Reflections upon the Path

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Rhombicuboctahedron by Leonardo da Vinci

"Reflections upon the Path" is a text found as the epilogue to The Anxiety of Influence.

Riding three days and nights he came upon the place, but decided it could not be come upon.

He paused therefore to consider.

This must be the place. If I have come upon it, then I am of no consequence.

Or this cannot be the place. There is then no consequence, but I am myself not diminished.

Or this may be the place. But I may not have come upon it. I may have been here always.

Or no one is here, and I am merely of and in the place. And no one can come upon it.

This may not be the place. Then I am purposeful, of consequence, but have not come upon it.

But this must be the place. And since I cannot come upon it, I am not I, I am not here, here is not here.

After riding three days and nights he failed to come to the place, and rode out again.

Was it that the place knew him not, or failed to find him? Was he not capable?

In the story it only says one need come upon the place.

Riding three days and nights he came upon the place, but decided it could not be come upon.

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