When you reflect on your year, here are valuable lessons and reminders from British essayist Pico Iyer and author-architect Juan Pablo Escobar on transformation, stillness and breaking free from the past to think about
What does it mean to be happy or successful in a constantly changing world? How do we find peace and purpose amid chaos and uncertainty? How do we cope with the loss of our possessions, identity or loved ones?
This past November, British essayist Pico Iyer and author-architect Sebastián Marroquín—formerly known as Juan Pablo Escobar—addressed these questions separately at the first Tatler Gen.T Summit 2023 in Hong Kong. Their powerful words and insights about the lessons they have learned throughout their lives continue to stay in our minds. Here they are for you now.
Read more: Binod Chaudhary and Nirvana Chaudhary on how to balance business and family
Finding stillness in a fast-moving world
Iyer, who has published 15 books such as The Art of Stillness: Adventures in Going Nowhere, once spent most of his year travelling the world. Since 1992, he has chosen a more peaceful life, deciding to be based out of a Benedictine hermitage in Big Sur, California before moving to Nara, Japan, where he and his wife now live mostly computer and mobile phone-free.
“I appreciate the opportunities technology provides, allowing me to work remotely. However, I caution against relying too heavily on machines and emphasise the importance of disciplined use,” he said. “Incorporating moments of stillness, akin to a mental shower, can provide perspective amid the fast-paced digital world.”
“Despite advocating for stillness, I acknowledge the challenges of maintaining it in my own life, highlighting the tension between the benefits of technology and the need for mental tranquillity.”
