***
We are living in very strange times. A photograph or a video recording of burial mounds at Gamla Uppsala in Sweden can be shared with someone living on the opposite side of the globe in the blink of an eye. It is estimated that approximately one million digital self-portraits are being taken every day to be posted on social media. Our modern times are characterized by an ever-growing obsession with sharing tiny and usually insignificant details from our daily lives. The advent of social media has caused a completely normal part of social interaction to get out of control. The Internet has given us a golden opportunity to express ourselves without any limitations, but we have wasted this chance on reinforcing our narcissistic, self-aggrandizing tendencies.
A lot of people complain about the lack of privacy in our modern times and blame politicians for this state of affairs, yet, at the same time, they voluntarily expose themselves on social media. I deeply believe that we should consider changing our attitude towards sharing. There is a time and a place for participating in gregarious interaction and exchange, but it should be counterbalanced with time spent alone. The latter does not imply the absence of other people in one’s physical proximity, either. It simply means that we should celebrate the present moment without having any digital witnesses. We should refrain from taking photos and filming, especially when we are confronted with something radically unusual and different from our daily experience. We should aim for secrecy of special moments. For example, taking a hike deep into nature and observing wildlife is a great occasion for learning how to keep such precious moments private. This makes us more likely to appreciate the present moment, as it's experienced only by us (unless we make an exception for a few beloved ones, which is totally understandable) and no one else. Such intimate experiences cause gratitude for the blessings that fate has bestowed upon us. Moreover, it is a well-known fact that confidentiality within a small group strengthens bonds between its individual members. The same is true for couples, marriages, and siblings.
In today's globalized world, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find quiet and serene places where few people have been before. I strongly encourage you all to step off the beaten track every once in a while and explore areas beyond your immediate surroundings. An old hornbeam forest, a tranquil birch grove on a gentle hillock, a ramshackle barn in an overgrown field – let us remember and frequently visit such secluded spots. I believe that every person should have their own favourite, secret place and only show it to their beloved one or a close friend. I think it's an excellent way to forge meaningful bonds with persons dear to your heart. My secret place is located on a hiking trail, high in the mountains. At first glance, there is nothing exceptional here, but in the late afternoon, especially in the autumn, the undergrowth changes its colours and you can see a beautiful play of light and shadow on the forest path.
Another specific trait of the modern world is that everything is becoming increasingly open and accessible to the masses. Even though instant access to knowledge on the Internet makes learning easier and more convenient, the democratization of every possible piece of information through technology stands in radical opposition to the traditional world, which clearly distinguished between exoteric and esoteric knowledge. The exoteric surface of philosophical or religious doctrines was available to all, whereas the esoteric depth was transmitted orally by a spiritual teacher to an exclusive group of initiates. For instance, classical writers report that the Celtic doctrine of druidism was secret, taught in secluded places such as woodland glades and caves, and the novices had to memorize a great number of verses before they could be initiated. The modern policy of equal opportunity does not take into consideration that individual persons differ considerably in their comprehension of higher, sacred knowledge. It is important to understand that the two paths were not contradictory, they were just two possible perspectives of looking at this particular spiritual tradition. Exotericism was chiefly concerned with an outward action and ritual, while on the esoteric path the emphasis was placed on knowledge itself.
It is indeed unfortunate that we have to navigate a world that has forgotten such simple truths. Modern people living under the reign of mediocrity continually babble about equality, tolerance, and open-mindedness, not realizing that these are just empty, meaningless slogans. Such slogans could only be promoted in a degenerated form of civilization, in which clueless, hollow zombies live a life devoid of any profound, metaphysical significance. Let us not despair, however, for there is still hope. Even the tiniest acts of revolt against the modern world matter. As we disassociate ourselves from modern trends (such as the above-mentioned mania for over-sharing on social media), we begin to understand that a different, more meaningful life is possible. Let us cultivate close and healthy relationships with a few trusted friends, instead of seeking the attention and acceptance of people who don't even bother to get to know us well.
On darkness
It cannot be seen, cannot be felt,
Cannot be heard, cannot be smelt.
It lies behind stars and under hills,
And empty holes it fills.
It comes first and follows after
Ends life, kills laughter.
– J.R.R. Tolkien[39]
A starless November night. An old wooden cabin, somewhere in the middle of a deep and dark forest. Cold rain is beating upon the roof. Inside, a hooded figure sits at the oaken table. Only the dim glow of a candle illuminates his mysterious, sullen countenance, partially hidden in the gloom. The candle is placed in a wooden, drakkar-shaped vessel which is hanging from the ceiling. An icy wind whistles through the knotholes in the planks, creating a draught that makes the candle flame flicker slightly. There is a furnace in the corner of the room, but it seems that the man has decided not to build a fire. Sudden pops and cracks in the wood create an illusion of some ghostly presence. Everything in this forlorn place is cloaked in the veils of strange murkiness.
