[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]"I did not mind having no visible successes, but what did grieve me was the idea of being excluded from that transcendent kingdom to which only the truly great have access and wherein truth abides. I preferred to die rather than live without that truth."[/SIZE][/FONT]

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Her mind and heart were aware and not covered over. She was open to being able to experience what was necessary for her inner life.

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Jacob Needleman further describes our natural need for these truths that appear to us as ideas that lead us into higher thought. The gradual devolution into materialism has included the devolution of the quality of ideas that connect the inner and outer worlds of Man starving the soul.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]From the intro to Jacob Needleman's book "The American Soul"[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Our world, so we see and hear on all sides, is drowning in materialism, commercialism, consumerism. But the problem is not really there. What we ordinarily speak of as materialism is a result, not a cause. The root of materialism is a poverty of ideas about the inner and outer world. Less and less does our contemporary culture have, or even seek, commerce with great ideas, and it is the lack that is weakening the human spirit. This is the essence of materialism. Materialism is a disease of the mind starved for ideas.

Throughout history ideas of a certain kind have been disseminated into the life of humanity in order to help human beings understand and feel the possibility of the deep inner change that would enable them to serve the purpose for which they were created, namely, to act in the world as conscious,individual instruments of God, and the ultimate principle of reality and value. Ideas of this kind are formulated in order to have a specific range of action on the human psych: to touch the heart as well as the intellect; to shock us into questioning our present understanding; to point us to the greatness around us in nature and the universe, and the potential greatness slumbering within ourselves; to open our eyes to the real needs of our neighbor; to confront us with our own profound ignorance and our criminal fears and egoism; to show us that we are not here for ourselves alone, but as necessary particles of divine love.

[/SIZE][/FONT]These are the contours of the ancient wisdom, considered as ideas embodied in religious and philosophical doctrines, works of sacred art,literature and music and, in a very fundamental way, an indication of practical methods by which a man or woman can work, as is said, to become what he or she really is. Without feeling the full range of such ideas, or sensing even a modest, but pure, trace of them, we are bound to turn for meaning.
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A profound insight IMO and typical of Prof. Needleman. "Materialism is a disease of the mind starved for ideas."

It is natural then that Beliefnet should take the route of materialism since in its expansion it cannot provide depth if for no other reason then people have become less attracted to these quality ideas and acclimated to materialism. From Steve Waldman's letter:

http://community.beliefnet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5126

[SIZE=2]Most important, they want Beliefnet for the right reasons. They already own high-quality spiritually-oriented media companies – which are multifaith and ideologically diverse – and want Beliefnet to help those assets grow. As Dan Fawcett, the president of Fox Digital Media, said in announcing the deal, "Beliefnet has garnered respect for its commitment to quality, editorial strength and unbiased approach to faith and spirituality from a broad range of consumers, religious and political leaders, journalists and advertisers. Fox Entertainment Group’s goal is to leverage these characteristics across a broader media canvas and provide programming, production, advertising sales, technology and marketing expertise that will enhance a terrific product."

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Notice how the need to believe as Simone felt it and Prof. Needleman describes is becoming secularized into a media expression that can be catered to through advertising and sales. I'm not saying this is bad but rather unavoidable as society itself is starved for ideas and the heart becomes hardened. It is rather a natural result of human nature.

Thinking about this it dawned on me that this is why I am putting so much effort in the centennial for Simone Weil. It is a way of supporting this need for meaning that cannot be served by large corporations but through the sharing of those open to it.. The quality of the religious mind can only be served in an atmosphere that respects the depth of these ancient philosophical/religious questions as to the nature of human being itself.

Beliefnet must follow its star and those like Prof. Needleman and Simone must follow theirs. What makes me sad is the decreasing means by which these types can find each other. I'm fortunate since I have my path and its great men and women and know about such people that have been such a help to me. But what of the next generation of young ones that will find only secular materialism and spiritual imagination leading to escapism? Will they be fortunate to discover the means and the support of others by which to transcend it? Frankly I do not see an option to the death of society that must come from the starvation of the religious mind and heart.