The John Lennon letters, by John Lennon, edited Hunter Davis

The John Lennon letters, by John Lennon, edited Hunter Davis

 

I've always been a Beatles fan, I sort of always enjoyed Paul McCartney for all his froth an bubble but John there was always something more. This book revealed a bit more of John to me.

Some of the things that stood out::

He seemed to genuinely want peace. The way he signed lots of his letters love John or with a xx. It would seem even at times conflict with Paul and Linda McCartney letters would have this ending. It seemed he was always open with Paul to Reconciliation.

There was or appeared to be a need for John to continue links with his family and cousins. Maybe things have changed now, but I rarely see any of mine cousins, maybe asking my parents about them but that is all. Maybe this was about Johns childhood been brought up by his Aunty.

His relationship with Yoko Ono is one that perplexes me, it seems as at times it was incredibly co-dependent. Yet I never knew about the time they separated for a year. They certainly seemed to be fruitful at times in a creative way.

"Primal scream", sounds like it was pretty wacky, it would be interesting if this was around now.

I was a good book, certainly the Beatle fan will find lots of little jewels with it

 

4/5

The dream is over

John Lennon in his first album after 'The Beatles' wrote the line in his song 'God'; "The dream is over".

In the book "Lennon remembers" by Jann Wenner, "The dream is over" represents Lennon's stance that the myth "the Beatles were God" had come to an end. "If there is a God," Lennon explained, "we're all it." According to the wikkipedia.

I like the line. I have a bit of a differnt interpretation; maybe he was trying to make a point to Paul McCartney.

"We had a dream when we were young men, we actually lived it; and guess what? We're no better off than when we began. "The dream is over". There is no going back Paul.

I suppose that might have been a difference between John and Paul. Paul kept of pushing out pop fodder; there was never to much thought behind what he wrote in his lyrics. The dream was still on for him.

I like the line because it scales our significance. Even John Lennon, one of the most influential people of a generation knew this. Even with his, not my interpretation. Great people and insignificant come to a realisation often 'the dream is over'.

Most people come to a point where 'The dream is over'; I came to that place 2-3 years ago; a pastor; I could have kept going, networking, doing the latest and greatest; but in my heart I knew. Others come to the point through a divorce, a deep friendship that goes cold; even ugly; lots of reasons....

",

 

The Gospel according to the Beatles

 

Some biography can be a slow slog. This book was brilliant, I just devoured it. It was interesting how these guys came at just the right time and really influenced generation. Not only musically but also spiritually.

Summary of the four and my impressions::

Ringo:: Happy go lucky until he had to go to rehab for Alcohol. Used Alcohol anonymous and got back in contact with the 'Higher Power'.

George:: Took spirituality very seriously. Ended up with versions of Hinduism in his life. Of which he was commited.

Paul:: After he they took the journey to India he hasn't really sought out anything in a religious or spiritual sence.

John:: This guy was all over the place. Looked into about every sort of Spiritual movement. Never committed to anything. Interesting he made a Christian commitment at one stage briefly in the '70s. I could identify with his constant questioning, and to a degree his searching. A complex character, which is why to me he is so interesting.

The great search

I've been reading the 'Gospel according to the Beatles' and it has made me wonder a number of  things especially about John Lennon.

This man had a desire for the supernatural. In any ways he was a seeker, he knew he couldn't overcome his or the worlds problems by himself.  He was in many way an ardent critic of Christianity, but I think it was through the eyes of critiquing it through the excesses of western Christianities 'Religiosity'.
I've always thought that we would be surprised at who ended up next to the King and who wouldn't when we die.

Matthew 7:7-8 (NLT)

⁷ “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

In may ways I think if you are 'knocking', you are for filling the first commandment. Matthew 22:37-40: (Amplified)

^37-40Jesus said, "'Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.

In many ways those that are knocking are loving of God, without really understanding the nature or who God is. (I think we are all in catagory more than we would like to admit! I feel like I have to continually come back to the door and knock.)

John Piper in his book 'Desiring God' uses an interesting term 'Hedonistic Christianity'. Instead of the common use of the word, desiring pleasure for the individuals own good. Piper twists it so that pleasure is only found through the desire and doing God's will. I think he is right, yet I also think it is a lot broader than a Christian perspective. A 'Spiritual Hedonism' is probably what I would like to call it. Spiritual Hedonism that sees that earthly pleasures as no good, and that pleasure can only be found in the divine, which must be searched to the alpha and omega.

Interestingly I think John Lennon probably got to this point. He was a person who had to much money, so much he didn't really know what to do with it. (Why not paint your Roll's pink!) He had fame. Also there was a desire to make the world a better place.... Why not have a 'Bed in'