Annie Dillard: Polyphemus Moth: A Cautionary Tale

Naturalist Annie Dillard mused, “The question from agnosticism is, Who turned on the lights? The question from faith is, Whatever for?†John Muir answered, “faith is a baptism of light.â€Polyphemus Dillard published Pilgrim At Tinker Creek in 1974 and it became a Pulitzer Award winner. Considered by Edward Abbey as the “true heir apparent†to Henry Thoreau’s … [Read more…]

Miracle In A Waterfall: Part II

[Including a student’s response] Professor Loren Eiseley was a brilliant post-renaissance scholar who received world-acclaim for describing overarching themes that integrate science and religion. He also became an extraordinary Naturalist, philosopher, poet, humorist, sage and master storyteller. Much of his work has been recorded in eleven spirit-filled books and his overriding theme is that miracles … [Read more…]

John Muir: Semi-Skinny Dipping Under Nevada Falls

“Heaven knows that John the Baptist was not more eager to get all his fellow sinners into the Jordan than I to baptize all of mine in the beauty of God’s mountains.â€Â John Muir A glorious sunrise spread its warmth over the eastern Sierra and began melting the frost on our sleeping bags. The Biodesign students grabbed a light … [Read more…]

Mark Twain – Half Dome – Moonstruck

TUESDAY, 6-21-22 marks the summer solstice when the sun reaches its northernmost annual migration. This conjured up a beautiful Biodesign synchronicity that occurred on top of Yosemite’s Half Dome. Mother Nature saved one of her greatest gifts for the last Class to visit Yosemite. With billions of stars, too numerous to count, the students were … [Read more…]