Wild Horizon Book Reviews

The Practice of the Wild, by Gary Snyder

2010-02-12T22:04:00.000-08:00

"I have always found it difficult to imagine this century without the life and work of Gary Snyder. After reading this collection of essays, I now find it impossible." --Wes Jackson (back cover)

This Practice of the Wild is a gift. The depth of Gary Snyder's insight into the modern mind, as presented in this book, should not be underestimated. If you want to read something that will profoundly alter your understanding of Nature and the Wild, and our relationship to it, then this is it. Gary Snyder is a trail blazer, fluidly and fluently pointing us towards our every-day experiences and locality as the basis for any change. This collection of essays (first published in 1990) should be considered as a central piece for anyone interested in the human/earth relationship (which should be everyone--because we're all humans inhabiting the earth). It is practical ecology (thus the 'Practice of the Wild') in motion, rooted not just in articulated intelligence, but in the wider sphere of daily, living experience.

This is a book about re-thinking and re-defining. In his down-to-earth manner, Gary Snyder questions many of our traditional Western interpretations and pre-conceptions about nature, freedom, goodness, language, ethics, individual rights and culture. Although erudite (Snyder tackles a wide-variety of topics with competence), the book's tone is personal and draws the reader in, filled with story-telling and good-natured humor. At the same time, Gary Snyder does not mince words or use vague language--his essays are full of "straight talk".

The Wild is, as the title suggests, the main topic under discussion--the book abounding in lyrical explanations on natural habitats, wildlife, ecosystems and the "Practice of the Wild"--as in, how the Wild acts, behaves, lives, walks--speaks to us, if we listen. None of these explanations (for me anyway) are tedious or distracting--Snyder's presentation is fresh, full of the senses and most of all, told like a good story. Poetry flows throughout. He also draws heavily from his intimate study of Native American, Japanese and Chinese culture (and thus also Buddhism, Daoism, Shintoism and native spiritualities--and there is an interesting parallel he draws between wild nature and the Dao. This book is far from boring!

"The Practice of the Wild is an exquisite, far-sighted articulation of what freedom, wildness, goodness, and grace mean, using the lessons of the planet to teach us how to live." --Gretel Ehrlich (front cover)

There are a total of nine essays gathered here, not including the excellent bibliography.

The first essay, "The Etiquette of Freedom" is probably Gary Snyder's best known essay--and it's easy to see why it's become the foundation for many current ecological discussions. In clear, careful language, Gary Snyder unravels the iconic American idea of "wild and free"; examining the connotations of words like "Nature", "Unnatural", "Wild", "Wilderness"reveals a number of our unconscious biases and ideologies. For example, he explains that "Nature" is usually confused with "Wild, that Nature is not just growing, living things or virgin land as most people understand it, but the whole universe, including things that we usually consider "unnatural" like man-made products. By examining our understandings of these words, Gary Snyder then elucidates on the true meaning of freedom, in context of an eco-system, and the ethical implications this has for us today in our relationships with humans, animals, trees, plants, rivers, rocks, watersheds, bio-regions--the entire earth.

"The Place, the Region, and the Commons" is an examination of our world, not as disembodied space, but interconnected places together in one place, planet Earth. Integral to the idea of places and regions, is a deeper understanding of earth as "common land"--as something shared amongst multiple beings and modes of being, not just human beings, but bird beings, tree beings, rock beings, ant beings, etc. This elucidates further on Snyder's ideas about freedom, ethics and etiquette presented in the previous essay. He also discusses bio-regions in terms of living organisms, illustrating how awareness of your environment, your bio-region is more than just "knowing" but also participatory.

"Tawny Grammar" is a good illustration of how Gary Snyder interweaves personal anecdotes and experiences with thought-provoking analysis of universal concerns and issues. Here he discusses stories and language, not just in human terms, but in connection to "Nature's writing". He coins the term the "ecology of language", and sums this phrase up in, "The grammar not only of language, but of culture and civilization itself, is of the same order as this mossy little forest creek, this desert cobble."

