“He wanted to drift on the river not so much to see where it went as to be one with it, to go with it as virtually a part of it. He wished perhaps to live out a kind of parable. One cannot drift by intention – or at least, in intending to drift and in drifting, one must accept a severe limitation upon one’s intentions. But in giving oneself to the currents, in thus subordinating one’s intentions, one becomes eligible for unintended goods, unwished – for gifts – and often these goods and gifts surpass those that one has intended or wished for. And so a drifter subscribes necessarily to a kind of faith that is identical both to the absolute trust of migrating birds and to the scripture that bids us to lose our lives in order to find them. Harlan stated it in 1932 with characteristic simplicity:
‘I believe that whatever we need is at hand.’”
~ Wendell Berry
Quote Source: dhammanovice. Wendell Berry from “Harlan Hubbard – Life and Work” via the beauty we love: He wanted to drift
It really is all here, isn’t it? I think we get seduced by images of more, the selling of our truest selves in exchange for more….what, really?
Yes, if only to live it…
That’s the gauntlet that is thrown down…it’s up to us to decide whether or not to pick it up…
Reblogged this on messandnoise.
Thanks for sharing…
One of my poet friends when she introduced me with Wendell Berry I loved his thoughts and poetical spirit… He is great. Thank you for this beautiful and meaningful post… Love, nia
I haven’t read any of his work, but it’s on the short list. Thanks for the additional push…
Can you tell me who the photographer is for this photo?
Hi Cassie. I found the photo at this site: http://yltcaxe.tumblr.com. Not sure who the photographer is.
David, thank you for replying. Sorry it took me so long to say thank you. 🙂