2.9
Thisness reveals new aspects of things, as we open to the particular way of being—the character—of a thing.
As we walk, this tree wisps past, like a ghost; but also, it intrudes. Surely, not all trees have the same strength of character, not all mesh with everyone (what I see as strength of character, you may see as weakness). Different beings have different characters, different ways of engaging with the world.
Trees reach out. — They aren’t just sitting there, present-at-hand, nor are they just there for our projects, ready-to-hand (§2.4); they aren’t just raw material for use. Each tree exhibits a particular way of being: engaged with their surroundings, they respond, dynamically, in their environment. — But what do I mean in saying they reach out? That they physically move towards something, for example, phototropism? No, I mean they’re not just standing there, inert, contained. They’re engaged, open to encounter.
‘But, surely, you’re not saying that a tree encounters you? How would it even know you’re there?’
The tree is open for encounter. This doesn’t mean that the tree is consciously aware of your presence. It simply means there can be an exchange between you and this tree.