LE CIRQUE DES ÉVETTES
Where you think about these kinds of things.
"The future has an ancient heart."
Cheryl Strayed references this idea, a line from Italian write Carlo Levi, in one of her beautiful columns featured in her book: Tiny Beautiful Things. It has always stuck with me.
Am I going to be alright? Is everything going to work out in the end?
I don't believe everything happens for a reason. Or that everything necessarily works out in [what we know as] the end. To believe that, I think you'd have to be woefully unsympathetic to, or ignorant of, so many human experiences. We are subject to both the beautiful and atrocious consequences of free will in an indifferent natural world.
But while much of this human experience may indeed be an outrageous free-for-all, to believe there is no source—nothing beyond this world, beyond our ability to comprehend— I'd argue you'd have to be woefully arrogant. Perhaps, I wouldn't argue; but I would wish very sincerely that, one day, above all the misery and injustice, the beauty of this world grabs you by the shoulders and shakes you into awe.
I believe that any goodness experienced here is a fleeting taste of God.
The future has an ancient heart.
As far as being alright goes—your odds are decent. The paths are infinite; carved by your own choices and other travelers along the way, diverted again and again, all unique, and all scattered with opportunities to tap the source.
You may look back—utterly content where you are— assured that it was "all meant to be." Each gust of wind, each suffering, each lunge, each hesitation guided you here. Under all the fear and uncertainty, you knew it didn't you?
When you find yourself struck by a sense of being somewhere that feels right—that peace is a brush against the ancient heart.
Peace is, indeed, meant to be. How you get there is up to you— the way you choose to turn from each gift and each blow the world deals you.
And there are oh so many ways.
How to get to this magnificent place:
Starting from Bonneval-sur-Arc, one of France's most beautiful villages. If you can, drive down through le Col de l'Iseran: the highest mountain pass in the Alps.
Parking: Hameau de l'Ecot
Go in direction of Refuge des Évettes. Elevation gained: 572 meters. I recommend spending the night. It's a lovely, authentic refuge.
From Refuge des Évettes, you can continue on to Le Glacier du Grand Méan (alt.2850 m), a stunning glacier lake. Elevation gained: 1182 meters.
Comments