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July 13, 2010
Desert or wilderness?
Life has returned me to one of my old books recently.
Along time ago, I wrote desert trilogy; and one of them, 'Another bloody retreat' is still available on this site. But that isn't the purpose of this blog.
Rather, there's an image I used, which recently has come to life in various settings. In the book, I reflect on the difference between the desert and the wilderness. They sit alongside each other, but they are not the same.
The desert is a place of solitude, silence and hope; a sparse place to be but a good place nonetheless; and a place of deep trust.
The wilderness is a lonely place, and the place of demons, restlessness and increasing despair and distrust.
The thing is, they're side by side, and not immediately so different; and it's hard to tell when you step from the desert into the wilderness. There are no boundary fences, no neon signs of explanation. Indeed, its possible to walk for many days, indeed years, before realising you've left the one and entered the other.
For those who find themselves in the wilderness, you may not know how you got there, but fear nothing. You're already on your way home.
Posted by Mr Bojangles at July 13, 2010 06:46 PM