Some of us don’t need to be reminded to slow down, to take it easy… some of us have procrastination and idleness down to a T. Cats, for instance. They are connoisseurs of this trait. It’s something they practice daily, along with the art of staring out of windows – an art that philosophers, new and old, believe to be essential to not only a creative life, but also a more mindful life. (For those of us who do need encouraging to take the time to rest and digest, spend some time watching cats, before you turn to the window.)
“The potential of daydreaming isn’t recognised by societies obsessed with productivity,” The Book of Life notes. “But some of our greatest insights come when we stop trying to be purposeful and instead respect the creative potential of reverie. Window daydreaming is a strategic rebellion against the excessive demands of immediate (but ultimately insignificant) pressures – in favour of the diffuse, but very serious, search for the wisdom of the unexplored deep self.”
Rather than being a literal window to events happening on the outside, it serves as a metaphorical window into our selves… You can read more about it here, but like all new things, it needs to be put into practice to be truly understood. We recommend these five places to start your window daydreaming while on holiday at Royal Chundu.
1. The plane ride in and helicopter flight to the lodge…
Once you arrive at the airport en route to Royal Chundu, or after your trip, when homeward bound, take a helicopter flight, to skip the drive and to glimpse, arguably, the best view in Africa – the Zambezi River as it winds over the edge of the Victoria Falls.
“Man must rise above the Earth—to the top of the atmosphere and beyond—for only thus will he fully understand the world in which he lives.” – Socrates
2. Island Lodge
Climb into bed and gaze away, with the window open or closed… The Island Lodge villas look out onto our private strip of the Zambezi, ensuring no interruptions from your reverie, besides the odd mokoro passing by.
Alternatively, take your window-watching to the living area at Island Lodge, with a cold drink in hand…
3. River Lodge
Similarly, put your feet up in your suite and take in the Zambezi through the floor-to-ceiling windows, open or closed, from bed or the sofa…
Forget time in the walk-in shower at your River Lodge suite, while the warm water washes over you, and the window captures your attention.
“Sometimes, in a summer morning, having taken my accustomed bath, I sat in my sunny doorway from sunrise till noon, rapt in reverie.” – Henry David Thoreau
4. At the Royal Chundu Foundation School
Because kids need time to daydream just as much as adults…
5. While dining…
In the dining room at River or Island Lodge, or in your own villa, enjoying a meal, alone or with a partner, letting your mind wonder beyond the window pane.
“When ideas float in our mind without any reflection or regard of the understanding, it is that which the French call revery, our language has scarce a name for it.” – John Locke
To start you on your window-gazing voyage…
Discover more about the tranquility typical of this part of Zambia in our blog, How To Be Quiet – Unexpected Lessons From Unexpected Guests, and other quiet pursuits, in, The Silent Art of Birdwatching. Or join us for the ultimate meditation in reverie, our yoga retreat in November this year.
