fandom trolling memes: 1 2 3 4 5 The story in this chapter Gandalf's Tale: Gandalf has the longest part to tell - but he has done the most to understand the enemy, the Ring, and to set in motion the tale we now read. Saruman The Rings and their jewels or lack thereof Hunting for Gollum Saruman knew of writing upon the Ring - but what is the source of his knowledge Who else but Sauron held the Ring? Isildur That means Minas Tirith might hold a clue Abandoning the chase to go to Gondor! Denethor not very welcoming The scroll of Isildur describing the “fire writing” unknown language - but eleven letters Gandalf HAS tested the Ring Speaking the words of Mordor - of the Ring Gollum did go to Mordor He was forced to spill his guts about the Ring The servants of the enemy have been to the Shire, and now know - perhaps the enemy already knows - that the Ring is in Rivendell Gollum imprisoned with the Wood Elves Definitely still full of mischief Legolas speaks up in distress Gollum has escaped How so? Was it coordinated? Did he have help? Or was he just being opportunistic? Gollum is cunning, escapes the skill of the elves to track Heading to Dol Guldor Gandalf - Gollum may have a part to play yet - Tolkien keeps insisting on this - it must mean something What of Saruman? Drawn to Orthanc by the message of Radagast (taken advantage of my Saruman) - Tells of Nazgul The Nazgul keep asking for the Shire Saruman summons Gandalf to give him “aide” Radagast to send messages Bree - stopped at the Prancing Pony (when was all of this?) To Isengard - Orthanc - Built by Numenor - At the Gap of Rohan Fear fell on him inside Isengard Saruman the White or…. Many Colors Saruman feels that Gandalf has been hiding information in the Shire Saruman has contempt for Radagast … and Gandalf… and their colors “Saruman the Wise” “Saruman ring maker” “Saruman of many colors” White - can be broken - or - is perfect Leaving the path of wisdom A choice The world of men which we must rule We need power “WE” “There is no help in elves or dying Numenor” Join with that power - there is hope that way - and rich reward Join the evil way despising the many evil things biding their time to come to their true purpose. Knowledge, Rule, Order No change in designs - only in our means The Ruling Ring - “If WE could command that, then the power would pass to US.” Gandalf a prisoner of Orthanc - on the pinnacle A narrow stair of many thousand steps. In Letter 210 - Tolkien tells us that Orthanc is 500 feet tall In modern American building terms that is about 29 stories. Not huge - but massive for the surrounding area To take the stairs literally then - 500 feet divided by “many thousand” (5000?) works out to be approximately 1000 steps per hundred feet. - 100 steps per 10 feet or 10 steps per foot. Pits and forges, wolves, and orcs - Saruman is building an army - to rival Sauron How was this kept hidden from Gandalf when he got there? Or did it happen while he was there? Frodo calls back to a dream! (REVISIT PIN) It was late Radagast was true and trustworthy The Eagles - Gwaihir Rohan Tribute of horses - tribute of horses and many to Mordor It’s a lie Evil at work Shadowfax Tireless, swift as the flowing wind, silver by day, shade by night, light footfall, unridden, untamed, Gandalf reached the Shire when Frodo was in the Barrow Downs though they left the same day (Rohan, Hobbiton) Gaffer - changes for the worst (Needs a pin?) Changes already started? Has Saruman already started to tear it apart looking for the Ring? Crickhollow Broken into - Hope left Gandalf To Bree - Butterbur Good news - renewed hope! A night’s rest. The Nazgul’s movements 2 Nazgul in Bree 4 in the Shire 2 at Crickhollow Captain in secret south of Bree After the attack on Bree/Crickhollow Some across country Eastward The Captain and others along the Road 2 days out from Bree - Gandalf beset in the Ring of Amon Sul - Weathertop The Wraiths were already there. Closed around at night - Light and Flame! Gandalf fled to the North - then toward Rivendell Gandalf nearly 14 days to Rivendell Only 3 days before Frodo End of tale THE PURPOSE! - What shall we do with the Ring The old forest used to stretch from where it is to the other side of Isengard (Fangorn even?) Can we obtain help from Tom Bombadil? Send the Ring to him for safe keeping? The Ring has no power over him. He would forget it and throw it away Also, even the enemy could be held off - his country would be besieged and ultimately overthrown The Ring cannot be kept away by strength only 2 options Send it over the Sea They would not receive it - it belongs to Middle-earth Destroy it We have no craft that can unmake it. OR cast it into the deeps - where it could not be recovered. Only a delay tactic Gandalf wants to make an end of Sauron - not delay Sauron - would expect the Westward option (in or over the sea) He would March up the