The successful memoirist [blogger] respects facts, uses them accurately, rigorously represses the human impulse to lie or embellish, but knows that truth is both different from facts and greater than facts, and not always their sum.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the distinction between truth and facts in storytelling, encouraging authenticity while respecting reality.
Bill Roorbach's quote reflects the complex nature of memoir writing, suggesting that while factual accuracy is essential, the essence of truth goes beyond mere facts. It highlights the memoirist's responsibility to present their experiences honestly, acknowledging that personal truth can sometimes diverge from objective reality, thus enriching the narrative's depth and authenticity.
In practice
During a writing workshop, the quote can be used to emphasize the importance of authenticity in personal narratives.
In a situation like this, of course you identify with everyone who's suffering. (But we must also think about) the terrorists who are creating such horrible future lives for themselves because of the negativity of this karma. It's all of our jobs to keep our minds as expansive as possible. If you can see (the terrorists) as a relative who's dangerously sick and we have to give them medicine, and the medicine is love and compassion. There's nothing better.
If we seek the Buddha outside the mind, the Buddha changes into a devil.
He walked on in silence, the solitary sound of his footsteps echoing in his head, as in a deserted street, at dawn. His solitude was so complete, beneath a lovely sky as mellow and serene as a good conscience, amid that busy throng, that he was amazed at his own existence; he must be somebody else's nightmare, and whoever it was would certainly awaken soon.
The Sage has no thinking mind and therefore there are no ‘others’ for him.
Let gratitude for the past inspire us with trust for the future.
When you meet anyone, remember it is a holy encounter. As you see him, you will see yourself. As you treat him, you will treat yourself. As you think of him, you will think of yourself. Never forget this, for in him you will find yourself or lose yourself.
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