ripples

ripples 

of the setting sun 

quiet waters

This haiku reflects process philosophy by highlighting the dynamic, interconnected, and ever-changing nature of reality.

Process Philosophy in the Haiku

The haiku illustrates key tenets of process philosophy, which emphasizes that reality is not a collection of static, unchanging things, but a continuous flow of becoming and change.

"ripples, of the setting sun": The ripples are not a permanent feature of the water; they are a transient, momentary effect of an action—the setting of the sun. This reflects the central idea of process philosophy that events and processes, rather than static substances, are the fundamental building blocks of reality. The sun's setting is a process, and the ripples are the effect of that process on the water.

"quiet waters": This phrase suggests a temporary state of peace, but it is a state that exists within a larger process. The water was previously disturbed by the ripples and will be disturbed again. The "quiet" is a fleeting moment in the continuous flow of the water's existence, not its eternal, unchanging essence.

Interconnectedness: The haiku links the sun and the water, showing how one process (the sun setting) creates a specific effect (ripples) in another element (the water). This highlights the relational aspect of reality, a core concept in process philosophy. Nothing exists in isolation; everything is defined by its relationships and interactions with other things.

Essentially, the haiku captures a snapshot of a larger, ongoing process, showing how a moment of apparent tranquility is actually a part of a dynamic, interconnected system of constant change.