In writing about the Native American perception of time and space, N. Scott Momaday says that he "sees into the immediate landscape, he perceives a now and future dimension that is altogether remote, yet nonetheless real and inherent within it, a quality of evanescence and evolution, a state at once of being and of becoming....nothing of the scene is lost upon him. In the integrity of his vision he is wholly in possession of himself and of the world around him: he is quintessentially alive."
He continues to critique the modern (and western) vision of the world: "Our eyes, it may be, have been trained too long upon the superficial, and artificial, aspects of our environment: we do not see beyond the buildings and billboards that seem at times to be the monuments of our civilization, and consequently we fail to see into the nature and meaning of our own humanity."
Have you ever experienced a "seeing" experience like the one he describes above? Do you agree or disagree with his assessment of our current state of "seeing"?
12 comments:
Actually, we have been studying Abstract Expressionist painters and Pop Artists, and have noticed that the Abstract Expressionists of the '50's, namely Pollock, were trying to blot out the advertising, the mundane--to capture their inner/outer landscape in their works. As if the physciality of their creations somehow helped to make the picture whole. Pop artists, on the other hand, embraced, critiqued, and celebrated artificiality all at the same time.
I have never experienced the sort of epiphany that Momaday describes, but I do agree with his description of our inability to "see" in today's society. How can we look so deeply into ourselves and the environment around us, as this Native American does, when we are distracted by money, cell phones, ipods, etc.? This way of seeing truly will only come with great patience and clearness of mind and soul. With so many stresses and commitments in our day-to-day lives, we don't take the time to just stop and appreciate our lives and whats around us, such as a sunrise.
Momaday's epiphany is something that could perhaps be seen as something simple. Epiphanies are not always something fantastic- they could be as simple as being with friends, enjoying the time spent with them until you eventually have to part for some thing unknown.
In this case, I have experienced this.
On a larger scale, perhaps no, I have not.
And yes, it is a handicap in today's society to look beyond what is presented to us, the inability to see beyond, read into things. Modern distractions [as said: iPods, etc] hamper us from realizing the simplicity that nature holds- sunrises, the ocean...the sun setting over the ocean on a cool autumn day. I believe that people are too stressed, living for what NEEDS to be done, always living on a clock. It's almost impossible to enjoy "seeing" things now, because of our daily routines and worries.
I don't think I've ever experience the sort of epiphany Momaday describes. I think that if I have had one I would have remembered. I do agree with Momaday's description of most people's vision these days. We are too wrapped up in the superficial to appreciate nature and real, raw beauty. Our lives are run by clocks and schedules; lists and technology. I think we all need to take a day off from all of it and watch the sunrise or set or just go to the beach and listen to the waves crash.
The perception of the world around us as described by N.Scott Momaday is one that depicts the "bigger picture" of our surroundings. This includes the greater meaning of something, its significance in our lives, and how it affects our future and destiny. I have experienced multiple "seeing" experiences similar to Momaday's. These include times when things fall into place and we realize that everything happens for a reason. Events that we may not have understood at one point in time are suddenly apprehended, as we are able to grasp their significance. I agree immensly with Momaday's assessment of our current state of seeing, because I feel that I am personally distracted by modern life, which inhibits my ability to percieve the "bigger picture" of what is around me. Our society tends to pay greater attention to things that provide us with immediate happiness, such as money, technology, and personal appearances. This draws away from our ability to see what really matters in life. However, I disagree with Momaday's statement saying that Native Americans can better perceive what is important in life. I do not believe that a person's outlook on life is dependant on their race in any way.
I also agree that race has nothing to do with personal outlooks on life. I think outlooks are based on two things: the person as an individual and cultural influences.
I do not think I have ever had an expirience like the one that Momaday descibes. But I do believe that what he says about most people these days do not have the ability to "see" as the Native Americans, or even other countries do. I think a lot of the people in the US are very materialistic and do not appericiate the little things in life. Things like, just hanging out with your friends or family. I think i can appericiate those things, so maybe you could say I've had an epiphany.
I think Momaday is right on target. I think people get caught up in modern and materialistic things. Money and material possessions "blind" us from what is truly valuable in our lives. By getting caught up in such things, we don't leave enought time to look inside ourselves and find what really matters.
However, I have never experienced such an awakening or epiphany that Momaday describes, because my current life is run by a tightly structured schedule which rarely even leaves time for myself. If given the time to reflect, I would absolutely think over my life and what really matters.
I don't think I've ever been able to see the world with the purity Momaday possesses but sometimes if i ever am awake earlier to see the sunset just taking it in is an experience. Nothing else is really mattered when i was just there alone looking at the sun rise, this was this morning and i actually thought of Momaday when looking. I agree that we as a nation or society take the natural beauty over earth for granted and often don't look at the things right in front of us.
I do not believe that I have experienced what Momaday describes. I do on the other hand agree with what he says about us not being able to see beyond the buildings and billboards. I also agree with his statement that we fail to see into the nature and meaning of our own humanity. People in today's world are very into their toys, such as cell phones, computers, and televisions. People really take what they have for granted. The earth and the nature has been here forever and will continue to be here even when we are not. Every toy we have somehow came from nature. Nature is a bigger part of us then most people give it credit for.
I never experienced what Momaday describes, but I do agree with the his statement that we lack to "see" beyond the modern world. Nowadays, people are caught up too much in modern technology: such as television or a cell phone. They should be more focused on the Earth's natural beauty: plants, the stars. They should try to clear their mind and take away material possessions that blind us. Maybe then, we will understand what Momaday is talking about.
I have yet to experience a seeing experience as described my Momaday, but i do agree with his idea of the current state of "seeing". I agree that most americans see the world and other people very superficially and base knowledge on looks a lot of the time. i think that if more people had the same view as native americans, the world would be a better place.
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