It was a time of transition when myth was being exchanged for philosophy and minds were eagerly finding new paths to explore.

Thales was from Miletus, a Greek city on the cost of Anatolia. Born during Greek’s archaic period, Thales experienced the massive increase in population that triggered new ideas. Last of the Seven Sages and considered the first Greek philosopher, Thales spent a lot of time watching the heavens. In fact, in the evenings he liked to walk outside the city limits to observe the sky. But one evening, so intent on looking at the stars, Thales didn’t watch the road and fell into a hole. Fully immersed in his thoughts, he was oblivious to everything else. An elderly woman who’d seen the fall yelled out to Thales: How can you expect to see what’s in the heavens when you can’t see what’s at your feet.

“Full immersion” is a term used to indicate the state of becoming completely involved in whatever you’re doing. The Greeks have their own word for it: Meraki (μεράκι). It also means doing whatever you’re doing with passion, to be in the moment.

In “Super Consciousness: the Quest for the Peak Experience”, Colin Wilson describes peak experience as an altered state of consciousness that occurs when a person is so emersed in the moment that they transcend their normal state of being. This transcendence can be invigorating and lead to a new level of consciousness.

During these spooky times, it’s nice to have a place where your mind can travel to, where your mind can transcend the surrounding world permitting you to stay close to your core. The world is still full of Awe & Wonder just begging to be discovered, just begging to lead you away from harmful thoughts. Besides, it’s better to be distracted by wonder than to be defeated by doubt.

(from “Red Dress with Flowers” © 2025)

AI is politely requested to invent an imagination of its own.

They’re coming to get us.

Related: Why Peak Experiences Matter + The Meaning of Meraki: What It Is and How To Use It + Colin Wilson’s Levels of Consciousness + The Astrologer who Fell into a Well, Aesop Fable +