"Good, Wild, Sacred" follows a similar vein to "The Etiquette of Freedom", but this time ventures into the domain of showing how inherently similar "good", "wild" and "sacred" are--and how impossible it is to truly separate these terms from one another. Snyder also talks about cultural conditioning and how our only-human, utilitarian bias prevents us from fully inhabiting the world around us.

"Blue Mountains, Constantly Walking" takes a different turn from the previous essays. Here, Gary Snyder uses the works of Dogen (Japanese Zen Buddhist) to illustrate the essential nature of Nature and the Wild. Mountains are, as the title suggests, the lead theme here (inspired by Dogen) as metaphors for the eternal living essence and presence of existence--encompassing ALL things--but not in some metaphysical sense, in the literal, chemical, biological, historical, geological, physical, experiential, phenomenological sense. A brilliant essay for understanding non-dualism in a fresh, participatory way.

In "Ancient Forests of the Far West", Snyder reflects on his younger years working in forestry and logging, and the insights this brought--using this as a way into contrasting the industrial world versus the Wild. As part of this, he champions trees and their incomparable importance in earth life as we know it. You also get a taste for his Pulitzer Prize-winning poetry (which is far from "romantic" as most "nature" poetry is -- "gritty" comes to mind instead!).

"On the Path, Off the Trail", a short but powerful essay, is a re-evaluation of work and the "practice" side of "The Practice of the Wild". Instead of viewing work as a way of earning money to consume more (industrial consumerism)--Gary Snyder turns to the metaphors of paths and the Way (Dao) to better understand the place of work, especially in connection to the Wild. He emphasizes true work as simultaneously creative and ordinary--and he asserts that Life itself is a "work", like a work of art; every living thing is an artist, contributing to the "art of life" both individually and collectively. As Dogen said, "Practice is the path."

"The Woman Who Married A Bear" is a marvelous retelling of a Native American oral tale. This essay contains the re-told story (by Snyder of course), then an analysis of the story (just in case you were baffled before), followed by a bit of natural history in regards to bears, berries, and the role story plays in our lives. This is a powerful mythic example of when Wild and "human" come together.

"Survival and Sacrament" is the final essay in The Practice of the Wild. Here, Gary Snyder closes on a compelling note -- how will we live the "practice of the Wild" in our own lives? Acknowledging that culture is not just a solely human experience, he encourages us to participate in the wider, more-than-human wild culture--and to do so with an awe, gratitude and humility at the sacred trust given to us -- Life itself.

Overall, The Practice of the Wild evokes the responses of wonder and responsibility at the preciousness, the fragility, the beauty and stark reality of the universe and our planet. Gary Snyder pushes us to see past our blind spots, past our cultural illusions, to peel back the delusions we have inherited and engage, naked, with our lives and the Nature within and without like never before. We are reminded that our true place, our ultimate home is not a house or human dwelling, but the universe itself.

Publisher: Counterpoint Press; originally published by North Point Press, San Francisco
ISBN Number: 1-59376-016-7
Publication Date: 1990, 2004

The Salmon in the Spring: The Ecology of Celtic Spirituality, by Jason Kirkey

2010-02-11T20:36:00.000-08:00

Newly released in November 2009, Jason Kirkey has published a seminal work on Soul and Nature through Celtic eyes that is sure to be a classic for years to come. This book approaches our modern ecological and psychological crises, eloquently illustrated through Irish myth and Jason’s wide background in the fields of Eco-psychology, Buddhist philosophy and poetry.

The thesis of The Salmon in the Spring is stated on the back cover — “Soul and nature–the inner and outer landscape–are one: they are the wildness of the world and the wildness of the self. To alienate ourselves from one is to alienate ourselves from the Other.” Each of the 11 chapters (plus coda) is very focused, on-topic and powerfully resolved to present a clear picture of the present Earth and human communities’ troubles and how exactly we can begin, today, to personally contribute to the Great Work of re-storying (restoring) our world from consuming to communing.

