The Art of Hiking

As I was climbing over the Alps this summer, taking in the sublimity of its cobalt peaks, the simple beauty of the sweet little succulent flowers, and the green fabric of the valleys below, I did not ask myself any metaphysical questions, thank God. In fact, I take it as an important part of the experience of beauty that we simply bask in it, soak and drink it in, without too much in the way of analysis and calculation. This can give rise to big questions about existence, to be sure, but prior to any of that is a movement of the heart, one which may be inexpressible in words. It is that movement, that experience, which is more important even than the questions. In fact, questions asked too soon can interrupt the experience and movement of the heart.