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About this quote

What does it mean?
Genuine encounters happen by grace, not search, but responding to them requires total commitment.
In plain terms
You cannot force a deep meeting, but you must give your whole self to it.
What can you take from it?
Commit your whole self when grace brings connection.

Where it applies

  • spiritual experiences
  • deep relationships
  • personal growth

Putting it to work

  • be open to unexpected connection
  • engage fully in moments of meaning
  • honor the other

Questions to consider

  • How do you respond to grace?
  • What does whole being mean to you?

Another view

It suggests human effort is secondary to external forces in connection.

More from Martin Buber

  1. The basic word I-Thou can be spoken only with one's whole being. The concentration and fusion into a whole being can never be accomplished by me, can never be …

    Permalink to quote #2
  2. All actual life is encounter.

    Permalink to quote #3
  3. The I of the basic word I-Thou is different from that of the basic word I-It.

    Permalink to quote #4

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