This morning I embarked on a small adventure to Scotland. I always feel both inspired wanderlust and a little trepidation when I go on a journey.
But it’s really in my bones. As a young student, who went to live in Japan, Was very much inspired by the wandering poet Basho:
“Life is motion. Existence is motion. Nature is motion. The sun and moon travel eternally through the heavens tracking the unending ages of time. Birds migrate, flowers bloom and wither, marking the passing years - beget to begotten, father to son, generations ascend and are usurped. Throughout history, poets have wandered the land, nomads pursuing the muse of motion. Some time ago, that innate wanderlust had propelled me on a meandering voyage….”
I feel a connection to the 16th century with this great poet. For I know that life is about change and motion. Paradoxically our minds crave stability and thereby certainty. But the only phenomena which are not in motion are dead.
At the beginning of a new journey,I know that I will get to see new vistas - both physical and and in the mind. My mind will be opened and my imagination stoked. This fuels my excitement.
At the same time, there is a feeling of trepidation. By risking the known, I risk obstacles, difficulty or even danger.
But the heart knows it’s better to face this, and to feel alive, than to stagnate and die.
After a number of weeks writing and shuttling in to London periodically to meet visionary thinkers, it will be good to experience the Scottish Highlands. I am visiting the famous Gordonstoun School, which educated three generations of the Royal family. And then I am doing a retreat with a group of leaders from Davos in a secluded Manor House by a Loch. And then who knows.
As I have probably mentioned before, I am deep into writing a book about the future offer civilisation so its been a struggle to write here. I now intend to write short comments here whilst I complete the book, instead of writing nothing.