Stephen Batchelor reflects on solitude after a sabbatical spent deepening his practice. Combining personal narrative with careful observation, he traces how solitude can be a fertile ground for attention, creativity and moral reflection.

Across retreats, studio work and encounters with substances that expand perception, Batchelor weaves together voices from the Buddha to Montaigne and visual artists such as Vermeer and Agnes Martin to map solitude's history and uses.

Readable and contemplative, these essays offer practical and philosophical approaches to being alone without becoming isolated—useful for anyone seeking steadiness in a hyperconnected age.

• Contemplative essays on meditation and art
• Historical and literary reflections
• Practical insights for modern life

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