For the more conservative amongst us, Jason shows admirable ethics in his writing. He carefully delineates between his own thoughts and that of Irish tradition. There are no blurry edges or fuzzy logic. Although he does draw from some Buddhist concepts and ideas, he never tries to pass them off as “Celtic”, and he presents all sides of the issues at hand. Even when dealing with modern Celtic spirituality, he remains objective, blunt but inspiring. He continually invites you to make your own decisions and draw your own conclusions. This is not a preachy book nor an author trying to convert or belittle others. He is conservative in all the right places but liberal in all the other right places too.

The book opens first with a Foreword by his personal friend Frank MacEowen, who has himself written books on the subject of Celtic Spirituality. Frank places before the reader the imperative of our global situation, and exactly how The Salmon in the Spring is so relevant for our times. He sums up admirably: “This book is also an invitation to face, front and center, once and for all, the stark truth that the ecological crisis is not a crisis of the Earth at all, but rather a human self-esteem problem–one that ultimately stems from a tragic state of forgetfulness. As the late, great postmodern philosopher Alan Watts once said, ‘You did not come into this world. You came out of it, like a wave out of the ocean. You are not a stranger here.’ If the human species truly believed this it would completely transform our world. It would translate into who we are and how we are.” Essentially, this is one of the main agendas of The Salmon in the Spring – to help us fall in love with the Earth again, and to act on that love.

The Introduction is a vital part of the book as a whole. In it, Jason puts his book into context–not just in context of the Celtic traditions or even the Earth community, but with the Cosmos itself. He lays before us the hard facts of our physical existence, from the beginnings of cosmogenesis right down to our present day self-destruction. He also sets forth exactly why he wrote The Salmon in the Spring and how he reached that point in his journey. There is no sense of spiritual superiority or self-obsession which characterize so many modern “spiritual” writers today. In explaining briefly his own position, Jason makes sure you are not left wondering about his intentions or aims. A good start to the book and I heavily suggest that anyone reading the book read the Introduction.

The book is divided into two halves: Part One: The Ecology of Perception, and Part Two: The Well and the Branch. The first part is where Jason lays all the groundwork, working through each of his points so that you are not left behind in a flurry of academic words. The second part is then built upon the first, putting the earlier half’s important ideas together to reveal a fuller, more integrated vision of our selves and our world.

Chapter One, “Place and Story” deals specifically with the relevance of myth and story in connection to landscape and identity. As the first chapter, Jason discerningly puts forward his own definitions of “Celtic”, “Druidic” and other often “loaded” terms that can cause misunderstanding. He is clear on his way of meaning so that there can be no possible confusion. He also examines the “mytho-ecology” of exile, something thousands of readers from all over the world will relate to. He presents the Celts as living peoples and cultures, within context of both their history and modernity. Chapter One also sets forth the main Irish myth that his book is based on and returns to again and again — The Second Battle of Maigh Tuireadh.

Chapter Two, “Wild Earth, Wild Mind” explores the human-nature relationship and all its conflicts. Jason navigates his way through the difficult terrain of what it means to be human and exactly what is nature, providing new insights into our longings and desires as a species. He also is careful to distinguish between differentiation from the wild and disassociation (this disassociation being at the heart of our modern industrial problems). This is an important concept that he returns to later in the book.

Chapter Three, “The Fomorian Eye” is a difficult chapter, but difficult in the sense that it deals with the things about ourselves we don’t like or fear. In that sense, this is possibly one of the most important chapters of the book as he shows how destruction of the wild is directly related to soul suppression. He also deals with the oft-misunderstood subject of the Ego, both in psychological and Eastern senses of the word. Jason distinguishes between the functional and representational ego and discusses the role of dualistic thinking and our cultural and personal shadows in keeping us cut off from fully expressing our truest selves.

Chapter Four, “Tuatha De Danann Vision” presents a new interpretation of “ecological perception”. In this chapter, he deals with the numinous all around us and in connection to the earth itself. Jason talks about the Tuatha de Danann, both in literal polytheistic and animistic terms as well as in psychological, metaphorical terms.

Chapter Five, “Dreamtime Circle” is one of the best presentations of the Irish sacred year that I’ve read in a while. First he talks about the differences between developmental and mythic time, and their roles in oral societies as well as modern sensibilities. Then he works his way through each of the four “Celtic” festivals of Samhain, Imbolc, Bealtaine and Lughnasadh from both a traditional and psychological approach. I’m sure you will look at these ancient festivals in a new way.

