Conditions of Use

Conditions of Use

All comments regarding the life and work of Lawrence Durrell are welcome. Say whatever you like, however you like. Comments are not censored, but they reflect the views of the commentator and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the administrator nor anyone else on this blog. All comments are copyrighted and belong to the blog. Fair use of the blog's material requires proper attribution both to the blog and to the commentator.

Monday, January 27, 2014

Mind and Durrell

One of Durrell's favorite expressions is "my mind's eye," made famous at the beginning of Justine (1957):  "In a flash my mind's eye shows me a thousand dust-tormented streets."  What does he mean by "mind's eye?"  Memory?  Imagination?  Inner vision?  The third eye of Hinduism and Buddhism?  All these at once?  The meaning will vary according to context, but the expression itself leads to a discussion of mind in Durrell.  Dr. D. quotes from Osho in his Kyōzan:  A True Man of Zen (1988):  "According to Gautam Buddha — and confirmed by all the awakened ones — we are divided into three parts:  the body, the mind, the being.  And every part has its own mind" (p. 48).  I tend to be a pragmatist in these matters and think the Buddha is using "mind" in a sense that doesn't make sense to me.  It's too imprecise.  In my opinion, mind or consciousness is not part of the physical body.  So I'm essentially a dualist:  mind and body are separate.  That's my problem.  But was it Durrell's?  That's my question.  —  BR

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