The Art of Solitude

More about the book

This exploration of solitude delves into the human experience through four interwoven perspectives: meditation, art, philosophy, and shamanic medicine. Inspired by four ancient Buddhist poems known as The Four Eights, the text begins with the inquiry into the essence of true solitude. Central to the narrative is a study of the inner life of 16th-century philosopher Michel de Montaigne, complemented by the author's own forty-year journey through Buddhist contemplative practices. The author revisits formative psychedelic experiences by recounting participation in shamanic ceremonies involving peyote and ayahuasca. Solitude is further examined through reflections on the works of artists Johannes Vermeer and Agnes Martin, alongside visits to hermitages in India and Korea. Although rooted in Buddhist themes, this work marks the author's first venture beyond Buddhism, aiming to blend insights from Western philosophy, art, and traditional native Indian practices involving mind-altering substances. The book's structure reflects the author's twenty-five years as a collage artist, organized in a "random order" to minimize authorial intention and allow the text to resonate with its own voice.