Katherine May on Enchantment, Building Community, Tasting Words, and a Drink of Lake Water
Nov 24, 2024
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Join internationally bestselling author Katherine May as she delves into themes of enchantment and community. She shares insights from her latest book, emphasizing the joy of 'tasting words' and the wisdom of slowing down, whether in art or literature. May discusses the balance of mindfulness in parenting, the transformative power of poetry, and how wonder can combat anxiety. Water's grounding nature becomes a metaphor for connection, revealing how nurturing relationships and shared silence can enrich our lives in today's fast-paced world.
Katherine May highlights the importance of community in fostering a contemplative life, enabling deeper reflections during challenging times.
She emphasizes that intentionally seeking wonder can alleviate anxiety, helping individuals embrace the present and nurture their emotional well-being.
Deep dives
The Role of Community in a Contemplative Life
Community plays a crucial role in fostering a contemplative life, especially in times of difficulty. Catherine May emphasizes the need for connection and accountability among individuals who seek deeper reflections on their existence. Drawing from her recent retreat experiences, she articulates how sharing space with others, even in silence, fosters a profound sense of belonging and understanding. This collective engagement helps individuals feel lighter and more supported as they navigate their creative journeys and the accompanying emotions.
Practicing Wonder as a Response to Anxiety
Catherine May posits that practicing wonder can significantly alleviate anxiety, framing wonder as a necessary antidote to the pressures of modern life. By intentionally seeking out wonder, individuals can shift their perspective and recognize their place within the larger world. This practice aids in humility, allowing people to release the burdens of perfectionism and the relentless pursuit of achievement. May advocates for taking time to embrace the beauty around us, highlighting that engagement with art or nature can evoke deep feelings of awe.
The Significance of Attention in Daily Life
Attention is a central theme in Catherine May's exploration of both anxiety and wonder, as she discusses how anxiety often steals our focus, diverting it towards thoughts of fear and unresolved issues. In contrast, wonder expands our attention and allows us to fully embrace the present moment. By learning to recognize when anxiety disrupts our ability to engage meaningfully with our surroundings, individuals can reclaim their focus and cultivate a sense of calm. May's insights encourage a more deliberate approach to how we direct our attention in everyday interactions and experiences.
Connection to Nature and Its Role in Spirituality
Catherine May expresses a deep connection to water, viewing it as a natural form of congregation that can evoke feelings of being held and connected. She stresses the importance of recognizing the science behind natural phenomena, such as the tides, as a way to cultivate wonder and appreciation for the world. These connections to nature not only provide a sense of belonging but also reinforce the idea that spirituality can coexist with empirical understanding. Ultimately, engaging with nature offers restorative experiences that nurture our spiritual and emotional well-being.
"I love Katherine May’s new book, Enchantment.… It’s a beautiful offering of light, truth and charm in these strange, dark times."
— Anne Lamott
Katherine May is an internationally bestselling author and podcaster living in Whitstable, UK. Her most recent book, Enchantment became an instant New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller. Her internationally bestselling hybrid memoir Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times was adapted as BBC Radio 4’s Book of the Week, and was shortlisted for the Porchlight and Barnes and Noble Book of the Year. The Electricity of Every Living Thing, her memoir of a midlife autism diagnosis was adapted as an audio drama by Audible. Katherine’s podcast, How We Live Now, ranks in the top 1% worldwide, and she has been a guest presenter for On Being’s The Future of Hope series. Katherine lives with her husband, son, two cats and a dog. She loves walking, sea-swimming and pickling slightly unappealing things. Katherine and I talk about tasting words, the wisdom of beholding only a handful of pieces in an art museum per visit, and we examine the necessity and importance of community drawing on specifically her chapter titled “Congregation” from her latest book, Enchantment: Awakening Wonder in an Anxious Age, and so much more.As always you can visit contemplify.com for the shownotes on this episode and learn more about Katherine by visiting katherine-may.co.uk, signing up her Substack newsletter, and listening to her podcast How We Live Now.