"God is at home, it's we who have gone out for a walk"
About this Quote
Meister Eckhart's quote, "God is at home, it's we who have actually gone out for a walk", recommends a profound spiritual and philosophical insight into human existence and our relationship with the divine. At its core, the declaration underscores the idea that the divine, or God, is an ever-present, inherent aspect of truth and consciousness. God is illustrated as "at home", implying constancy, stability, and omnipresence.
On the other hand, the phrase "it's we who have actually gone out for a walk" represents humankind's tendency to wander off from this intrinsic connection with the divine. The metaphor of "going out for a walk" implies a voluntary departure, an expedition, or perhaps a distraction from our real essence or spiritual center. This departure might represent the ways in which we become absorbed in the external world, captured up in product pursuits, distractions, and the ego-driven elements of life, moving away from the spiritual home that is our connection with God.
Eckhart, a 14th-century German mystic, typically emphasized the importance of inward reflection and the look for God within the self instead of in external routines or spiritual institutions. This quote lines up with his mentors that suggest the divine is not a remote entity but an essential part of our being. The challenge presented by Eckhart is to 'return home,' to reconnect with our natural spirituality through introspection, mindfulness, and the shedding of ego-driven desires.
In a more comprehensive philosophical sense, the quote welcomes reflection on the nature of existence and our concerns in life. It asks us to consider whether we are metaphorically 'walking away' from what genuinely matters-- our inner peace, moral worths, and spiritual fulfillment-- in favor of short-term and superficial pursuits. Engaging with this viewpoint can motivate a reevaluation of our life's instructions, prompting us to look for a balance that supports both our external lives and our inner spiritual home.
Ultimately, Eckhart's words remind us that while life's journey might lead us away from our spiritual center, the path back home is constantly present, awaiting us to choose to return.
About the Author