--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The breath had become as much a trick as…" description: "\"“The breath had become as much a trick as breathing. Things were not dual merely, but multiple. I had become a cage of mirrors reflecting vacuity. But ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b1/henry-miller-179_astronomy_the-breath-had-become-as-much-a-trick-as_108820.jpg" --- # The breath had become as much a trick as breathing. Things… ![“The breath had become as much a trick as breathing. Things were not dual merely, but multiple. I had become a cage of mirrors reflecting vacuity. But vacuity once stoutly posited I was at home and what is called creation was merely a job of filling up holes. The trolley conveniently carried me…” quote by Henry Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b1/henry-miller-179_astronomy_the-breath-had-become-as-much-a-trick-as_108820.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b1/henry-miller-179_astronomy_the-breath-had-become-as-much-a-trick-as_108820.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b1/henry-miller-179_astronomy_the-breath-had-become-as-much-a-trick-as_108820.jpg) > ““The breath had become as much a trick as breathing. Things were not dual merely, but multiple. I had become a cage of mirrors reflecting vacuity. But vacuity once stoutly posited I was at home and what is called creation was merely a job of filling up holes. The trolley conveniently carried me about from place to place and in each little side pocket of the great vacuum I dropped a ton of poems to wipe out the idea of annihilation. I had ever before me boundless vistas. I began to live in the vista, like a microscopic speck on the lens of a giant telescope. There was no night in which to rest. It was perpetual starlight on the arid surface of dead planets. Now and then a lake black as marble in which I saw myself walking amidst brilliant orbs of lights. So low hung the stars and so dazzling was the light they shed, that it seemed as if the universe were only about to be born. What rendered the impression stronger was that I was alone; not only were there no animals, no trees, no other beings, but there was not even a blade of grass, not even a dead root. In that violet incandescent light witihout even the suggestion of a shadow motion itself seemed to be absent. It was like a blaze of pure consciousness, thought become God. And God, for the first time in my knowledge, was dean-shaven. I was also clean-shaven, flawless, deadly accurate. I saw my image in the marble black lakes and it was diapered with stars. Stars, stars... like a clout between the eyes and all remembrance fast run out. I was Samson and I was Lackawanna and I was dying as one being in the ecstasy of full consciousness.”” [Henry Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-miller/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The narrator describes an overwhelming, hyper‑conscious state where reality fragments into mirrors, voids, and cosmic light, blurring creation, identity, and divinity. **In simple terms:** A mind lost in endless, dazzling consciousness feels both isolated and god‑like. Key Takeaway Intense self‑awareness can dissolve ordinary boundaries. Themes consciousness identity existentialism cosmic isolation Mood awe loneliness Type stream‑of‑consciousness philosophical When to use this quote - psychedelic experiences - deep meditation retreats - creative writing sessions Key Concepts the void of hyper‑awareness the mythic self Practical Applications - use structured reflection to avoid disorientation - channel intense insight into artistic expression Questions to Reflect On - When does heightened perception become detrimental? - How can one integrate profound insights into daily life? A Different Perspective Such extreme immersion can lead to alienation and loss of practical grounding. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Annihilation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/annihilation/) [Astronomy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/astronomy/) ## Related quotes > [I wanted to feel the blood running back into my veins, even at the cost of annihilation. I wanted to shake the stone and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-miller/i-wanted-to-feel-the-blood-running-back-into-my-veins-even-at-the/) [Henry Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-miller/) > [“Once self-awareness crosses the boundary that creates the dualistic world, returning to its source in pure consciousness, words vanish.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/notable-scientists-and-philosophers/once-self-awareness-crosses-the-boundary-that-creates-the-dualistic/) Notable Scientists and Philosophers > [Direct the glance of apprehension & inquiry to pure consciousness, in its own absolute Being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-husserl/direct-the-glance-of-apprehension-inquiry-to-pure-consciousness-in/) [Edmund Husserl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-husserl/) > [To begin with, we put the proposition: pure phenomenology is the science of pure consciousness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-husserl/to-begin-with-we-put-the-proposition-pure-phenomenology-is-the/) [Edmund Husserl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-husserl/) > [Our essential nature is pure consciousness, the infinite source of everything that exists in the physical world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/our-essential-nature-is-pure-consciousness-the-infinite-source-of/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Meditation is the dissolution of thoughts in eternal awareness or pure consciousness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sivananda/meditation-is-the-dissolution-of-thoughts-in-eternal-awareness-or/) [Sivananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sivananda/) > [“The Supreme God is thus the embodiment of pure Consciousness”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-ramanananda/the-supreme-god-is-thus-the-embodiment-of-pure-consciousness/) [Sri Ramanananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-ramanananda/) > [“My only reality was a mass of