Noontide
When Zarathustra had spoken these words,
he paused, like one who had not said his last word;
and long did he balance the staff
doubtfully in his hand.
At last he said this – and his voice had changed:
I now go alone, my disciples!
You also must now go away alone!
So will I have it.
You also must now go away alone! This is always what life amounts to. The moment when you know, just know that you are on your own, than all that you have read, thought, the advice of teachers echoing in your mind, you alone must gently press the acceleration pedal, the 670 horsepower corvette is nudged left, to line up with the first turn… You are on your own. Both hands on the steering wheel at 9 and 3, the only thing that matters, is a blending of mind, body, machine and asphalt for four laps.
Yesterday I didn’t post. I am entangled with a spring head-cold. That, and some time was needed to reflect upon my time at the Autobahn Track complex. I am not a race car driver. I have admiration for engineering knowledge that is expressed in the build of a race car. I love the beauty of the aerodynamic body lines, purpose built for one thing, speed. Perhaps of most importance I enjoy the company of others like me attracted to cars and a racetrack, because it evokes the highest, their greatest potential. We speak a certain language, – they are my people.
I advise you to depart from me,
and guard yourselves against Zarathustra!
And still better: be ashamed of him!
Perhaps he has deceived you.
The man of knowledge
must be able not only to love his enemies,
but also to hate his friends…
You venerate me;
but what if your veneration should someday collapse?
Take heed lest a statue crush you!
You say, you believe in Zarathustra?
But of what account is Zarathustra!
You are my believers: but of what account are all believers!
You had not yet sought yourselves: then did you find me.
So do all believers;
therefore all belief is of so little account.
Now do I bid you lose me to find yourselves.
Everything matters, every conversation, stories, the instruction in the classroom, as well as the keen observation. All are ingredients that have brought me to this place, right here and right now. Tightly belted into the semi reclining drivers seat, feeling eager and caution, I press the gas pedal, aware of the rising growl of the V8 engine mounted just behind the seat, my eyes focused ahead at the next turn. At that moment of course you may entertain belief in any variety of religio-politico ideals. But you’d best hold all of that very lightly, as delicately as one holds onto the steering wheel. One thing is needed: that the body be enveloped by the physical and visual approach of the next turn. Any and all beliefs threaten to crush you in those split second moments of decision. Learn, be open to the colored track side cones indicating when to lift, when to brake and then full-on accelerate!
And once again
shall you have become friends to me,
and children of one hope:
then will I be with you for the third time,
to celebrate the great noontide with you.
What is the the great noontide?
And it is the great noontide,
when man is in the middle of his course
between animal and overman,
and celebrates his advance to the evening
as his highest hope:
for it is the advance to a new morning.
Strange and exciting: you and I “in the middle”, in that middle-way between the basic mammal what we always are, and the overcomer that is potential with us! Evening and morning realized! To practice is to advance synchronically toward one’s highest hope, towards a new morning. Isn’t every morning new?! And I simply need more laps, more practice…
At such time will the down-goer bless himself,
that he should be an over-goer;
and the sun of his knowledge will be at noontide.
“Dead are all the Gods: now let the overman live.”
— Let this be our final will at the great noontide!
Thus spoke Zarathustra.
Thus Spake Zarathustra by Friedrich Nietzsche trans. by Thomas Common, The Bestowing Virtue, No. 22 Part 3
A song! What else but this one: Eye of the Tiger by Survivor.
One thought on “Noontide”
A personal and evocative posting today. One that is filled with images, pathos, and heart. I remember learning about the extensions of our bodies back in junior college. Whether it is a walking stick, our clothing, or the vehicle we control. You became the Corvette. Feeling the road beneath you and the g-force of the curves. Pushing the envelope of your senses and your knowledge to expand your world.
In reading your piece I am reminded of the realm of scientific research where a scientist might push his or her own envelope just to see what happens. Where the quickened pulse of Eureka might substitute for the thrill of speed. I equate these two phenomena though on the surface they seem vastly different.
And then, of course, you have intertwined the words of Nietzsche assailing his followers to be wary of anyone who might offer sage advice, even his own. This seems very Socratic to me. Whenever I pontificate on a topic, my hope is for an engagement from a reader or listener to push back, to suggest where I might have missed something crucial and then allowing me to assess my own point of view. It seems that many people back away from this seeming confrontation (although I don’t feel that it needs to be emotional). At that point I’m left feeling disappointed that we can’t engage in a dialogue. Did not the members of the Vienna Circle bellow at each other, all of the sake of making a point. And yet, for the most part, they left the table as friends, to meet again the next night and start the process once more.
[I think I wandered off topic here, but I’m leaving it in anyway]
Thanks for the post!