The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - Frodo's initial delay in leaving the Shire: What does it mean?

mark12_30 · 08-23-2002, 10:57 AM

My dear Gandalf,

*sighs* I apologise for my dull wits.

Of course your reference to Rivendell as a spiritual retreat should have made mysticism pop into my mind, precisely because of your tradition. **Should have**... didn't... I should know enough to switch gears when I read your posts. I'm sorry.

There is the one of the differences between liturgical and evangelical vocabulary, I'm sorry to say. The words "Spiritual" and "spiritual retreat" are much less of a trigger in the evangelical tradition, because there are those (many) who would argue that everything is spiritual. You'll even find those who debate on the value of evangelical "Spiritual Retreat" at all-- and on some days I'm one of them. Evangelical "retreats" can be quite bland. Frankly, I'd rather go to a rousing worship conference than an evengelical "retreat". A centering prayer weekend, now-- THAT would be tempting. See? Vocabulary... Sigh.

*shoots a wry, apologetic look at Gandalf**

On the other hand, the "being versus doing" quote quite catapulted me into my catholic reference library, finding centering prayer and John of the Cross and Brother Lawrence and... all of those wonderful contemplatives. Mystics.

Perhaps it's also partly because for many years, Rivendell was the center of Middle Earth for me, so I see it with jaded eyes. But Bombadil's house was brand-new and fresh for me as of this last reading, and I studied it with a sense of wonder.

You are correct, of course. Rivendell is a welcoming house of retreat. Perhaps Bombadil's house seemed more mystical to me (this past time through) because it seems harder to get to, and more... shall I say, mysterious? I was going to say bizarre.

Forgive me.

--Helen

[ August 23, 2002: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

08-23-2002, 10:57 AM	#28
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	My dear Gandalf, sighs I apologise for my dull wits. Of course your reference to Rivendell as a spiritual retreat should have made mysticism pop into my mind, precisely because of your tradition. Should have... didn't... I should know enough to switch gears when I read your posts. I'm sorry. There is the one of the differences between liturgical and evangelical vocabulary, I'm sorry to say. The words "Spiritual" and "spiritual retreat" are much less of a trigger in the evangelical tradition, because there are those (many) who would argue that everything is spiritual. You'll even find those who debate on the value of evangelical "Spiritual Retreat" at all-- and on some days I'm one of them. Evangelical "retreats" can be quite bland. Frankly, I'd rather go to a rousing worship conference than an evengelical "retreat". A centering prayer weekend, now-- THAT would be tempting. See? Vocabulary... Sigh. shoots a wry, apologetic look at Gandalf* On the other hand, the "being versus doing" quote quite catapulted me into my catholic reference library, finding centering prayer and John of the Cross and Brother Lawrence and... all of those wonderful contemplatives. Mystics. Perhaps it's also partly because for many years, Rivendell was the center of Middle Earth for me, so I see it with jaded eyes. But Bombadil's house was brand-new and fresh for me as of this last reading, and I studied it with a sense of wonder. You are correct, of course. Rivendell is a welcoming house of retreat. Perhaps Bombadil's house seemed more mystical to me (this past time through) because it seems harder to get to, and more... shall I say, mysterious? I was going to say bizarre. Forgive me. --Helen [ August 23, 2002: Message edited by: mark12_30 ] __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve. Last edited by mark12_30; 12-20-2004 at 10:17 AM.