As we walk, the pace of our step may gradually slow (as if in dream)…

until some Thing arrests our attention—perhaps the delicate blossom of a Nootka rose… or a Western Painted turtle far from its aquatic home. Initially, we may be captivated by the physical appearance of this Thing: e.g. the pattern of the turtle’s hard carapace… the vivid yellow stripes along its neck… the thick, ancient leatheriness of its legs… the moist depths of its eyes.

As we focus our attention more fully on this turtle, we may begin to reach beneath its outer appearance… toward its inner ‘turtle-ness’… and then even further inward toward the beingness of this specific turtle. Rilke referred to this capacity to ‘see beneath the surface’ as einsehen or inseeing. In some mystical way—as we insee the turtle—we simultaneously insee ourselves… reaching toward our own True Nature. In doing so, we have the opportunity to experience the utter uniqueness not only of the turtle's being—but also of our own... and then to celebrate the numinous relationship that our beings share.