Look, How Beautiful

When I was a young man, I spent many hours with the poetry of Robinson Jeffers. His long poems centered on the primal importance of wildness. And he developed a challenging, uncomfortable notion of beauty not dependent on human life. Because I was schooled in Greek tragedy, Jeffers' work felt quite familiar to me.

Recently James Ford, Roshi, posted on Monkey Mind this video based on a Jeffers' poem. It brought back rich memories of reading Jeffers's work around campfires on the high peaks of the Sierra Nevada. Even if you lack these associations with Robinson Jeffers, you might get a hit from his work.

Thank you for reading Ox Herding. May we together raise our eyes and look during this weekend!

Barry

Comments

[Suzanne]

Really enjoyed watching that Barry. Egos hate the destruction part...but don't be to hard on egos, they are just mistaking themselves for the infinite. A common mistake, but not something that is wrong.

[John Small]

Ahhhhhhhhhhh. Timing excellent. Thank you.
Interesting how I get caught in a "big decision" and realize that for either choice I fear both that the results will be permanent, and that they wont. The reminder of destruction is sometimes very comforting.

[Barry Briggs]

Hi Suzanne - What a kind reminder about the ego - Many of us do get down on the poor thing, I suspect. Of course, the ego has many and subtle defenses and we must always be alert!

Hi John - Destruction is simply inevitable, which sometimes can be a comfort, sometimes not. Attachment and Aversion are the engines of self-destruction.

[puerhan]

another great poet
_/\_