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Word Gems exploring self-realization, sacred personhood, and full humanity
Jamie and Landon, the novel
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Kairissi. I think I like the novel better than the movie. I say this because the elevated character of Jamie shines more brightly in the novel. In the movie Jamie becomes peeved with Landon and begins to write him off, but in the novel, Jamie is more longsuffering.
Elenchus. But we’re talking about a fictional character here. K. We are, but even so I get the strong feeling that the real-life high-mindedness of sister Danielle is shining through Jamie. Here’s what I think. Nicholas is a savvy writer and wouldn’t have dared present Jamie as too “sappy good” if he’d not been “forcibly” inspired to do this by the actual example of his sister. E. I think you might be right. I have to admit that I too was inspired by Jamie-Danielle. She doesn’t hold a grudge. She’s not easily offended. She sees the underlying best in people and addresses this better nature. (sighing) I’m not proud of myself to report that I have a weakness in this area. In fact, it’s been said of me, by those who know me very well, “Elenchus doesn’t give second chances.” (sighing) Unfortunately, this has often been true in my life. K. Don’t be too hard on yourself, Elenchus – most people have some work to do in this area. But, you’re right, Jamie’s attribute of “seeing the best in everyone” is very inspiring. There’s actually a lot to talk about in the novel, but I think I’d like to focus on something Jamie said. E. I have something to say, too, but you go first. K. I’m thinking of the conversation where they ask each other about what they want to do in life: “I think you should become a minister,” she said seriously. “I think you’re good with people, and they’d respect what you have to say.” Though the concept was absolutely ridiculous, with her I just knew it came from the heart, and she intended it as a compliment. “Thanks,” I said. “I don’t know if I’ll do that, but I’m sure I’ll find something.” It took a moment for me to realize that the conversation had stalled and that it was my turn to ask a question. “How about you? What do you want to do in the future?” Jamie turned away and got a far-off gaze in her eyes, making me wonder what she was thinking… “I want to get married,” she said quietly. “And when I do, I want my father to walk me down the aisle, and I want everyone I know to be there. I want the church bursting with people.” “That’s all?” Though I wasn’t averse to the idea of marriage, it seemed kind of silly to hope for that as your life’s goal. “Yes,” she said. “That’s all I want.” E. I think there'd be not a few who’d agree with Landon about “silly.” I’m reminded of university days, there was this joke about many of the girls, that the only reason they were there was to earn their “MRS” degree. K. Yes, that’s probably a fairly typical attitude. Marriage, as compared to becoming an engineer, teacher, or scientist, is often seen as something insubstantial. But only by the materialistically minded. E. Let’s point out, too, that Jamie is no intellectual slouch. She’s ranked as “honor society” caliber, on her way to becoming valedictorian of her class. She’s the kind of girl who knows her way around telescopes and the night sky, mathematics, and, just for fun, spends her summers reading the “100 best American novels.”
K. But, for so many, who approach marriage as John and Mary, then it’s not so wondrously special. But when a girl like Jamie says that getting married ought to be number one goal in life, then we should take notice and find out why. E. I’d like you to spell this out for us, Kriss. But before you offer the details, it will be asked, what would Jamie really know about this? Does she really understand the secret and cosmic significance of marriage when there are millions on the other side who get this wrong? K. Jamie is not a philosopher, and she hasn’t studied the afterlife reports. But she’s like young Emily Bronte, intuitively writing of the passions and intricacies of authentic love, though remaining unmarried and alone to untimely death at age 30. True love is localized in higher levels of consciousness, in the soul, not the body, and might be explored via mystical avenues – but only by those of augmented awareness. E. And even this much explains the misperceptions of John and Mary. K. But, allow me to directly address Jamie’s desire for marriage as priority one. In the series of articles devoted to “freedom from illusion,” we came to understand that only those who “emulate Mother-Father God” are blessed with a highest degree of perspicacity. This means that only those who authentically marry, those who enjoy Twin Soul oneness, will know ultimate reality. What this means is that, there are many worthwhile endeavors in life, all sorts of occupations, pursuits, and quests for knowledge - but all of these must be christened as second-best, in favor of the loftiest sanity, the most accurate view of ultimate meaning and purpose, which can be attained only by the “emulation of Mother-Father God,” only by marrying for authentic love. Though Jamie had not been schooled in runic matters, she intuitively understood all this. E. The cynics might decry the “MRS” status, but, when eyes start to open, we begin to see that true love and marriage become doorway to a zenith-level of wisdom and truth. K. As they say, "as above, so below." Elenchus, much could be offered here, but we’ve already made our case in thousands of pages. But you said you saw something especially important in the novel. E. Yes… thank you… but I don’t think I can convey what I saw… it hit me so forcibly. K. Just relax and allow the words to come. E. It’s actually related to Jamie’s priority to get married … I’d like to marry a really good and smart girl like Jamie… a girl who just wants to get married… meaning, I want to be with a girl who has no higher agenda in life … than “us.” K. (silence) E. There is something incredibly sweet about being with a girl who just wants you, and needs nothing else. Now, I don’t mean that life would not be filled with all sorts of projects for education, service, family, and everything else. I’m not talking about living in a cave on a mountain-top. What I mean is, she will see me as “enough,” that I’m what she really wants in life and needs nothing else to make her feel whole. K. (softly) Elenchus, in the “perfect mate” writing of nearly 25 years ago we said this: She, as I, has her own sphere of activities, her own projects. But there is no sense of competition in any of this, as each, unilaterally, surrenders to the other, and relegates to secondary status, all things in life in favor of our One-Person devotion. These offerings of fealty - the other's prized possessions and projects - having been received, are then mutually returned, now, forever subservient and second-class to our common love; a love which ever whispers, you belong to me, I belong to you, and no one or no thing could ever be as important.
K. There's no hint of rivalry between them. They're not using each other to get something else, some elusive happiness. They don't see each other as stepping-stone to the real prize. E. Here’s what this means on an emotional level. It means that my soul can enter into complete rest and security, knowing that I am cherished in her life as priority number one. I don’t have to worry that she will need to make her career or work, or even the children, more important than me. It means that she will not derive her self-worth or identity as a human being from any of her projects in life. And this sense, received from her, that she wants me, just me, and that I am enough for her, that "we" are enough for her, and enough for each other - all this - makes her so incredibly erotically attractive to me, that I feel myself to be shattering with joy. K. (silence)
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