This Week’s Quotation:
Arthur represents that guileless reality within all people, who has no designs to be sovereign—no need for worldly position. Arthur’s motive is to be of service to his brother. That desire to be of service is the beginning of a journey in life that takes people to their own sovereignty. It is not the ambitious Sir Kay who ascends the throne, nor the bickering lords of the realm. It is the guileless Arthur who, at first, draws the sword from the stone with no audience and no fanfare.
Becoming a Sun p. 174
King Arthur’s Guilelessness
Author, Becoming a Sun
Most people have a memory of what was important for them growing up, and likely we gain a greater perspective on it as we age. I’m thinking especially of those formative experiences that contributed to who we have become as adults. For some, it was Little League, Sunday School, or experiences in nature.
While it was many experiences for me, as it perhaps was for you, one that stands out is the way my mother read stories of King Arthur and the Round Table. There were many nights before bedtime with those books she found to read to me.
I enjoyed the stories at the time. In some ways, they were my Bible stories—stories of heroes and magic, with human drama and life lessons. And they were lessons in human character, especially Arthur’s.
What shines through the stories of Arthur is his guilelessness. He never thought too much of himself. And he faced every circumstance with an innocence that makes you smile and sometimes even laugh.
The tale of the sword and the stone is no exception. Arthur pulls the sword from an anvil upon the stone without thought to the difficulty of it or the fact that it makes him King of England. He was just looking for a sword for his older brother.
I won’t try to tell the whole story here. But I do celebrate the spirit of innocence that lets anyone live each day fresh and new, with the inspiration to be of service to the people and the world around them.
What does it mean to become a sun?
Every human being is already a sun on the inside—a being of intense love and light. The difference is that some people have the vision and courage to become a sun on the outside. This difference is our human destiny.
5 Responses
Yes, O to be guileless. So many people seek position and forget that we each already have a unique position created by life itself so why aspire to more power or fame. How beautiful is Arthur in exemplifying this. The musical CAMELOT by Lerner and Lowe also adds a lot of humor, music, and insight to the tales so I love to see it every few years as a reminder of the points you make, David. Let us –as your blog mentions — be of service to our brother, not seeking to one-up or conquer him. May world leaders follow suit. Bless you, David, for all your thought and your own example in this area. RESPECT-FULLY, tom
I have loved stories of King Arthur and Merlin and still love to remember them. The integrity and innocence which those stories portay, touch my heart in so many ways. There is a quote from stories of those times which asks “Whom does the Grail King Serve?” which is another memorable one for me. To honour and serve “The Wonderful One Within” in innocence and truth is most inspiring and is my heart’s desire. Thank you for sharing your inspiring thoughts, David. With love, Nadeja
Yes, so beautiful!!! I deeply agree – I do celebrate the spirit of innocence that lets anyone live each day fresh and new, with the inspiration to be of service to the people and the world around them.
I love this 🙂
Thank you, David. As I read this I think about the fact that very adult was at some point 4 or 5 years old. A perfect time of innocence. I remember those times when the awe and adventure of life was as natural as breathing, and living in the moment was a natural state of being. As I start each day anew I strive to bring that child forward to see the world again through innocent eyes, and hope that all all of us can remember the joy and peace that innocence can bring.