“Reading is a dialog with oneself; it is self-reflection, which cultivates profound humanity. Reading is therefore essential to our development. It expands and enriches the personality like a seed that germinates after a long time and sends forth many blossom-laden branches.”
Daisaku Ikeda
Reading is for sure, a time of self-reflection. I can't count the number of times where I have talked to myself about something I have read; something I have learned; or a beautiful passage. I often stop and wonder if a conversation in a novel could really have happened like that. I might stop and put myself in that situation wonder how I would have acted. I think to myself what on earth it must have felt like to have that happen.
If I am reading non-fiction of great sadness I will ache and cry quietly as I ponder upon how tragic some circumstances and experiences are. And very very often, I will stop and say to Barry variations on the theme of "If I ever complain about xxxx just remind of this; or if this is my biggest problem I'm doing all right".
So having just written that, I realise that I am reflecting the quote - that reading and self-relfection can cultivate your humanity.
Blossom in the sand, Umbakumba.
Daisaku Ikeda
Reading is for sure, a time of self-reflection. I can't count the number of times where I have talked to myself about something I have read; something I have learned; or a beautiful passage. I often stop and wonder if a conversation in a novel could really have happened like that. I might stop and put myself in that situation wonder how I would have acted. I think to myself what on earth it must have felt like to have that happen.
If I am reading non-fiction of great sadness I will ache and cry quietly as I ponder upon how tragic some circumstances and experiences are. And very very often, I will stop and say to Barry variations on the theme of "If I ever complain about xxxx just remind of this; or if this is my biggest problem I'm doing all right".
So having just written that, I realise that I am reflecting the quote - that reading and self-relfection can cultivate your humanity.
Blossom in the sand, Umbakumba.
both the words and the photo are beautiful, fiona.
ReplyDeleteDear V - I am forever grateful that books and reading are a part of my life. They offer so much development, and opportunities to think and explore beyond myself and the realm in which I generally move. Thanks once more.
DeleteI am currently reading the Snow Leopard by Peter Matthiesen... so beautifully written.. filled with Zen and Buddhist thoughts and what a sense of place he conjures up... words can be so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAhh, now that is an impressive book Donna - he writes so eloquently of the time and the place and despite never having been close to it, you feel you know it in a way...
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