A Summary of the Journey Through Northern Scotland: Discovering Lightness, Presence, and Thanksgiving

 

On the Threshold of New Spaces: A Summary of the Northern Scottish Chapter

The first stage of my retirement journey has been formally and spiritually concluded.

I have left Innis House, saying goodbye to this space and carrying out a few necessary, practical rituals on-site. A deep sense of gratitude has washed over me for everything I encountered there—including the more difficult, challenging moments in interactions with the people I crossed paths with.

The original plan envisaged a three-month stay in the north of Scotland. Circumstances unfolded differently, however, and I fully accepted a single month instead. In hindsight, I feel this time proved absolutely sufficient to fully meet the unique energy of the North and use it for internal strengthening.

Key to this phase was constant contact with the omnipresent, saturated greenery, numerous hikes across Aberdeenshire, and a longer, multi-dimensional journey to the far north of Scotland—where Thurso and Durness lie, and where the wild, rugged expanse of the Highlands stretches all the way to Inverness. I managed to avoid the influx of conventional tourist crowds, enjoying precious solitude on many trails. The busiest stretch in terms of human density turned out to be the coastal strip from John o' Groats to Durness; nevertheless, it was a very pleasant, harmonious connection with people who, like me, feel and respect nature.

I felt clearly that my stay abounded not only in rich landscape experiences, wonder at the views, and a deep immersion in the beauty of nature, but also brought numerous, unexpected, and unplanned spiritual insights. The energy of Scotland was deeply necessary for me—meeting my openness, it proved highly creative. I had a strong sensation of connecting with all the vibrant, positive aspects of this part of the UK.

Despite intense physical, mental, and intellectual activity, I leave this region full of vitality, replenished and significantly strengthened. I have gained even sounder, more stable foundations that connect directly with an openness to a new space of creation. I have also begun to experience pure presence in the here and now more deeply and directly. I felt in practice how much this state guides us onto calmer paths of existence without isolating us from the surrounding external world. Everyone has heard of the conceptual "being here and now", but hearing or knowing about it with the mind, and beginning to genuinely experience it with one's whole self, are two entirely different states.

An important process of this stage was a material transformation. Upon leaving Rossington, where I spent over 8 years, I began a deep process of "lightening" the objects I had accumulated around me. Letting go of favourite props, furniture, clothes, and everyday items was at times a difficult trial. Thanks to the space inside the car, I was able to divide this process into two distinct stages: the items I found hardest to part with immediately, I brought with me to Insch.

However, when my car transitioned into another state and its many years of service to me came to an end after 8.5 years, the time came for the second, final stage of lightening my hand luggage. This month allowed me to fully accept the new situation and attain an extraordinary state of lightness—a state where the space around me is limited to roughly 20 kg of luggage.

When I arrived in the UK 19 years ago, I brought two suitcases weighing 30 kg, alongside a few items left in Poland (probably a maximum of 50 kg)—totalling around 80 kg. After 19 years of intense living, I am 60 kg lighter. As long as I am travelling through warmer climates, those 20 kg should be more than enough. Now I must learn how to manage and rotate these essential belongings effectively.

So much has happened over this past month—both within me and around me. Most of it finds direct reflection in the blog entries. Before I fully open the next chapter of the journey, I wanted to create a grounded, conscious summary of the previous one. I hold certain visions regarding the continuation of my path, yet I also feel it will bring plenty of beautiful surprises and gentle, enriching challenges. Let it unfold.

Why the Energy of Northern Scotland Holds Power and Mystery

Northern Scotland is not merely a geographical area; it is a distinct energetic blueprint where the ruggedness of matter meets a pure spiritual space. Its extraordinary power stems from the absolute primacy of Nature—the elements of earth, wind, and water have not been subordinated to humanity here, but endure in their primal, untouched form. This magnitude confronts the wayfarer with something far greater than themselves, compelling them to shed unnecessary mental layers and immediately ground themselves in the body and in the present moment.

In turn, the mystery of this land lies in its timelessness. The Highland hills, empty expanses, and mystical mists weave together with layers of history and the silence of bygone ages. It is a space that demands nothing and pretends nothing. It acts as a resonator: reflecting back exactly what you bring to it. Within an open heart, it stirs dormant reserves of creativity, quiets internal noise, and helps locate the pure, undisturbed core of one's own presence. In its essence, Northern Scotland is a portal of transition—an ancient, quiet teacher showing us the art of true lightness through solitude and rugged beauty.

Ginkgo & Gaja