Let’s take a trip

People say that we all need a vacation. The time away is restful and calming. Many people when asked to proffer their goal in life, often utter, I want to travel. When queried they further respond — everywhere! This is a wonderful target, espoused by eager and excited minds.

But, how quickly does this desire become stifled and limited by the workings of life?

All too quickly, I would think. Physical travel requires time and money — both of which, as we age chronologically, are in an increasingly stressed supply.

I propose an alternative: the world of inner travel — the journey into the self. This is attractive because it only requires my presence to undertake the voyage. The drawback of an interior peregrination, however, is that once you leave your home port, you can never go home — at least not as the same person. (1) You have been altered in ways that no one tells you at the onset. But, to be fair, they can’t for they are not you. This journey, in all its aspects, is a solitary one.

Much like falling in love, we can read the great works of romantic fiction, but without experience, we do not understand what true love is. Prince Onegin, in Pushkin’s famous novel in verse, (2) arrives too late at this realization to catch the moment, or the love of Tatiana for that matter. I must be sensitive to the world around me and to the nuances of life.

So how does one explore this fulfilling and fully expressed interior life? Firstly, we must realize that it does exist — though not for everyone. If you state that there is nothing but the physical reality I occupy, you are right. There is only emptiness beyond me. The New Atheists (3) have published extensively in this area.

If, however, I am stunned by the gift of my own raw creation, my consciousness, I can begin. Initially, I am humbled by my ignorance and lack of knowledge. At the beginning, I am truly an undeveloped being, more with the potential for failure than the hope for success. But, I want to learn about everything — the bugs, the bees — about Gaia herself. Curiosity is an essential tool on my journey.

I then realize that my life has a mission, it is important. I am a necessary being in the path of history. I only have to find my true calling. And, it is there for everyone.

And finally, upon leaving this mortal plane, I place myself in God’s hands. Here there is peace, not fear. Viewing life from the perspective of a reflective panorama allows me to have, quite literally, the adventure of a lifetime. St. Teresa of Avila (4) leaves us with a thought: The feeling remains that God is on the journey too.

A closing thought: It is relatively easy to give up on the adventure of life. The failures and frustrations are millstones that weigh down the lightness of our being, making it hard to journey further and explore life. That said, we must. The unrequited life only produces suffering and bitterness. It is, quite obviously, far better to try and fail than to never try at all to discover the meaning of my life.

To sum up: This week, we spoke about my adventure of life.

To be noted: From Albert Einstein — I never teach my pupils, I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn.

Just for fun: