When reading the ‘Weekly interestingness digest newsletter”, Brain Pickings from Maria Popova I discovered the book (and read it avidly) of the Buddhist scholar, environmental activist, and pioneering philosopher of ecology, Joanna Macy: A Year with Rilke: Daily Readings from the Best of Rainer Maria Rilke.
I’ve always appreciated Rilke, and this book synthesizes his work brilliantly.
Rather than Rilke, I cannot think of anyone describing so clearly the mysterious transition we misunderstand the most: Life and Death.
We dread death. Many of us have experienced losses of beloved ones though. Much has been written about how we react to it. I single out one common life changing situation that occurs when someone experiences near-death or death.
We become more aware of what matters in life. We value life more purposefully. That has happened to me.
Rilke’s words speak to my heart and make death – or any difficult moment we go through in life, feel light, normal, and acceptable.
“Death is our friend precisely because it brings us into absolute and passionate presence with all that is here, that is natural, that is love.”
Macy explains: Rilke’s grasp of the transient nature of all things is critical to his capacity to praise and to cherish.
“In the face of impermanence and death, it takes courage to love the things of this world and to believe that praising them is our noblest calling. Rilke’s is not a conditional courage, dependent on an afterlife. Nor is it a stoic courage, keeping a stiff upper lip when shattered by loss. It is courage born of the ever-unexpected discovery that acceptance of mortality yields an expansion of being. In naming what is doomed to disappear, naming the way it keeps streaming through our hands, we can hear the song that streaming makes.”
And here I share one of his poems on death and consciousness.
THE SWAN
This laboring of ours with all that remains undone,
as if still bound to it,
is like the lumbering gait of the swan.And then our dying — releasing ourselves
from the very ground on which we stood —
is like the way he hesitantly lowers himselfinto the water. It gently receives him,
and, gladly yielding, flows back beneath him,
as wave follows wave,
while he, now wholly serene and sure,
with regal composure,
allows himself to glide.
Rainer Maria Rilke
Widely recognized as one of the most lyrically intense German-language poets, Rainer Maria Rilke was unique in his efforts to expand the realm of poetry through new uses of syntax and imagery and in the philosophy that his poems explored. With regard to the former, W. H. Auden declared in New Republic, “Rilke’s most immediate and obvious influence has been upon diction and imagery.” Rilke expressed ideas with “physical rather than intellectual symbols. While Shakespeare, for example, thought of the non-human world in terms of the human, Rilke thinks of the human in terms of the non-human, of what he calls Things (Dinge).” Rejecting the Catholic beliefs of his parents as well as Christianity in general, the poet strove throughout his life to reconcile beauty and suffering, life and death, into one philosophy. As C. M. Bowra observed in Rainer Maria Rilke: Aspects of His Mind and Poetry, “Where others have found a unifying principle for themselves in religion or morality or the search for truth, Rilke found his in the search for impressions and the hope these could be turned into poetry…For him Art was what mattered most in life.”
Rilke was the only child of a German-speaking family in Prague, then part of the Austro-Hungarian empire.
I am posting for Silver Threading Event, Writer’s Quote Wednesday. If you love quotes, it is the place to be.
I am also posting for the Photo101 Rehab, the event for everyone who loves photography (hobbyists, amateurs, pro-shooters, or just curious , anyone is welcome), and wants to join a community of like-minded people, who are also fun to connect with.
Want to know how to join? Check below.
Here is what ‘The Clinic Photo Rehab is:
This blog hosted ‘The Photo101 Rehab Clinic’ from 04 to 31 December 2014 and featured over 170 photos made by Photobloggers Andy Townend, Mara Eastern, Cardinal Guzman, DesleyJane, Justine, Amy, Teresa, Albert, Terri, Giving Thought, Ellen, Nalinki, Mariangeles, DwayCrafts, Lucy, Terri, Bampa’s Views, PeaceCrafting, Dreaming of Leaving and Project Easier.
As former patients informed me that the withdrawal symptoms remained active, and new patients recognized the same symptoms, The Clinic – Photo Rehab reopened its doors.
You can do a self-examination. If you detect any of the following symptoms, as carefully described by Albert from the blog Passionately Curious, come and join us: “Withdrawal symptoms may include the incessant need to carry your camera everywhere with you, the need to wake up in the wee hours to take photos during the golden hour, and checking up on others you met during the course to see what their newfound knowledge has brought fruit to.”
How to join:
Time: The Clinic is open 24 x 7 until the healing process ends.
Camera: You can use any camera, from DSLR, mirrorless, compact, to smartphones.
Theme: Bring your creativity and photograph a theme of your liking in B&W or Color. With or without edition. We like learning techniques as well, if you want to share it with everyone.
Who can join: Anyone can join; and not only former Photo 101 bloggers. All you need is passion. Passion to speak up through images – or words, if you may want to add your thoughts to it as well – showing what you see and how much that is important to you.
Thanks for joining and enjoy it.
The Clinic – Photo Rehab
Here is the link to add your photos. Knock the wall… and click on the image below:
Even if you don’t want to join in, click above and appreciate the beautiful photos of the former and current participants. Go and check their wonderful blogs as well:
Musings from a Frequent Flying Scientist
‘..with regal composure, allows himself to glide.’ I think these are some of the most beautiful words I have ever read. Not just about death, but about life, too.
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I’m really happy that you too, liked it.
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This was beautifully written, Lucille~
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Thanks, Barbara. He’s one of my favorites.
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Interesting take on the swan, very dramatic and somehow human; it goes well with Rilke’s poem.
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Thanks Paula. This Swan is from the same series I posted on your blog. 😉
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Lucile, I enjoyed both your thoughts and the lovely photo. Hope you’re having a wonderful Wednesday.
janet
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Thank you, Janet.
My day has seen more rain than I had wished but it’s fine.
I wish you a wonderful day!
Lucile
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Hi Lucile. What a lovely and moving post! Rilke is one of my favorite poets. But I’ve never seen his philosophy expressed so succinctly as in this quote: “In naming what is doomed to disappear, naming the way it keeps streaming through our hands, we can hear the song that streaming makes.” Your interpretation and the photo are a perfect compliment to Rilke’s words and artistic ideals. Thanks for a lovely and inspiring post!–Patti
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Hi Patti. Thank you for your kindness. Your comment was very inspiring.
Lucile
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Sorry I am behind and miiss my bloggers very much. I enjoy yoiur blogvery much
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Dear Betty Louise,
Heartfelt thanks for such a lovely comment. I’m happy and grateful for your appreciation. No need to apologize. You’re always welcome here!
Hugs.
Lucile
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You are never behind and you are very welcome anytime.
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Hugs
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Hugs back at you!
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Hugs back at you. And have a lovely weekend.
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This was absolutely beautiful. Thank you Lucile. You touch my heart. ❤
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Thank you Coleen. Rilke’s has the quality to talk to our hearts.
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Beautiful post Lucile.
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Thank you hun.
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What a great post about one of my favourite poets. And what a great translation of his poetry. I have read him in English but it was a rather technical translation. This one though is brilliant and I enjoyed your thoughts about life, death and Rilke very much. Thanks!
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You’re very kind and considerate, Morgaine. Thank you.
You may like to read Macy’s book. She’s kind of his official translator.
Although you read German and get the best already.
Thanks for reading!
Cheers.
Lucile
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I think I will 🙂 thanks for the recommendation 🙂
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Great!! You’re welcome
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🙂
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Amazing shot, The lines and composition, gorgeous! And the philosophy too.
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Hello my dear! Long time no see! Great to see you doping by! Your IG photos are stunning…
Thanks!
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I lost my previous rhythm of routine 😀
Trying to catch up whenever I can.
Thank you. 🙂
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I did too while following a course! Catching up now. That makes the two of us!
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haha.. nice. Getting new stealth skills?? 😉
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Well…*coughs*
I tried to improve my writing…
It was interesting but I need a different type of course. The Blogging U courses are not much in depth and feedback is away weak, as people are either learning like you, or don’t dare to say you wrote a crap of a post! The editors don’t interact nor comment. How to learn?
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You are pretty good in organising things. Make a group of criticizers 😉 And criticize each others and learn 😀
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That’s a great idea if yours! Would be great to have people from different countries. Would you join?
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You will criticize about my regular absence 😛
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Not criticize but subtly mention that I missed your sarcastic, fun and honest comments.
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haha.. that was very sweet ( no sarcasm intended 😛 ) 😀 Thank you.
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What a relief! 😉
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hahah 😛
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Remember Otto the photographer? It’s great what he does!
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Did you attend his workshop?
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The online ? No. Did you?
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Nope, I didn’t too
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Maybe one day. I like the way he thinks
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Yep, I like his philosophies too. He is inspiring.
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He writes about everything and that makes him highly regard him not only as a photographer but a fine human being.
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True that 🙂
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or were you talking about the feedback?
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Yes
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Yes, that is very nice. But he does only when he is available. You need to wait till he starts it again.
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I got that it’s once a year
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Yes, something like that. Probably you are right.
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It’s of course a trigger for his courses. Subtle and clever. But he follows back and reads and comments
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haha.. I prefer to differ. Because whatever he does, he is doing it sincerely. So I don’t want to see it as a cleaver business tactic.
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You may. I’m not saying it as bad thing, otherwise I wouldn’t call it clever but sneak.
He has a business and that is a way to attract people to his art and courses. He gives back with this tactic. It’s not a bad one at all, and I think he does wholeheartedly and with meaningful and instructive comments.
I’m a fan of Otto.,
He writes very well too.
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Yes, he writes well and inspires a lot. I am a fan too. Didn’t check his blog recently, though.
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He has been inactive and yesterday posted an Instagram photo.
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Oh, he is on ig? Can you link?
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I’m looking for his username
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ok. Thank you
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http://instagram.com/ottovonmunchow
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thank you. Already added him 🙂
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Great! You’re welcome.
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🙂
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Three things I love
– rilke’s poetry
– your writing
– this photo
Kudos
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Thrice thank you! 🙂
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Dear, You have such a way with the image and written word! Almost makes me a wee jealous 😉 But seriously I do enjoy your site immensely! Thank you!
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My dear, thank you so much. Your comment makes me very happy, even if my words and images make you a wee jealous. This is for a good cause. 😉
But seriously, you are very talented, and I love what you do.
Thanks!
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