May 21 2023
May 21, 2023
# 1607
A translation from Middle English
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COVER:
The Cloud of Unknowing
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Commentary
Dom Capossela
WHAT IS “THE CLOUD OF UNKNOWING”
The Cloud of Unknowing, (Middle English: The Cloude of Unknowyng), is a medieval spiritual classic of contemplative prayer that inspires seekers of God to this day. The work, author unknown, offers a profound and transformative message on the nature of contemplative prayer and the spiritual life. It suggests that the way to know God is to abandon consideration of God's particular activities and attributes, and surrender one's mind and ego to the realm of "unknowing", at which point one may begin to glimpse the nature of God.
WHAT IS ITS MESSAGE
The central message of The Cloud of Unknowing is the importance of detachment from all human knowledge, concepts, and distractions in order to focus solely on God. The author encourages the reader to enter a state of "unknowing," which involves letting go of all thoughts and images of God, and simply resting in the presence of the divine. This process is seen as a way to purify the soul and attain union with God through faith, love, and contemplation.
WHAT IS ITS INFLUENCE
The work has had a significant impact on Christian spirituality and has influenced many subsequent works of mystical literature. Its message of detachment and contemplation has been embraced by a wide range of Christian communities, including monks, nuns, and laypeople.
SAMPLE OF STYLE AND CONTENT
The book counsels the young student to seek God, not through knowledge and intellect (faculty of the human mind), but through intense contemplation, motivated by love, and stripped of all thought. Experience of a "cloud of unknowing" is introduced Chapter 3.
"For the first time you [lift your heart to God with stirrings of love], you will find only a darkness, and as it were a cloud of unknowing [...] Whatever you do, this darkness and the cloud are between you and your God, and hold you back from seeing him clearly by the light of understanding in your reason and from experiencing him in the sweetness of love in your feelings. [...] And so prepare to remain in this darkness as long as you can, always begging for him you love; for if you are ever to feel or see him...it must always be in this cloud and this darkness."
— The Cloud of Unknowing and Other Works. Translated by A. C. Spearing. London: Penguin. 2001. pp. 22. ISBN 0-14-044762-8.
The book also answers how we find ourselves in God’s presence:
This is brought about by putting all thoughts and desires under a "cloud of forgetting," and thereby piercing God's cloud of unknowing with a "dart of longing love" from the heart. This form of contemplation is not directed by the intellect but involves spiritual union with God through the heart:
For He can well be loved, but he cannot be thought. By love he can be grasped and held, but by thought, neither grasped nor held. And therefore, though it may be good at times to think specifically of the kindness and excellence of God, and though this may be a light and a part of contemplation, all the same, in the work of contemplation itself, it must be cast down and covered with a cloud of forgetting. And you must step above it stoutly but deftly, with a devout and delightful stirring of love, and struggle to pierce that darkness above you; and beat on that thick cloud of unknowing with a sharp dart of longing love, and do not give up, whatever happens."
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Kat’s Gen Z Corner
Beyond lululemon
I lay in a pool of my own sweat and knew I never wanted to leave.
I.
I lay in a pool of my own sweat and knew I never wanted to leave. Never in my 18 years of life had I felt this light, this complete, this at peace. I was in a room full of strangers, yet I had never felt more at home. It was the end of my first yoga class, and I knew I had touched something truly special. Something close to sacred.
I came into the practice with the weight of a broken family. I was on my own to manage the politics of my parents’ divorce, and I spent much of my young life clouded with anger, cynicism, and insecurity. At the time, I did not have the emotional capacity to lend forgiveness to the people that needed it. All I knew was that I was a low-income student at a grossly wealthy high school, and the jealousy of my peers and their seemingly picture-perfect families ran deep within me. I was not a carefree teenager.
Yoga was a popular form of physical exercise among girls in my school. Just to see what the fuss was about, I used a half-day’s earnings as a barista to pay for my first class. At the beginning, the rows of lululemon leggings and blonde ponytails were a major turn off. But once my eyes stopped wandering, my focus turned towards my breath, and my body started to release years of stress onto my mat, my prior resentments and stresses left me. Although I did not understand it then, yoga is what kickstarted my journey towards healing and loving kindness. Around this time is when I began to see my mother again after years apart.
