The Legend of Bagger Vance is one of several films that are on my ‘movie medicine’ list for when I need just that bit of inspiration and perceptual-shift.
With its inspiring depression-era ‘Hero’s Journey‘ story, a wise spirit ally who shows up in an unexpected form (as they do!) to guide our hero, an evocative score, and Robert Redford’s elegant direction and cinematography, it’s definitely good medicine for mind and spirit.
Though the story is rich, here’s one bit of wisdom from one of my favorite scenes (and there are several):
“Inside each and every one of us is one true authentic swing… Somethin’ we was born with… Somethin’ that’s ours and ours alone… Somethin’ that can’t be taught to ya or learned… Somethin’ that got to be remembered…
Over time the world can, rob us of that swing… It get buried inside us under all our wouldas and couldas and shouldas… Some folk even forget what their swing was like… There’s a perfect shot out there tryin’ to find each and every one of us… All we got to do is get ourselves out of its way, to let it choose us…” ~ Bagger Vance, The Legend of Bagger Vance
Here’s to remembering, to getting out of the way, and to letting our ‘authentic swing’ choose us! Yes, it’s easier said than done … but it’s a great question to live into!
Big Love,
July 20, 2015 at 9:06 pm
The wisdom of the character Bagger Vance reminds me of this from Rumi…
“There is one thing in this world that you must never forget to do. If you forget everything else and not this, there’s nothing to worry about; but if you remember everything else and forget this, then you will have done nothing in your life.
It’s as if a king has sent you to some country to do a task, and you perform a hundred other services, but not the one he sent you to do. So human beings come to this world to do particular work. That work is the purpose, and each is specific to the person. If you don’t do it, it’s as though a priceless Indian sword were used to slice rotten meat. It’s a golden bowl being used to cook turnips, when one filing from the bowl could buy a hundred suitable pots. It’s a knife of the finest tempering nailed into a wall to hang things on.
You say, “But look, I’m using the dagger. It’s not lying idle.” Do you hear how ludicrous that sounds? For a penny, an iron nail could be bought to serve the purpose. You say, “But I spend my energies on lofty enterprises. I study jurisprudence and philosophy and logic and astronomy and medicine and all the rest.” But consider why you do those things. They are all branches of yourself.
Remember the deep root of your being, the presence of your lord. Give your life to the one who already owns your breath and your moments. If you don’t, you will be exactly like the man who takes a precious dagger and hammers it into his kitchen wall for a peg to hold his dipper gourd. You’ll be wasting valuable keenness and foolishly ignoring your dignity and your purpose.”
Thanks for the post,
Mike
July 22, 2015 at 1:44 pm
Thank you, Mike, for sharing this wisdom from Rumi with us. “Remember the deep root of your being …” … that’s just so exquisite that I could rest in it for hours, though I’ll carry it with me into the day as well. Blessings to you, and thanks for visiting. Jamie
July 25, 2015 at 3:07 pm
There are many ways of expressing that truth about our authenticity – it’s great to find a movie or a book that we can come back to time and time again to inspire us again.
July 29, 2015 at 3:06 pm
It’s so true, isn’t it? And it’s always so wonderful to have all of the little sparks that reflect authenticity back to us — including the movie and music Muse medicine! xoxo Love, Jamie
July 22, 2015 at 1:46 pm
Thank you for reblogging this QuoteWorthy post in your Spirit Garden blog! I appreciate that, and your other musings as well. Blessings, Jamie