Have you ever worked your way through a parable to discover the embedded lesson? Did  you get a sense of the power of the parable when you did?

Perhaps Discovering the Power of the Parable is Too Confounding?

If I wrote the follow blog title: ‘QueerJoe writes brilliant blog entries,’ it’s not likely to make much of an impression. But If I wrote: ‘How QueerJoe slayed the hippopotamus,’ your mind might open a bit. Perhaps to find out a little more about how what brilliant blog entries QueerJoe writes.

I’ve been somewhat of a lazy reader most of my life. Not totally lazy. For instance, a novel doesn’t have to be completely linear for me to follow the plot. But if I’m reading something that requires analysis or deep contemplation, I will often lose patience. In most cases, I’ll just skim it for the most obvious of points.

There are exceptions to my laziness. Spiritual writings.

It started when I was introduced to A Course In Miracles.

Contemplative Reading

I found I had to get into a certain contemplative mindset when I read from those volumes. Sometimes when I’d begin reading, I’d have to re-read the same paragraph up to five times until I could truly experience the text.

Personally, I think that’s why the stories of Jesus in the Bible are often told in parables.

The text demands that you be present. Or risk missing a critical lesson.

My latest experience of reading something that required my full presence was this:

“When you see things as they are, and yourself as you are, you understand the meaning of “the truth shall set you free.” Your aim becomes to have your Being manifest in your life as much as possible. Then you can appreciate this planet Earth as a school, because no other place could show you so clearly how much you need to develop. When you see and accept your own confusion and nonunderstanding, they become fertile soil in which the seed of Consciousness can sprout.”

– from Freedom Comes From Understanding

by Jon Schreiber

Perhaps this looks like gobbledygook to you. But when I take the time to open my mind and be present, these words are very powerful for me. In fact, the words demand of me that I be consciously present to be able to benefit from them. For me, that is the power of the parable.

I’m getting to be a less lazy reader every day.

Current Knitting/Spinning

I’m not quite half-way finished with the Aha Wrap.

Now that I’m fully familiar with the two stitch patterns, it’s going faster. But I’ve been focusing a bit more on spinning lately.

Or more specifically plying. I finished spinning my first two bobbins of singles. I decided I wanted a slightly more tightly plied yarn than I usually spin.

Overall, I’m moderately pleased with the yarn I’ve spun. It’s 5.6 ounces (about 160 grams) of light-worsted or heavy DK yarn and about 320 yards (293 meters). I’m thinking it will work best in a simple, rustic hat when I end up using it for knitting.

Any other thoughts on good use?

I have spun slightly less than half of the roving, so I’ll have quite a bit more yarn when I’m finished.