Stand Still Like The Hummingbird, a collection of stories and essays by Henry Miller, remains one of the most cherished books in my library. I don't know how long I have had my copy, which was published more than fifty years ago, but I have dipped into its profound wisdom with regularity for most of my adult life. Some of that wisdom was quoted in Aways Merry and Bright, which I posted in 2010. Here are some other pearls that I believe are worthy of reflection:
On happiness —
Man craves happiness here on earth, not fulfillment, not emancipation. Are they utterly deluded, then, in seeking happiness? No, happiness is desirable, but it is a by-product, the result of a way of life, not a goal which is forever beyond one's grasp. Happiness is achieved en route . . . To make happiness a goal is to kill it in advance.
On real power —
If there is one power which man indubitably possesses—have we not had proof of it again and again?—it is the power to alter one's way of life. It is perhaps man's only power.
On struggle and surrender —
Struggle has its importance, but we tend to overrate it. Harmony, serenity, [and] bliss do not come from struggle but from surrender.
On questing —
The long voyage is not an escape but a quest. The man is seeking for a way to be of service to the world. Toward the end he realizes what his mission in life is—"it is to be a bridge of goodwill." Un homme de bonne volonté!
On Taoism —
One takes up the path in order to become the path.
On the teachings of Buddha, Lao-tzu, and Jesus —
What they tried to convey to us, these luminaries, was that there is no need for all these laws of ours, these codes and conventions, these books of learning, these armies and navies, these rockets and spaceships, these thousand and one impedimenta which weigh us down, keep us apart, and bring us sickness and death. We need only to behave as brothers and sisters, follow our hearts not our minds, play not work, create and not add invention upon invention. Though we realize it not, they demolished the props which sustain our world of make-believe . . .
They changed worlds, yes. They traveled far. But standing still. Let us not forget that the road inward toward the source stretches as far and as deep as the road outward.
On standing still like the hummingbird, instead of "getting somewhere" —
When you find you can go neither backward nor forward . . . when you are convinced that all the exits are blocked, either you take to believing in miracles or you stand still like the hummingbird. The miracle is that the honey is always there, right under your nose, only you were too busy searching elsewhere to realize it. The worst is not death, but being blind, blind to the fact that everything about life is in the nature of the miraculous.
Henry Miller
(1891-1980)
Have a nice weekend, everyone,
and make sure to find some honey wherever you are.
Yes, I remember your earlier post. I came to Miller first through reading the Rosy Crucifixion trilogy when I was living in Germany for a year at the age of 20. The sheer exuberance of the writing and his enthusiastic delight in just about everything bowled me over. My life was never quite the same again.
ReplyDeleteTo read that trilogy at the age of 20 must have been life-transforming. I really didn't get into Miller until my mid-to-late twenties, but when I did, it also radically changed the way I looked at things, thought about things. What amazes me now as I go back to Miller is that everything has retained its freshness and vibrancy. Sometimes it seems as if he were a prophet, for what he wrote more than fifty years ago seems even more relevant to the world of today.
DeleteThese excerpts are great. I've just gone and ordered the book because of this post - thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks, "A." Glad you enjoyed the post and hope you enjoy the book as well.
ReplyDeleteLike "A" I will get the book as well because of your post. Each quotation is just what you and Robert describe — "sheer exuberance," and "fresh and vibrant." A person can tell when writing is founded in authenticity, and Miller here is full of that energy. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are getting this book, Ruth. Miller will dazzle you with his stories, his philosophy, and his always irrepressible passion for life.
DeleteAlso, Ruth, I really enjoyed the WCW poem on "The Dance." There is more there than meets the eye with the first reading. Quite profound, I think.
DeleteI agree! Each time I read "The Dance" I discover more meaning.
DeleteWhat wonderful quotes. I need to do more reading of his work. These all speak to me. He has such a natural way with words. I love the word "impedimenta." I've been attempting to re-read those writers that I first felt more engaged with, to see what changes might have been wrought in my perspective. Interesting how we respond from where we're at.... I thoroughly enjoyed this post.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Teresa. I can't recommend Miller's writing too highly. Personally, I never stop re-reading the Miller works I've read before. It's a bit like returning to the source of something you know is true. And, yes, the word "impedimenta" is such a delightful and meaningful word!
DeleteSometimes one forgets authors - I had completely forgotten Henry Miller George - so thanks for bring him up - I shall look through my bookshelves.
ReplyDeleteAs I said above, Pat, I never tire of reading Miller, especially the essays and stories of his relationships with various people in the first half of the twentieth century.
ReplyDeleteI'd go along with all but his thoughts on the teachings of Buddha, Lao-tzu, and Jesus. I'm very pleased I live in the West in the age of central heating, paracetamol, penicillin, statins and -more trivially- the internet. Lets be kind and playful - but keep the inventions coming.
ReplyDeleteFunnily enough, the first commenter gave me a jar of honey yesterday.
So long as you are getting your honey, Dominic, all will be well. I will stand with you in the defense of central heating, antibiotics, statins, etc.
DeleteI forgot to add spaceships to my list.
ReplyDeleteConsider it done, Dominic.
DeleteYes, it's his energy and conviction isn't it? 'Stand Still..' is also one of my favourite books and favourite of Miller's too. I've encouraged a French translator friend to add it to his publisher's list to translate into French - I hope it happens, the French should be able to enjoy it too!
ReplyDeleteI think you're right, Dritanje, about the energy and conviction that underpins all of Miller's work. I'm delighted that you have encouraged a friend to pursue a French translation of Stand Still Like the Hummingbird, though I'm surprised that there is not a current French translation, given the history of Miller in France.
ReplyDelete