Hi all - the day my law school finals end I’m going to a nice little spot in the Georgia Appalachian mountains that’s out in the middle of the woods on the Appalachian Trail for about 3-4 days. I have a number of a books I wanna get through but they’re also very, uh…grounded… a napoleon biography, offender profiling, 14th amendment analysis…
I’d very much like to use this time to its greatest effect. What books could I delve into that would be good for this kind of vibe? Thinking about bringing Marcus Aurelius’ meditations. Would bring Into the Wild or Wild, but I just read both recently.
Also - any recommendations for iPhone apps for guided meditations, well-done youtube videos I could download, etc are very much appreciated as well.
Bill Bryson’s “A Walk in the Woods”. Some Robert Frost. This is a bit more appropriate for the Amazon, but Ann Patchett’s “State of Wonder”. “The Girl Who Drank The Moon.”
A wonderful, very accessible overview of western philosophy and how Humans have learned to ponder the Big Questions. Obviously includes Stoics and Aurelius, but in a broader context.
A fascinating, deeply thoughtful book that explores what evolution has taught us about Human behavior. Nonzero refers to Game Theory, which is a huge factor in the decisions individuals and tribes make relative to other groups.
A wonderful, accessible overview of all of the ways (religious, philosophical, scientific) that Humans have tried to answer the most basic of questions, Why is there Something rather than Nothing? Incredibly thought-provoking.
This was the first thing I thought of. But I like kunilou’s suggestion. And this might be a good time for poetry (Frost or whatever else floats your boat—and at least parts of Beckdawrek’s suggestion would count).
Epic Retreats: From 1776 to the Evacuation of Saigon
The Wehrmacht Retreats: Fighting a lost War 1943
Waterloo: Rout and Retreat
Retreat: Dunkirk and the Evacuation of Western Europe
Close to what Tank suggests, I would leave any electronics and books home. The point of a retreat is to create a clean break with your habits and distractions. Bringing those with you is analogous to dieting while having a candy bar in your pocket.
Meditation is as simple as it is demanding. Choose what you want to focus on. Whenever something else distracts you from it, gently bring your awareness back onto the object of meditation. Keep doing that for the chosen duration, no matter how many times you get distracted and have to bring your awareness back.
I should’ve clarified - I’m not going to an actual silent meditation retreat. I wish.
I’m just hanging out in the woods. Thanks for all your suggestions! I pulled Meditations, Siddhartha, and the Myth of Sisyphus off the shelf and will run to Barnes and Noble too to grab one of the suggestions, even I don’t read it during this time.
