A Free and Quick Get Away
"People are trying to get away from it all—to the country, to the seashore, to the mountains. You always wish that you could too. But you can get away from it anytime you like—by going within. Nowhere you can go is anymore more peaceful—more free of interruptions—than your own soul. An instant’s recollection and there it is: complete tranquility and harmony. So continue getting away from it all. Renew yourself. But keep it brief and basic! A quick visit should be enough, and will send you back ready to face whatever awaits you.”
I came upon this quotation by chance the day after writing my previous Haystack reflection (March 17th). I was amazed at how it paralleled that reflection about going deep into the inner darkness of your self by means of a self-inflicted power outage. What I found even more remarkable was that it had been written over 1,850 years ago by the Roman Emperor and philosopher Marcus Aurelius!
Naturally, the source of this desire to escape to an ocean paradise is the demanding pressures of our on-duty 24/7 world, yet Marcus Aurelius reminds us it is an ancient longing. I suggest you read the quote again and try to remember his wisdom to make our escapes “brief and basic.” Today, when time is severely rationed, we find it sweet news that “a quick visit” is enough to renew us. However, for it to be successful and sweet news, remember to descend without taking any luggage into your inner world.
By luggage, I refer to the invisible baggage of our problems, worries and troubles we tend to drag with us wherever we go—even to the seashore. If your attempts at brief escapes aren’t successful, check how much luggage you’re carrying. Then attempt escaping again, this time even without any carryon bags!
Besides being baggage-free, quick escapes that are successful also require repetitive get away efforts. Be confident that with practiced repetition you can become like the famous Houdini and be able to escape quickly from whatever you may feel is inescapably confining.
I came upon this quotation by chance the day after writing my previous Haystack reflection (March 17th). I was amazed at how it paralleled that reflection about going deep into the inner darkness of your self by means of a self-inflicted power outage. What I found even more remarkable was that it had been written over 1,850 years ago by the Roman Emperor and philosopher Marcus Aurelius!
Naturally, the source of this desire to escape to an ocean paradise is the demanding pressures of our on-duty 24/7 world, yet Marcus Aurelius reminds us it is an ancient longing. I suggest you read the quote again and try to remember his wisdom to make our escapes “brief and basic.” Today, when time is severely rationed, we find it sweet news that “a quick visit” is enough to renew us. However, for it to be successful and sweet news, remember to descend without taking any luggage into your inner world.
By luggage, I refer to the invisible baggage of our problems, worries and troubles we tend to drag with us wherever we go—even to the seashore. If your attempts at brief escapes aren’t successful, check how much luggage you’re carrying. Then attempt escaping again, this time even without any carryon bags!
Besides being baggage-free, quick escapes that are successful also require repetitive get away efforts. Be confident that with practiced repetition you can become like the famous Houdini and be able to escape quickly from whatever you may feel is inescapably confining.
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