ernst jünger in cyberspace

mailing list archive - Re: What exactly is desinvolture?


Dear Gary,

It seems of some importance to me to consider the practical
value of desinvolture.

Whether it contains principles of the right way how to live or not depends
mainly on the reader. I think, there are certain paralleles
to Carlos Castaneda`s "Teaching of Don Juan". It is said that whatever you
"must" do...do it but be aware that it leads you to nothing. 
Well, all you do is hardly more but endless fooliness. Once realized it is
hard to be involved any longer as all loses its importance and becomes
one...becomes nothing. 
It seems to me the last step on a way which Juenger goes as well...but 
very few meters only compared to Don Juan. Anyway, Juenger is 
physically caught in time and circumstances but he`s psychologically free
to an extent. Doubtless, his desinvolture makes him live a better life,
maybe even survive.

I think, his desinvolture might seem like a loss of "humanism" from time
to time. But who knows, loss might be gain sometimes.

Gary, am I wrong or didn`t I answer your question?
Well, to put it briefly- I`m convinced that practiced desinvolture would
help ourselves to come back to life at its most elemental aspects.
5 advices are maybe;

   1st) Be yourself!
   2nd) Don`t let everybody know WHO you are!
   3rd) Observe !
   4th) Don`t judge but understand!
   5th) Maintain your distance!etc......

Bye  Mandy



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