I loved hearing you speak at dark mountain tonight, Adam. My journey of land stewardship, abundance and the radical intention of gifting food for free is just beginning so i was so inspired by your words and particularly this statement:
'In the presence of food that is for sale, we tend to ask, “What do I want?” and “Can I afford it?” The locus of consideration is the self, the same one doing both the asking and the answering. The same one we disparagingly call a consumer.
In the presence of food that is a gift, we ask, “Am I worthy, or could I imagine myself so?” We ask “What is the appropriate portion size?” and, “Are all the other neighbors being sustained?”'
You've very effectively summed up the thoughts Ive been having around this idea and it's great to see someone else already living it. Thank you.
Lloyd, Thank you for the kind words. I'm glad this sparked recognition for you. Such innate human capacities are pouring in through every crack in the house of modernity, but perhaps it takes someone naming it aloud for others to be able to acknowledge what they already know in their bones.
"If there is to be a ‘gift economy’ it will begin with emptying. Fullness exerts little gravitational force. A full people don’t gather toward one another or the greening land. They clutch their reserves with a clenched fist. If hunger attracts, fullness repels, defends, excludes. If hunger invites relationship, fullness lives fearfully, forgets. Every time I fast, I have an easier time remembering."
I know you've expressed such thoughts in many different ways over the years, but this is particularly powerful 👌🏻
Thank you for the reflection, Laura. I wrote this the morning after Easter, and I'm struck by how rare fasting is among most modern Christians...but it's right there in the old instructions. Every first nations person I've met here on Turtle Island has cultural knowledge of fasting.
Congratulations on your piece being included in Dark Mountain’s new issue, Adam! Their offerings have fed you and now you return the gift.
I struggle to attain any kind of emptiness and I mean that in every way it can be taken, metaphorically, physically, and spiritually. Your lovely words and images provide fuel for me to keep at it! Don’t give up!
Empty home, stomach, bowels, mind—lead to a full heart? With less clutter to distract the self, the emptiness exerts a tug on the universe: fill me. With joy, generosity, and gratitude.
Adam, I’m thrilled that your wonderful writing will be included in the next Dark Mountain. I’ve just registered for the launch and can’t wait to hear you read!
Congratulations on your piece being included in "Dark Mountain!" I'm not familiar with this series, and am excited to learn more about it. I hope you are doing well! 💚
My DM subscription paused a few year's back, but I can remember clearly the thrill of receiving such exquisite mail from the UK! I don't imagine I'll see that for a few weeks now, but I'll get to hear some bits on the call Wednesday.
I loved hearing you speak at dark mountain tonight, Adam. My journey of land stewardship, abundance and the radical intention of gifting food for free is just beginning so i was so inspired by your words and particularly this statement:
'In the presence of food that is for sale, we tend to ask, “What do I want?” and “Can I afford it?” The locus of consideration is the self, the same one doing both the asking and the answering. The same one we disparagingly call a consumer.
In the presence of food that is a gift, we ask, “Am I worthy, or could I imagine myself so?” We ask “What is the appropriate portion size?” and, “Are all the other neighbors being sustained?”'
You've very effectively summed up the thoughts Ive been having around this idea and it's great to see someone else already living it. Thank you.
Lloyd, Thank you for the kind words. I'm glad this sparked recognition for you. Such innate human capacities are pouring in through every crack in the house of modernity, but perhaps it takes someone naming it aloud for others to be able to acknowledge what they already know in their bones.
Thanks Adam! Great you could be on board for the new issue. Looking forward to seeing you tonight at the launch. All best, Charlotte
Thank you for your faithful shepherding, Charlotte. It was a pleasure to gather 'round the digital fire with you.
This paragraph 💖💕💞
"If there is to be a ‘gift economy’ it will begin with emptying. Fullness exerts little gravitational force. A full people don’t gather toward one another or the greening land. They clutch their reserves with a clenched fist. If hunger attracts, fullness repels, defends, excludes. If hunger invites relationship, fullness lives fearfully, forgets. Every time I fast, I have an easier time remembering."
I know you've expressed such thoughts in many different ways over the years, but this is particularly powerful 👌🏻
Thank you for the reflection, Laura. I wrote this the morning after Easter, and I'm struck by how rare fasting is among most modern Christians...but it's right there in the old instructions. Every first nations person I've met here on Turtle Island has cultural knowledge of fasting.
Congratulations on your piece being included in Dark Mountain’s new issue, Adam! Their offerings have fed you and now you return the gift.
I struggle to attain any kind of emptiness and I mean that in every way it can be taken, metaphorically, physically, and spiritually. Your lovely words and images provide fuel for me to keep at it! Don’t give up!
Empty home, stomach, bowels, mind—lead to a full heart? With less clutter to distract the self, the emptiness exerts a tug on the universe: fill me. With joy, generosity, and gratitude.
Thank you for your words Adam.
Thank you, Laurie. I'm glad to hear that the words and stories serve as inspiration.
Adam, I’m thrilled that your wonderful writing will be included in the next Dark Mountain. I’ve just registered for the launch and can’t wait to hear you read!
Until Wednesday then, Hazel. Thank you for the kind words.
Adam Wilson reflecting on what he and others call “the gift economy.” I am looking forward to Dark Mountain Issue 27 to read his essay.
The hardcover book just arrived in the mail here at the Farm. The whole issue is filled with stunning work.
I will have to get it.
That quote by Lewis Hyde is potent! Thank you
I got to meet Lewis back in September. What a remarkable human being.
Congratulations on your piece being included in "Dark Mountain!" I'm not familiar with this series, and am excited to learn more about it. I hope you are doing well! 💚
Thank you for this kind note.
Looking forward for having this book in my hands. And then the next one!
The world will be enriched by your medicinal storytelling and your shining words.
Kx
My DM subscription paused a few year's back, but I can remember clearly the thrill of receiving such exquisite mail from the UK! I don't imagine I'll see that for a few weeks now, but I'll get to hear some bits on the call Wednesday.