The Practice of the Wild Post 2: Tawny Grammar

Snyder during page 65 of Tawny Grammar, talks about the idea of uncritical scientific discovery and how we are quick to believe what is revealed. He also mentions how we believe we are “rootless” and that we do not think with our surroundings but rather by our own brains capacity. I think the point he is trying to get across is that without our surroundings we would not know what to believe and be able to have any kind of relevant thought process. Pretty much everything we believe can be described as a result of what we surround our self with, whether it is positive or negative.

I think another aspect of this section is his attempt to show a need to feel more connected. This feeling should not just be to our family or our local town, but to all that surrounds us: our dialect, the people around us, the culture, and of course, our natural surroundings. He emphasizes feeling loyalty to glaciers as an example, to be able to feel that this glacier is more than a big chunk of ice, but to view it as part of the world that we live in and gain some sort of a connection.

The Practice of the Wild Post 1: Nature as a Teacher

On page 25 during the Etiquette of Freedom chapter, Snyder talks about the wilderness being a ferocious teacher, and mentions how the “inexperienced are stripped down.” I view this as wilderness imposing humility onto those who have never experienced it. Knocking someone off their high horse, if you will. Wilderness to me describes something that transcends control, especially that of humans. It is not that wilderness is trying to punish those, but merely to show them its power and existence. By stripping someone down of their power and ego, that they might have carried in there, it allows this person to be more open to new ideas and gives them the ability to get out of self. Humility in my eyes is thinking of one’s self less, so here we have an idea that nature provides an escape for the human from selfishness and self-centeredness.

Snyder also talks about how some of the mentioned characteristics such as humility, gratitude and simplicity are the keys for a close-ness with the world as a whole. Attitudes like this are part of realizing that we are in fact part of a bigger picture, whose scope is far greater than anything we could imagine.

Experience of Natural Setting Post 2 - The Beach

I have always found something to be special about any type of beach. I primarily have spent much of my time in the Outer Banks in North Carolina. Here I have spent days lounging with the crowds during the days and enjoying the water, but also have found release from the chaos at night, by myself. The sounds associated with the beach really do provide a calming effect. The water crashing back and forth is natural in every sense. The water has not been changed like the landscape of the land by housing buildings or parking lots. It is free in every sense and devoid of any type of human control. It is that which is truly wild in my eyes. That which does not conform to any rules but its own, and sets them for its surroundings.

Looking out at the ocean brings an overwhelming sense of “small” to me. Being able to view this vast area and knowing that It goes on for so long really makes me feel tiny and trivial to not only the water but also to the world. It shows me that I do not rule the world and cannot control it in any sense. But that I am a mere inhabitant, only a small piece of the puzzle in the long run, and the only aspect I can control of nature and the wild, is my perception of it.

Topic of Choosing 3 - The Wind

I have reflected earlier on sacred as an individual idea and I found that certain topics can be sacred to me alone and no one else. An aspect of nature I have always viewed as sacred and special to me has been the wind. Wind seems to many as a natural occurrence but I feel that at times it actually speaks to me. I have experienced the wind blowing over my body during times of meditation and prayer and felt as if it was God letting me know that he was listening. I have always enjoyed the physical feeling that the wind provides to me in the sense of touch. I also felt as though the wind talked to me through the vision of trees rustling and leaves blowing across my path. A unique smell has also been present at times and last but not least is the sound to my ears of hearing it whip around.

The wind has meant much to me usually during solitude outside, when all is quiet and all is still. When the wind is the only thing I feel that is surrounding me and bombarding my senses, I feel an unusual sense of peace and serenity, especially during meditation. It is sacred in the sense of the way it makes me feel and also the message it gives to me. It lets me know that I am not alone in this world and provides a sense of humility since I can’t control or comprehend it besides the feelings that I experience

Topic of Choosing 2 - Reflection on Passover Meal

I found the class on the holiday of Passover and the meal representing it to be quite interesting. I really don’t have much background on Jewish holidays or practices, so it was good to learn something new and broaden my horizons. I found a parallel between Jewish and Christian culture in the sense of the food having a unique representation of the different aspects of their belief systems. The background that was given on the feast and its meaning seemed very relevant to their faith, and also very sacred in the sense of being a religious ritual. To someone not included in the religion, this is merely another meal, but to the Jewish community this is a celebration of religion and triumph over hardships and a way to express gratitude.

Continuous Harmony Post 2 - God: Creator vs. Ruler

In the last paragraph of page 35, Berry talks about the differences in the views on God the creator vs. God the ruler. This was an interesting passage to me because of the strong view Berry takes on the God the ruler idea. He mentions how this concept was the embodiment of a tyrant, like the tyrants who created him. It goes back to the concept that the peoples vision of God was created in the human image, and what they determined as right and just. He makes reference to the revealed laws, which can be viewed as what we perceive God’s will and rules to be.

This says to me that Wendell Berry rejects the standard view of God that religion has laid out. It sounds like he is more concerned with God as a creator figure because that is what he views as more natural, more free of human influence and corruption. The view of God by most religions is really tailored to what the people want God to be. Nietzche tended to be very critical of religion for this matter, and view it as a man-made creation.

