Skip to content

Life Quote by Derrick Jensen

“What if the point of life has nothing to do with the creation of an ever-expanding region of control? What if the point is not to keep at bay all those people, beings, objects and emotions that we so needlessly fear? What if the point instead is to let go of that control? What if the point of…” quote by Derrick Jensen
Download Open image
““What if the point of life has nothing to do with the creation of an ever-expanding region of control? What if the point is not to keep at bay all those people, beings, objects and emotions that we so needlessly fear? What if the point instead is to let go of that control? What if the point of life, the primary reason for existence, is to lie naked with your lover in a shady grove of trees? What if the point is to taste each other's sweat and feel the delicate pressure of finger on chest, thigh on thigh, lip on cheek? What if the point is to stop, then, in your slow movements together, and listen to the birdsong, to watch the dragonflies hover, to look at your lover's face, then up at the undersides of leaves moving together in the breeze? What if the point is to invite these others into your movement, to bring trees, wind, grass, dragonflies into your family and in so doing abandon any attempt to control them? What if the point all along has been to get along, to relate, to experience things on their own terms? What if the point is to feel joy when joyous, love when loving, anger when angry, thoughtful when full of thought? What if the point from the beginning has been to simply be?””

Derrick Jensen

About This Quote

Source Essay: “The Point of Life” by Derrick Jensen, 2015

The quote suggests that life's purpose is not about control or domination, but about surrendering, connecting with nature and loved ones, and fully experiencing emotions as they arise.

In simple terms: Life is about letting go, feeling, and being present with others and nature.

Key Takeaway

Embrace vulnerability and presence rather than control.

Themes

connection vulnerability nature emotion presence

Mood

contemplative intimate reflective

Type

philosophical poetic inspirational

When to use this quote

  • intimate relationships
  • nature immersion
  • emotional awareness
  • mindful living

Key Concepts

existentialism mindfulness relational ethics

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you practice letting go in daily life?
  • What does it mean to truly “be” with others?
A Different Perspective

Control can provide safety; abandoning it may cause anxiety or instability.

3.0 out of 5 (10 ratings)

More by Derrick Jensen

Explore all 149 Derrick Jensen quotes

More Life quotes

Browse all 265,290 Life quotes