Miscellaneous

Is Insight By Its Nature Paradoxical? – #14

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December 29, 2017

For as long as I can remember, wanderlust was a reason for living and the reason I saved money. Because of a health scare early this year, we didn’t venture out into the world in 2017. My desire to travel evaporated and my partner followed suit. All we could see were the obstacles: tiny airplane seats, crowds, long waits in line, hassles.

As the new year approaches there are questions bubbling in my brain. Will my yearning return? If not, what will replace what I gained in foreign lands?

A source of insight for me is the Rabindranath Tagore Reader which has been residing in the main bathroom since September 2016. Recently I underlined Tagore’s response to a woman friend who wrote him describing her travels:

“You move yourself, but I remain stationary while everything before me moves.”

Perhaps this sentence grabbed my attention because Tagore was expressing what I’ve been feeling. Not much feels the same to me even though I haven’t traveled.

Or maybe Tagore is speaking of paradox like we did last week?

Has something you always thought you wanted lost its appeal? Did you ever gain it back? Can you share an example of a paradoxical situation? Do you think that life has paradox at its core? Would you rather stay home?

Thanks for exploring the mystery of paradox & life with me!
Nicky Mendenhall

*Image is me in Hong Kong a few years ago satisfying my desire to return to the bustling city after a fabulous visit in 1994.

Post written by: Nicky Mendenhall

4 comments

Nolan Hiatt says:

January 1, 2018 at 2:01 pm

I notice that my desire has faded, but not extinguished, for many things. My opposites are true thoughts are still niggling at the back of my mind refusing to reveal themselves. And yes, I would rather stay home and be comfortable.
Nicola says:

January 1, 2018 at 2:52 pm

Interesting about desires fading. Maybe that is what is happening to my travel desire.

Isn't that the way – niggling thoughts that won't make them self known. Sometimes something I'e been wanting to know pops out when I least expect it. Keep me posted. Paradoxes are tricky to describe.

Comfort is a high value for me too. I'm learning that when I focus only on comfort I miss other important things. Can't think of an example right now but I think it is true.

Thanks for responding – I love hearing from you and feeling our connection.
Ann says:

January 3, 2018 at 3:59 pm

I think water is a paradox. When it’s liquid you can put your hand through it and float a boat across it. When it’s ice you can’t put your hand through it but you can skate on it. You can’t float through ice and you can’t skate on liquid water.

How about sleep? You’re still when you’re sleeping but you’re energizing yourself and your body is far from still while it’s doing all the groovy things it does for you while you’re sleeping.

And you brought up what I love about books. You can sit in a comfy chair and visit other places and times, let alone learn different psychological ideas and scientific theories.

Finally, speaking of sleep, my #1 priority for 2018 is to work harder at getting proper amounts of sleep. ? We shall see how well I do!
Nicola says:

January 3, 2018 at 6:05 pm

I love how Ann kept thinking about paradoxes in the above message. Then she sent me this: "In retrospect I think the water paradox is silly— that’s what solids and liquids do. That’s what water does. It’s not like taxidermy at all.

And sleep is what it is too — that’s what it does. But that seems more paradoxical to me. You have to lie there and do nothing while your body does so much."

Thanks Ann – some interesting observations. Thanks so much for reading and responding. I note your vote on travel.