Intrusions into solitude

 

 

The first photo shows a nice peaceful landscape in Sedona, but it also shows a big annoyance. Can you see it? How about in the second photo, zoomed in a bit?

It's a helicopter. When you're hiking in a place that is kind of touristy, sometimes your personal peaceful "wandering in the wilderness" is interrupted by noisy choppers that are usually tourist sightseeing flights. In this case, it wasn't terribly close; but the loud noise was still very invasive for about 60 seconds. I had just been thinking how quiet it was and all I could hear was a birdsong, when the mechanical throb invaded, softly at first then noisier, impossible to ignore.

I should confess that I have occasionally been the tourist in the chopper - I recall doing that once in Hawaii and once at Foz de Iguaçu in Brazil. So I can't really complain about the validity or appropriateness of that business model! But as usual, there's an analogy that is illustrative.

I love the chance for quiet meditation when I am outdoors and "away from the world." That's one of the big reasons I love to hike and explore. I believe we all benefit more than we know from "quiet time" to just reflect and ponder - whether outdoors or in some other private setting. But we have to guard against intrusions that can disrupt the peace we otherwise feel. Those interruptions are not always just audible; they can also be from electronic means, or anything that distracts us from our peaceful flow. As we learn to minimize intrusions, we benefit more and more from meditation and solitude.

I #GiveThanks for the blessing of stillness, quiet, and meditation. And personally, for the chances I find "in nature" to achieve those experiences!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Nature's secret maps

Image
  On a hike in the woods earlier this week, Bonnie and I noticed there were logs set across the trail now and then, probably for erosion control. But on closer inspection, we started to realize there were patterns on the logs, and on even CLOSER inspection, we started to realize that the patterns looked like trail maps! Clearly, we decided, they were secret messages for the highly observant hikers indicating the locations of spectacular secret ancient treasures!! Of course, it became necessary to follow the pattern of a couple of the secret maps. After some expert and exhaustive tracking, we excitedly came to the end where the spectacular secret ancient treasure would be, and found nothing... only this (see additional photos). Oh, wait...... I #GiveThanks for spectacular secret ancient treasures and the chance to discover them by following nature's carefully encoded maps.  
Read more

Napping in public

Image
  As I get older, a good snooze now and then is a joy and a blessing. I seem to want to enjoy that blessing more frequently! Not a thing wrong with that, especially in the circumstance shown in the first photo (thanks Matthew for the photo).... As I was in a meeting earlier today, watching those seated in front, I had some flashbacks that involved others, and perhaps myself, who struggled with the particular challenge of staying awake in that setting. I remember thinking in the past, "How rude - not a very good example for a leader to doze off in front of everyone." But later I learned how hard it can be to remain alert, when very early morning meetings and a demanding schedule can wear on your ability to endure. I guess I had to "be there" to fully appreciate the struggle. Years ago I remember reading a delightful essay by BYU English professor Richard Cracroft titled "On the Vicissitudes of Serving in the Bishopric" (such a memorable title!) in which he
Read more

Every Day is a Gift

Image
My father's mortal experience ended when I was 7 years old. He didn't get the privilege of seeing his five children mature and marry, and have children of their own, or feel the special joy of being a grandfather. I now have grandchildren the age that I was when he left us - a whole generation of extra time. So I #GiveThanks for the gift of one more day, a priceless ongoing sharing of joy.
Read more