I notice how Charles Darwin died on this day in 1882. If he were a Christian saint this day would be his “feast.” Of course, whatever Darwin believed in his heart of hearts, it somehow doesn’t seem appropriate to make this the day celebrating a man who more than most gave us keys to unlock an understanding of who we are as natural creatures.
At the same time noting his death holds up his mortality and therefore, underscores one thread of the cascade of insight that followed his simple observations. And, of course, the observations of many others. The interesting thing about genuine insight is that it is common property. If there were no Darwin the theory of evolution would have been articulated by Alfred Russel Wallace. And if no Wallace, someone else.
This insight into our naturalness and the causal interconnection of all things mutually creating, sustaining, and in time, destroying, is written on every face and in every heart.
Our passingness is an essential part of the play of all that is.
And it is that I would like to celebrate today.
Hello. Goodbye.
All in all, I’m glad I came this way…
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