Lightning
To think philosophically is to ponder the range of human experience, as well as the tremendous width and breadth of words that have been written to explore, and make sense of that experience. A moment of discovery for the adult fortunate enough to have any curiosity left—-happens when a connection appears between two experiences that at first blush seem unrelated. One is as surprised as when a fork of lightning strikes the earth leaving one delighted and speechless.
Our Tuesday evening philosophy confab had to do with sensual experience. The essay by Gass was a mother-lode of provocative insights ranging from meditation upon the importance of the seven senses, to pornography, to the evanescence of sensate enjoyment. A number of interesting and illuminating stories were recounted throughout the evening. How else could we handle the aspects and depth of this subject, the interface between a embodied self and the physical world?
I remembered observing my grandson playing with a garden hose. He is just beginning to acquire words, and only has rudimentary ability to describe his activities. Yet, I doubt any experience could be more enjoyable to a person of any age, than that of a two year old child discovering something new about water coming from a hose. Clearly words are superfluous, perhaps even an impediment to first hand engagement between a growing, developing child and his/her world. Taste, touch, sound, and there is so much to see….. If you try, maybe you can remember how it was for you? I can remember the sensation of walking barefoot through dew-covered grass when I was a child.
All of this brings me to something that was said during our brief visit with Wendell Berry. He asked the question,
“Is it possible to know anything that you do not love?”
My grandson, and other children who I have observed seem to love a great many things. Their curiosity and energy of play is expansive. They go until they are exhausted, and have to rest. The energy/desire to know is a form of love. I have no doubt how Wendell Berry would have answered the question that he put to us. But the question is not subject to an answer in the abstract. Ultimately the answer is to be lived, an every day practice.
Like a child that we all once were……