***
We have banished darkness from our modern world. What have we gotten in return? Millions of brightly flashing screens, light bulbs, and street lights. Everything is predictable, mechanical, and dull. Perhaps such conditions make us feel safer and more comfortable, but nothing truly magnificent has ever been born inside one's comfort zone. Darkness sparks your imagination and brings some uneasiness and discomfort into your life. The fear of the unknown plays a major role in our perception of the night. When it's dark, a mere bush or gnarled root can look like a terrible troll. A walk in the forest at midnight is an unforgettable experience. In the history of armed conflict, many battles and sieges were won precisely because of surprise attacks conducted under the cloak of night. In the Iliad, Odysseus and Diomedes carry out a night raid on the Thracian camp. They manage to slay king Rhesus and steal his horses[40]. In the Old English poem Beowulf, it is under nightfall that Grendel – a monstrous creature from the swamps – attacks the men sleeping in a great mead-hall called Heorot. He is described as sceadugenga, literally: shadow-walker[41].
In the past, human activity was mostly confined within the hours of daylight. Even in today’s electrified world, people tend to become more emotional, reflective, and prone to intrusive and anxious thoughts once darkness falls. One of the most evocative images of eventide grief can be found in an early Welsh poem called Canu Heledd. Cynddylan was a prince from the Romano-British kingdom of Powys. He and his brothers were slain in battle against the Angles from Northumbria. The poem is a lament of Cynddylan's sister, Heledd, who mourns the death of her kinsmen and the dilapidation of her home:
Cynddylan's hall is dark tonight
without a fire, without a bed.
I will weep for a while, afterwards I will fall silent.
Cynddylan's hall is dark tonight
without a fire, without a candle.
Except for God, who will give me sanity?
Cynddylan's hall is dark tonight
without a fire, without a light.
Grief comes to me bec
ause of you.[42]
On the other hand, the absence of daylight can shelter you from danger – being less visible, you may hide much more easily. This was especially true for women in the past. One of the Old English words for darkness – heolstor – literally means "hiding-place". Night is also the time when humans sleep, allowing their bodies to regenerate, but many animals lead either crepuscular or nocturnal lives. Although the perception of darkness in our culture is predominantly negative, in reality night-time is neither good nor bad, like all natural phenomena.
When I was a child, power outages happened more frequently than they do today. I always rejoiced at moments when suddenly everything turned black. Unless I had been reading or writing prior to the blackout, I didn't even feel the need to illuminate the darkness with candlelight. I would sit by the windowsill and stare at the pitch-blackness outside. Such disruptions of routine are feared by ordinary people, who are so used to modern technology that they don’t even bother to think what would happen if these facilities ceased functioning properly. Moreover, they seem to have no problem with constantly increasing light pollution, to which I would now like to draw your attention.
The sight of the night sky dotted with myriads of stars was taken for granted by our ancestors. In his famous work Patterns in Comparative Religion, Mircea Eliade argues that the sole act of contemplating the heavenly abode evokes a religious experience. The observer is confronted with something infinite, transcendent and substantially different from his earthly existence[43]. However nowadays, especially to those who live in cities, looking at the Milky Way is more like a myth or an anecdote told by grandparents or great-grandparents. Not only does too much artificial light obscure the night sky’s numerous celestial bodies, but it also negatively impacts ecosystems by confusing light-dependent patterns of animal activity. Our streets and motorways are cluttered with glowing neon lighting, billboards, and many other illuminated signs which demand our constant attention. To make things worse, the light of street lamps often literally trespasses on people’s properties, shining on their walls and in through their windows.
How can we fight light pollution? I think that people should generally go to bed earlier (whenever possible) and accomplish most of their tasks during daylight hours. As soon as it gets completely dark, let us light candles (instead of using electricity) and pull the curtains together so that no light escapes outwards through the windows. Those who own a car should avoid driving after dusk. Last but not least, motion-sensor lights should be installed on porches to avoid leaving glaring outdoor lights switched on all night long. In today's digital world, over-illumination caused by blue light from electronic screens has a detrimental effect on one's sight and general health. One reason why people suffer from insomnia and other sleep disorders is because they use electronic devices shortly before going to bed. One possible solution is downloading applications that adjust the colour temperature of electronic screens according to the time of the day, as well as installing proper ambient lighting. However, I suggest a more radical, yet highly effective alternative. As I said before, in traditional societies, eventide has always been the time for rest, relaxation, and reflection on the day that has passed. What is stopping you from lighting up a candle and meditating for a while in semi-darkness, at least for a few moments before you sink into sleep? You no longer have to be socially active. Conversations and messages can wait until tomorrow. If you try this simple evening ritual, you will quickly notice how it helps to aid restful and undisturbed sleep.
It is beyond any question that we should establish a sensible balance between darkness and light. In order to succeed in doing so, we need to significantly reduce light pollution and practice a number of nightly rituals, such as stargazing, quiet meditation, and adopting healthy sleep patterns. However, we must take into consideration several obstacles that might hinder us from fully implementing the aforementioned attitudes. These can include ruminations, anxious thoughts, and a general inability to concentrate properly on the here and now. I explain how to solve these issues in the subsequent essays.
