Concerning the Nest, Heinlein and Stranger

 

This letter was written in reply to a reply from an old friend from  Kankakee , IL, to whom I revealed my strange occupation to (I was living in Grants Pass, OR at the time):


Thou art God.
> —–Original Message—–>
From: El (Ellis) and Ceridwen Arseneau>
Sent: Friday, April 20, 2001 8:40 AM>
To: An old friend from Kankakee>
Subject: Was it something I said?>> >

So have I crossed a line, politically? Back at ya. Or, was the line I crossed religious? It’s “naked Thursday” aka “my day off.” Which is to say I don’t wear nothing but shoes (and a hat to cover my poor bald head) until it gets too chilly (or until guests arrive). It’s great living on 20 secluded acres. It also means I have lots of time to exercise the muse.

As I recall you did not think much of Heinlein. Well, frankly, as a person, I don’t either. But I debate ideas not people. Heinlein was a sexist and a fascist. He campaigned for Goldwater in 1962(?). Nevertheless
he wrote the most inspired novel of all time, Stranger In A Strange Land. His intention  (unlike his contemporary, L. Ron Hubbard) was not to start a religion. His intention was to comment on religion, on sex, on society; to entertain, and to make money.

He wrote to make money. He is quite emphatic on that matter (See “Grumbles From The Grave”).

Unintentionally, he encapsulated the whole of the teachings of Christ (and of Buddha  and of a few others) into three words: “Thou art God.” (Wherein “God” includes both the masculine and feminine forms, much as “man” also does. Another group, the “Church of All Worlds” has bowed to radical feminist separatist elements, and tacked on “/dess” to the phrase).

I have embraced, actually, I always have embraced (because I read the book the first time when I was like 13 or
something)
that idea. I believe (always have) that it is the key to everything else I value and desire in life: (intentional) community, free thought, Polyfidelety, socialism etc. Really, it makes every thing you and
I hold in common possible.

Now, I’m not trying to start an international cult or anything. I very much doubt that that is even possible. The system Iopan and I came up with simply allows for too much thinking outside the lines for that,
and the majority aren’t ready for it, if they ever will be.I want the nest. The only thing I have ever wanted is the nest. I became a “born again xtian” seeking the nest. I left xtianity (and Lynne) because the nest wasn’t there and never was going to be there. I’ve explored Paganism, theosophy, Rosicrucianism, thelema, Buddhism, yoga, and a dozen other paths, seeking the nest. In Iopan I found a kindred spirit; a fellow seeker on the path. Together we put together a philosophy/religion that we believed would lead to the manifestation of the nest.

Well, it still hasn’t happened, but I am at least around some people now who are open to it.Now, I understand too well that many, many people don’t want what I want, or even understand fully what it is that I want. That’s ok. I’m not evangelizing about it, and especially not to you dear friend. I’m just sharing what I am and what I have become (actually, what I always have been). It’s possible that the nest will never manifest for me and so I’ll live my life utterly wasted and the world may therefore condemn Heinlein for  leading me astray. At 47, I am beyond worrying about what people (even my family) think about me. I look at the nest as a sort of retirement plan these days. 🙂

Well then. That was A WHOLE lot more prose than I was intending.

May you never thirst.

El
“Purveyor of unconventional wisdom.”