radiant swirling energy of immense proportions that seemed to contain all existence in a condensed and entirely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-metzner/my-only-reality-was-a-mass-of-radiant-swirling-energy-of-immense/) [Ralph Metzner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-metzner/) > [Spiritual energy-the energy that comes from pure consciousness-is the creative energy of the universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/spiritual-energy-the-energy-that-comes-from-pure-consciousness-is-the/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [The greatest thing you can do for another being is to provide the unconditional love that comes from making contact with that place in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/the-greatest-thing-you-can-do-for-another-being-is-to-provide-the/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [See who is in the subject. The investigation leads you to pure consciousness beyond the subject.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramana-maharshi/see-who-is-in-the-subject-the-investigation-leads-you-to-pure/) [Ramana Maharshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramana-maharshi/) > [We are completely unaware of our true nature because we identify ourselves with our body, our emotions and our thoughts, thus losing sight of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-klein/we-are-completely-unaware-of-our-true-nature-because-we-identify/) [Jean Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-klein/) > [“The deep structure of the universe is pure consciousness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-zindell/the-deep-structure-of-the-universe-is-pure-consciousness/) [David Zindell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-zindell/) > [When we stop fighting with ourselves, we aren't creating anymore conflict in our mind. Then our mind can for the first time relax and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/when-we-stop-fighting-with-ourselves-we-aren-t-creating-anymore/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) > [A lot of what I am looking for is a moment of astonishment, he says. Those moments of pure consciousness when you involuntarily inhale…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-meyerowitz/a-lot-of-what-i-am-looking-for-is-a-moment-of-astonishment-he-says/) [Joel Meyerowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-meyerowitz/) ## More by Henry Miller > [“I reached out for something to attach myself to—and I found nothing. But in reaching out, in the effort to grasp, to attach myself,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-miller/i-reached-out-for-something-to-attach-myself-to-and-i-found-nothing/) [Henry Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-miller/) > [“I saw the errors I had made and assumed full responsibility for everything.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-miller/i-saw-the-errors-i-had-made-and-assumed-full-responsibility-for/) [Henry Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-miller/) > [The monstrous thing is not that men have created roses out of this dung heap, but that, for some reason or other, they should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-miller/the-monstrous-thing-is-not-that-men-have-created-roses-out-of-this/) [Henry Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-miller/) > [They never opened the door which leads to the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-miller/they-never-opened-the-door-which-leads-to-the-soul/) [Henry Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-miller/) > [“(...)I decided to let myself drift with the tide, to make not the least resistance to fate, no matter in what form it presented…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-miller/i-decided-to-let-myself-drift-with-the-tide-to-make-not-the-least/) [Henry Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-miller/) > [“If it be knowledge or wisdom one is seeking, then one had better go direct to the source. 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The ego dies in its own glass…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-miller/in-the-egocentric-prism-the-helpless-victim-is-walled-in-by-the-very/) [Henry Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-miller/) > [“When one spends what he has on himself, when one has a thoroughly good time with his own money, people are apt to say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-miller/when-one-spends-what-he-has-on-himself-when-one-has-a-thoroughly-good/) [Henry Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-miller/) > [Paint what you like and die happy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-miller/paint-what-you-like-and-die-happy/) [Henry Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-miller/) > [She may be lying in bed reading a book, she may be making love with a prize fighter, or she may be running like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-miller/she-may-be-lying-in-bed-reading-a-book-she-may-be-making-love-with-a/) [Henry Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-miller/) > [“And no one sets about saving the world unless he has first experienced the miracle of personal salvation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-miller/and-no-one-sets-about-saving-the-world-unless-he-has-first/) [Henry Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-miller/) > [“He looks about the room at the few sticks of furniture, at the dirty bed sheets and the wash basin with the dirty water…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-miller/he-looks-about-the-room-at-the-few-sticks-of-furniture-at-the-dirty/) [Henry Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-miller/) > [“Since then, of course, I have discovered what every madman in Paris discovers sooner of later; that there are no ready made infernos for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-miller/since-then-of-course-i-have-discovered-what-every-madman-in-paris/) [Henry Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-miller/) > [“Looking back upon my career, I see myself as a person capable of undertaking almost any task, any