René Daumal
René Daumal: A Life of Spiritual Quest and Literary Pursuit
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Full Name and Common Aliases
René Daumal was born as René Albert Daumal on October 7, 1908. He is often referred to by his initials R.A.D.
Birth and Death Dates
Born: October 7, 1908
Died: May 14, 1944
Nationality and Profession(s)
Daumal was a French poet, writer, philosopher, and mystic. His work spans various genres, including poetry, essays, and fiction.
Early Life and Background
René Daumal was born in Montpellier, France to a family of modest means. His early life was marked by intense spiritual seeking and a desire for self-discovery. Daumal's interest in philosophy, mysticism, and the human condition began at an early age, influencing his future work.
Major Accomplishments
Daumal's literary career was cut short due to his untimely death at 35. However, during this brief span, he managed to produce a significant body of work that had a profound impact on French literature. He is best known for his poem "Aurore," which showcases his unique blend of mysticism and poetry.
Notable Works or Actions
Aurore: A poetic masterpiece that explores themes of spiritual awakening and the human condition.
Les Vies de Mahatma Gandhi (The Lives of Mahatma Gandhi): A collection of essays that reflect Daumal's fascination with Eastern spirituality and philosophy.
* L'Homme Éternel (The Eternal Man): A novel that explores the concept of the eternal self.
Impact and Legacy
René Daumal's work has had a lasting impact on 20th-century literature. His unique blend of mysticism, poetry, and philosophical inquiry has influenced many writers and thinkers. Daumal's emphasis on the importance of spiritual seeking and the quest for truth continues to resonate with readers today.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Daumal's quotes are widely sought after due to his profound insights into the human condition. His words offer a glimpse into the mystical and philosophical dimensions of life, encouraging readers to question their assumptions about reality and existence. As a writer, philosopher, and mystic, Daumal continues to inspire and educate those seeking a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.
Daumal's legacy extends beyond his written work. He was also a pioneer in the French avant-garde movement, contributing to various literary and artistic endeavors throughout his life. His dedication to spiritual inquiry and creative expression serves as a testament to the transformative power of art and literature.
In the words of René Daumal himself: "The man who seeks has already found." This quote encapsulates the essence of Daumal's philosophy, inviting readers to embark on their own journey of self-discovery and spiritual exploration.
Quotes by René Daumal
When feet doesn’t want to hold you, you climb with your head. Maybe it isn’t the natural order of things, but isn’t it better to walk with your head than to think with your feet, as it happens so frequently?
Truth is one, but error proliferates. Man tracks it down and cuts it up into little pieces hoping to turn it into grains of truth. But the ultimate atom will always essentially be an error, a miscalculation.
...the most serious thing, and the strangest, is that we are afraid to the point of panic, not so much of seeing ourselves as of being seen by ourselves. This is our root absurdity. What is behind this great fear?
In the mythic tradition, the Mountain is the bond between Earth and Sky. Its solitary summit reaches the sphere of eternity, and its base spreads out in manifold foothills into the world of mortals. It is the way by which man can raise himself to the divine and by which the divine can reveal itself to man.
Man is head, chest and stomach. Each of these animals operates, more often than not, individually. I eat, I feel, I even, although rarely, think. This jungle crawls and teems, is hungry, roars, gets angry, devours itself, and its cacophonic concert does not even stop when you are asleep.
When feet doesn't want to hold you, you climb with your head. Maybe it isn't the natural order of things, but isn't it better to walk with your head than to think with your feet, as it happens so frequently?
Definition: Alpinism is the art of going through the mountains confronting the greatest dangers with the biggest of cares. What we call art here, is the application of a knowledge to an action.
Philosophy teaches how man thinks he thinks; but drinking shows how he really thinks.
I am dead because I have no desire, I have no desire because I think I possess, I think I possess because I do not try to give; Trying to give, we see that we have nothing; Seeing that we have nothing, we try to give ourselves, Trying to give ourselves, we see that we are nothing, Seeing that we are nothing, we desire to become, Desiring to become, we live.