An Old Jewish Story

"Once upon a time there was a great traditional ritual for the inner protection and norisuhment of the people. The rabbi and all the people of the community went to a particular tree, in a a particular forest, in a particular place, on a particular day, and performed a highly prescribed ritual. Then, so the story goes, there were terrible times. A whole generation was scattered and the ritual was forgotten.

When things got better again, someone remembered that there was an old ritual for protection and norishment, but he could remember only its overall structure. The rabbi and the people went into the forest, but they'd forgotten exactly which tree was the right tree. So they chose a tree and performed the ritual as best they could. And it was sufficient.

More hard times came and another generation was excluded from the ritual. Somebody remembered that in the old days their ancestors had gone into the forest and done something, so the rabbi and the people went out into the forest and made up a ritual. And it was sufficient.

And then there were more bad times, and much more was lost. The people remembned that in the good old days their ancestors had done something or other, but they didn't know when or what or where. So they just went out and did the best they could. And it was sufficent.

And then there were more hard times, and all that was left was the vague memory that in the olden days somebody had done something. So the new generation went out and improvised and did the best they could, intending their new ritual to be for the protection and norishment of the people. And it was sufficient."

pg 86
ECSTASY Understanding the Psychology of Joy.
Robert A. Johnson

I find this story interesting as it shows that there is no concrete structure or system to make something or do something in order for it to be complete,correct or effective. It is if you attempt the task with the most of efforts and conciousness will be sufficient. The idea of ritual lies behind this thought, we can create our own ritual.

This is the same way I prehaps view my thesis and the every changing face of carnival. Its content over the years can't always be the same and it will not always be the same, but the underlying purpose of self expression and ecstatic release is ever present ,once we participate with full enthusiasm and conciousness toward the event and its cultural purpose.

It's at times such as these I realize the need to just "do it" and get fully involved with my thesis by being concious of my attempts and efforts to produce and express what I believe is trying to be said or created. At times I can't remember exactly which direction I was trying to take but i go ahead with the process as its purpose is still being fulfilled even though the end result may vary. This proves more effective than sitting back and trying to think of the "right" way or thing to do in order for it to be successful. The truth is there is no "right" way.