As You Were – looking for connections between the work of Brené Brown and Daniel Quinn as I revisit them in book clubs. See the introductory post for what this is all about. In this post, I look at:
- Daniel Quinn Book Club — no reading this week
- Brené Brown Book Club — Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone, session 6 reading: Seven – Strong Back. Soft Front. Wild Heart.
(Commissions earned on Amazon links.)
Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone
Seven – Strong Back. Soft Front. Wild Heart.
“The wilderness demands this level of self-love and self-respect.” An appropriate counter to the fact that civilization (the not-wilderness) inherently cultivates shame.
“‘Protecting the status quo against our internal convictions is obviously a luxury of the privileged, because the underdogs and outliers and marginalized have no choice but to experience the daily wilderness. But choosing the wily outpost over the security of the city gates takes a true act of courage.'” Relates to Quinn connecting hierarchy/oppression/othering with civilization.
“‘… stay the course long enough to actually tunnel into the wilderness, and you’ll be shocked how many people already live out there — thriving, dancing, creating, celebrating, belonging. It is not a barren wasteland. It is not unprotected territory. It is not void of human flourishing… The walk out there is hard, but the authenticity out there is life.'” Quinn regularly points out that Taker culture sees nothing in Leaver culture, sees it as a waste of human potential, when it’s actually where humans flourish. He also notes that learning about the differences between Taker and Leaver cultures puts one in a difficult position, alienated from the people around us — part of the hard “walk out there.”
“We need a wild heart revolution more than ever.” Connecting wild to wholehearted, as Quinn connects the uncivilized to what is authentic for humans.
“This is when you reach deep into your wild heart and remind yourself, ‘I am the wilderness.'” Echoes Quinn noting the uncivilized authenticity of all humans.