Solitude on the Mountaintop
Of himself, Nietzsche spoke of his capacity of: "the energy to choose absolute solitude and lead the life to which I had become accustomed ... I need solitude, which is to say, recovery, return to my self, the breath of a free, light, playful air." This need for and ability to return to oneself is perhaps one of the best benefits of actively seeking moments of solitude. In an age of electronic media vying for our attention and fast-paced lifestyles, solitude is perhaps one of the most precious commodities in our modern lives.
The protagonist prophet of Nietzsche's Also Sprach Zarathustra shares the author's need for solitude. The prologue begins:
"When Zarathustra was thirty years old, he left his home and the lake of his home, and went into the mountains. There he enjoyed his spirit and solitude, and for ten years did not weary of it."
Here, we see the Philosopher-Prophet enjoying a time of returning to himself and to contemplation. While modern life affords us with more information and potential wisdom than ever to process and take into our spirit, if we do not practice solitude away from the constant stream of input, we will only react to and with soundbites. Without solitude, we cannot allow the mind to work things out in a deep and meaningful way.
Zarathustra went to his mountain and contemplated humankind and the world around him. Sometimes I feel like Zarathustra and secret myself away to quiet places where there is only me and the world that surrounds me. It has been one of the most rewarding habits I have ever acquired. While I am not as wise as Zarathustra, I have emulated him - in truth, in my solitude, I have become my own Zarathustra in some sense, because I took to heart Nietzsche's example.
When we practice the self-refreshing joy of solitude, we can face life's tasks and others with purpose and energy. Solitude is not loneliness or isolation... it is a meaningful, chosen activity of a true Self.
-Jeff
============
I shall leave off here with the rest of the Prologue to Thus Spoke Zarathustra:
"But at last his heart
changed,--and rising one morning with the rosy dawn, he went before the
sun, and spake thus unto it:
Thou great star! What would be thy happiness if thou hadst not those for
whom thou shinest!
For ten years hast thou climbed hither unto my cave: thou wouldst have
wearied of thy light and of the journey, had it not been for me, mine
eagle, and my serpent.
But we awaited thee every morning, took from thee thine overflow and
blessed thee for it.
Lo! I am weary of my wisdom, like the bee that hath gathered too much
honey; I need hands outstretched to take it.
I would fain bestow and distribute, until the wise have once more become
joyous in their folly, and the poor happy in their riches.
Therefore must I descend into the deep: as thou doest in the
evening, when thou goest behind the sea, and givest light also to the
nether-world, thou exuberant star!
Like thee must I GO DOWN, as men say, to whom I shall descend.
Bless me, then, thou tranquil eye, that canst behold even the greatest
happiness without envy!
Bless the cup that is about to overflow, that the water may flow golden
out of it, and carry everywhere the reflection of thy bliss!
Lo! This cup is again going to empty itself, and Zarathustra is again
going to be a man.
Thus began Zarathustra's down-going."
