Simply — true. Once long ago I was exposed to a theory that spoke of “the prophetic moment” and (I think it was) “the priestly moment.” That is, the moment of revelation (Divine or otherwise) and then the time, far longer than a moment, of priestly, that is, institutional establishment. I’ve never come across this idea since — but I never forgot it either.
The inspiration for something radical, new, liberating, that happens in a flash. Before too long, though, and in all fairness, I suppose, in order to reap the benefits of this new whatever-it-is, some sort of institutional structure becomes necessary. And so enters hierarchy and power and the drive to permanence, and that “moment” usually lasts a long long time.
The example I remember is St. Francis, the rich boy, who stripped off his garments and left his comfortable home to be with poor humans and animals in a direct and simple way. His inspiration and example of simplicity and poverty in some ways inspires many people to this day. And yet even before he died — and Francis died young! — his order was building a grand church, richly decorated, and easing their founder into irrelevance. Centuries have passed between that Francis and the current Pope Francis, who also strives to live by simplicity and justice, which is still such a radical idea that it makes headlines.
Such a theory would explain why moments of advancement seem to come in a flash. They transform the world — briefly — then fall prisoner to the inevitable evils that attend upon structure: lust for power and money and the maintenance of the status quo.
My present method is far less ambitious than yours: I too much resemble Candide, and usually finish by cultivating my own garden. Even that, I don’t find so simple.
One thing I think we would certainly agree on: Utopia is not likely to happen any day soon. Or even Eden, which, after all, had a snake in it.
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