Henry Reed Quotes

Powerful Henry Reed for Daily Growth

About Henry Reed

Henry Reed (1914-1978) was an influential British poet, playwright, and broadcaster, best known for his satirical wit and innovative use of language in both poetry and radio drama. Born on November 26, 1914, in Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, Reed was the only child of Herbert and Hilda Reed. His father was a civil engineer who served in the Royal Engineers during World War I, which likely influenced Reed's lifelong interest in military history. Reed attended Dulwich College before studying at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, where he joined the Footlights Dramatic Club and co-wrote several revues with future comedy greats such as Graham Stark, Terence Alter, and Peter Sellers. After graduation, Reed worked as a journalist and radio producer for the BBC, where he created some of his most famous works, including the 'Loons' series (1945) and the Hildebrands at Bay trilogy (1947-1962). Reed's poetry often reflected his experiences during World War II, particularly in the celebrated "Nonsense Medley" (1943), which humorously parodied military jargon and propaganda. His most famous work, however, is probably "Nash's Heap," a poem written in response to the death of poet John Betjeman's father, which poignantly captures the feelings of loss and nostalgia associated with the British countryside. Reed's unique blend of humor and pathos made him a beloved figure in British cultural life. In 1970, he was appointed as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to literature. Unfortunately, Reed struggled with alcoholism throughout much of his adult life, and it contributed to his early death from cirrhosis of the liver on October 24, 1978. Despite this tragic end, Henry Reed's legacy as a brilliant wordsmith and groundbreaking radio dramatist continues to inspire and entertain audiences today.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The Naked Now" - "Now we are sitting in a little house on the hillside, and the sun is setting, and the wind is blowing through the trees, and there's nothing at all to do."

The quote encapsulates a moment of peaceful solitude and tranquility. Reed captures the essence of living in the present, appreciating the simple beauty of nature and the passing of time, with no need for external distractions or activities. This is a reminder to find joy in the quiet moments of life, allowing oneself to fully experience the transient beauty of the present moment.

"Lessons of the War" - "There is no such thing as the 'unconscious mind.' The whole mind is always conscious, but only the repressed parts are polite."

This quote suggests that the human mind is not divided into conscious and unconscious compartments, as some psychological theories propose. Instead, according to Henry Reed, the entire mind is always aware, though certain aspects may be suppressed or hidden due to social conventions or personal discomfort. The "polite" parts of the mind are those that have been repressed, meaning they are conscious but choose not to express themselves openly. This implies a deeper understanding of human psychology, where everything is processed at some level of consciousness, even if it's deemed inappropriate or inconvenient for expression or acknowledgment.

"Nonsense Movies" - "A sense of humor is what juggles your qualms."

The quote suggests that humor, or finding amusement in situations, can help alleviate concerns or apprehensions (qualms) by creating a lighthearted and less stressful atmosphere. In other words, when faced with problems, having a sense of humor can make those issues easier to manage and navigate. This is often referred to as "juggling qualms" - addressing worries while maintaining an optimistic and playful perspective. The phrase "Nonsense Movies" may be a metaphor for using this humorous approach in unusual or seemingly senseless situations, emphasizing the importance of humor in coping mechanisms.

"The Reluctant Bedside Manners" - "There are no 'grown-ups' in this world, only little pigs in different size pigsuits."

This quote implies that regardless of age or appearance, people continue to behave immaturely, often driven by self-interest and lack of empathy, similar to the way baby pigs (or any piglets) act within their various sizes of pig suits (different social roles). In essence, Reed suggests that as we grow older, we may put on different "pigsuits," but the inherent immaturity and petty behaviors persist in the human condition.

"A Map of Verona" - "I am a poor player who struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more; it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." (Adapted from William Shakespeare's "Macbeth")

This quote, adapted from William Shakespeare's "Macbeth" by Henry Reed, highlights the transient and insignificant nature of human life, especially when viewed from a broader perspective. The speaker is acknowledging his own mortality, recognizing that despite his actions and experiences during his brief time on this earth (his "hour upon the stage"), he will ultimately be forgotten. The phrase "sound and fury" suggests the passion and intensity with which we live our lives, but the closing statement emphasizes that these actions may not have any lasting or profound impact in the grand scheme of things. It's a poignant reflection on the human condition, urging us to consider what truly matters in life as our existence is temporary and fleeting.

The sixth sense is at the core of our experiences. It is what makes experiences out of events.

- Henry Reed

Core, Sixth Sense, Sixth, Events

Because there is a larger awareness that transcends time and space, an awareness is available after death.

