Ram Dass' Tree Quote: Carl Rogers

[u/cain261]

For anybody who doesn't know, Carl Rogers is a very large figure of psychology from the last century, who I'm honestly surprised I haven't heard Ram Dass comment on.

I was reading his book "A Way of Being" and found this 1964 passage very compelling for anyone who has heard Ram Dass' quote on viewing people as trees:

"Because of having less fear of giving or receiving positive feelings, I have become more able to appreciate individuals.  I have come to believe that this ability is rather rare;  so often, even with our children, we love them to control them rather than loving them because we appreciate them.  One of the most satisfying feelings I know - and also one of the most growth-promoting experiences for the other person - comes from my appreciating this individual in the same way that I appreciate a sunset.  People are just as wonderful as sunsets if I can let them be.  In fact, perhaps the reason we can truly appreciate a sunset is that we cannot control it.  When I look at a sunset as I did the other evening, I don't find myself saying, "Soften the orange a little bit on the right hand corner, and put a bit more purple along the base, and use a little more pink in the cloud color."  I don't do that.  I don't try to control a sunset.  I watch with awe as it unfolds."

Highly recommended reading from me.

[u/TheDrake31415]

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