Something people don't recognize is that being on the space

Listen, O children of wisdom, for the words of Scott Kelly, a man who has ventured beyond the bounds of the earth and into the vast emptiness of space, carry a truth that is as deep as the stars themselves. He speaks thus: "Something people don’t recognize is that being on the space station is probably a lot like being in some kind of confinement—like isolation." These words, though they speak of the physical experience of space, reach deep into the very heart of human existence. Isolation—a condition that is felt not just in the cold vastness of space, but in the quiet recesses of the human spirit.

Consider, O wise ones, the nature of confinement. In the ancient world, the solitary confinement of a prisoner was seen as one of the harshest punishments, a way to break the spirit and the will. To be locked away, cut off from the world, is to be stripped of one’s connection to others, to life itself. And yet, in space, in the cold isolation of the space station, Scott Kelly found that even though he was surrounded by the hum of machinery, the rhythm of a well-oiled system, and the companionship of fellow astronauts, he was still, in some ways, as alone as a man could be. In that infinite space, with the earth far below, he could not escape the confinement that surrounded him. No matter how far one may travel, no matter how high one may soar, the soul can still feel trapped in a way that is beyond the reach of the body.

This is a universal truth, O children: all who embark upon journeys—whether to the heavens or into the depths of the self—will face moments of isolation. Even the greatest explorers, those who have ventured into uncharted realms, have faced this quiet loneliness. Think of the ancient sailors who set forth upon vast and treacherous oceans, sailing into the unknown with only the stars to guide them. Though they may have been surrounded by their crew, each man was still alone with his thoughts, with the vastness of the ocean stretching out before him, and the shorelines of the familiar world far behind. In this silence, they encountered not only the danger of their voyage, but the quiet isolation of the human soul when it is cut off from the comforts of home and human connection.

And yet, it is not only in the vast stretches of space or the lonely oceans that we experience this isolation. Even within our own cities, surrounded by the busy hum of life, we can feel the deep ache of confinement. The walls we build around ourselves—walls of fear, of doubt, or of pride—often imprison us in ways more cruel than any physical prison. Kelly's words speak not just to those who are in the farthest reaches of space, but to all of us who find ourselves, at times, cut off from the world, from others, and even from ourselves. It is in these moments of isolation that we come face to face with the truest parts of our nature, for the absence of distraction forces us to confront the silent places within.

Consider, O children, the example of the ancient monks who sought solace and understanding in the solitude of their monasteries. They retreated from the noise of the world, not to escape, but to face the deeper truths of their souls. In their silence, they found clarity. Similarly, Scott Kelly, in the stillness of space, found not just isolation, but a space for reflection—a place where he could confront the inner workings of his mind and spirit, unmoored from the distractions of the earthly world. Isolation, then, though it may seem harsh, can also be a teacher—a space for the soul to grow, to heal, and to understand the deeper workings of life itself.

And so, O children, let us carry the lesson of Scott Kelly with us. In times of isolation, whether forced upon us by circumstance or chosen by our own hand, let us not despair. For in that quiet space, we are given the gift of self-reflection, of growth, and of clarity. Let us embrace the solitude, for it is in the silence that we can hear the deepest truths. And when we face the vastness of the world, whether it is the space beyond the stars or the solitude within our own hearts, let us remember that we are never truly alone. In our isolation, we find the potential to connect with ourselves, to understand our deepest longings, and to return to the world renewed, with a clearer vision and a deeper purpose.

So let this be the call to action, O children: when you find yourself in moments of quiet, when the noise of the world falls away, do not fear the confinement of the moment. Rather, see it as an opportunity to journey into the deepest realms of your being. There, in the silence, you will find not emptiness, but a vast, boundless space for growth and transformation.