Hi Patti. I don't know if this will reach you. I had the privilege of seeing you perform in Santa Cruz, CA in circa 2018/19. Your family focus was inspiring for one, and your music has brought joy to so many, countless millions of faces and hearts.
I hope you find a peaceful heart amidst this ongoing chaos - the psyop is hard to cope with even when the stakes aren't as high - with love and support.
I always wanted to thank you for “Banga,” a glorious tribute to one of the best dogs in the best novel, Bulgakov’s “The Master and Margarita.”: I’m still new here, so maybe you already talked about it Thank you, thank you.
There are objects that exist merely in space, and there are those that dwell in the soul. The clay sphere James Lee Byars called The Sphere of Generosity belongs wholly to the latter. When Patti Smith writes of holding it, remembering it, passing it, she is not speaking of an artifact, but of a sacred idea made tangible. Her essay does not simply describe the object, it consecrates it. And in doing so, she draws us into that rarest of human spaces, the realm where presence transcends possession.
What is generosity, if not the willingness to relinquish the need to be seen? The sphere, as described by Smith, is both humble and holy. It has no inscription, no signature, no claim to permanence. Yet it moves, quietly, deliberately, between hands, carrying with it the weightless gravity of intention. In its silence, it speaks. In its stillness, it asks. Can you give something of yourself without asking the world to applaud? Can you love without the contract of being loved in return?
Smith’s reflection is not merely nostalgic, it is prophetic. She reminds us that in an age of algorithmic affirmation, where every gesture is often filtered, captioned, and performed, there remains a need for the untraceable kindness. A whisper instead of a broadcast. A passing of something precious without need for recognition. This is the generosity the soul craves, the kind that restores rather than rewards, that deepens rather than displays.
Byars understood that the profound is often quiet. That truth wears no brand. His clay sphere is a metaphysical riddle, a minimalist sculpture that dismantles the machinery of ego. It is art not meant to be owned, but to be shared, lived, and eventually released. Smith receives it not as a possession, but as a philosophical inheritance. Her words do not cling to it, they open it, like a palm turned outward.
So we are left with a question more enduring than the object itself, In a world so loud with self, can we still recognize the sacred in simplicity? And more importantly, are we brave enough to carry something forward, not to keep it, but to pass it on?
thank you, patti. dread is the right word because things are not ok. but the love, joy and generosity if we make it through this will be our strength and then so so much work to do on the other side. I have heard your voice saying people have the power since the first acts of resistance this time around under this administration. we do and we have so much work to do.
Hello again, Patti. Your message last week stirred me to write a piece for online "Literal Magazine. Latin American voices". I'm not sure it's right to include links in our comments here, but if you'd like to read it you'll find it on their webpage (the title is "The End of Certain Worlds"). Your message was indeed a gift. Your voice helps us make some sense out of these cruel, hard, often incomprehensible times, always caringly, and wisely. Thank you again.
Thank you, Patti, for taking time out of a busy schedule to connect with like minds. The No Kings showing reminds us how great is the hunger for decency. This cliffhanger of a story we are now living through can’t go on indefinitely. I know that despite the dread you, like me, are optimistic there is a light at the end of this madness…
Dread, things are not okay, absolutely an abomination, I feel anxious about political actions, that I and every one of us is paying for I don’t know. It’s just such a ludicrous situation, I will definitely take up the image of your mud ball of generosity
Even though you started talking about dread, I knew you would end up with a hopeful note. You are a hope in these times that runs parallel to all the dread. thank u ❣️
Your honesty is a gift of generosity. To give words to the feeling millions of us are feeling all over the world. There is innate perfection in hope and love and community. Thank you, Patti. I wish you more peaceful sleep.
Hi Patti, I have spent the last few weeks trying to understand why some people do or believe the things that they do.
I can’t.
The sphere of generosity has the answer in its perfection and simplicity, because it is those things, and that’s the answer. I really like that sphere now after contemplating it. Thank you for sharing it Patti.x
Dread is precisely what I felt and feel. Since November 5, 2024. Hasn’t left.
Just took a deep cleansing breath. It helps sometimes 😊
Thank you!
Hi Patti. I don't know if this will reach you. I had the privilege of seeing you perform in Santa Cruz, CA in circa 2018/19. Your family focus was inspiring for one, and your music has brought joy to so many, countless millions of faces and hearts.
