painting titled October by Robert C. Minor

Wendell Berry on Solitude, Wholeness, and Community

Wendell Berry sees vital connections between practicing solitude, cultivating personal wholeness, and participating in community.

True solitude is found in the wild places, where one is without human obligation.

One’s inner voices become audible. One feels the attraction of one’s most intimate sources.

In consequence, one responds more clearly to other lives. The more coherent one becomes within oneself as a creature, the more fully one enters into the communion of all creatures.

— Wendell Berry in What Are People For?: Essays

Ryan serves as a pastor at Grace Bible Church. His ministry ranges from preaching, teaching, and writing, to listening, being present, and walking with others through some of life’s most difficult experiences.

He lives with his wife and children in Escondido, California.

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