I wanted to share this practice with as many people as I could. It was like I had this secret to serenity, and I was dying to spread it. In my freshman year of college, I began researching teacher trainings, but was originally obstructed by the steep costs of the courses. However, through my work in student government, I became close with my college’s Athletic Director, and he graciously agreed to fund my yoga teacher training. It was the best summer of my life. In addition to learning more deeply about the postures, I adored the lectures on “The History of Yoga” and “The Yogi Anatomy.” (I could have done without “The Business of Yoga,” which discusses how to profit off a practice.) The 200-hour course simultaneously reinvigorated my love for the practice and also exposed all of the capitalistic and materialistic aspects of the Western tradition.
II.
Over the next year, I cultivated a beautiful yoga community within my college. Between 25 to 40 people trusted me to guide them for 60 minutes each week and to share my practice with them. The class became so popular that the Athletic Director financially supported me to get a second certificate a year later. I learned how to teach “Yoga Sculpt,” a class where vinyasa yoga meets fitness. We used weights, did cardio, and jammed to Ariana Grande while sprinkling in some downward facing dogs. (It is pretty far from the traditional form of yoga, so I changed the class’s name to “Power Sculpt.”) Teaching Power Sculpt was loads of fun—and sweat—but reminded me again of how far Western yoga practice has strayed from its roots. Only when I took this substantial step in a different direction did I realize that the serenity I cherished could not be accessed just through rigorous exercise. It is the combination of yoga, breathwork, meditation, and mindfulness that I treasured.
My yoga mentor always said that “in yoga, we create peace, balance, strength, and flexibility on our mat with the intention of bringing those aspects off of it,” although I struggled to maintain such mindfulness outside of the studio. That is because many Western classes lack the diversity of mindfulness needed to fully experience the practice. Of course, I obtain a feeling of calm during challenging postures if I focus on my breath. But the most precious moments are while lying in savasana, setting an intention before movement, or simply sinking into a stretch. In a class that prioritizes nailing the Instagram-worthy posture, however, these moments are brief.
In fact, the mainstream Western iteration of yoga is just the tip of the iceberg. “Yoga” as most of us know it—a trendy workout for wealthy white women—is just one of eight “limbs” of the Eastern tradition. The physical practice is actually called “asana” and is meant to provide the bodily endurance required for long periods of meditation. The more accurate definition of “Yoga” encompasses all eight limbs, which are designed to map a philosophical framework for living fully. Thus, a true yogi should embody mindfulness anytime—on or off the mat.
III.
I really started to move towards a more complete version of the practice during my internship with the New York Civil Liberties Union at the start of the pandemic. During my time, I documented instances of police brutality during the Black Lives Matter protests, researched the few healthcare options for transgender people living under the Trump administration, and even spoke with politicians who want to hinder certain populations from voting. It was hard work—but it was critical. And to do it well, I needed to be fully grounded. Especially during the isolating and overwhelming time of COVID-19, I felt my anxiety levels exponentially rising and again turned to yoga to help stabilize my mental health.
I found myself practicing asana and meditating every morning and every evening. I turned to fewer physically challenging instructors and towards more mindful instructors that focus on breathwork or meditation. And I started to educate myself: I read books and listened to podcasts from spiritual teachers like Jack Kornfield, Tara Brach, and Eckhart Tolle. I broke out of the Western ideal of a yogi and even explored other philosophies of mindfulness like Buddhism. For the first time, I felt the same peace I feel in savasana extending far off of my mat. I began relishing in simple tasks like doing the dishes and brushing my teeth instead of considering them a chore. When I called my friends, I went for a walk in the park instead of simultaneously scrolling through my phone. And I never cultivated a more harmonious relationship with either of my parents. I truly began to heal.
This only grazes the surface of my relationship with the practice, which I know will be a lifelong one. Still today, I am like a salivating puppy when it comes to learning more about yoga and asanas. Currently I am taking my 300 hour teacher training, free through my CorePower studio, which will give me a total of 500 hours of certification and another notch in my belt. In the course, one of our lecturers gave the best definition of the broader practice I’ve heard, which again changed my understanding of the discipline: to practice Yoga is to practice devotion to your own sovereignty.