Continuous Harmony Post 1 - Aliens in Nature

“This country is an unknown place suffering the invasion of a people whose minds have never touched the earth” p. 47

When I first read this it was easy to see the power in this statement. The wording was so strong and the message was even stronger. When reading the passage leading up to this, Berry paints a picture of beauty and freedom when describing nature and then cynically refers to it as the enemy in “man’s war against nature.” When reading this it made me stop and think about his reasons for making such a bold statement. After pondering this idea, I would almost have to agree. In my lifetime I have areas of beauty being completely bulldozed in order to accommodate larger houses, strip malls, and Walmarts. The sad thing is that to me this almost seems normal. I have grown up in a society where land is cleared and not much fuss is made about it unless perhaps it is a historical site.

It seems that our motivation and desires to expand what we believe is right, what is more natural to us than a field or a forest, has put the ways of the wild at odd and as our enemy. Berry even mentions the “alien army” which refers to the expansion of the American economy in my eyes. He really seems to feel strongly about the way we approach nature more recently. Another part of this passage that jumped out at me, was him describing places of “unforced loveliness”. I really like his choice of words because when I think of the term unforced I do think of something being natural. It emphasizes the way which we push our culture and create what we think is right, when the true natural goes to ruin.

Experience of Natural Setting Post 1 - Noland Trail Trip

I found the trip to the Noland Trail to be quite an interesting aspect of the class. The trail itself is quite interesting and some of the views I found to be quite breath taking and the emphasis that was put on really taking in all aspects of it proved to be a unique experience. The only problem I had was that, for me at least, I find experiences like that to be more meaningful when I am alone. When I am out in nature around my house, I usually do it with the intent to get away and receive some solitude. I find it helps to clear my mind of all the things around me and just experience nature for what it is, without any distractions. I have found much peace and relaxation in nature over the past few years, even just sitting outside and looking at the stars has proven to be moments where I can just let go. I often sit outside of my house at night and just try and take the moment in. Though not religious, I consider myself a very spiritual person. It is in this type of setting, in solitude, that I feel I am able to truly talk with my higher power. It gives me the ability to clear my mind and focus, and just be grateful for what I have today. I am not saying that I did not enjoy the field trip, but rather that I should go out sometime on my own and try and experience it, where it will have a deeper meaning to me.

Three by Annie Dillard Post 1 - p.37-38

In Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, Dillard expresses her views on “seeing”. This concept is likened to viewing something with a camera and not using a camera. It is quite an interesting way to describe her thoughts, and I liken it to going through something and looking at certain aspects and focusing and judging it, instead of just going with the flow and seeing everything for what it is. She talks about how you can’t dam up the free flow of the mind but you can let it be what it is and run free. In my eyes, this means to not try and control ones thoughts or sights but rather to let them happen without too much interest or questioning. She mentions how it is hard to do and takes much time, but I believe her interactions with nature how given her this freedom to not be so critical all of the time and to let her mind be more like her surroundings: wild.

Outside Reading 1 - Sacred and the Profane - Center of World

On p. 43 of the Sacred and the Profane, Eliade describes the idea of the center of the world and man’s need to be near it. It is an interesting concept for several reasons. The first could be that to a religious man his church or temple is his center. This can be said because this is his place of communication with God. The place of the highest level of importance to what he believes. The world would surely have multiple centers in regards to what Eliade expresses. I believe this to be true though. The center of some peoples worlds in a less religious sense might be their work, it might be their home, or hell, it might even be their local bar. Eliade describes how the universe spreads out from this point, which could be described as everything else surrounding this.

To certain cultures it might be the local temple to others it is the totem pole. Since it differs among people, its almost as if you can say that we are in our own little worlds. No pun intended. Our vision of importance is based on our own culture and background, and anything that isn’t standard to us is viewed as “alien.” Eliade makes a very relevant case with this idea, and it fits very nicely in with his talks about sacred space in general.

Topic of Choosing 1 - Sacred as individual thought

While doing the peer review process for the final paper, I ended up reading a draft concerning sacred as an individual thought or feeling. I found this idea rather interesting, since usually sacred tends to be some aspect associated with a religious body or group. After contemplating the meaning of this, I found that not only in my life have I held certain places to be sacred, but also time periods in my life. Dr. Redick talked about his son’s attempt to protest the destruction of some woods behind their house. He explained how to the builders this land was just merely a job, but to his son who seemingly spent hours there experiencing nature, this was his sacred place. I think for most of us the idea of a home is sacred to us. Not only is it a physical place, but it also, for me at least, transcends a mere place, being a feeling of security, love, and acceptance. I hold my home sacred in both a physical sense and in the sense of its spirit and relevance to me.

The concept of sacred time has been talked about before by Mircea Eliade, but I think my interpretation is a little different. I view sacred time as a period, not contingent on any given length, which has deep meaning and relevance to who I am today. One day in particular sticks out to me. This day started a series of events that have drastically changed my life. Now to another person this particular date could have been the day they got a haircut or just another day at work. But in my eyes, this single day has been more important than any of my birthdays, Christmases or New Years. It is sacred to who I am, and is also sacred in being a moment of connection with that which is greater than me, after many years of absence.