Click image to be directed to the most recent
episode and for the List of the Scent of Light episodes in the Archive
(Photo by Kenneth E. Norton)
Scent of Light Episode
by Ken Norton
Scent of Light
Original Broadcast August 12, 2018 Repeat broadcast
on October 11, 2020
Mp3 Player
The audio file above is the spoken word recording
without background music provided to Radio KOWS 92.5 FM broadcast of the
Scent of Light episode for insert into the Radio Spotlight Magazine
with host Andre' Marc.
Transcript
Welcome to the Scent of Light. My name is Ken Norton. This is the newly
conceived name of this 5-minute vignette I produce. It just came to me last
week upon receiving a birthday gift from my friend Val, an anthology of
poems by Hafiz, the great Sufi master, as translated by Daniel Ladinsky, in
his book called The Gift. I opened the book to this poem.
Like a great starving Beast
My body is quivering
Fixed
On the scent
Of
Light.
This poem captures my intention for the show. I am
on the scent of light with this conviction of Hafiz.
"On the scent of light" also reminds me of what Albert Einstein told a
physics student Patrick from Harvard who had accompanied my mentor Dr.
William Hermanns in his last conversation together with Einstein, in 1954 in
Princeton.
During the conversation Bill the father of Patrick shared a concern about
his son with Einstein. I'll read the passage from the book Einstein and the
Poet - in search of the Cosmic Man (1983 Branden Press)
Suddenly Bill said, "This young man has always been brilliant in
the sciences, but now he simply doesn't see why he should strive to
achieve, whether for the immediate purpose of getting good grades
or for long-term goals. He doesn't see why, in fact, life is worth living."
Einstein turned back to Pat in some amazement.
"Dr. Einstein," I said, "his problem is the problem of youth all over
the world. They have lost faith in what we, the older generation,
have told them."
Einstein smiled. 'Why shouldn't they doubt? I doubted everything
they told me. I wanted to find out for myself." Then, turning to Pat,
he asked, "Doesn't the question of the atomic and undulatory properties of
light arouse your curiosity?"
''Yes, very much."
"Then what reason is there to ask, 'Why am I a physicist?' Isn't
that enough to occupy your whole mind for a lifetime? Rely on your
intuition. Many ideas will occur, of course, but examine each of them
critically. You have liberty of choice, but don't use it like a writer
of fiction. Try, rather, to think you're solving a crossword puzzle,
and only one irreplaceable piece will fit. There are, for example, different
systems of geometry to choose from, but there is only one equation which
will fit your own sense experience."
"How will I know when I'm on the right path in my thinking?"
Pat asked.
Einstein had settled back in his chair, but now leaned forward
abruptly. "Don't think about why you question, simply don't stop
questioning. Don't worry about what you can't answer, and don't try to
explain what you can't know. Curiosity is its own reason. Aren't you in awe
when you contemplate the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous
structure behind reality? And this is the miracle of
the human mind-to use its constructions, concepts, and formulas
as tools to explain what man sees, feels and touches. Try to comprehend a
little more each day. Have holy curiosity." [p.137-138]
----
Einstein's advice is timeless and not limited to
students of physics encountering the nuclear weapons' race. Especially in
times of despair I seek that scent of light. I need a breakthrough,
guidance, something to free me from the chains of my own intellect and it's
dire conclusions,
and that scent must be a good solid lead, in concert with cosmic laws and my
own life Journey at the moment. A daily spiritual practice like meditation,
Tai Chi, and/or reading poetry or inspirational books, helps to bring me
into a state of awe for life, and a holy curiosity, so that the glimmer of a
solution can be recognized, and I am on the scent of light.
This is Ken Norton. You can contact me through my website
www.kennethenorton.com. Thanks for listening.
About the Author and Producer
Ken Norton earned his master's degree in Materials Science from Stanford
University as the Vietnam War was ending. During that time Ken served as the
personal assistant to a poet/sociologist Dr. William Hermanns as he prepared
his writings for publication, exposing Ken to not only the sciences but also
the humanities and comparative religion for making conscious and
conscionable choices.
Ken is a regular contributor to Radio Spotlight Magazine with his episodes
on the Scent of Light. Ken lives in Santa Rosa with his life partner Elaine
and their little dog Rosey.
