One was watching the other day a red-tailed hawk, high in…
““One was watching the other day a red-tailed hawk, high in the heavens, circling effortlessly, without a beat of the wing, just for the fun of flying, just to be sustained by the air-currents. Then it was joined by another, and they were flying together for quite a while. They were marvellous creatures in that blue sky, and to hurt them in any way is a crime against heaven. Of course there is no heaven; man has invented heaven out of hope, for his life has become a hell, an endless conflict from birth to death, coming and going, making money, working endlessly. This life has become a turmoil, a travail of endless striving. One wonders if man, a human being, will ever live on this earth peacefully. Conflict has been the way of his life - within the skin and outside the skin, in the area of the psyche and in the society which that psyche has created.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Observing hawks flying freely highlights humanity’s self‑created turmoil and endless striving, questioning if peace is possible.
In simple terms: Freedom of birds contrasts human conflict and endless striving.
Key Takeaway
Seek inner peace beyond societal turmoil.
Themes
conflict
freedom
human condition
Mood
contemplative
thought‑provoking
Type
philosophical
spiritual
When to use this quote
- nature observation
- personal growth
- social change
- spiritual practice
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
non‑duality
mindfulness
Questions to Reflect On
- What inner conflicts keep you restless?
- Can you find stillness amid activity?
A Different Perspective
Human nature may resist true peace.