We are here, on our yoga mat or our meditation cushion or being present in any moment we may find ourselves in, because we are honoring ourselves. Through disciplined practices, the mind and the body can calm and harmonize – and what emerges is a more full and true version of ourselves. That is why I practice yoga. To live more embodied and at ease, as often as I can.
Kat with Ashtanga legend David Swenson and her two favorite Ashtanga teachers, Jamie and Scott. All three can do scorpion handstands but will tell you the greatest takeaway from their lifetime of practice was to simply let go of attachment and breathe.
A Personal Journey to Faith Through Forest Bathing
Lisa Mediano
The Sacred Slow is the title of a book I happened upon recently that struck me as a perfect phrase to describe my journey to faith through forest bathing. Through the process of becoming a certified Forest Bathing guide, I rediscovered my faith and learned valuable lessons about the ‘sacred slow.’ We guide participants in an immersive experience of invitations that encourage a connection to Nature that revives a sense of spirituality in each person.
David and Lisa Mediano
possess a deep curiosity and passion for nature
dedicated mycologists and forest bathers
Time spent in nature allows us to free our minds from the daily clutter of our lives. Modern living acts as a negative energy that saps our faith and drains belief from our souls. When we decide to cross the threshold from “civilization” into the natural world, we are suspending time and allowing ourselves to be immersed in the embrace of our God. We are transported back to our primordial ancestry where God spoke directly to us through the trees, birds and water, or where God was the tree, bird or water, in some cultures.
When we take a slow walk in the woods, we are embarking on a pilgrimage. Not to a particular destination, but to a mindset where every living thing around us calls our name to tell us that there is an answer or lesson to be learned if we stop to listen. The tree over yonder is waiting to listen to your troubles, without judgment or opinion. If you sit with it, it may heal you just by quietly being there for you to lean on. Perhaps God is planting a seed of hope or understanding within you that needs time to take root, like your friend the tree. Do you feel empty inside? Roll over what seems like a dead log and wonder at all the life still growing on it and in it. That’s God telling you that you still have value and purpose, but you wouldn’t know it if you raced by that log without so much as a glance. Feeling like an outsider or different? There’s a stand of trees in front of you. Stop and study them. They are thick and thin, brown, white, black and green, tall and short, broken and bent. Yet here they are, living together in one community, all watched over equally by their Creator. They have faith that they are supposed to be there and have the wisdom to know that they must weather all kinds of seasons for a long time to adapt and grow. There is our lesson too.
Because Nature has its own rhythm and schedule, we must adapt to it, not it to us. Our will means nothing when we are confronted by the enormity of nature. Once we understand that it’s pointless to have an adversarial relationship with something we can’t control or have power over, we will let go and begin to let God in.
Nature is our prayer book come to life. Every proverb and philosophical guidance is in the forest and the fields. Every slow walk in the woods is a sacred journey that reveals truth to us. We learn patience through the eyes of the little sapling that will take a 100 years or more to grow. We learn tolerance from the thorned bush that grows amongst the delightful fragrant flowers. We learn love by observing birds building their nests or feeding their chicks. We understand death when we sit near a decaying tree, knowing that its journey isn’t over; it is still giving life to the forest. We respect the grand tall old oak trees that have seen it all and are still standing. These are universal themes and codes of conduct that imbue our faith. Seeing the consistency in nature and all living things acting in accordance with their respective roles gives us the roots and stability we need to practice our faith.
Thoreau, in his essay Walking describes it as the act of sauntering. He opines that the word sauntering is derived from Old French “a la Saint Terre”, to the Holy Land. People who wandered through the villages were Sainte-Terrers or Saunterers. Thoreau believed that walking the land at its most elevated form, free from time and other obligations is a crusade into the Holy Land. It is a gift from God. Likewise, John Muir hated the word ‘hike’. There is a story that he too spoke of sauntering, and is said to have exclaimed “Now these mountains are our Holy Land, and we ought to saunter through them reverently, not ‘hike’ through them.” Emerson also envisioned a unity between God, Humans and Nature. According to Emerson, our understanding of the meaning of nature is essential to achieving the insight into God that is available to all. Failure to recognize nature results in distance from God.
