Wild with Sarah Wilson PICO IYER: The spiritual case for travel
Jun 20, 2023
Bestselling travel writer Pico Iyer discusses the balance between global travel and inner stillness, reflecting on the paradox of moving to feel moved. He shares insights into Leonard Cohen's creation of 'Hallelujah' and concludes that paradise is mostly lost in our divided world.
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Fire Forced Pico Into Minimal Living
- After losing his possessions in a wildfire Pico chose a simpler life in Japan, upgrading only to a two-room apartment.
- He notes he never used a cellphone and lives without car or bicycle, embracing minimalism after the fire.
Travel Reveals Your Essential Self
- Travel wakes dormant parts of yourself by stripping away routine identities and forcing direct human connection.
- Pico describes walking in Haiti where business cards mean nothing and people ask only if you are kind and honest, revealing a truer self.
Travel Sharpens Senses And Humility
- Travel sharpens senses and frees you from habitual self-definitions, making you eager to be transformed.
- Pico says strangers assess basic humanity—kindness and honesty—rather than credentials when abroad.