I loved this article. I wrote a bit of a response. I've been trying to embrace that last poem in its essence. I've been absolutely captured by the idea of wrestling with God, or the world, and I think that's maybe somewhat linked, (if it seems somewhat more active than the philosophy you outlined). But I think wrestling as I've conceptualised it is about taking the world as it comes, making a decision right or left, maybe whichever comes naturally, and then living with it, living and learning as you say.
I'm always too keen to reach the end goal. I lament that I'm not wise enough, or I haven't read every book, I don't understand everything. If only there was a magic pill to take to skip to the wise part, to the experienced part, without the inconvenience of having to live for years to get there.
But I'm trying to learn that it's the journey that matters. I suppose that's where the analogy of water comes in to play so well. It's a winding journey up a river, there's many bends, and turns, and maybe there's waterfalls involved too, and eventually a river opens up into the ocean. But that's not the end of the story. The water flows endlessly, always on some journey or cycle, going somewhere, and eventually ending back up at the top of the mountain again. It's not the destination as such, as it doesn't ever feel like a 'destination' for long.
It's the flowing like water, accepting the journey that life takes us on and going with it. That's where the fun is. That's the adventure of our lifetimes. What more could we really want?
I'm on the way back from a big adventure now, and it could be easy to feel that the journeys coming to an end somewhat, but I don't think it is. Its probably just beginning in some way or another. There's always another river to flow down, I suppose. As I've read Martin Shaw write, there's my story, 'now I ask you, what are you going to do with it?' That's probably quite a good question to ask.
Thank you so much for this response. I really appreciate it. And have read it back a few times to soak it all up. I particularly love this insight: ‘The water flows endlessly, always on some journey or cycle, going somewhere, and eventually ending back up at the top of the mountain again.’ Thank you
I loved this article. I wrote a bit of a response. I've been trying to embrace that last poem in its essence. I've been absolutely captured by the idea of wrestling with God, or the world, and I think that's maybe somewhat linked, (if it seems somewhat more active than the philosophy you outlined). But I think wrestling as I've conceptualised it is about taking the world as it comes, making a decision right or left, maybe whichever comes naturally, and then living with it, living and learning as you say.
I'm always too keen to reach the end goal. I lament that I'm not wise enough, or I haven't read every book, I don't understand everything. If only there was a magic pill to take to skip to the wise part, to the experienced part, without the inconvenience of having to live for years to get there.
But I'm trying to learn that it's the journey that matters. I suppose that's where the analogy of water comes in to play so well. It's a winding journey up a river, there's many bends, and turns, and maybe there's waterfalls involved too, and eventually a river opens up into the ocean. But that's not the end of the story. The water flows endlessly, always on some journey or cycle, going somewhere, and eventually ending back up at the top of the mountain again. It's not the destination as such, as it doesn't ever feel like a 'destination' for long.
It's the flowing like water, accepting the journey that life takes us on and going with it. That's where the fun is. That's the adventure of our lifetimes. What more could we really want?
I'm on the way back from a big adventure now, and it could be easy to feel that the journeys coming to an end somewhat, but I don't think it is. Its probably just beginning in some way or another. There's always another river to flow down, I suppose. As I've read Martin Shaw write, there's my story, 'now I ask you, what are you going to do with it?' That's probably quite a good question to ask.
A wonderfully wise rumination. It reminds me of a post by my sister, ‘meander, about the nature of rivers. https://www.plantlistening.com/blog/meander
Thank you for sharing this article Alex - I absolutely love it.
Thank you so much for this response. I really appreciate it. And have read it back a few times to soak it all up. I particularly love this insight: ‘The water flows endlessly, always on some journey or cycle, going somewhere, and eventually ending back up at the top of the mountain again.’ Thank you
Thanks to you for these inklings, they always give me a lot to ponder on and write about. Hope to catch up soon :)
That would be great. Looking forward to hearing about your recent adventures. I hear rumours of monasteries.
Funny rumours those ;)