With Spring fully active here on the south coast of Africa, days are lengthening in minutes and spirit. The joy of being alive is present all the way, as the environment uplifts the mood.
A feeling of satisfaction and contentment really allows for me to relax and be in the moment. There is little need to pursue too much. By far the majority of my needs are fulfilled. Gratitude and peace of mind fill my days.
The region here is really conducive to meditation and good health on all levels. At the retirement stage of life one should aim to free up more time from family and business demands in order to focus on meditation, and preparing for the time of transcendence awaiting all take birth.
My retired lifestyle really facilitates time and space for meditation and thus peace of mind and a stress-free life. With the last years of this innings approaching, I really want to keep the goal in mind. The real goal is a good death. And life is a process of aiming to be in the best state of consciousness as that moment arises.
Therefore I recommend situating yourself in a peaceful and comfortable natural environment, while leaving the business and property to the kids, so that you can retire to your final years of meditation.
As a youth we have other priorities but for the final years in this rare valuable human form of life, the goal of focusing on a good transcendence is paramount. With small kids one is obliged to focus on them, which is why I avoided having kids or getting too involved in entanglements.
The solo wondering hermit seems to suit my nature and persona. We are all different. I seem to have an easier time of life and of the spiritual path. Perhaps it is a blessing from a past life. It enabled me to be very content with life.
My blog posts and photos may appear too empty for some readers. I call it a zen approach, with a focus on simplicity and emptiness. My zen garden is massive and very empty most of the time. The rare odd soul may stroll by but they are like thoughts that arise and decay without causing hardly a ripple.
Forgive my lack of finesse or need for extra application. The writing and photos are the symptom of an empty mind with the opulence of spaciousness and time without pressure. Or attachment to the outcome.
The eternal moment may have seasons and cyclic swings but it remains the now with very little effort or concern. It is not goal oriented, but process oriented. My walks and hikes along these long empty stretches of coastline along the southern shores of Africa seem to cultivate an empty mind, free from anxiety.
And that is the place of peace. In today’s world I do believe it is a rare space and state, so I treasure it and savor it day after day.
If you find yourself overwhelmed by macro or micro conditions in your own garden or the world stage, then feel inspired to seek the space that will nurture you. Few of us have the time or lifestyle to be able to be still and in the moment.
Passion and survival predominate. And that is fine. Let it push us to strive for the rewards. But remember to keep the ultimate goal in mind, and think long term. Build a retirement plan where you have the opportunity to be in all the space and time that you need to find your true sense of peace.
The wide open and empty shoreline of the south coast of Africa really does it for me. Perhaps you have a location that does it for you. Seek it out and find yourself there. It’s where you belong.
(photos my own)