Wednesday 6 August 2008

Thou Shalt Not Make Unto Thee An Idol


Human nature can be inspiring and disappointing. Enjoy the highs, don't get put off by the lows - I keep reminding myself.

M. Scott Peck, whose book The Road Less Travelled had so much impact on me in the 90s, promoted self-discipline, spiritual quest and delay of gratification. His books espousing strong moral views and virtues of human growth sold tens of millions around the world. I remember the overwhelming sensation of seeing the world in a different light and colour upon devouring the book one balmy evening in Kuala Lumpur. I am pretty sure this feeling was replicated uncountable numbers of times across the globe. How epiphanic.

Some time ago I stumbled upon an obituary of his. It turns out Mr. Peck died alone, estranged from his children from a marriage ruined by multiple affairs, himself ruined by alcoholism and drug abuse. I do not try to belittle the man, the spiritual heights he achieved in his writing are still awe-inspiring. His fate, however, is a good reminder how weak the human nature is, that besides great epiphanies lurk even greater temptations.

It also turns out that Robert Frost's poem, after whose penultimate line Mr. Peck's series of books was named, in fact, was written in jest and is NOT a paean to non-conformism but, for all that we know, might well be a tribute to the poet's own experimentations with anal sex. Now don't you feel yourself a fool?


For over two decades German Oliver Shanti produced most beautiful New Age music, drawing inspiration from a broad span of cultures: Chinese, Indian, Middle Eastern, Latin and Native American, Spanish. Tens of themed albums were packed with sublime melodies. Millions of people have meditated, did yoga and made love to his musical creations.

On the 27th of June, 2008, after a years-long search, he was arrested in Portugal on over three hundred charges of paedophilia. Truly, Heaven and Hell can co-exist in human souls.


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