where ever you go there you are

Short post sparked by the restrictions on travel due to Coronavirus.

Many people are lamenting the fact that they can’t travel. It brings to mind a well known Zen thought : ‘Wherever you go, there you are’.

If you travel to the top of a mountain seeking peace, your mind follows. You can be restless regardless of location.

I’ve always thought that the most important journey’s in life don’t involve going anywhere physically.

Learning a language, learning an instrument. Writing a book. Reading. Sitting down and understanding your mind. Developing your physical capabilities. Connecting intimately with family and friends.

These are the real destinations. I have nothing against travelling, but due to modernity, it is easy.

Maybe in the past, travel involved a level of hardship. But nowadays, it is commoditised and glamourised in the pursuit of likes and retweets. There is a view that it expands you as a person. Maybe it does, but actually you do that yourself, regardless of the destination

I do want to travel. To seek new experiences. I think part of the value in travelling is spending 24/7 with the people you are travelling with.

But I think it is foolish thinking that you will get something out of it that you can’t get just alone. Learning to be alone is a skill. One that you can train. Once you can do this, you can share your life more easily with others.

I’ll end with this :

“If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need” - Cicero.