Kahlil Gibran
Kahlil Gibran was not only an author. He was a philosopher and an artist. He has been translated into over twenty languages and read all over the world. His success is often attributed to his writings being uplifting and beautifying the readers view point of the world and man [Kanfer 28]. Looking deeper into Gibran’s message there is a much more profound view point. Beyond the poetic surface Gibran explains such ideas as the necessity of living in the present moment, ideas of existentialism and also non-duality [the non separation of everything] in a very simplistic, yet effective way. Moving past the simplistic surface one of the more profound themes in Gibran’s writing is that of living in the moment. This is an idea that is commonly used but usually misunderstood. When people talk of living in the moment they often think of living spontaneously or just acting and not thinking however this is not living in the moment this is living for the moment. Living in the moment is much more profound than just acting spontaneously it involves accepting that nothing other than right now exists and further more it commonly involves a feeling of oneness with yourself and your environment. The acceptance of knowing that only now exists
This ability Gibran had to explain the profound in such a way that seems obvious is why he is often viewed as someone who only saw they beauty of things. He could take an idea that most people never would think about or comprehend and present it so simply that it is overlooked as common knowledge. Gibran’s writing can be read once an understood unlike most philosophical works which have to be read several times and require a lot of thought. Although Gibran’s works deal with many of the same topics as other philosophy, he was able to explain it a way that was not only poetic but simple enough to for most people to understand making his writing so universal. And all urge is blind save there is knowledge, Another profound and not so uplifting idea that is evident in Gibrans writing is the idea of the condition of mankind . This idea is very similar to the idea of man that the existentialists have shown us. In existential thought existence precedes essence. That is man is here and he then brings meaning to life. Existentialists tend to look at mans position in the world as a bleak one. We are put here for no particular reason, we struggle to find meaning yet regardless of any effort everyone dies in the end. At first glance this seems like a very dark outlook on life. What is the point of anything if you are going to die anyway ? But if u step back and think about it there is hope in this idea. Existentialists take the attitude that it is what you do while here that defines life and gives it meaning. They feel that mans free will to act allows for you to create your own And exalts with desire, and increases with longing,
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Approximate Word count = 2295
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)
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