The Zigzag Way
“The more zigzag the way, the deeper the scenery. The winding path approaches the secluded and peaceful place.”
–Huang Binhong (Chinese Art Historian and Painter, 1865-1955)
Solving the World’s Problems
“If we could sniff or swallow something that would, for five or six hours each day, abolish our solitude as individuals, atone us with our fellows in a glowing exaltation of affection and make life in all its aspects seem not only worth living, but divinely beautiful and significant, and if this heavenly, world-transfiguring drug were of such a kind that we could wake up next morning with a clear head and an undamaged constitution — then, it seems to me, all our problems (and not merely the one small problem of discovering a novel pleasure) would be wholly solved and earth would become paradise.”
–Aldous Huxley (English Novelist and Critic, 1894-1963)
Strange Fears
“Men fear silence as they fear solitude, because both give them a glimpse of the terror of life’s nothingness.”
–André Maurois (French Writer, 1885-1967)
What Is Holding Back Your Development?
“No one should voluntarily remain in an environment which prevents his development.”
–Orison Swett Marden (American Writer and Founder of Success Magazine, 1850-1924)
Influencing With the Flowing Energy of the Self
“Energy is increased in solitude. If you are filled with the energy of the Self, that energy flows out of you and nourishes everyone in your vicinity. You don’t have to direct this power outwards, this energy will flow of its own accord.”
–Annamalai Swami (Indian Spiritual Teacher and Personal Attendant of Ramana Maharshi, 1906-1995)
Solitude Is Strength
“Solitude is strength: to depend on the presence of the crowd is weakness. The man who needs a mob to nerve him is much more alone than he imagines.”
–Paul Brunton (a.k.a. Raphael Hurst, English Philosopher, Traveler, Spiritual Teacher and Author, 1898-1981)