As a guide, I have discovered that there are certain spots in the woods that move me for some inexplicable reason. These are my Holy Lands. I try to make a regular pilgrimage to these places as I always find it soothes my soul, and also helps me when my mind is troubled.
Some other guides I know speak of the vortex energy of certain places, e.g. Sedona Arizona. Their faith is strengthened through a pilgrimage to these sacred spots. According to Buddhist belief, Buddha spent 49 days sitting under a Bodhi tree when he achieved enlightenment. Sweet Medicine, a Cheyenne prophet, spent four years at Bear Butte learning codes of behavior and laws for his people. Whether you sit under a tree or walk along a trail, taking time to do so gives the most bang for the buck, faithwise.
The practice of forest bathing is so wonderful because it amplifies the faith of all the varied religions and spiritual beliefs through the suspension of time that is at the heart of each invitation. Our guided walk is a pilgrimage on Holy Land with opportunities for us to directly communicate with the natural world, and in doing so, to connect with our Creator. I don’t think that I can say it better than this:
But ask the animals, and they will teach you;the birds of the air, and they will tell you; ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being. - Job 12, 7 - 10
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Tucker’s Corner
I wasn’t familiar with The Cloud of Unknowing when Dom pitched it as this week’s cover story. The ideas and questions that text brings up about faith are fascinating. Looking back at the film’s I’ve seen that are about religious practice I couldn’t find much that related directly to our cover story. I did remember the 2017 film First Reformed though and I think its inclusion in this issue applies. Like The Cloud of Unknowing, First Reformed asks us to truly consider how and why someone follows the parameters of their faith and if any of the particular rules and practices being followed matter. Is faith enough?
First Reformed - Written and Directed by Paul Schrader
The questions that are raised in writer-director Paul Schrader’s First Reformed are apparent almost from the jump. The church that gives the film its title is a struggling Dutch Colonial structure that’s stood in upstate New York since before the signing of the Constitution. Just down the road stands a megachurch called Abundant Life. It isn’t just a name. The mega church has deep pockets and uses a small sum of that money to subsidize First Reformed, protecting it from land developers and the elements. This scenario begins to peel back the layers of the film. The titular church with its devout priest only stands by the grace of Abundant Life’s finances rather than God.
First Reformed does little to hide its metaphors. More often than not it bets the house on them but at this point in his career Schrader knows what he’s about. With a landscape dominated by CGI enhanced stories that really only try to tackle good vs evil I think First Reformed is filling an enormous hole in the visual art available to us. Art should ask questions and this film has plenty on everything from faith, to activism, to the idea of climate change and the futility of trying to save the world when so many would rather just let Iron Man do it.
We learn shortly after meeting Rev. Ernst Toller (Ethan Hawke) that he is divorced and still mourning the death of his son in the Iraq war. His tiny flock of parishioners includes a young pregnant woman whose environmentalist husband has advised her to get an abortion in light of widespread climate change. From here the film steps into the ring with pollution, consumerism, and corruption. Ideas that we live with every day despite their looming dread.
At the age of 71, Paul Schrader has become an institution in film occupying a similar spot that the titular church does in his film. It’s long standing but increasingly marginalized as time goes on. Schrader ran with the movie brats in the 1970s. He wrote Taxi Driver for Scorsese, Obsession for De Palma, and it’s even rumored he wrote a draft of Close Encounters for Spielberg. Now, other than a cult of loyal followers most of his work goes fairly unnoticed by the masses.
Schrader was raised in a Calvinist household and wasn’t allowed to watch movies until he was 17. With that kind of upbringing, it’s clear why so many of Schrader’s characters are men on a lonely obsessive vision. Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver, or Jake Van Dorn in Hardcore to name a couple. If you’re familiar with either you know Schrader doesn’t shy away from characters who despite their lofty aims, still have human flaws. The clearest example in his oeuvre is the famous sequence in The Last Temptation of Christ where he allows Jesus to envision a quiet normal life free of his destiny. In the film Jesus still ends up dying for our sins but not before identifying with them. For Schrader, the human condition is defined by the fear of not living up to a better standard and even if that standard comes from God’s words, it is ultimately self-imposed.