vocation. It was the monotony and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-miller/looking-back-upon-my-career-i-see-myself-as-a-person-capable-of/) [Henry Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-miller/) > [“The word in your mouth is anarchy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-miller/the-word-in-your-mouth-is-anarchy/) [Henry Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-miller/) [Explore all 894 Henry Miller quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-miller/) ## More Annihilation quotes > [The heart that breaks open can contain the whole universe... All is registered in the 'boundless heart' of the bodhisattva. Through our deepest and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-macy/the-heart-that-breaks-open-can-contain-the-whole-universe-all-is/) [Joanna Macy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-macy/) > [The highest ideal of cure is the rapid, gentle and permanent restoration of health; that is, the lifting and annihilation of the disease in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-hahnemann/the-highest-ideal-of-cure-is-the-rapid-gentle-and-permanent/) [Samuel Hahnemann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-hahnemann/) > [To fight is to face death once more, perhaps the total annihilation of their kind. But to run... is that not also a kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/to-fight-is-to-face-death-once-more-perhaps-the-total-annihilation-of/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [I'm not afraid of anything other than spiritual annihilation. Where your soul is sucked into the void.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crispian-mills/i-m-not-afraid-of-anything-other-than-spiritual-annihilation-where/) Crispian Mills > [There were days when she was unhappy, she did not know why,--when it did not seem worthwhile to be glad or sorry, to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-chopin/there-were-days-when-she-was-unhappy-she-did-not-know-why-when-it-did/) [Kate Chopin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-chopin/) > [I've crossed some kind of invisible line. I feel as if I've come to a place I never thought I'd have to come to.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-carver/i-ve-crossed-some-kind-of-invisible-line-i-feel-as-if-i-ve-come-to-a/) [Raymond Carver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-carver/) > [We travel together, passengers on a little spaceship, dependent on it's vulnerable reserves of air and soil, all committed, for our safety, to it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adlai-e-stevenson/we-travel-together-passengers-on-a-little-spaceship-dependent-on-it-s/) [Adlai E. Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adlai-e-stevenson/) > [Liberty is to faction, what air is to fire, an aliment without which it instantly expires. But it could not be a less folly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/liberty-is-to-faction-what-air-is-to-fire-an-aliment-without-which-it/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [Today I will once more be a prophet. If the international Jewish financiers, inside and outside Europe, succeed in plunging the nations once more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-hitler/today-i-will-once-more-be-a-prophet-if-the-international-jewish/) [Adolf Hitler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-hitler/) > [“The edge of total annihilation wasn't the worst place to hide.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kit-rocha/the-edge-of-total-annihilation-wasn-t-the-worst-place-to-hide/) [Kit Rocha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kit-rocha/) > [To hope is to give yourself to the future - and that commitment to the future is what makes the present inhabitable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-solnit/to-hope-is-to-give-yourself-to-the-future-and-that-commitment-to-the/) [Rebecca Solnit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-solnit/) > [Annihilation is an absurdity in terms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-palissy/annihilation-is-an-absurdity-in-terms/) Bernard Palissy > [Love is scary because it pulls you in with an intense force, a supermassive black hole which looks like nothing from the outside but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-haig/love-is-scary-because-it-pulls-you-in-with-an-intense-force-a/) [Matt Haig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-haig/) > [I have issued the command, and I'll have anybody who utters but one word of criticism executed by a firing squad, that our war…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-hitler/i-have-issued-the-command-and-i-ll-have-anybody-who-utters-but-one/) [Adolf Hitler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-hitler/) > [Every great love brings with it the cruel idea of killing the object of its love so that it may be removed once and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/every-great-love-brings-with-it-the-cruel-idea-of-killing-the-object/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) [Browse all 244 Annihilation quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/annihilation/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The breath had become as much a trick as breathing. Things were not dual merely, but multiple. I had become a cage of mirrors reflecting vacuity. But vacuity once stoutly posited I was at home and what is called creation was merely a job of filling up holes. The trolley conveniently carried me about from place to place and in each little side pocket of the great vacuum I dropped a ton of poems to wipe out the idea of annihilation. I had ever before me boundless vistas. I began to live in the vista, like a microscopic speck on the lens of a giant telescope. There was no night in which to rest. It was perpetual starlight on the arid surface of dead planets. Now and then a lake black as marble in which I saw myself walking amidst brilliant orbs of lights. So low hung the stars and so dazzling was the light they shed, that it seemed as if the universe were only about to be born. 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