We live, in North America in general, if I'm given the indulgence of selling us down the river, in a culture of fear of this connective sense of spirit.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
I cannot but be grieved to go from my native land, and especially from that part of it for whom and with whom I desired only to live; yet the dreadful apprehensions I have of what is coming upon this land may help to make me submissive to this providence, though more bitter.
We're so afraid of death in our culture, but I think if we understand it better, then we'll appreciate the life we have more.
It is one thing to hear about the forest and the river, but an entirely other experience to go there, to see the environment, and to appreciate the natural riches there first-hand.
I grew up within New Orleans; my greatest concern is rising water. But I think life is a process of moving items from the 'scared of' to the 'not scared of' list.
What makes a river so restful to people is that it doesn't have any doubt - it is sure to get where it is going, and it doesn't want to go anywhere else.
Americans' great and secret fear is that America may turn out to be a phenomenon rather than a civilization.
Fear is a spirit that produces a feeling.
I think our Western society is very much about, 'Tuck your head in; make sure you're safe. Don't rock the boat.'
When I'm near a native community, I visit it. If I hear there's a spiritual person in the neighborhood, I'll seek them out.
America is the spirit of human exploration distilled.