I read both biographies of Gibran, one written by his American lover and secretary, one by a Lebanon man, both excellent. In one, I don't recall which, it was reported that Gibran wrote The Prophet when he was young, maybe around 20?, and his mother told him to tuck it away until he was older, and that's what he did. These verses about Children are is priceless and ageless, and ignored nearly universally by parents. In the Gospels are incidents where Jesus had to deal with his mother. At the wedding, he succumbed to her nagging him to make more wine out of water. Later, when he was teaching a crowed, a disciple told him his mother and his brothers had come to see him, and he looked at the crowed and said something like: Who are his mother and his brothers? They are those who do the will of God." He kept talking to the crowd. What did that say about what he thought about his mother and his brothers' relationship with God? In another passage, he said no man can be his disciple who does not hate his father and his mother and his children and even his own life - God has to come first, always.
I like the idea of striving to be like your children, but not forcing them to be like you. Have you watched the short film In Shadow? It's a beautiful, Jungian short animated film , and there's a scene I love where dreary kids are in a dreary classroom and one has a miasma of color floating above his head, which the sinister-looking teacher comes and sucks out.
On Children is the wisdom which profoundly impacted my parenting and my lifetime with young people. Children as Persons is the most critical way of seeing and engaging with the children who become our future as a society. My heart breaks for the adult harms done to our children and youth. This is a profound sadness.
I read both biographies of Gibran, one written by his American lover and secretary, one by a Lebanon man, both excellent. In one, I don't recall which, it was reported that Gibran wrote The Prophet when he was young, maybe around 20?, and his mother told him to tuck it away until he was older, and that's what he did. These verses about Children are is priceless and ageless, and ignored nearly universally by parents. In the Gospels are incidents where Jesus had to deal with his mother. At the wedding, he succumbed to her nagging him to make more wine out of water. Later, when he was teaching a crowed, a disciple told him his mother and his brothers had come to see him, and he looked at the crowed and said something like: Who are his mother and his brothers? They are those who do the will of God." He kept talking to the crowd. What did that say about what he thought about his mother and his brothers' relationship with God? In another passage, he said no man can be his disciple who does not hate his father and his mother and his children and even his own life - God has to come first, always.
Love this book. I’ve had it since my 20’s. This entry reminds me they I need to revisit. Thank you.
Every parent should read this
When I read this poem to my mother, she hated it.
One of my favourites 🥹
Our Children choose us.
They always have.
I like the idea of striving to be like your children, but not forcing them to be like you. Have you watched the short film In Shadow? It's a beautiful, Jungian short animated film , and there's a scene I love where dreary kids are in a dreary classroom and one has a miasma of color floating above his head, which the sinister-looking teacher comes and sucks out.
Actually I think you'd really dig it. Here's a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j800SVeiS5I
It very much reminds me your seminal post about American life killing people.
So beautiful. I love Gibran's poetry.
https://youtu.be/kYAkcL36aCE
Always a good reminder!
On Children is the wisdom which profoundly impacted my parenting and my lifetime with young people. Children as Persons is the most critical way of seeing and engaging with the children who become our future as a society. My heart breaks for the adult harms done to our children and youth. This is a profound sadness.
Kahlil Gibran is a legend in his own write!