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Finding Inspiration: A Trip to Paris and a Rock Star’s Grave



On a recent trip to Paris, my husband George and I went to visit Jim Morrison’s grave. George is a fan of The Doors. I, quite honestly, did not even know Jim Morrison was buried in Paris. While I would have preferred a Sunday afternoon stroll through Tuileries Gardens or a long lunch on Île Saint-Louis, George’s off-key rendition of “Break on Through (to the Other Side)” sung each morning for the week we were in Paris was more than a subtle hint that he was committed to paying his respects to the deceased rock legend. Heck, it was in the guidebook. On our last day in Paris we took a taxi to the Père Lachaise Cemetery.

Here is something that surprised me: I liked the visit.

The rock star’s grave was deep into a very interesting two hundred year-old cemetery which gave us an opportunity to walk, ponder our mortality, and translate tombstone inscriptions using high school-level French. There were serene memorials to war Veterans’ and countless rising stone monuments for deceased French elite -- many artists, scientists, and political figures. Based on what this impressive cemetery displayed, one could almost be convinced that Heaven was giving special prizes for the most elaborate, the most lavishly decorated, and the tallest monuments.

By comparison, Morrison’s grave was nondescript and wedged between other, more imposing, towers of marble (see photo). It would have been easily missed except for the fact that there was a small crowd.

The epitaph on Morrison’s tombstone is in Greek: ΚΑΤΑ ΤΟΝ ΔΑΙΜΟΝΑ ΕΑΥΤΟΥ which (as one interpretation from a quick Google search suggests) means "true to his own spirit".

I will not pretend to know anything about Jim Morrison other than he lived fast, did drugs, and died young (probably from the first two). In my opinion, those words -- true to his own spirit -- seem extremely sad when applied to someone who almost certainly spent many of his short 31 years in a drug-altered state. However, when those same words are applied to those of us who are both physically above ground and mentally grounded, they are very meaningful.

Staying “true to your spirit” involves self-awareness and giving yourself a chance to explore (naturally) who you are, how you want to live and work -- and what you really want to become in all phases of your life. I believe it involves a path of experiences and self-discovery enabling you to engage more of your talents and to strive for more authentic moments. I believe being true to your spirit is a path to life's happiness. Yes, there is a touch of irony that I was reminded of this while in a cemetery.

I’d certainly recommend many other things to see and do in the City of Lights, but I can honestly say that the afternoon was time well spent. I wouldn’t rush there again but was happy for the gift – beyond the message of "staying true to your spirit", the experience offered a reminder that inspiration can come from even the most unexpected circumstances.

Bien des choses à tous (Best wishes to all),

Paula

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The post is not about just the place, but more of message 'staying true to your spirit. I think some places not just tell the history but inspires more.
Thanks for sharing such a nice thing.
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It is interesting to note that although Morrison was a drug addict, lived fast and died young he was actually an educated young man. Morrison proved to be an intelligent and capable student drawn to the study of literature, poetry, religion, philosophy, and psychology. Biographers have consistently pointed to a number of writers and philosophers who influenced Morrison's thinking and, perhaps, behavior. While still in his teens, Morrison discovered the works of philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. He was also drawn to the dark poets of the 18th and 19th century, one being the British poet William Blake, and the French poets Charles Baudelaire and Arthur Rimbaud. Writers such as Jack Kerouac, also had a strong influence on Morrison's outlook and manner of expression. Morrison's vision of the art and psychology of performance was colored by the works of 20th century French playwright Antonin Artaud and by Julien Beck's Living Theater. The most influential work was a 19th century work by Charles MacKay, Extraordinary Popular Delusions And The Madness Of Crowds. Morrison began practicing MacKay's insights regarding influencing and manipulating crowds while still in college. In 1965, after graduating from film school at UCLA he started to get into drug use and become apart of his fame that was known as "the Doors". It is a shame that Morrison would not be responsible enough to stay well grounded but sometimes addictions are so powerful that an individual is no longer in control of their own self awareness because of the disease. Once someone falls into addiction, choices are no longer exercised in the human psyche but a physical need to feed the mental illness continues without professional treatment. I do agree that being true to your spirit helps bring about self-awareness which helps an individual find their calling. We all have job to do in this life and it is a shame if someone were to feel lost over it. I really enjoyed your insight on the matter.

Thanks, David, for your comment and appreciate you taking the time to write it. I enjoyed YOUR insight!
Best wishes,

Paula

It is interesting to note that although Morrison was a drug addict, lived fast and died young he was actually an educated young man. Morrison proved to be an intelligent and capable student drawn to the study of literature, poetry, religion, philosophy, and psychology. Biographers have consistently pointed to a number of writers and philosophers who influenced Morrison's thinking and, perhaps, behavior. While still in his teens, Morrison discovered the works of philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. He was also drawn to the dark poets of the 18th and 19th century, one being the British poet William Blake, and the French poets Charles Baudelaire and Arthur Rimbaud. Writers such as Jack Kerouac, also had a strong influence on Morrison's outlook and manner of expression. Morrison's vision of the art and psychology of performance was colored by the works of 20th century French playwright Antonin Artaud and by Julien Beck's Living Theater. The most influential work was a 19th century work by Charles MacKay, Extraordinary Popular Delusions And The Madness Of Crowds. Morrison began practicing MacKay's insights regarding influencing and manipulating crowds while still in college. In 1965, after graduating from film school at UCLA he started to get into drug use and become apart of his fame that was known as "the Doors". It is a shame that Morrison would not be responsible enough to stay well grounded but sometimes addictions are so powerful that an individual is no longer in control of their own self awareness because of the disease. Once someone falls into addiction, choices are no longer exercised in the human psyche but a physical need to feed the mental illness continues without professional treatment. I do agree that being true to your spirit helps bring about self-awareness which helps an individual find their calling. We all have job to do in this life and it is a shame if someone were to feel lost over it. I really enjoyed your insight on the matter.

I too was in Europe recently and came away with a huge message, one very related to your book. We were in Spain and the Spanish have a very different perspective about work than in the United States. Shops actually closed up at lunch, forgoing profit from all the tourists. In the evenings, people were out on the streets, socializing and relaxing. Virtually no one had a cell phone stuck glued to him or her. I did not see one blue tooth and people looking like they were talking to him or herself, carrying on with work beyond the normal work day. What I saw was people enjoying work, but enjoying life more. It reminded me that I do not have to be a slave to my job, but enjoy it when I am there and let go of it when I am not.

Thank you very much for sharing your insight and observations from your trip to Spain. Cross-national difference in work-life balance are always fascinating. Cultures that "work to live" rather than "live to work" seem to place higher priority on the relationships with those they love. Thankfully, culturally differences do not necessarily mean physical boundaries. We can all (universally) turn our phones off and enjoy mindful time with those we love and the things we enjoy doing.
Thanks for the comment,

Paula

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