Modern man Quote by D.H. Lawrence
““Real consciousness is touch. Thought is getting out of touch. The crux of the whole problem lies here, in the duality of man's consciousness. Touch, the being in touch, is the basis of all consciousness, and it is the basis of enduring happiness. Thought is a secondary form of consciousness, Mind is a secondary form of existence, a getting out of touch, a standing clear, in order to come to a better adjustment in touch. Man, poor man, has to learn to function in these two ways of consciousness. When a man is in touch, he is non-mental, his mind is quiescent, his bodily centres are active. When a man's mind is active in real mental activity, the bodily centres are quiescent, switched off, the man is out of touch. The animals remain always in touch. And man, poor modern man, with his worship of his own god, which is his own mind glorified, is permanently out of touch. To be always irrevocably in touch is to feel sometimes imprisoned. But to be permanently out of touch is at last excruciatingly painful, it is a state of being nothing, and being nowhere, and at the same time being conscious and capable of extreme discomfort and ennui.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The White Peacock, 1911
Consciousness splits into direct sensory contact and detached mental activity, causing modern humans to feel disconnected and unhappy.
In simple terms: Being in touch vs. thinking creates a split that leads to pain.
Balance sensory presence with reflective thought.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- daily mindfulness
- creative work
- therapy
- education
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you stay present without losing critical analysis?
- What activities help you reconnect with your body?
Pure sensory immersion can be impractical in complex tasks.