“What is a saint? A saint is someone who has achieved a remote human possibility. It is impossible to say what that possibility is. I think it has something to do with the energy of love. Contact with this energy results in the exercise of a kind of balance in the chaos of existence. A saint does not dissolve the chaos; if he did the world would have changed long ago. I do not think that a saint dissolves the chaos even for himself, for there is something arrogant and warlike in the notion of a man setting the universe in order. It is a kind of balance that is his glory. He rides the drifts like an escaped ski. His course is a caress of the hill. His track is a drawing of the snow in a moment of its particular arrangement with wind and rock. Something in him so loves the world that he gives himself to the laws of gravity and chance. Far from flying with the angels, he traces with the fidelity of a seismograph needle the state of the solid bloody landscape.”
Explore This Quote Further
Quote Analysis
In this quote by Leonard Cohen, the concept of a saint is explored as someone who has achieved a remote human possibility, likely relating to the energy of love. Cohen suggests that a saint does not aim to dissolve the chaos of existence, but rather finds balance within it. The idea of a saint as someone who embraces the world with love and acceptance, navigating the challenges of life with grace and humility, is beautifully portrayed in this passage.
Modern Relevance
In this quote by Leonard Cohen, the concept of a saint is described as someone who has achieved a remote human possibility through the energy of love. Despite the chaos and challenges of existence, a saint finds a balance and harmony within themselves and the world around them. This idea of embracing chaos and finding beauty in imperfection can be seen as a relevant concept in our modern, turbulent world.
Examples of Usage
In this profound quote by Leonard Cohen, the concept of a saint is explored in a unique and thought-provoking way. Cohen's words paint a vivid picture of a saint as someone who embraces the chaos of existence with a sense of balance and love.
During a discussion about spirituality and the qualities of a saint, one might bring up Leonard Cohen's poetic interpretation of a saint as someone who navigates the chaos of life with grace and love.
In a literature class, a teacher could use this quote as a starting point for a discussion on the theme of balance in spiritual and philosophical texts.
When reflecting on personal values and beliefs, an individual might find inspiration in Cohen's words about a saint's relationship with the world and the laws of nature.
Reflection Questions
Reflecting on Leonard Cohen's definition of a saint, consider the following questions:
- How do you define a saint based on Cohen's description?
- Do you believe achieving a remote human possibility is linked to the energy of love? Why or why not?
- In what ways do you see balance in chaos as a defining characteristic of a saint?
- How do you interpret the idea that a saint does not dissolve chaos, but rather finds a kind of balance within it?
- Can you think of any individuals, historical or contemporary, who epitomize Cohen's description of a saint?
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