In this reflection from Annie Dillard's "The Writing Life," the author wrestles with the profound experiences that shape our understanding of existence. She grapples with the nature of powerful forces that unexpectedly reveal our true selves, leaving us feeling bewildered. Dillard's thoughts on the unexpectedness of death and love highlight the ways these elements catch us off guard, prompting a deeper inquiry into the essence of our lives.

Dillard suggests that there is an intrinsic yearning within us for awakening and awareness. Rather than engaging authentically with life, we often find ourselves distracted by trivial pursuits like watching television. She paints a vivid picture of people, akin to tribesmen, needing to come together and rouse one another from a state of complacency, emphasizing the urgency to truly experience and understand our existence rather than passively witness it.