Must I Retreat from the World? Here are some answers. Peter Owen Jones (1957- ) made a BBC 2, television production calling it, “Extreme Pilgrim.” Jones spent time researching and experiencing different religions.
At one point found himself in the desert under the guidance of Fr. Lazarus. The transformation of Jones, over his time in the desert is profound.
Thoreau Thinks You Should Retreat – Some
Henry David Thoreau
Two years, two months and two days by Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) The author of Walden. Thoreau recounts his experience as he lived in a small cabin on the shores of Walden Pond. Walden Pond is next to Concord Massachusetts in the United States. Thoreau writes, “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.”
Do You Find Yourself When You Retreat from The World?
The odd case of Christopher Thomas Knight (1965- ) a hermit of the Central Maine area. Knight spent 27 years in the wilderness. Speaking in a 2014 GQ interview by Michael Finkel, Knight waxed, “What I miss most,” he eventually continued, “is somewhere between quiet and solitude. What I miss most is stillness.”
Knight said he’d watched for years as a shelf mushroom grew on the trunk of a Douglas fir in his camp. Finkle commented, “I’d noticed the mushroom when I visited—it was enormous—and he (Knight) asked me with evident concern if anyone had knocked it down.” I assured him it was still there.
In the height of summer, Knight said, he’d sometimes sneak down to the lake at night. “I’d stretch out in the water, float on my back, and look at the stars.”
These are three examples, and there are many more. The gradation of experience and purpose can range from intention to take something back into the world, or a complete snubbing of the world. A retreat from the world and a snubbing are different.
The World Does Not Go Away
The Rule of St. Benedict, written by St. Benedict (c.480–550) has one section titled, “Chapter 70: The Presumption of Striking Another Monk at Will.” Yes, there had to be a rule about hitting each other.
Retreating From The World
Retreating from the world, whether solo or in a group can have a positive side and bring us great works like Walden. Or this kind of retreat can be a deep dysfunction exhibited by Christopher Knight.
To be clear Knight stole over his 27 years to support his hermit behavior. Knight did this by breaking into local Maine cabins. Knight burglarized and stole to survive.
Then you have St. Benedict having to put into writing a banning of monk-on-monk violence.
You don’t have to retreat from the world. You can, but it is not necessary. And Knight and St. Benedict prove the problems of the world are real no matter your location.
Musashi, the greatest swordsman of feudal Japan went into the woods to live and study by himself? Well, yes, and no. He went into a solitary life for a period. The majority of Musashi’s life was spent in the company of other warriors and students.
Further, can you name one modern athlete that has retreated? No, all of them, to a person, lean into their coaches, trainers, and social support systems.
Periodic retreats are a good thing, but they don’t solve everything.
If you look to the great spiritual leaders you will see they go into the wilderness, for periods and then return to the world.
Humans are social animals, not always well behaved, but social none-the-less. A person is more valuable to themselves and others when they can retreat, learn, and return. And in that return share with those who take an interest.
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KRIS WILDER
Kris Wilder is a martial artist based in Seattle Washington. He has authored many martial art books, including the classic, The Way of Kata. Making no apologies for his obsession of Football he can be found telling any who will listen about the nuances of the Canadian Football League.