Love, whether newly born, or aroused from a deathlike slumber, must always create sunshine, filling the heart so full of radiance, this it overflows upon the outward world.
Nathaniel HawthorneRead
The trees reflected in the river - they are unconscious of a spiritual world so near to them. So are we.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Both trees and humans are unaware of the deeper spiritual realities surrounding them.
In this quote, Nathaniel Hawthorne suggests that just like the trees that are reflected in the river and remain unaware of the spiritual world around them, humans too are often oblivious to the profound spiritual truths in their lives. This reflection prompts us to consider our own awareness and consciousness regarding the greater mysteries of existence that might be just beyond our perception.
Themes
TreesReflectionSpiritualAwarenessConsciousness
In practice
Example use cases
Use this quote in a meditation class to discuss awareness.
More from Nathaniel Hawthorne
All quotes βA bodily disease which we look upon as whole and entire within itself, may after all, be but a symptom of some ailment in the spiritual part.
Nathaniel HawthorneRead
All merely graceful attributes are usually the most evanescent.
Nathaniel HawthorneRead
There is so much wretchedness in the world, that we may safely take the word of any mortal professing to need our assistance; and, even should we be deceived, still the good to ourselves resulting from a kind act is worth more than the trifle by which we purchase it.
Nathaniel HawthorneRead
Let men tremble to win the hand of woman, unless they win along with it the utmost passion of her heart! Else it may be their miserable fortune, when some mightier touch than their own may have awakened all her sensibilities, to be reproached even for the calm content, the marble image of happiness, which they will have imposed upon her as the warm reality.
Nathaniel HawthorneRead
The thing you set your mind on is the thing you ultimately become.
Nathaniel HawthorneRead
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