“What we have named as anger on the surface is the violent outer response to our own inner powerlessness, a powerlessness connected to such a profound sense of rawness and care that it can find no proper outer body or identity or voice, or way of life to hold it. What we call anger is often simply the unwillingness to live the full measure of our fears or of our not knowing, in the face of our love for a wife, in the depth of our caring for a son, in our wanting the best, in the face of simply being alive and loving those with whom we live.” Consolations
Had a friend share how they enjoyed the writings of David Whyte, an English poet. So I bought and read his book Consolations and have enjoyed it. At this time of my life much of what he writes in this book has touched something within me. I read more now but not everything I read resonates with me and I no longer expect that from an author. What I like is when the author makes me think. I can read something and hear an “Aaahh” come out of my mouth then a need to read it again. It may be how they say something rather than what they say. Or, they use a word that sets their thought or idea apart. His writings have done that for me. At this stage/age of my life reading is one of the keys helping me to awaken to simply being alive.
6 Comments
Earl
Lovely photo, Monte. It is interesting when reading what resonates with us. Finding just the right thoughts or expressions at just the right moment in our lives to spark deeper meaning and explorative self-assessments. One of those “Aaahh” moments which leads us further along our journey. 🙂
Monte Stevens
One more aspect of reading, and I’m referring to blogs, is the ability read, respond and begin dialogues. I’ve read some interesting stream of comments and been a part of a couple. Thanks!
Cedric
I like David Whyte’ work. He’d be an interesting person to converse with, I am sure.
Simply being alive… Now, there’s something too few people aspire to these days 🙂
I like Whyte’s observation: “What we call anger is often simply the unwillingness to live the full measure of our fears”. However, I would suggest that this unwillingness leads to more than just anger. Combine that with the the unwillingness to live the full measure of our suffering and I would say you have a pretty good recipe for unhappiness and discontent. Admittedly that sounds counter-intuitive, but my experience has shown me that fully living through fear and suffering greatly diminishes both whereas the mere act of desperately trying to avoid either only makes matters far worse. But maybe that’s just me.
Nice, thought-provoking post Monte.
Monte Stevens
Somehow I suspected you knew about David Whyte and even John O’Donohue, who I’m also reading.
I’m aware of how so much of society is not being alive because they are face planted in their phones or TV. Life is zipping by. Emotions and feelings such as anger, fear, pain, suffering are avoided or not even there. Maybe we could invite David to join us at some coffee shop for a couple hours. 🙂 Heck, I’d even buy.
Cedric
Actually, I was focusing on the word ‘simply’, ‘simply’ being alive. Many people seem to aspire for the full-featured, full-throttle, all-or-nothing, double-espresso-redbull-fuelled kind of lifestyle. Not exactly conducive to appreciating the simple moments 😀
Or maybe my wife is right and I am just a boring old fart, LOL
Monte Stevens
That’s quite the drink my friend! Yes, simply being, which really is simple. Since I’ve not sat across the table from you over that drink you’ve described, I can’t know if you’re wife is correct. However, she probably knows you quite well.