SPOS #890 – Pico Iyer On The Search For Paradise, Solitude And Society

July 30, 2023 Laura Bosch 147 Views

Welcome to episode #890 of Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast.

Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast – Episode #890. I often think of Pico Iyer. It could be while I travel… it could be while we were in Covid lockdown. His words truly resonate with me on a very deep level. Pico is an acclaimed wordsmith who began his journey in Oxford, England. With the King’s Scholarship at Eton and a Demyship at Magdalen College, Oxford in his kitty, Pico’s academic prowess earned him a Congratulatory Double First and the highest accolades in English Literature. In 1980, he joined the teaching fraternity at Harvard, earning a second Master’s degree and an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters. Since 1982, Pico has delved into full-time writing, weaving tales on diverse subjects from the Dalai Lama (a personal friend of his) to Islamic mysticism, and from the Cuban Revolution to globalism. His body of work encompasses over 15 books, including enduring bestsellers such as, Video Night in Kathmandu, The Lady and the Monk, and The Art of Stillness. These literary gems have been translated into over 20 languages, amplifying his voice across the globe. Besides his own titles, Pico has penned introductions for over 70 other books, composed a screenplay for Miramax, and written a libretto. Complementing his book writing, Pico has contributed upwards of 100 articles annually to international publications such as Time, The New York Times, and the Financial Times. His knack for insightful storytelling has led him to the TED stage (which is where we first met and connected), where his four talks have garnered more than 10 million views. Pico’s life beautifully balances between solitude and society. Since 1992, he has divided his time between a Benedictine hermitage in Big Sur, California, a sanctuary that nurtures his craft, and suburban Japan, where he engages with the rhythm of daily life. His journey underscores the harmonious fusion of stillness and movement, solitude and engagement – a fitting testimony to the art he so eloquently writes about. His latest book, The Half Known Life – In Search Of Paradise, is one that I read with stillness and slowness… like a fine wine. Paradise is many things to many people, and this book is an incredible journey to uncover it. Enjoy the conversation…