Mountains and Rivers

~ Why must we name the world? ~

From a distance, at first, you look out and see mountains and rivers.

Then, you learn details, names, meanings (which are created by humans), and you no longer see *just* mountains and *just* rivers.

Later, you reach a point where again you simply see mountains and rivers.

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Sometimes, variations on this story / koan are presented as the three parts of life. In the first part of life, in the middle part of life, and then in the later in life.

Simplified:

At first, there are mountains and rivers.

Then, there is much more than mountains and rivers.

Finally, once again, there are mountains and there are rivers.

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In a recent post by the author of The Convivial Society, there is mention of the popular Jenny Odell book ‘How to Do Nothing’ (which I often confuse in my head with Celeste Headlee’s ‘Do Nothing’). The reference is to Odell talking about becoming an amateur birder which is relatable to me. Odell’s description of the experience reminds me of how “naming” / “naming the world” can feel powerful, even empowering (think: FUD – fear, uncertainty, doubt – as human frailties).

Learning the names of birds has its merits. It’s enjoyable as a hobby and it does give you a reason to pay more attention. You are doing more than simply looking when you are identifying. But you’re also sometimes missing the bigger picture… maybe?

Let’s replay the ‘mountains and rivers’ concept but with birds. (For the sake of this argument, yes, birds are real.)

At first, birds were birds.

Then, you learn the name of birds. What you see and hear are more than birds and birdsong. You see a white breasted nuthatch, a red-bellied woodpecker, a sandpiper, an egret, a purple finch.

Later, you put away the significance of names. After all, who gave the birds names? What meaning does a name add to the beauty of the birds and seeing the bird for what it is. How is our perception improved? Again, what you see is simply birds.

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