Aili’s Reviews > The Act of Will > Status Update

“The wise man (…); he who, like the wind, rushes headlong and irresistibly on his way and cannot be stopped nor laid hold of at any station of his career; who purifies the air in the manner of lightning, and strikes when there is need for it” -Herman Keyserling “Recovery of Truth”

«Love is normally considered to be something spontaneous and independent of will, something indeed that “happens” in a manner that may run counter to our will. However true this may be at the beginning of an affective relationship, to cultivate human love that is satisfying, enduring, and creative is truly an art.” P. 96

Control need not mean frustration or renunciation of basic need gratifications. What I call the “apollonizing controls» do NOT call the gratification of needs into question at all; they make them MORE rather than less enjoyable by e.g. suitable delay (as in sex), by gracefulness, by estheticizing (food and drink), by ceremonializing, sacralizing, dignifying, by doing something well rather than just doing it. P.23