Sunday 5 June 2011

A Hopeless Dream of Love?

Pilgrim Soul: In Dancing in the Shadows of Love, your character Zahra speaks of a hopeless dream of love. She says, “We are lost, and I was aware that the glimpses we have of love, a transcendental love that is sacrosanct, are reserved for the privileged few.” How do you define transcendental love?
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Judy Croome: It’s an a priori human potential that exists within all of us, irrespective of our culture or religion or life circumstances. When we find within us that capacity to overcome our subjective hurts and emotions; when we can reach out a helping hand to others, across all the external barriers and differences that separate us, and all the pain and suffering of our own secret wounds, we transcend our humanity and reach our Divine potential.
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Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once said, "If we could read the secret history of our enemies, we should find in each man's life sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility." When we’re hurting or angry or betrayed, and we can still find the inner strength to tap into that a priori compassion within our soul to disarm our hostility towards others, then we have made the dream of transcendental love a reality.  Zahra, lost in her despair, does not realise that this love is available to all of us…if we choose compassion instead of hatred; peace over anger and forgiveness over revenge.
Kuan Yin, Goddess of Compassion 
by Susan Seddon Boulet (American, 1941-1997)
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Pilgrim Soul: In another section of Dancing in the Shadows of Love, you write: “The secrets of life eat away at the foundations of our being and even their weight cannot keep them drowned forever.” Can secrets be transmuted into a positive experience?
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Judy Croome: Absolutely. And sometimes that transmutation is...read the complete interview by CLICKING HERE
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Author Judith Mercado of "Pilgrim Soul" was born in Puerto Rico.  When she was a young girl, her family emigrated to the United States. Her parents became Pentecostal ministers and so began a peripatetic life as an author and businesswoman, White House Fellow and sea-farer living aboard a trawler cruising from Martha’s Vinesyard to South America.  Judith Mercado writes multi-cultural fiction.  
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Remember to enter the LAUNCH COMPETITION before 30 June 2011 for the chance to win great prizes, including a full manuscript critique or a US$100 book voucher.

12 comments:

Claire Robyns said...

I'm loving this Q&A and deeper insight here Judy. Dancing in the Shadows of Love has so many levels and threads to explore.

Hope there'll be some more :)

Judith Mercado said...

Judy, I am so glad your interview is being featured on both our blogs. Claire is right. Dancing in the Shadows of Love has many levels and threads to explore.

Linda Cassidy Lewis said...

I enjoyed the interview. Thanks for sharing.

Your views on the power of three interested me. Three, of course, is represented all around us, but it was a while before I realized how often I subconsciously incorporated it in my writing.

And I agree with your observations on the experience of self-publishing.

Best of luck with your book.

Marilyn Brant said...

Judy, as always, your responses are so thoughtful and full of insight that they're a joy to read. Also, thanks for this Longfellow quote: "If we could read the secret history of our enemies, we should find in each man's life sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility." (I will try to remember that wisdom. ;)

Nas said...

Hi Judy,

I enjoyed your answers. And Dancing in the Shadows of Love has deep meaningful insights into relationships and the quest for peace. I enjoyd it!

All the best!

Judy Croome | @judy_croome said...

CLAIRE: I do worry that there are too many threads and levels…but it’s too late to change the story now! :) Glad you’re finding it interesting.

JUDITH: Thanks for hosting me- you asked some deep questions that really had me thinking hard!

LINDA: You can’t have enjoyed the interview as much as I’m enjoying your novel “The Brevity of Roses.” It’s so lovely and well written and easy to read. What I love about archetypal symbols is how naturally they rise from our collective memory and filter through to our work in the most surprising ways!

MARILYN: The Longfellow quote is one of my favourites. I think, when we get hurt by others or when we get angry because they’ve annoyed us, if we could only remember those words this world would be a far more compassionate place indeed.

NAS: So glad you enjoyed it. And you’re right…it is about a quest for peace, both on an inner and outer level.

A Cuban In London said...

I loved this post, chiefly because it's punctuated by an emphasis on balance, nunace. Your Longfellow quote is very appropriate. Empathy is such an undervalued trait.

Many thanks to you and Judith.

Greetings from London.

Helen Ginger said...

Dancing in the Shadows of Love is both deep and moving. Having just finished it, I appreciate this discussion.

septembermom said...

It would be such a pleasure to sit down and chat with you. Your responses are so thoughtful and genuine. I have to read Dancing in the Shadows of Love. It sounds wonderful!!!!

Judy Croome | @judy_croome said...

CUBAN: Yes,a lot of people have sympathy, but empathy is both rarer and harder.

HELEN: Hope the discussion added to your experience of the story!

KELLY: When I've caught up with my current list of guest posts, I'll pop in and have a chat!

Hilary said...

Hi Judy .. just been over to Judith's blog - very interesting interview she had with you .. fascinating insights.

Love the fact that you've been able to weave together a novel that can be read lightly, then allows us to come back and read more of the symbolism ... understanding the hidden depths ... the Dances within those Shadows ..

Congratulations .. I see the book and your comments are getting lots of recognition and appreciation .. that's wonderful news ...

Here's to lots more .. and I need to use your generous voucher soon obviously to catch up on the read .. Hilary

Judy Croome | @judy_croome said...

HILARY: hope you soon get time to cash in the voucher and read "Dancing in the Shadows of Love" With you having lived in South Africa, I'd love to hear your (honest) opinion about the book!