ON Solitude
The mind is sharper and keener in seclusion and uninterrupted solitude. No big laboratory is needed in which to think. Originality thrives in seclusion free of outside influences beating upon us to cripple the creative mind. Be alone, that is the secret of invention; be alone, that is when ideas are born.
– Nikola Tesla
A young Swiss girl named Claire is sitting at the kitchen table drinking coffee. It is late afternoon and the sun is shining through the floral pattern, Sezession-style silk curtains. Claire has been home alone today and exceptionally productive since the early morning. She has finished her new landscape painting, written her school assignments and carried out various household chores. Still, she has managed to make time for a longer break during which she went for a pleasant walk in the woods. Now, as the day is coming to an end, Claire is observing the gentle light and shadow play in the kitchen. She does not mind being alone; in fact, she loves solitude and always yearns for it. Sometimes, Claire sits for hours at her windowsill and meditates upon the clouds passing by. Then, inspired and rejuvenated by the beauty and serenity of nature, she proceeds to create highly imaginative art.
However, the very same girl struggles to develop and maintain close friendships with her peers at school. Claire's unwillingness to participate in group work is perceived by her teachers as deliberate selfishness. The truth is different, though. Claire, as an introvert and a highly sensitive person, dislikes superficial socialization. Noisy chatter and small-talk completely drain her of energy, forcing her to take a nap after school. She does not like group work because she is more intelligent and has more brilliant ideas than her peers. As long as the public education system will continue to be based on intellectual and social conformity, individuals like Claire will not get the opportunity to develop their extraordinary talents to their full potential.
***
Our modern society is obsessed with extraversion and gregariousness, which are said to be prerequisites for socio-economic success. We are told at school and through the media that an individual who is inclined to associate with or be in the company of others is also more likely to become successful in life. Our children are intentionally discouraged from pursuing solitary hobbies or even just doing things on their own. Moreover, there is a popular trend among "busy" parents to schedule a lot of extracurricular activities for their children. Although such a policy certainly gives the latter plenty of opportunities for socialization and self-realization, it completely neglects the child's need for solitude and parental closeness. In the end, this counter-productive trend leads to serious developmental problems amongst children, such as low self-esteem or anxiety.
Like I said in my essay about uniqueness, homeschooling your children is the only sensible way to preserve their creativity and nurture their specific hobbies and talents. Home is like a sanctuary for homeschooled children, a safe place where they can learn at their own pace, with their uniqueness respected – especially if they are gifted individualists like the Swiss girl mentioned in the first paragraph. A lot of people criticize home education, arguing that sending your offspring to a public school is the only way they can learn social skills. In reality, socialization at school (by which I mean spending most of your childhood and adolescence in same-aged classrooms), does not emulate social interactions in the real world. Children need to interact with people of various ages and backgrounds and they also need to learn how to deal with different, complex social situations. Contrary to popular belief, when homeschooling is done properly it cannot be equated with sheltering a child and forcing it to live in a bubble. Thoughtful parents provide their children with an abundance of extra activities like meet-ups with other homeschooling families, field trips, visits to museums, ballet classes, music lessons, group sports and so forth.
Solitude is a blessing that gives us tranquillity and solace. It enables self-examination, an insight into our
thoughts and motives – a prerequisite for the development of self and spiritual growth. Since most people are afraid of contemplation these days, they avoid being alone. In their desperate efforts not to feel lonely, people develop a tendency to seek various distractions to occupy their attention. They may throw themselves into a social whirl: getting intoxicated with alcohol or drugs every weekend at parties, or extensive oversharing on social media (for the sake of instant gratification), are two of the most popular ways to forget about oneself. Others, in an attempt to escape from their own internal despair, may turn all important metaphysical questions into one big, sarcastic joke. In any case, there is a high price to pay for such choices. Without introspection, people wander aimlessly through their meaningless lives, pursuing shallow goals like a career, money and material possessions, bodily pleasures and so on. In the end, they die without ever living first.
There is a widespread belief that seeking restorative solitude means abandoning worldly concerns and goals in favour of an anchorite lifestyle. Nothing could be further from the truth. A healthy balance between time spent alone and time spent with others can be attained through very simple means. Even if you live in the middle of a big city, you only have to close the door of your room and sit in silence for a while. You may then listen to some quiet music, read a book, or meditate upon the subject of your choice. One such brief moment is far more fruitful than hours spent scrolling purposelessly through social media. One reason why a lot of people today experience terrible loneliness, is, paradoxically, because during waking hours they are never alone with their own thoughts, and at the same time they lack close relationships in real life. They are connected and interact with each other all day long through social media. The Internet gives them the dangerous illusion of experiencing meaningful socialization, while in reality they are just interacting with their electronic devices. No matter how real online conversations may feel, they are entirely confined within the digital world. Thus, they can never replace face-to-face meetings.
Forgotten Roots Page 8
