Borsuk’s 4th chapter had a quote that was an impetus for a revelation I had in regards to the way I think about books and us as humans. On top of that, it also makes me appreciate the book as a physical object so much more than before taking this class, and reading this specific chapter. The quote I read that prompted this revelation was in relation to the popularity of the codex, “…it has proven useful as a portable, source-efficient physical support suited to the average human body” (Borsuk 197-198). This idea that the book is suited to the physical human body—not necessarily the mind but our hands, arms, etc.—therefore the book, then, is a reflection of our own physical body. There is an inherent, often unrealized, point of connection when holding a book or even a smartphone.
It brings me back to the practice of mindfullness, where you consciously bring yourself into the present and actively bring yourself back into your own body. This usually leads to a clearer mind and can help you focus. It’s a concept I learned about when I attended a behavioral program to help with my anxiety/OCD and depression. I used to heavily disassociate, but in learning mindfullness techniques I could bring myself back from that 2D-like game-scape into the real world. The mindfullness exercise I came up with was putting my hands on some part of my skin, closing my eyes, and just focusing of the feeling of my own skin (I also focused on my breathing too). Now I think of touching/holding the physical book as a mindfullness exercise, and when I think back to my visits to special collections for the midterm project, I realize I was already doing this; I would be in the present with the physical book, feeling the pages and the ink which connected me to the moment, my body, and the book itself. I think from now on, every time I touch a book, and physically feel it in my hands the same process will occur. In this way the book is a physical extension of my physical body and a mirror of it.
For a moment my body and that book (or laptop or phone or etc.) are interacting and participating in an exchange. For a moment there is an undeniable physical connection only broken when I am no longer holding or touching the book.
Hello Sierra! I really enjoyed reading about your connections between a book’s physicality and practicing mindfulness. This class has certainly taught us a lot about the physical aspects of book, so being able to feel and observe these aspects or lack thereof, becomes a part of our awareness and therefore we can be mindful of the book. I wonder if that sort of mindfulness changes when interacting with an ebook, since there can be less of a textural aspect to a screen, as it’s usually a flat, unblemished glass slate?
Hi Sierra! I think this is a really interesting section that you’ve highlighted. Books being suited for the human body. I mean, I can read a book with one hand, comfortably if it’s a paperback, although I do struggle with turning the pages with my thumb. I’ve never thought to connect mindfulness with the physicality of books in that way. I have contemplated the weight of a book, the feel of its paper and the material of the cover, so I think its great that you’ve connected your body to the book in such a way. The idea of being as attuned to a book as I am with my body sounds really peaceful, honestly. Does the book become a part of you when you read it’s content, or when you hold it in your hand and decide that it’s what you want to read? I think it’s both– the physicality of the book connects with your body, but the words reach your mind.
Hey Sierra, I really liked how you connected Borsuk’s idea about the codex and the human body to mindfulness. The way you describe touch as a way of grounding yourself gave me another perspective I hadn’t really thought about before. I have been thinking a lot about the physical side of reading too, but more in terms of movement and interaction. Your post made me see it in a more personal way. As something that can bring you back into your body while you read.
Hi Sierra,
I really like how you connected mindfulness and the physical book and using a physical book can ground us in the moment. I’ve noticed a book is a calming way for me to distract from other thoughts. Thank you for reminding me to practice mindfulness more as a person who also gets sucked into ocd ruminations.