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M\u00e1m \u00c9an, Connemara<\/em><\/p>\n This weekend we’re going to spend a little time with an old friend, John O’Donohue<\/a><\/strong> – he of the”beautiful gaze” and the peaks and valleys.<\/p>\n For the last two terms, we have been exploring the work of Ojibway writer (and former Burnaby resident!) Richard Wagamese<\/a><\/strong>. \u00a0As you have discovered, one of the Big Ideas in Wagamese’s work is that of connecting to place: connecting to the land and the landscape; learning from the natural world. \u00a0This weekend you will step into another perspective on this idea – one that brings us full circle to the beginning of the school year and our research into ancient Celtic traditions.<\/p>\n Your work is to listen to this recording<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0of John O’Donohue hiking up M\u00e1m \u00c9an Mountain in Connemara<\/a><\/strong>, in western Ireland. \u00a0While you listen, you’ll record your thoughts and then share your ideas, but first, please read the below instructions carefully.<\/p>\n You’ll come across some of the vocab we explored the last time we listened to O’Donohue – but here are a few more bits that might be useful to know before you begin:<\/p>\n Nonchalant<\/em> – having an air of easy unconcern or indifference<\/p>\n Zen<\/em> – a state of calm attentiveness in which one’s actions are guided by intuition rather than by conscious effort (related to Zen Buddhism)<\/p>\n Bog<\/a><\/strong> – a poorly drained usually acid area rich in accumulated plant material<\/p>\n Cadence<\/em> – a rhythmic sequence or flow of sounds<\/p>\n The Twelve Bens<\/a><\/strong> – a mountain range in Connemara<\/p>\n Pathos<\/em> – an element in experience or in artistic representation evoking pity or compassion<\/p>\n Anonymous<\/em> – of unknown authorship or origin; lacking individuality or distinction<\/p>\n Cutting turf<\/em> – in the past, Irish people heated their homes and cooked their food using turf taken from from the bog as fuel. Turf was cut from the bog by hand, using a two-sided spade called a sle\u00e1n<\/em>.<\/p>\n Sod<\/em> – the grass-covered surface ground layer<\/p>\n Karl Marx<\/a><\/strong> – a socialist revolutionary<\/p>\n Dialectic<\/em> – discussion and reasoning by dialogue as a method of intellectual investigation<\/p>\n If you are able to, after you listen, go back outside and take a look around. \u00a0If you are able to go to a place where you can see the North Shore mountains, do that, too.<\/p>\n How has your perspective shifted? \u00a0What do you see now that you didn’t before?<\/p>\n I go among trees and sit still.<\/em> Then what I am afraid of comes.<\/em> ~ Wendell Berry<\/p>\n The M\u00e1m \u00c9an Pilgrimage Walk<\/em><\/p>\n “Moon Over Maam Valley,” by Fergus Bourke<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" M\u00e1m \u00c9an, Connemara This weekend we’re going to spend a little time with an old friend, John O’Donohue – he of the”beautiful gaze” and the peaks and valleys. For the last two terms, we have been exploring the work of … Continue reading
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\nAll my stirring becomes quiet<\/em>
\nAround me like circles on water.<\/em>
\nMy tasks lie in their places<\/em>
\nWhere I left them, asleep like cattle\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n
\nI live for a while in its sight.<\/em>
\nWhat I fear in it leaves it,<\/em>
\nAnd the fear of it leaves me.<\/em>
\nIt sings, and I hear its song.<\/em><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/sd41blogs.ca\/gaitensp\/files\/2020\/05\/mamean1.jpg\")
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