Schrader has Father Ernst Toller apply that same forced living standard on himself. The man’s faith is so devout that he nearly turns himself inside out trying to live up to it. He wears serenity when it comes to his loneliness and the feeling of dying industry surrounding his tiny church, but that serenity is a façade. When his parishioners bring questions of faith to him he initially tries to answer with devout certitude but in most cases he too easily sees where their doubt is coming from and empathizes with it. He deems this understanding of others as less-than yet he can’t move the needle in either the standard he holds himself to nor in how easily he can identify with other’s shakable faith. His certainty that God is watching doesn’t bring him comfort. Just the opposite in fact.
Ernst’ crisis certainly drives the narrative and echoes Robert Bresson’s 1951 masterpiece Diary of a Country Priest but it wouldn’t be a Paul Schrader film without an underlying threat of violence running throughout.
Explaining exactly how and why Ernst finds himself radicalized and planning a subversive campaign against Abundant Life and its commodified Christianity is difficult to do without recounting layers and layers of plot. First Reformed is made in a refined style but it’s melodramatic at its core; like a preacher trying to win over a skeptical congregation, Schrader keeps piling on reasons that a man of peace would potentially resort to terrorism.
Counselling Mary (Amanda Seyfried) about her husband’s ultimatum regarding their unborn child, Ernst offers words of comfort that seem to drain his own life force, one syllable at a time. He simply doesn’t know what to tell her, and that fundamentally decent indecision, concerning not only the value of a human life but also its liability, spirals outwards beyond the frame. If global warming—a secular apocalypse—is real, what is the solution? Is it to passively accept the end of the world or to rage against the dying of the light? And if it’s the latter, is the best way to channel that defiance to create a life, or to take one? Either way, you’re playing God.
The Center-Out-There
James Pasto
I think of mysticism this way. I start from the basic idea of consciousness. What does it mean to be conscious. For me, it means a sense of being at the center of all the experiences that are going on around me. To this we can add a sense of affect or emotional interaction with what is going on, from joy to pain to terror. Third, there is a self-reflective element, i.e., I can see my self at the center of my world feeling all of these things.
So consciousness is feeling myself experiencing things from my own center.
Now, think instead of the center as being out there, outside of me and you, but still a center of consciousness, affect, and self-reflection. Some refer to this 'Center-out-there as ‘God’ while others call it ‘the One’ or ‘the True’ or something similar. But the common idea is that the ‘Center-out-there’ is something we can experience if we can connect with it.
'Ordinary’ religion brings that Center to us in the form of a revealed text, i.e., a Bible, a Torah, a Quran, a Veda, a Tripitaka, etc. These texts are presented as a message from the Center as truth, a way of living, notions of right and justice, etc. This message is usually presented as the words of a ‘prophet’ or ‘great teacher’ who directly experienced this Truth, this One, this God, and is sharing that experience with us.
These religions also generally accept that any individual can experience the Center directly, the way the original prophet or teacher did. That personal, individual encounter with the Center is what I think of as Mysticism. It is being in touch with the Center - the One, the True, the God via a direct experience. In this experience we become one with the God, the True, the One and so we experience the universe from its Center, the Center, and so our consciousness becomes the same as that which resides at the Center of all things.
I don’t know if this is really possible or if such a ‘Center-out-there really exits. But many people do and claim to have experienced it. That sounds pretty wild to me – in a good way.
Liber Divinorum Operum, or the Universal Man of St. Hildegard of Bingen, 1185 (13th-century copy)
Creator:Hildegard von Bingen
The Universal Man, Liber Divinorum Operum of St. Hildegard of Bingen, 1165 Copy of the 13th century
Permission details
This is a faithful photographic reproduction of a two-dimensional, public domain work of art.
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Local Bits
Adding to my social life was a call from my Swarthmore rising-junior granddaughter: Do you want to hang out?
Darn right!
We walked long distances, Grace’s friend, Claire, joining us for a bit. We visited a theater, spoke philosophy and theology. We stopped at an outdoor cafe for bottles of cold water and a lovely table, and we had haircuts together.