coast to the Grey Havens Westward road seems easiest - and therefore must be avoided It will be watched That leaves only the option to undo the Ring The only hope - to take the Ring to Mordor - to the fire Frodo felt a dead darkness in his heart Boromir Why hide and destroy? What if it has come to us in our great moment of need? Why not wield it? Valor needs first strength, and then a weapon. The Ring can be our weapon. Elrond We cannot use it It was made by Sauron and is his alone it cannot be wielded by any except those with great power of their own. But for them, the desire of it corrupts their heart Like Saruman - corrupted by the thought alone It is evil and dangerous Nothing is evil in the beginning - even Sauron. Boromir So be it Gondor will fight on Perhaps the sword that was broken can help “If the hand who wields it holds more than an heirloom but also the sinews of the kings of men” May the day not be delayed It would comfort us to know others fought also Gloin More power if the people's join together What of the three rings of the elves? They were made by the dark lord long ago Do they remain? Are they idle? Elrond We cannot speak of them They are not idle, but they also are not weapons But if Sauron regains the One all their strength would be turned to destruction If the One is destroyed Perhaps they will be freed, and be able to heal the hurts of the world Or perhaps they will fail and many things will fade and be forgotten Glorfindel But all the Elves are willing to take this chance! Back to the destruction of the Ring What strength have we for the finding of the fire? That is the path of Despair! Or Folly! Gandalf Despair Is only for those who see the end beyond all doubt Wisdom to recognize necessity when all other courses have been weighed Folly It may appear to those who cling to false hope. Let folly be our cloak/veil before the eyes of the enemy The only measure Sauron knows is Desire, “the desire for power and so he judges all hearts.” He does not think that anyone can refuse it, and therefore follow through with destroying it If we seek to destroy it - we shall put him out of reckoning AKA - he won’t see it coming - it’s not a possibility he thinks would ever happen “This quest may be attempted by the weak with as much hope as the strong.” Small hands do them because they must While the eyes of the great are elsewhere (THIS IS THE CRUX OF THE PLAN!) Bilbo - It’s plain enough what you’re pointing at I started it, and I must finish it. Boromir nearly laughs at Bilbo Elrond - your part is ended What do you mean by “they” The messengers who are sent with the Ring Bilbo - “Exactly, and who are they to be?” That seems to be the only thing this Council needs to decide Let’s get some names together No one spoke - looking downcast - in deep thought Frodo - felt a dread or doom on him And an overwhelming desire to rest in peace with Bilbo in Rivendell “At last with an effort, he spoke and wondered to hear his words, as if some other will was using his small voice. ‘I will take the Ring.’ [NJ - DEFINITION OF BRAVERY - the quality or state of having or showing mental or moral strength to face danger, fear, or difficulty.    -- speaking up in spite of deep desires because it is the thing that must be done, or the right thing to do.] Elrond I think that this task is appointed for you, and if you do not find a way no one will. But it is a heavy burden I do not lay it on you but if you take it freely I would say that your choice is right. And though all the mighty elf-friends of old, Hador, Hurin, Turin, and Beren, you shall be seated among them. SAM! [Again eavesdropping] -- But you won’t send him off alone! No indeed - You at least shall go with him. A nice pickle we’ve landed ourselves in, Mr. Frodo. New Characters: Denethor - Steward of Gondor Saruman the White/Many Colored - Istari, Leader of the White Council Gollum (makes an appearance) Theoden - King of Rohan Shadowfax? - Lord of Horses Radagast the Brown - Istari, part of the White Council Links greendragonlive.com Twitter Facebook iTunes/Apple Podcast Stitcher Google Play Music YouTube "Five Armies" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Special thanks to our friend Harry Murrell for the use of his music. Listen to more and subscribe to his channel here.      

Kiki Petrosino is afraid when she gets behind the wheel -- afraid that she will be killed by police in a routine traffic stop. In "Letter beginning, 'If My Body is a Text'", she tries to express this fear of being misunderstood by white authorities. This week, we speak with Petrosino about her work, and continue our series on remarkable, untold stories from black history -- this time, in the world of sports. Plus, we talk to a scholar who is mapping the history of the KKK -- despite descendants' efforts to erase records -- and trace the origin of revolutionary thinking.