Inscape – The Way In (100)

The poet Gerard Manley Hopkins introduced the

concept of "inscape" to the English language, a word

he coined to indicate our access to the beautiful and

profound, the way into allowing the mind to rest

naturally. Scholars tell me Hopkins keyed on this

concept from the work of Duns Scotus, another of my

favorite poets. I can't say I agree with most scholars

as to their interpretation of what Hopkins meant by

"inscape." I have my own understanding and will use

that.

Inscape to me is a natural sign (a signal in our busy

life of distractions) that gets our attention and carries

us within to rest in the nature of the mind, however

 

briefly. That rest is crucial.