All told, we solved 42% of the world’s problems. When we said ‘Goodbye,” the world was a better place.
"Shave and a haircut, two bits"
The jingle "Shave and a haircut, two bits" has its origins in the United States in the 19th century. It was originally used as a rhythm for tap dancing, but it quickly became popular as a cue to signal the end of a performance or to get someone's attention.
The additional phrase "Who got married, Tom Mix?" was added later and is thought to have originated in the early 20th century. Tom Mix was a famous American actor and cowboy of that time, and the line was likely added to the jingle as a reference to his wedding, which was a highly publicized event.
Over time, the jingle has become a part of popular culture and is often used in various forms of media, including movies, TV shows, and cartoons, to evoke a sense of nostalgia and to reference a bygone era in American history.
This bit of history brought to you by Dom and granddaughter Grace Capossela.
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Writing
I’m into the line by line editing of my 150,000 word manuscript.
I’m using Bing ai as my editor, and while it is 85% incorrect in its comments, it’s the remaining 15% that keeps me connected to it.
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Food
Very rare that I have three dinners in a row in a restaurant.
But I am at that moment now.
Friday night at Legal Seafood because they handle allergies well and my granddaughter is comfortable that she will eat safely there.
Saturday night at Fugakyu because my daughter and I both appreciate their special Japanese-sourced-fish prix fixe dinner. And for Sunday brunch we will have our last meal of her visit at Fugakyu’s sister restaurant, Douzo, because we like their Chef’s special sushi plate that features thirteen species of fish in a variety of preparations.
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Chuckles and Thoughts
What did the Buddhist mystic say to the hot dog vendor?
"Make me one with everything!"
Super Duper Weenie from Fairfield, CT
Vistawhite - Own work
Hot Dog, Fries, and Shake from Super Duper Weenie
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More Chuckles and Thoughts
The Sloth Song: Flanders and Swann
A Bradypus, or Sloth, am I,
I live a life of ease;
Contented not to do or die,
But idle as I please.
I have three toes on either foot,
Or half a doz on both;
With leaves and fruits and shoots to eat,
How sweet to be a Sloth!
The world is such a cheerful place
When viewed from upside-down;
It makes a rise of every fall,
A smile of every frown;
I watch the fleeting flutter by
Of butterfly or moth,
And think of all the things I'd try
If I were not a Sloth.
I could climb the very highest Himalayas,
Be among the greatest ever tennis players,
Win at chess, or marry a Princess,
Or study hard and be an eminent professor;
I could be a millionaire, play the clarinet, travel everywhere,
Learn to cook, catch a crook, win a war then write a book about it;
I could paint a Mona Lisa,
I could be another Caesar,
Compose an oratorio that was sublime.
The door's not shut on my genius but
I just don't have the time!
For days and days among the trees
I sleep and dream and doze,
Just gently swaying in the breeze
Suspended by my toes;
While eager beavers overhead
Rush through the undergrowth;
I watch the clouds beneath my feet,
How sweet to be a Sloth!
When asked what makes this song so entertaining, ChapGPT offered this critique:
"The Sloth" is a humorous song by the British comedy duo Flanders and Swann. Several elements contribute to its entertainment value:
Clever wordplay: Flanders and Swann were known for their witty lyrics, and "The Sloth" is no exception. The song is filled with clever rhymes and puns, which add a playful and amusing quality to the lyrics.
Absurdity and satire: The song takes a humorous look at the concept of slothfulness and laziness. It exaggerates the behavior and characteristics of sloths in a comical way, poking fun at human tendencies to procrastinate or avoid work.
Musicality and performance: Flanders and Swann were talented musicians, and "The Sloth" showcases their musical abilities. The song features a catchy melody, intricate piano accompaniment, and vocal harmonies that add to its appeal. The duo's expressive and comedic delivery also enhances the comedic effect of the song.
Relatable humor: The theme of laziness and procrastination is something many people can relate to, which makes "The Sloth" resonate with audiences. The song captures the humorous side of human behavior and gently mocks our inclination towards idleness.
Overall, the combination of clever wordplay, absurdity, musicality, and relatable humor makes "The Sloth" an entertaining and memorable song in Flanders and Swann's repertoire.
