Writing my way through the A-to-Z blogging challenge, I’ve tasked myself with exploring the concepts of pronoia (the belief that the universe is conspiring to shower us with blessings), quiety (serenity) and peace – all through the lens of unusual, obscure, or simply delightful-to-me words.
L is for…
lotus-eater
- a person who leads a life of dreamy, indolent ease, indifferent to the busy world; daydreamer.
- Classical Greek Mythology. a member of a people whom Odysseus found existing in a state of languorous forgetfulness induced by their eating of the fruit of the legendary lotus; one of the lotophagi.
While much has been written about the narcotic effects of the Blue Lotus, actually a water lily highly prized in ancient Egyptian culture, there is very little current scientific evidence establishing the truth of those claims. But in any case, I’m not particularly interested in tying my exploration of lotus-eater to a drug-induced state.
Rather let’s consider it more broadly. How might our society, and therefore our lives, be different if we valued a slower, more dreamy approach to our days? Sometimes I stand back and look at how crazy we are as a collective – how it somehow has become a badge of honor to out-do each other in terms of how busy, how stressed, how eternally plugged in one is. Anxiety, adrenal fatigue, and chronic tiredness have been normalized and treated as simply the price we pay for living in this time.
I think we have to claim other choices. And frankly it’s up to us to do that. There aren’t systems in place to support those choices widely, and we all have to find our own dance with self-nurturing, deeply nourishing practices that fill us rather than drain us.
It’s my belief that one of the most effective ways to shift things is to understand the energy of what we’re seeking. Not in looking for a specific minutely-detailed outcome, but rather looking at what energy, what vibration, that which we wish to experience holds. So if you were to embrace the stance of a lotus-eater, what might that look like in your life? How could you allow some spaciousness, some expansion, some loosening of the ties that demand constant busyness, constant productivity, constant connection? What could you allow yourself to dream? What might more ease look like? How do you invite in more peace, more serenity, more quiety?
Can you for just a day, or just an hour, or perhaps just for a few moments imagine how you might navigate your life as a lotus-eater? Can you give yourself a little breathing-space, a little ease, a little softening? Can you allow yourself more room for being rather than doing?
Today, as a lotus-eater, I’m contemplating this wisdom from Rumi:
” I have been a seeker and I still am, but I stopped asking the books and the stars. I started listening to the teaching of my soul.”
What about you? Are you ready to be a lotus-eater? What dreams are you holding? What grip can you loosen? What joy can you expand? Do tell – you know I love to hear.
Some days I wish I could do that. It would be so nice if I could just stop worrying about the million things the news want you to worry about…
The Multicolored Diary: WTF – Weird Things in Folktales
Yes – sometimes unplugging from the news seems like the only way to catch your breath. Wishing you a lotus-eater day!
I’ve heard people say “lotus eater” but had no idea what it meant. I suspect that to many people I appear to be a lotus eater. I tend to value living my life at my own pace, more than being busy and involved at society’s pace. Don’t know if I’ve found joy yet, but I’m on my way a la Rumi.
Whatever name you claim, your path sounds like one I celebrate.
Ah, to have a day just to sit and read a book on the back porch in the sun like I did when I was a teen. Not a care in the world, no work to do, no need to rush. I just might take one of those days when this A to Z is over!
Janet
L is for Loverboy
Sounds like a most excellent idea Janet. A celebratory catch-your-breath kind of day seems like a good way to wrap up April’s challenge.
If I were a lotus eater for a day, I would stay in bed for an extra hour with a cup of tea and a book. I’d go for a walk, have a cup of coffee somewhere, walk back home. I’d tidy my study, do some filing (it would take a few hours but I like finding scraps of paper with notes on them and transcribing them into a notebook); I’d clear the decks and create the painting I’ve been wanting to create for a long time. I may pop into the shops and buy some delicious food .. and plan a long lazy deliciously scented bath and an early night .. ah to dream – 🙂
A very pleasant dream indeed Susan. Hope you can carve out such a day for yourself soon.
I appreciate the ebb and flow of busy-ness. Sometimes moving forward requires concentrated activity, sometimes outside demands on my time are few. I cherish both, which makes it easy to find balance and peace. But left to my own devices, I usually choose walking, reading, writing, or swinging outside in my hammock chair. And cuddling with Hugh, the sweet dog who seems to love me as much as I love him.
Ah, your rhythm sounds beautifully balanced Sue – lovely!
I guess I’m a sort of lotus-eater (in the daydreamer meaning). But I didn’t know the word, so thanks!
It’s always fun to claim new titles isn’t it? Thanks for stopping by Eva, and happy daydreaming.
I could use a week or two where I could just day dream and float through lift and not care about the busy world.
~Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
Story Dam
Patricia Lynne, Indie Author
I’m thinking after the A-to-Z challenge all of us will be needing just such a break. Perhaps we can band together as the clan of lotus eaters.
I think I am already something of a lotus eater in this description. When I’m not at work, I stay in bed longer, read in bed, go down to the beach to read, write and enjoy. But family responsibilities keep me from doing this as much as I’d like, even when I’m on holiday. I’ve been known to go and stay at a youth hostel far away from family and friends, for about three days at a time – but not recently.
Good for you Sue – it sounds like you do know how to lean into this. Perhaps you’ll find a way to gift yourself with a little “escape” sometime soon – what a delicious and nourishing time of refreshment that sounds like.
Just spend a weekend at our deer camp: No service, no electricity, no running water. Pure heaven on earth.
Perspectives at Life & Faith in Caneyhead
Sounds lovely.
Caught up on all your posts. Loved reading them and am feeling even more serene as I start my day.
What a lovely thing to say – thank you! Wishing you lots of joy, and plenty of serenity as we move through April and all this A-to-Z-ing.
Utterly beautiful Thank you. Oh! and then there was Rumi, too. So profound.
I’m becoming a lotus eater, little by little. Meditating and looking within does that to you. When the universe is within you, you don’t need to rush around.
Unbecoming and unlearning is occupying me these days:)
M is for Maid of Honour
Sounds like a beautiful path you’re on Arti.
With how busy the world has become, and how urgent everything seems to be, I think it’s good to do things that will slow your mind and yourself down. Such as meditation. To become a lotus-eater without eating the lotus. 🙂 I’m not sure I could live my whole life in such a relaxed manner, but slowing down from time to time is definitely enjoyable (and your retreat sounds lovely!).
Here’s my “L” post 🙂 http://nataliewestgate.com/2017/04/liar-secret-diary-of-a-serial-killer
I agree Natalie – slow time is such a helpful antidote in this times. May we always find our way to it as needed.
I think I was born to be a lotus eater, as I seem happiest just ambling through life at whatever pace I choose. In general, though, I try not to stress about things too much (easier said than done sometimes). Whatever task I’m trying to do will get done. If it’s late, it’s really not the end of the world…
I think that’s a wonderful and inspiring attitude Sara.