APAD: "The sun shines not on us but in us"

最西边的岛上
楼主 (文学城)

"The sun shines not on us but in us" is a line from John Muir's writing that conveys the idea that nature is part of us, and that we are part of nature.

  Muir's full quote is: "Wonderful how completely everything in wild nature fits into us, as if truly part and parent of us. The sun shines not on us but in us. The rivers flow not past, but through us, thrilling, tingling, vibrating every fiber and cell of the substance of our bodies, making them glide and sing. The trees wave and the flowers bloom in our bodies as well as our souls, and every bird song, wind song, and tremendous storm song of the rocks in the heart of the mountains is our song, our very own, and sings our love."   Also this funny one by him" "I have always befriended animals and have said many a good word for them. Even to the least-loved mosquitoes I gave many a meal, and told them to go in peace." 
- John of the Mountains (1938).   John Muir (April 21, 1838 – December 24, 1914), also known as "John of the Mountains" and "Father of the National Parks", was a Scottish-born American naturalist, author, environmental philosopher, botanist, zoologist, glaciologist, and early advocate for the preservation of wilderness in the United States.  As part of the campaign to make Yosemite a national park, Muir published two landmark articles on wilderness preservation in The Century Magazine, "The Treasures of the Yosemite" and "Features of the Proposed Yosemite National Park"; this helped support the push for US Congress to pass a bill in 1890 establishing Yosemite National Park. - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Muir     ------------------------------

I had heard about Muir and his story long ago, and always wanted to visit Yosemite, where "the spirit of Yosemite" inspiried Muir to become a popular writer and a champion of natural beauty.  Only until last week, at the start of the heat wave ;-) , that we had the chance to spend a few days inside the national park and were totally wowed by it.  I could keep going on and saying more, but when I stood at the site where Muir had a good chat with president Theodore Roosevelt by the campfire, I was moved and lost for words ... ...
Below are a few pictures I took during the trip (with the new iPhone) to share with you.  Again, I'm not a photographer, so it would be the Mother Nature you appreciate, if you like any of them.

1. This is the site:

2. Mountain Mountain everywhere

3. Waterfall at Bridalveil Fall (not in season now)

4. The view at Tunnel View (El Capitan where some climb up with bare hands (& free soloing)!  Half Dome in distance, and Bridalveil Fall with no water seen)

5. The lovely books I bought at Ansel Adams Gallery
最西边的岛上
2ThoseSawMy typo of "bear" feet & hands, I 'm truly sorry;-)
暖冬cool夏
Love John‘s beautiful words and ur lovely writing!
暖冬cool夏
Read again. The sun shines in us! Our souls are bathed in 2.
最西边的岛上
TY暖冬!yes, our bodies & SOULs. May theSunshine stays 4ever!!
云霞姐姐
So many songs about sunshine ,I love sunshine
云霞姐姐
Sunshine in my eye and heart ,here is the one that I would

Like to share with you 

 

移花接木
Muir is +, mosquito also plays ecological roles other than
移花接木
to annoy human
最西边的岛上
thx云霞,what a lovely song (&can't stop tears listening 2 it).
最西边的岛上
thx thx & thx, U r my sunshine today!!!
7
7grizzly
Love the quote & pics. Thanks for keeping us posted!
7
7grizzly
Muir Woods near SF is nice for a visit, too.
最西边的岛上
yes, they r partOf the food chain4sure, tho they always pick
最西边的岛上
me 1st in a crowd ;-))
最西边的岛上
Yep, it's in the "to go" list. Thx 7G!! But where is SF's
最西边的岛上
cold summer Mark Twain once promised? ;-))
最西边的岛上
Wait, I forgot it's fall time now. sorry my bad ;-))
7
7grizzly
Some wisecrack from a celeb. That's how the rumor started:-)
7
7grizzly
Regardless, trust the sunshine within :-)
天边一片白云
Thank you for sharing. Quote and pics are all beautiful.
最西边的岛上
Glad U like them 白云。 Cheers!
云霞姐姐
《You are my sunshine 》is another lovely song ,
云霞姐姐
I can’t stop thinking of the one , post here too

Here

When I sing this song, I can remember the happy times with my two lovely daughters!

最西边的岛上
a beautiful Lullaby! Made me thinkingMyMom who sang 2 me
最西边的岛上
when I was little She wasGone @age 58 & I miss her everyday
云霞姐姐
hug hug , tears in my eye. sorry to bring you sad moment
最西边的岛上
OhBoy, Oct5th, still 32C at 4:25pm,no AC&no summerCloth:-((
最西边的岛上
escape & escape, 2 the car & 2 the car 4 AC ;-))
7
7grizzly
It's nothing compared with 2020 Labor Day: heat dome above,
7
7grizzly
wild fire all around, smoky sky, and dry lightning ...
7
7grizzly
we went through hell :-)
最西边的岛上
yes, we had that2 & hid In1stFloorThen. YosemiteWas~40CWhen
最西边的岛上
Terrible!!! climate change is here 4 real.
最西边的岛上
weWereThere, right Arm totallyBrownNow evenWith sunscreen;-(