A Labyrinth Home

I read this quote recently and found it interesting, as it speaks resounding truths. Similar to someone observing a piece of art and interpreting it according to his or her own make-up, a reader gleans insights from a piece of writing that are reflective of his or her own journey in that moment. I have read the book Siddhartha, a classic novel written by Hermann Hesse at least 25 times over my short life span (I am 37!) but each time I read it, I gain different insights depending on where I’m at in my life and what I may be facing. I find that fascinating how creative pieces (art, writing or otherwise) can speak differently to different people depending on who they are at any given moment. What I write about can ring true to someone who is walking a parallel path to my own but not resonate whatsoever to someone who is on an entirely different trajectory – and that is emblematic of the human experience in general, isn’t it? We are all at various stages of development and interpret things according to whatever that stage may be – I may not get angry at the person who cuts me in line at Starbucks because I have practiced Nonviolent Communication and can see the person’s behavior in such a way that promotes understanding and care rather than upset. Someone else may spiral into a fury of rage because they have yet to heal from past traumas that may have been triggered by that experience. May we all have the courage to see things from this perspective – that the world is a mere reflection of our own inner worlds.

Be the reader of your own self.

Peace.