Lafcadio Hearn on the Evolution of Souls

[sdi]

I chanced across Lafcadio Hearn's In Ghostly Japan the other day. I've been enjoying its mix of travelogue, topical studies, and ghost stories—but what I wanted to call out here is this pleasant meditation analogizing the evolution of the domesticated silkworm moth to the evolution of the soul.

It is a good reminder that while the goal is, in a sense, to leave material existence behind; doing so does not escape us from our troubles, but rather prepares us for their intensification.

Comments

[neptunesdolphins]

Ah, Lafcadio Hearn. I lived in Matsue, near where he had lived. He became more Japanese than the Japanese themselves. The people of Matsue regarded him as someone who could translate things Japanese to Europeans.

[sdi]

Ha! Small world, thank you for the color.

You know, it's interesting... in this life, I have neither traveled nor ever felt "at home." I would have thought one would necessarily have one or the other! I am hopeful for the opportunity some other time—but in the meanwhile, I appreciate writers like Hearn.

[boccaderlupo]

Fascinating find. Thank you for sharing.