Sitting beside a river looking up and see yourself looking down at yourself from the trees. An illusion, wishful thinking, obscure egotism? Being so devoured by your own sense of grandeur, observing yourself as such; essentially two in one.
Fantasy; a pleasant dream offering the same perspectives from opposite standpoints? Different dimensions, parallel universes?
Take a moment to think about such a surreal experience. Which of the two images are you? Or are both the same, so in ‘reality’ you are literally seeing yourself. Any move of the head and body would be mirrored. What could not happen is for both images to stand in front of each other, for this would betray the laws of fantasy. For the image looking down is the same as you looking upward.
The thought of such fantasies; Sitting beside a dove up a tree would tend to be experienced via a dream. Looking down at the river bank is another ‘you’. A mirage or just the brain gliding away from reality?
Enjoying the freedom of walking beside rivers and beautiful hills resplendent with copses of trees. Being outside enveloped by Nature is easy to take for granted until denied.
Rippling Rivers or still water lakes have a special significance in that they flow around us or within us. As the water moves, it caresses our senses; perhaps in harmony with our cerebral fluid. Both liquid, and both subject to changes in temperature, pressure, and other elements of Nature including the moon that manages the tides.
Sitting or standing looking at a river, letting our thoughts wander, we become part of the river; flowing along, water glistening, but still in the same spot. Imagination has no limits. We flow with the waters and feel we are flowing, but we remain anchored.
Looking at birds in the trees, creating an empathy with their gliding majesty. Their wings in tune with the breeze. They alight upon the river bank to look upwards at the tree tops and sky. They are part of Nature’s dimensions, for they can choose to look upward from one spot along a riverside or fly down from above to the same location. This is their freedom.
We can only look upwards and dream of flying through treetops to look downwards. Or are we actually limited?
A lake ever so gently releases beautifully positive vibes. Gentle, tranquil, soul-caressing. A gift from Mother Nature.
Enjoy sitting by a lake or river and send me your thoughts of meditation and belonging.
Are you viewing yourself from the treetops or from the riverside Upwards in a spiral of repetitive fantasy?
Chris,
You have afforded me the greatest honour.
Your comments go way beyond anything
I could have wished for.
Your own eloquence projects a level of intellect
and indeed generosity that encompasses all I
could wish for myself.
I do thank you thank you so much, Chris. Not only are you a good friend, but a dynamic inspiration.
I cannot thank you enough.
Simon
This lovely essay brought the legend of Narcissus and Echo to mind. My train of thought took an interesting journey.
Narcissus turned into a very beautiful young man, whom everyone loved, none more than himself. However, there was no one to whom Narcissus would return affection other than his own reflection. Echo was a nymph who was destined a fate that she could only repeat the sounds and last words of others. One day she spotted and fell in love with Narcissus.
When considering the legend of Narcissus who sought every opportunity to look, admire and bask in his own reflection, not considering the genuine, love, admiration and compliments made by others, or considering their feelings or wellbeing. In particular Echo, who eventually wasted away pining for him, leaving behind, only the echo of her voice.
Your essay comprises very personal thoughts and naturally reflects your very creative spirit and certainly your writing skill in this composition.
In your musings, as in your day to day life, you always put others first, empathise and always endeavour to be kind, and consider others first. The beauty of the imagery and sentiments and the ambience you have achieved and is reflected in this piece, are really quite masterly. I am sure I speak for myself and others when I say thank you for this worthwhile contribution to us all.