A two-toed sloth (Choloepus hoffmanni) at La Selva Biological Station, Sarapiqui, Costa Rica. The original version has been modified by cropping and increasing brightness.
Geoff Gallice - https://www.flickr.com/photos/dejeuxx/6360289637
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Understanding Ageing
It’s not a linear plunge into the end of life. If you continue to pay attention to your diet and exercise, you will get occasional reprieves in the forms of improved strength and endurance, of walking longer distances, of simply feeling better. Do not go gently…
Of course, anyone can get sick.
Sympathies to 65-year-old Dolph Lundgren who has confirmed terminal cancer rumors. Dolph’s classic line was: “I Come in Peace.”
This file is an image of the original theatrical release poster for the 1990 film I Come in Peace (also known as Dark Angel), which stars actors Dolph Lundgren and Matthias Hues.
Triumph Releasing Corporation/ Vision International/ Jeff Young - This image was retrieved from the internet at: http://www.joblo.com/posters/images/full/1990-i-come-in-peace-poster1.jpg
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Social Life
A very busy time for me as I meet with people interested in participating on the ezine.
Mail and other Conversation
We love getting mail, email, or texts, including links.
Send comments to domcapossela@hotmail.com
text to 617.852.7192
This from Tucker J to Gen Z editor:
Kat,
Your dad encouraged me to write to you to tell you how much I love your pieces each week You cover all sorts of topics with really terrific writing and a clearly informed mind.
That's it. Just wanted you to know how great your pieces were!
Also PSYCHED you wrote about Succession for this week. My favorite show right now!
To which Kat responded:
Thank you so much, Tucker!
I was nervous to write about my favorite shows because I know my analysis of TV and movies pales in comparison to yours.
I actually thought of you when listening to The Daily podcast with AO Scott on why he's retiring from movie criticism. You're a fantastic critic yourself and thought you might have opinions.
Cheers,
Kat
To which Tucker J responded:
It hardly pales. Based on everything I've seen you write about it wouldn't take very long for you to overtake anything I write haha!
I'm going to listen to this right now. AO is giant so I'd love to hear him talk about his shift back to book review after 20 years.
Thank you so much for sharing it!
And this insightful piece into AI from Jim P:
Dom,
Like I said, there is a ‘man’ behind the curtain…
https://robkhenderson.substack.com/p/the-silent-strings-of-chatgpt-will
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Korean Drama
“The Crowned Clown" is a 2019 Korean TV series that tells the story of a Joseon dynasty prince who becomes a target of assassination attempts. The story takes place in mid-Joseon period, when upheavals and power struggles surrounding the throne had reached extremely devastating levels. In order to escape those who plan to assassinate him, the King puts a clown, who looks exactly like him, on the throne. As the clown settles into his role, the palace is upended as the King's enemies are confounded by the imposter's creativity and his ever-expanding circle of allies, who are glad to see the “King” finally become the ruler they have always wanted.
The series spans a total of 16 episodes. Each episode delves deeper into the complex relationships between the characters and showcases the struggles of the clown as he tries to maintain his disguise while facing constant threats.
"The Crowned Clown" received critical acclaim and garnered several awards. Some of the notable awards and nominations include:
2019 Baeksang Arts Awards:
Best Actor (Yeo Jin-goo) - Won
Best Director (Kim Hee-won) - Won
Best New Actress (Lee Se-young) - Won
Best Screenplay - Nominated
2019 Korea Drama Awards:
Grand Prize (Daesang) - Won
Best Actor (Yeo Jin-goo) - Won
Best New Actress (Lee Se-young) - Won
2019 Seoul International Drama Awards:
Best Director (Kim Hee-won) - Won
Best Screenplay - Nominated
2019 APAN Star Awards:
Grand Prize (Daesang) - Won
Best Actor (Yeo Jin-goo) - Won
Best New Actress (Lee Se-young) - Won
These awards are a testament to the captivating storyline, strong performances, and impressive direction of "The Crowned Clown," making it a highly acclaimed and beloved Korean TV series.
Poster of the drama The Crowned Clown.
tvN - http://sports.chosun.com/news/ntype.htm?id=201812040100011020000707&servicedate=20181203
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