Beyond

“I was set free! I dissolved in the sea, became white sails and flying spray, became beauty and rhythm, became moonlight 

and the ship and the high dim-starred sky! I belonged, without past or future, within peace and unity and a wild joy, within 

something greater than my own life, or the life of Man, to Life itself!.. I have had the same experience, became the sun, 

the hot sand, green seaweed anchored to a rock, swaying in the tide. Like a saint's vision of beatitude. Like the veil of 

things as they seem drawn back by an unseen hand. For a second you see, and seeing the secret, you are the secret. 

For a  second there is meaning!”

 ___ Eugene O'Neill, Long Day's Journey Into Night

 

Never having read  or seen this play, I was not aware of the terse, compact language of Mr. O'Neil.   The play covers one day in the life of a disfunctional family  and is probably not appropriate for a High School presentation -- maybe stick to "Music Man" , or some happy pap, there. 

Many can separate themselves from life for a few seconds  but few can describe it .  .  .  

Just got a copy of this play in the mail for a cent.  I would like to find out the context of this quote.