the person out there

241012 | self-portrait, and Aitken on getting hooked by appearances

“The problem is that we get hooked by appearances, and are no longer standing on our own feet. With trust, however, we can pay attention to the innate person out there. If someone is aloof, perhaps a smile and a friendly question, or perhaps simply respectful silence may be appropriate.

The question is, who is boss here? Are you blown about by the words and actions of others, or do you sit firmly in […] intimacy? When something happens, do you use that chance, or are you used by it?”

- from Robert Aitken, The Mind of Clover