Thanks for sharing. I found Tom Brown in a bookstore in San Marcos, TX. while in graduate school. I deserted the formal education and while making me unemployable I began to understand nature. The "sit spot" has given me more than all of the books and credits in the world. I have sit in the arctic, Alaska, the rockies etc. and have a feeling of pure gratitude....funny thing, I was sitting in a Seattle airport on a connecting flight from Alaska and someone sat down across from me. It was Tom. Taking notes, observing. I was sitting there in a calmness, appreciating the moment. We made brief eye contact knowing without speaking; that we were kindred spirits.......cheers....
Beautiful!! I also played in the woods and swamps but in New England. I prayed for someone to teach me how to live and move in the woods like a Native American. One day, I got entangled in some brambles. Barefoot (as always) I carefully started to untangle myself when I saw a face (just the face) looking at me. I wasn't scared but curious. I later found out it was the face of the man Tom called "Grandfather". I found a book on Living with the Earth by Tom Brown Jr at the library at Hanscom Air Force Base which led me to Tom and Grandfather's teachings. Follow the teachings like a track!
Yes, thanks for sharing. You know one of the things that stuck with me was that Tom said that he had it easy compared to us. This and also the opposite. Back in the day he had to struggle and toil for the knowledge and wisdom in ways we could barely imagine, and those before him had to work even harder. And yet, he said that compared to us, he was insulated from the worst of society by the sphere/field of the Tracker community. Whereas, we had to go home and deal with it. And that dealing with it wears us out, so we should help one another.
Over my years I have come to realize that Tom dealt with it plenty, and that lots of people tried to take him down. We are told to shine our light and we are also told that we then become more of a target for darkness; that one's strength can be gauged by one's adversaries. Great leaders are targets. Perhaps its where the saying comes from that [only] the good die young.
Hi Gene! I’m guessing the struggle and toil for us is going to get worse. I’ve never heard this Tom quote about how difficult it is living in the world, I’m glad he was aware of what a struggle it is every day. I think the only solution is community!
Beautifully written, RP ... am looking forward to future writings. "I am feeling bereft and rudderless right now" ... my advice is, what would Tom tell you. The answer is there and inside of you.
Thanks for sharing. I found Tom Brown in a bookstore in San Marcos, TX. while in graduate school. I deserted the formal education and while making me unemployable I began to understand nature. The "sit spot" has given me more than all of the books and credits in the world. I have sit in the arctic, Alaska, the rockies etc. and have a feeling of pure gratitude....funny thing, I was sitting in a Seattle airport on a connecting flight from Alaska and someone sat down across from me. It was Tom. Taking notes, observing. I was sitting there in a calmness, appreciating the moment. We made brief eye contact knowing without speaking; that we were kindred spirits.......cheers....
I love this story, it's so 'Tom'. Sometimes no words are needed.
Sometimes I wished that I should have said hello and thanks...but the atmosphere spoke: just be.....
Beautiful!! I also played in the woods and swamps but in New England. I prayed for someone to teach me how to live and move in the woods like a Native American. One day, I got entangled in some brambles. Barefoot (as always) I carefully started to untangle myself when I saw a face (just the face) looking at me. I wasn't scared but curious. I later found out it was the face of the man Tom called "Grandfather". I found a book on Living with the Earth by Tom Brown Jr at the library at Hanscom Air Force Base which led me to Tom and Grandfather's teachings. Follow the teachings like a track!
Yes, thanks for sharing. You know one of the things that stuck with me was that Tom said that he had it easy compared to us. This and also the opposite. Back in the day he had to struggle and toil for the knowledge and wisdom in ways we could barely imagine, and those before him had to work even harder. And yet, he said that compared to us, he was insulated from the worst of society by the sphere/field of the Tracker community. Whereas, we had to go home and deal with it. And that dealing with it wears us out, so we should help one another.
Over my years I have come to realize that Tom dealt with it plenty, and that lots of people tried to take him down. We are told to shine our light and we are also told that we then become more of a target for darkness; that one's strength can be gauged by one's adversaries. Great leaders are targets. Perhaps its where the saying comes from that [only] the good die young.
-Gene
Hi Gene! I’m guessing the struggle and toil for us is going to get worse. I’ve never heard this Tom quote about how difficult it is living in the world, I’m glad he was aware of what a struggle it is every day. I think the only solution is community!
Beautifully written, RP ... am looking forward to future writings. "I am feeling bereft and rudderless right now" ... my advice is, what would Tom tell you. The answer is there and inside of you.
- JohnnyK
Lovely! Thank you!