Gravity and Grace Weil\'s Mystical Work Gravity

Gravity and Grace

Weil's mystical work Gravity and Grace is a somewhat entertaining piece of literature even though it tends to wallow in pity and confusion despite its proclamation for divine awareness. The passage of key interest to me that describes this outlook is stated "everything, without exception, that is of value in me comes from somewhere other than myself, not as a gift, but as a loan which must be ceaselessly renewed. Everything, without exception, that is in me is absolutely valueless and among the gifts which have come to me from elsewhere, everything which I appropriate becomes valueless as soon as I do, " (p.76-77).

Weil used this passage to great dramatic effect but, as a result, diminishes her own logic an becomes meek and powerless at the same time. While writing this passage, Weil is clearly in a self-degradation state of mind that is trying to ignore material existence and deny its importance on her spiritual journey. Instead, I would ask her, shouldn't one's divinity be able to help us discover the gifts that are actually inside one's self?

At this point, Weil appears more dedicated to making an artistic statement than one with any real practical value that transcends the artistic realm. For me life unfolds from the inside out and even though influence and power does come from without as well, the natural unfolds from this position in my experiences. Weil's hyperbolic use of the words "everything," absolutely," and "without exception" demonstrate her overbearing emotional need to know everything in its totality. She is clearly demonstrating an dis-ease with her own ignorance. Harmony and resonance come to me when I am comfortable with not-knowing and embracing the void instead of fearing it or revering it.

Such lack of material enjoyment is not one that entertains my better intentions. Weil doesn't have to remind others that life is hard enough without suggesting that everything from inside you is worthless. It appears that Weil is lost in religious rapture as she clearly is misunderstanding and misinterpreting the important knowledge that has somehow been communicated to her in this abnormal state.

By placing no value on the material world, why should she continue living in it? The author's dismissal of her own physicalness and selfness has put her into a corner where her life essentially has no worth. This is not appealing to me as a practical philosophy. Philosophy, religion and all other ways of attaining peace of mind should have a practical element to them so that life can become more enjoyable and harmonic. Dissonance and pain are necessary but only to use as contrast, as steps on a ladder.