"To a young person, just entering on adult life, the world seems full of “insides,” full of delightful intimacies and confidentialities, and he desires to enter them. But if he follows that desire he will reach no “inside” that is worth reaching. The true road lies in quite another direction."
Is this saying we shouldn't follow our heart? We are told to follow our "inner voice" so how come this is saying we shouldn't? Or is it? If man's heart is flawed, and full of natural man's desires, how can we know when to follow our heart? What is the "True road" he's referencing to?
""If you want to be made free of a certain circle for some wholesome reason—then there is a possibility of satisfaction.But if all you want is to be in the know, your pleasure will be short lived. The circle cannot have from within the charm it had from outside. By the very act of admitting you it has lost its magic." This is my favorite quote! And my question is how do we have everyone join us in the circle and would that be a good or bad thing?"
Lewis talks about the fear of rejection and peer pressure being a motivation for the behavior of "Inner Ringers". Is this the "fear of man" we hear about in the scriptures? If so, how can the fear of God counter those tendencies?
One of My favorite quotes: 'I am not going to say that the existence of Inner Rings is an Evil. It is certainly unavoidable. There must be confidential discussions: and it is not only a bad thing, it is (in itself) a good thing, that personal friendship should grow up between those who work together.'
My Question: How do we make the distinction between good and bad Inner Rings? How do we change them for the better, or get rid of them all together?
My question is: How can we live without letting our "rings" destroy us or the people around us? Like Lewis said, we can't avoid inner rings. We have to have some confidentiality in certain relationships. How can we still have that confidentiality without hurting others?
"I have already made it fairly clear that I think it better for you not to be that kind of man. But you may have an open mind on the question. I will therefore suggest two reasons for thinking as I do."
What would you think if he was saying this to you?
Are Inner Rings just in your head? Is there ever an actual "ring" or is it a mindset of certain individuals in contrast to others? Do Inner Rings even exist?
I have another question just to make things interesting: what similarities are there between C.S. Lewis' "Inner Ring" and J.R.R. Tolkien's ring in Lord of the Rings?
"...the Inner Ring is most skillful in making a man who is not yet a very bad man do very bad things." Are Inner Rings really that bad? Does this apply to everyone?
Sorry my discussion question is so late! I'll be sure to bring it just in case! ;)
"To a young person, just entering on adult life, the world seems full of “insides,” full of delightful intimacies and confidentialities, and he desires to enter them. But if he follows that desire he will reach no “inside” that is worth reaching. The true road lies in quite another direction."
ReplyDeleteIs this saying we shouldn't follow our heart? We are told to follow our "inner voice" so how come this is saying we shouldn't? Or is it? If man's heart is flawed, and full of natural man's desires, how can we know when to follow our heart? What is the "True road" he's referencing to?
Here's another question. :)
ReplyDeleteHow can we overcome the inticings of the 'inner ring'? As human beings, is it possible to get to that point?
Rachel posted on the Discussions blog:
ReplyDelete""If you want to be made free of a certain circle for some wholesome reason—then there is a possibility of satisfaction.But if all you want is to be in the know, your pleasure will be short lived. The circle cannot have from within the charm it had from outside. By the very act of admitting you it has lost its magic."
This is my favorite quote!
And my question is how do we have everyone join us in the circle and would that be a good or bad thing?"
Now for my question!
ReplyDeleteLewis talks about the fear of rejection and peer pressure being a motivation for the behavior of "Inner Ringers". Is this the "fear of man" we hear about in the scriptures? If so, how can the fear of God counter those tendencies?
One of My favorite quotes: 'I am not going to say that the existence of Inner Rings is an Evil. It is certainly unavoidable. There must be confidential discussions: and it is not only a bad thing, it is (in itself) a good thing, that personal friendship should grow up between those who work together.'
ReplyDeleteMy Question: How do we make the distinction between good and bad Inner Rings? How do we change them for the better, or get rid of them all together?
And, if I was coming to VG, I would have an object lesson too. But, Alas! I am not. See you all Friday!
DeleteI have a second question; Can Inner Rings be built on tearing others down?
ReplyDeleteMy question is: How can we live without letting our "rings" destroy us or the people around us? Like Lewis said, we can't avoid inner rings. We have to have some confidentiality in certain relationships. How can we still have that confidentiality without hurting others?
ReplyDelete"I have already made it fairly clear that I think it better for you not to be that kind of man. But you may have an open mind on the question. I will therefore suggest two reasons for thinking as I do."
ReplyDeleteWhat would you think if he was saying this to you?
And a third question! :D
ReplyDeleteAre Inner Rings just in your head? Is there ever an actual "ring" or is it a mindset of certain individuals in contrast to others? Do Inner Rings even exist?
I have another question just to make things interesting: what similarities are there between C.S. Lewis' "Inner Ring" and J.R.R. Tolkien's ring in Lord of the Rings?
ReplyDelete"...the Inner Ring is most skillful in making a man who is not yet a very bad man do very bad things." Are Inner Rings really that bad? Does this apply to everyone?
ReplyDeleteSorry my discussion question is so late! I'll be sure to bring it just in case! ;)