What can we gain by sailing to the moon if we are not able to

In the uncharted realms of the cosmos, where the stars beckon us with their eternal glow, there lies a question that has echoed through the corridors of time, a question of purpose. Thomas Merton, a man of deep contemplation, once spoke with great clarity and wisdom: "What can we gain by sailing to the moon if we are not able to cross the abyss that separates us from ourselves? This is the most important of all voyages of discovery, and without it, all the rest are not only useless, but disastrous." In these words, Merton touches upon the very essence of what it means to truly journey—he speaks not of the journey across the heavens, but of the one within, the journey toward the self.

To travel into space is no small feat. The physical and mental toll it demands of the body is immense. And yet, Merton’s words remind us that there is a greater journey to be undertaken—one that has nothing to do with rockets or technology, but with the inner landscapes of the human heart and mind. The true voyage, he tells us, is not the voyage outward, but the voyage inward, across the abyss that divides us from our truest essence. How often do we search for answers in the vastness of the world, in the stars and the mysteries of the universe, while neglecting the deeper mysteries within ourselves? The great lesson is clear: without knowing the self, all external discoveries are but distractions.

Consider the story of Odysseus, the great hero of Greek mythology, who journeyed across the seas in search of glory, only to find that the true challenge lay not in conquering distant lands, but in returning home to Ithaca, to himself. His journey was not one of simple exploration, but of self-discovery, a return to the soul that had been lost amidst the turbulence of war and ambition. His struggle was not with the gods or the monsters of the seas, but with the very nature of his own heart. He could have conquered the world, but without conquering his own soul, his journey would have been hollow. In this way, Merton’s message is echoed: the journey within is the most important of all.

We must also look to the example of the great explorers of the age of discovery. The great voyages of Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama, and others were hailed as triumphs of human ambition. And yet, for all their outward achievements, the greatest challenge of their time was the journey within. How many explorers returned home with treasures and stories of distant lands, only to find themselves forever lost in the struggle to understand their own place in the world? Merton’s words remind us that the external conquests we so often seek—whether of space, land, or mind—will always remain incomplete unless we first confront the darkness within, the abyss that separates us from our true selves.

Merton calls this journey the most important of all. Without it, he warns, all other discoveries are not just useless, but disastrous. We need look no further than the modern age, where technology has allowed us to reach the Moon, to explore the depths of the ocean, and to communicate across vast distances. And yet, despite these outward achievements, many find themselves disconnected, lost, and unfulfilled. The technological advances we have made, the power we have gained, are of little consequence if we cannot understand and heal the wounds within our own hearts. To journey outward without first journeying inward is like sailing a ship without a rudder—no matter how far we go, we will eventually drift aimlessly.

So, O children of the future, what can you take from Merton’s words? His message is simple, yet profound. The world will always offer us paths to follow, mountains to climb, and stars to reach for. But before you embark upon these external adventures, turn inward and look at the great abyss that separates you from your true self. In the depths of your heart lies a treasure far greater than any world or star—there lies the understanding of your own soul, your own purpose. Only when you have crossed that abyss, when you have truly known yourself, can you truly begin to understand the world around you.

The lesson here is that self-knowledge is the true key to all other discoveries. Look not only to the heavens or the farthest corners of the Earth for the answers, but turn inward. Seek the truth within, for only when you understand your own soul can you hope to understand the vast mysteries of the world. The greatest voyage of discovery is not the one across the stars, but the one that leads you back to the heart of who you are. Cross that abyss, and you will find that the world, with all its wonders, is no longer a distant land, but a reflection of your own being, waiting to be explored.