There is pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and music in its roar:
I love not man the less, but Nature more,
From these our interviews, in which I steal
From all I may be, or have been before,
To mingle with the Universe, and feel
What I can ne'er express, yet cannot all conceal.
- Lord Byron
Thanks for the insightful poem. I think this relates to how our consciousness progresses through practice. We start lost in the world learning the dominant culture. People then start to explore the ordered world with more awareness, but the well worn roads and paths only lead to the same destination even if it is to a place of natural beauty where people can look with others. The next phase is to free the mind from all created constructs and travel with out the need for roads and paths. Hindu practice have the concept of Trailokya which is of course, a way marker.
ReplyDeletePeace,
Alex
Alex,
DeleteI think our egos are like false road maps. Get rid of the ego, get off the road, and step into the boundless wilderness.
Great poem, whether we take it literally or metaphorically. I think a growing disconnect from nature is a big part of our current crisis. The deterioration in our physical and mental health is in direct proportion to the destruction of nature, and the ignorance of her laws.
ReplyDeleteMadeleine.x
Madeleine,
DeleteI think one day we will look back on the past 500 years and wonder how we could allow ourselves to get so separated from our Mother Earth. It will be seen as the Great Madness that almost took us to the brink of global collapse. We will talk about it with friends and family around the fire in our communal caves.
One of my favorites. I read the complete works of Byron when I was a young teenager and fell in love.
ReplyDeleteMiss Marla,
DeleteAwesome, to be exposed to such beauty at a young age. That is what life is about. Good decision on your part.
"I love not Man the less, but Nature more"... this line will stay with me forever. Thank you. - Mary
ReplyDeleteMary,
DeleteI am no misanthrope, but I will take a solo walk in the woods over pretty much anything else. This line expresses my feelings perfectly.
Beautiful. Stirring. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteTerri,
DeleteWe thought you might like this. Hope all is well with you as we go into a new calendar.