comprehending the heart's nationalism

[John Young]

That's pretty damn good. Thanks.

Although every nation, cult, gang, mafia has a similar rationale.

At 07:41 AM 6/22/2016, you wrote:
>The following is a viewpoint worth comprehending, if not embracing.
>
>This could be described I guess as the higher intention of a "Russian".
>
>I consider it may be useful to contemplate ones own version of
>"principles" of honour, heart, heroism, worthy sacrifice and all those
>other concepts fit for legend and foundations. How else can we speak into
>existence a better future, no matter the label used?
>
>
>
>http://orientalreview.org/2016/06/19/the-russian-world-and-european-civilization/
>
>(Alt:
>http://russia-insider.com/en/politics/how-russian-world-differs-ideals-western-civilization/ri15115
>)
>
>How the Russian World Differs From the Ideals of Western Civilization
>
>The Russian ideal is more benevolent, contrasting noticeably with the
>historical Western hankering to dominate, subdue and exploit
>Anna Zhdanova
>(Oriental Review)
>
>  Image: A noble warrior
>
>Originally appeared at Oriental Review
>
>In recent years, both the Western as well as the liberal Russian press
>have had a lot to say about Russian “barbarianism,” as if to contrast it
>with European “civilization.” But a closer inspection ­ through the prism
>of the heroic pages of Russian history ­ of the two groups’ moral ideals
>and actual lives presents us with quite a different picture.
>
>For example, in pagan times, ancient Russians never worshipped a god of
>war, although their contemporaries in Europe were transfixed by their own
>martial deity, constructing an entire epic narrative around the concepts
>of war and conquest.
>
>
>After defeating the “infidels” (the Golden Horde), Russians never sought
>to forcibly convert them to Christianity. In the epic poem “Ilya Muromets
>and the Pagan Idol,” the Russian hero liberates Constantinople from that
>mythological monstrosity, but refuses to become the voevoda (or ruler) of
>the city and returns home. Ancient Russian literature does not include
>tales of personal enrichment through conquest or plunder, although this is
>a common theme in the Western canon.
>
>The hero of the “Nibelungenlied” is obsessed with his search for a hidden
>treasure ­ the Rheingold. The main character of the ancient English poem
>“Beowulf” dies, having beheld “the 
>gorgeous heirlooms, golden store 
 Now
>I’ve bartered here for booty of treasure the last of my life.” It would
>never occur to any hero from a Russian epic to sacrifice his life in
>exchange for riches. Ilya Muromets is not even able to accept the
>inducement offered by the brigands he meets ­ the “golden treasure, richly
>colored robe, and as many fine horses as he needed” (citation from the
>Russian fairytale ( http://tchaykovsky.ru/skazka/murom_solov.htm ) “Ilya
>Muromets and Nightingale the Robber”).  He did not hesitate to reject the
>path by which he would “be rich,” instead voluntarily taking the road on
>which he would “be killed.”
>
>And it is not only in this epic, but also in the legends, tales, songs,
>proverbs, and folk wisdom of the Russian people where it is evident that
>one’s duty to uphold one’s personal or tribal honor is something quite
>distinct from any duty to exact personal or tribal revenge.
>
>The notion of retaliation, as such, is absent from Russian folklore, as if
>it were never part of the original “genetic code” of its people ­ the
>Russian champion has always gone to war as a liberator. And in this we can
>see the difference between Russians and Western Europeans.
>
>The Russian historian and philosopher Ivan Ilyin (
>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivan_Ilyin ) wrote:
>
>     “Europe cannot grasp us 
 because the Slavic and Russian way of
>contemplating the world, nature, and man is something alien to it.
>Humanity in Western Europe is motivated by will and intellect. The Russian
>people are above all guided by their hearts and imaginations, relegating
>the mind and will to a supporting role. Therefore, the average European is
>ashamed of sincerity, scruples, and kindness, viewing them as
>“foolishness.”
>
>A European, nursed on the ideals of Rome, is secretly contemptuous of
>other nations and desires to rule over them. Russians, however, on the
>whole expect kindness, scruples, and sincerity from others.
>
>The Russian people have always enjoyed the natural freedom of the vast
>space they inhabit 
 gazing “in wonder” at other nations, getting along
>with them amiably, with hatred only for oppressive invaders 
 “
>Russians’ congenial relationships with their geographic neighbors are
>testament to their sense of justice and mercy. The Russian people never
>committed the same atrocities for which the enlightened Europeans were
>responsible in their own conquered lands.
>
>The psychology of the nation includes a certain principle of moral
>restraint. These naturally strong, resilient, dynamic people have been
>endowed with an amazing ability to survive.
>
>This spiritual strength is also the basis for Russians’ renowned
>forbearance and tolerance toward others.
>
>Continually invaded from all sides and forced to live in an incredibly
>harsh climate, the Russian people managed to colonize vast swathes of
>land, but without slaughtering, enslaving, robbing, or forcibly baptizing
>any nation.
>
>Western Europeans’ policies of colonialism annihilated the aboriginal
>populations on three continents and forced natives from across Africa into
>slavery, while its cities grew rich on the backs of those colonies.
>
>The Russian nation, which also waged wars that were not purely defensive,
>acquired, like all great nations, large tracts of land, but never treated
>their conquered subjects as the Europeans did. The European people reaped
>the benefits of Europe’s conquests and its cities were enriched by the
>colonial plunder.
>
>Russians robbed neither Siberia nor Central Asia nor the Caucasus nor the
>Baltics. Russia has preserved every nation within its borders, acting as
>their protector, granting them the right to own land and property and to
>practice their own faith, traditions, and culture.
>
>Russia has never been a nationalist state ­ it has belonged to all who
>inhabit her. The Russian people were granted only one “advantage” ­ to
>bear the burden of nation-building.
>
>The resulting state was like no other in the history of the world, and the
>Russian people defended it with their own blood, willingly sacrificing
>their very lives.
>
>Precisely because they have borne so much suffering and heavy sacrifice,
>my people deeply empathized with the pain and suffering of other peoples
>languishing under the Nazi yoke.
>
>And after liberating their own homeland, Russians channeled that same
>spirit of self-sacrifice and energy into liberating half of Europe.
>
>This was an example of epic heroism! These are the stouthearted people
>born of the Russian earth! And I believe that such a feat can be
>accomplished even by a great nation only once a century.
>
>The patriotism displayed by Russian soldiers in the fields of the Great
>Patriotic War met the highest ideal of patriotism ­ something
>unprecedented in the history of any nation anywhere in the world. And I
>will never agree with the media’s pronouncements about Russian
>“barbarianism” vs. European “virtue.”
>
>I stand proud that our ancestors ­ our heroic ancestors ­ were so lovely,
>,
>steadfast, courageous, and resilient, and that we are their descendants!