- Henry Reed

Larger, Transcends, Time And Space

If there is any one truth from the legacy of the Cayce readings, it would be that there is a spiritual dimension to humans, something beyond time and space.

- Henry Reed

Legacy, Beyond, Any, Time And Space

We each have a sixth sense that is attuned to the oneness dimension in life, providing a means for us to guide our lives in accord with our ideas.

- Henry Reed

Means, Providing, Lives, Attuned

I published in 1978 a report on dreams in the Journal of Clinical Psychology. It was the first study of its kind to demonstrate that it is possible for people to make constructive use of their dreams to improve their lives.

- Henry Reed

Kind, Study, Lives, Journal

As we abide in sleep, intuitively resonating with the sum of all our experiences - this life and beyond - we gain refreshing perspective on our efforts and have an opportunity to remember what we know.

- Henry Reed

Opportunity, Resonating, Sum, Abide

The usual comment from psychologists and psychiatrists was that it's best not to encourage people to look at their dreams because they are liable to stir up problems for themselves.

- Henry Reed

Dreams, Best, Usual, Psychiatrists

It is easier to learn to interpret dreams if you have a reason to use them for something constructive. You apply your dream insights to making constructive changes in your life.

- Henry Reed

Learn, Reason, Making, Interpret

There is both a skill factor and an effort factor in dream recall. People can develop dream recall skills, such as lying still in the morning and writing down whatever comes to mind.

- Henry Reed

Effort, Mind, Still, Factor

There is something very basic to the sense of listening. The sense of hearing is the only one that operates totally from vibrations, without other physical or chemical reactions to receive the sensations.

- Henry Reed

Listening, Very, Receive, Reactions

Freud published The Interpretation of Dreams in 1900. It introduced the notion that there existed certain predictable and identifiable processes by which dreams were formed.

- Henry Reed

Dreams, Processes, Which, Formed

How do you know, right now, that you are aware of being aware, or conscious?

- Henry Reed

Now, How, Aware, Do You Know

Dream study impacts culture. We are put in touch with the inner poet who dreams. We hear our inner, subjective response to the outer world. That helps spiritualize our lives.

- Henry Reed

Study, Subjective, Lives, Impacts

People are learning to feel more comfortable hearing one another's dreams. It used to be that if you told a dream in public, someone had to make a joke to relieve the tension introduced by that alternative reality.

- Henry Reed

Learning, Feel, Another, Hearing

What we hear while we are asleep continues to resonate with us upon awakening.

- Henry Reed

Resonate, Asleep, While, Awakening

When we fall asleep, we withdraw our awareness from its hypnotic fascination with physical sensation, thereby enabling us to listen with our now awakening sixth sense.

- Henry Reed

Sense, Enabling, Hypnotic, Awakening

It makes a difference what we choose to experience during sleep. Many of us think of sleep as a chance to get away from it all. But sleep is also a chance to return to the joys of our spiritual heritage - our universal awareness.

- Henry Reed

Chance, Think, Away, Joys

All human beings are interconnected, one with all other elements in creation.

- Henry Reed

Other, Interconnected, Creation

Hugh Lynn Cayce, Edgar Cayce's son, is quoted as saying, The best interpretation of a dream is one you apply.

- Henry Reed

Best, Apply, Quoted, Edgar

When we awaken, we cannot account for the time spent. We simply don't remember. About the only evidence we have of experiences while we were asleep is when we happen to remember a dream.

- Henry Reed

Happen, Evidence, We Cannot, Account

If there is any truth to my parenting the dreamwork movement, it comes from the power of the press.

- Henry Reed

Truth, Power, Any, Press

The things that concern us during the day are going to influence what we experience during the night.

- Henry Reed

Night, Going, Things, Concern

Dreams have always expanded our understanding of reality by challenging our boundaries of the real, of the possible.

- Henry Reed

Understanding, Always, Challenging

What is it like to fall asleep? What happens? Where do we go? Why don't we remember? Since childhood most of us have wondered about the mystery of sleep.

- Henry Reed

Childhood, Go, Like, Asleep

Intuition is the very force or activity of the soul in its experience through whatever has been the experience of the soul itself.

- Henry Reed

Through, Been, Very, Intuition

People don't think their dreams amount to much, but when I ask them to examine them for common themes, they surprise themselves at how accurate they are! They see that their dreams have value.

- Henry Reed

Surprise, Think, Amount, Themes

It was Jung who first said to explain the symbol as if talking to a man from mars who knew nothing about our life on earth.

- Henry Reed

Mars, Knew, Symbol, Explain

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