Die Kunst, mit sich allein zu sein

In his book, Batchelor documents his explorations in the form of a literary collage. Inspiring stories about people for whom being alone with oneself was central to finding their own voice, their self-expression, from Buddha to Montaigne, from Vermeer to Agnes Martin, mingle with personal narratives. He recounts his experiences in remote places, describing how, for him, togetherness expresses itself in the perception and creation of art. And he describes how meditative practice but also the ingestion of psychoactive substances have led him to a deeper intimacy with this dimension of our humanity.
As human beings, we are always and inescapably alone and deeply connected to others. This tension is more than clearly experienced in our hyper-connected world, which is simultaneously plagued by social isolation.
Stephen Batchelor's book offers inspiring food for thought and suggestions on how we can be at peace with ourselves alone and from this space relate creatively and with empathic affection to others, to the world.