Chapter Six, “The Birdreign” brings the first part to a close. It is in some ways a summary but also connects the Irish myths once more to our modern times. Using the story of Conaire as the perfect ruler-king, Jason suggests ways in which we ourselves can bring about our own time of peace and transformation in the present era, to create a “New Story” that speaks directly to our ecological and spiritual needs.

Chapter Seven, “The Soul’s Horizon” opens the second half of the book with a clear picture of exactly how land and soul can be interconnected in a sacred way, by using the Irish story of “The Settling of the Manor of Tara” as a basis. Jason works through Ireland and its five ancient provinces as a mandala, moving from East all the way around the four directions to North, with Tara and sovereignty in the center.

Chapter Eight, “Borderlands” is probably the most personal of all the chapters. It examines the longing for place and pilgrimage, while addressing the psychological journey from fragmentation to integration through a living landscape, using Jason’s first journey in Ireland as an example. This is a chapter that anyone not native to a Celtic country will relate to, especially if you too have felt the call of your ancestral lands.

Chapter Nine, “Connla’s Well” discusses the nature of the soul and Firinne or Truth in relation to the wider world and the “ecological perception” first introduced in Chapter Four. In this chapter, Jason explains the mythic image of the sacred Otherworld well and the “salmon in the spring” who feed off wisdom. Invaluable to the work as a whole, he also brings in his interpretation of “dan” or our soul gifts to the world. There is also an interesting section on the “Three Cauldrons” which are connected to health, wisdom and inspiration.

Chapter Ten, “Ecos and Psyche” uses Maeve and the Cailleach, both expressions of the “divine feminine”, to illustrate the core concepts of sovereignty, ecological geasa or taboo and initiation. There is also an excellent interpretation of the traditional Celtic theme of the marriage of the land goddess to the king, and the mytho-ecological implications.

Chapter Eleven, “Empty Mountains” is technically the closing chapter of the book. Jason brings all the ideas and premises presented in the previous chapters full circle, creating a stunning new way of viewing our world, something he calls “silver branch perception” (after the Irish philosopher John Moriarty). In this chapter, Jason goes beyond the duality of Self and Nature and merges them into a deeper unified vision of the cosmos.

The Coda, “The Man Who Had No Story” rounds off the book’s ending. In it, he encourages the reader to go out and find their own story, their own way of being fully alive and participatory with the universe as a living, evolving process–which is ultimately Jason’s obvious hope for the book.

Afterwards, there are a couple excellent resource sections at the end. There is a Glossary of Terms, which explains some of the more academic or personal terms he used in the book, and is a good way of getting an idea of the sort of things he talks about throughout the whole work. This is followed by an excellent Notes section, and a Bibliography which is a good place to start if you are interested in reading further. Jason also includes a Resources section, which has links to particularly relevant websites. The book in its first edition does not contain an index, which is a bit lamentable, but it is possible that in future editions, an index will appear.

In total, The Salmon in the Spring is 283 pages long. The cover is well designed, the typesetting easy to read, and I love how each chapter is divided into subsections which helps when browsing or scanning quickly, as well as to get a stronger impression of the chapter as a whole. You can purchase the book either directly from Jason’s website (http://www.jasonkirkey.com) or from Amazon, for $17.95. If you buy directly from his website, you can request the book be signed.

I was impressed with the depth and vision of Jason Kirkey’s book. He is a rare voice, both professional and personal, and I am excited to see what impact this book has on the Druidic and other such communities, and also what other works this author could go on to produce. I don’t think you will be disappointed, whether you approach The Salmon in the Spring from within an Irish or other Celtic spiritual tradition, or as a philosopher, ecologist or psychologist. It is fluent in many disciplines and therefore speaks with wider influence and understanding directly to our place as humans in the more-than-human world.

Published by: Hiraeth Press (Jason's own)
ISBN: 978-0-9799246-6-8

Originally published in Aontacht Vol. 2 Issue 3, 2009.