I hope you find a peaceful heart amidst this ongoing chaos - the psyop is hard to cope with even when the stakes aren't as high - with love and support.
I always wanted to thank you for “Banga,” a glorious tribute to one of the best dogs in the best novel, Bulgakov’s “The Master and Margarita.”: I’m still new here, so maybe you already talked about it Thank you, thank you.
thanks Patti. I'm so much looking forward to seeing you in Germany on July 1st!
There are objects that exist merely in space, and there are those that dwell in the soul. The clay sphere James Lee Byars called The Sphere of Generosity belongs wholly to the latter. When Patti Smith writes of holding it, remembering it, passing it, she is not speaking of an artifact, but of a sacred idea made tangible. Her essay does not simply describe the object, it consecrates it. And in doing so, she draws us into that rarest of human spaces, the realm where presence transcends possession.
What is generosity, if not the willingness to relinquish the need to be seen? The sphere, as described by Smith, is both humble and holy. It has no inscription, no signature, no claim to permanence. Yet it moves, quietly, deliberately, between hands, carrying with it the weightless gravity of intention. In its silence, it speaks. In its stillness, it asks. Can you give something of yourself without asking the world to applaud? Can you love without the contract of being loved in return?
Smith’s reflection is not merely nostalgic, it is prophetic. She reminds us that in an age of algorithmic affirmation, where every gesture is often filtered, captioned, and performed, there remains a need for the untraceable kindness. A whisper instead of a broadcast. A passing of something precious without need for recognition. This is the generosity the soul craves, the kind that restores rather than rewards, that deepens rather than displays.
Byars understood that the profound is often quiet. That truth wears no brand. His clay sphere is a metaphysical riddle, a minimalist sculpture that dismantles the machinery of ego. It is art not meant to be owned, but to be shared, lived, and eventually released. Smith receives it not as a possession, but as a philosophical inheritance. Her words do not cling to it, they open it, like a palm turned outward.
So we are left with a question more enduring than the object itself, In a world so loud with self, can we still recognize the sacred in simplicity? And more importantly, are we brave enough to carry something forward, not to keep it, but to pass it on?
Thank you, so true,'
Yes. Joy, love, generosity. 💜 Praying
thank you, patti. dread is the right word because things are not ok. but the love, joy and generosity if we make it through this will be our strength and then so so much work to do on the other side. I have heard your voice saying people have the power since the first acts of resistance this time around under this administration. we do and we have so much work to do.
Hello again, Patti. Your message last week stirred me to write a piece for online "Literal Magazine. Latin American voices". I'm not sure it's right to include links in our comments here, but if you'd like to read it you'll find it on their webpage (the title is "The End of Certain Worlds"). Your message was indeed a gift. Your voice helps us make some sense out of these cruel, hard, often incomprehensible times, always caringly, and wisely. Thank you again.
Thank you very much for this, Patti and FAM CLUB! And for reading my comment.
I truly appreciate it. Unfortunately I can't connect for more details because I don't have WhatsApp (I don't have a smart phone...).
Is there a way to join through a simple PC?
If not, thanks a lot anyway, and thank you for all your posts, that do make of the world a much better place.
Have a beautiful Sunday!
Love,
Adriana xx
Thank you, Patti, for taking time out of a busy schedule to connect with like minds. The No Kings showing reminds us how great is the hunger for decency. This cliffhanger of a story we are now living through can’t go on indefinitely. I know that despite the dread you, like me, are optimistic there is a light at the end of this madness…
Dread, things are not okay, absolutely an abomination, I feel anxious about political actions, that I and every one of us is paying for I don’t know. It’s just such a ludicrous situation, I will definitely take up the image of your mud ball of generosity
Even though you started talking about dread, I knew you would end up with a hopeful note. You are a hope in these times that runs parallel to all the dread. thank u ❣️
Your honesty is a gift of generosity. To give words to the feeling millions of us are feeling all over the world. There is innate perfection in hope and love and community. Thank you, Patti. I wish you more peaceful sleep.
Hi Patti, I have spent the last few weeks trying to understand why some people do or believe the things that they do.
I can’t.
The sphere of generosity has the answer in its perfection and simplicity, because it is those things, and that’s the answer. I really like that sphere now after contemplating it. Thank you for sharing it Patti.x
Yes I will, thank you x
In all the Worlds, We must be generous and kind to each other. Thank you, Patti, for teaching me so much.