in the body -

I have been reading Jon Krakauer's book Into Thin Air. 

I resonate to this quote by Harold Brodkey in "Manipulations."  I suppose one could argue with him that an enlightened being can observe past events with detachment, but, for most of us, there is likely to be a change in the beat of our heart.


   
    I distrust summaries, any kind of gliding through time, any too great a claim that one is in control of what one recounts; I think someone who claims to understand but is obviously calm, someone who claims to write with emotion recollected in tranquility, is a fool and a liar.  To understand is to tremble.  To recollect is to re-enter and be riven.   I admire the authority of being on one's knees in front of the event.

    - Harold Brodkey.