My own space

Whether you're an office worker, a housewife, or a student — try retiring from your job and role for 30 minutes every day. Just as you must erase old memories to fill in new ones, you must rest to recover your passion.

If you cut off the noise from outside and listen to your inner movement, you will have the true retreat that Aurelius spoke of. Otherwise, you'll simply live as a slave to work, a slave to time, a slave to life. (p. 248)

 

 

 

Many people are looking for "my own space." A study, a workshop, a retreat...

"Someday, if I make my own space like that, from then on I'll reflect on myself, focus on myself, and rest there..."

But meanwhile, time just keeps going.

 

But Marcus Aurelius, the wise emperor of Rome, wrote this in Meditations. It feels like he's speaking to us living in modern times.

 

"Men seek retreats for themselves, houses in the country, seashores, and mountains. And you too are wont to desire such things very much.

But this is altogether a mark of the most common sort of person. For it is in your power, whenever you wish, to retire into yourself... Constantly then give yourself this retreat, and renew yourself."

 

It means the "true retreat," "my own space," is within. 

 

In that regard, philosopher Prof. Kim Hyung-chul says: listen to your inner movement and "retire" for 30 minutes every day. Cut off the noise from outside and step away from your job and role for those 30 minutes.

As Aurelius said, the place doesn't matter. Your living room, a cafe, a walking path — all are fine. Of course, you'd need to block external disturbances like your phone or email in advance.

 

If you regularly have conversations with yourself in the "my own space" that lies within, you'll find the path to living "my life" rather than being tossed about by work or time.