In Tibetan, "Shangri-La" means "the sun and moon in my heart". James's story takes place in this vast and mysterious eastern continent, at the top of the plateau, in the embrace of mountains, in China and Tibet.
Tibet has always been a mystery to most people because of its geographical location, natural environment, humanistic beliefs and many other factors. However, with the development of transportation and communication, more and more people began to enter Tibet and learn about Tibet. Unconsciously, this snowy kingdom is quietly unveiling the mystery and stunning the eyes of the world.
Some time ago, I shared a book "One Year in Tibet" by Shu Yun, which truly recorded the life stories of ordinary farmers in Tibet in summer, autumn, winter and spring, with sincere and vivid feelings. Here, we can learn about the real Tibet, which is unique and charming. Today, Lost Horizon presents us with a fictional Shangri-La, which makes countless people indulge in it and even risk their lives to pursue and explore their dreams.
The story stems from a thrilling and unexpected trip. 1931May, people were evacuating civilians from Bascoul to Peshawar due to the war. However, these four people happened to gather on a small "government flight" built for a state owner in India and had a long trip.
The four passengers were Miss Roberta Burlington Crowe, an oriental missionary, Henry Barnard, an American, Hugh Conway, British consul, and Captain Charles Mallinson, vice consul. They failed to reach Peshawar from Bascol. Instead, I swam in the sky for a long time and finally landed on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau at 1: 30 in the morning.
In the morning, the pilot who hijacked them died. Before he died, he pointed out a place for them to stay, that is, the nearby Lama Temple, on the other side of the valley. He called it "Shangri-La".
Where the plane landed, the natural environment is harsh and it is not allowed to stay for a long time. However, when a group of four people first arrived at this snowy plateau, even if the altitude factor was not mentioned, the cold climate, violent snow and steep ridge sections were beyond their control. Fortunately, at the critical moment, they miraculously met a generous rescuer.
That's a group of people. From the place they are looking for, the Lama Temple in Shangri-La. Later, they were treated with warm and thoughtful hospitality, and what they saw and heard surprised them, but before long, they vaguely realized that everything seemed to be "premeditated". In other words, they might really have been hijacked here.
However, under the control of the same fate, these four people have different moods.
First, the missionary Miss Burlington Crowe. She can easily adapt to the environment, take things as they are, and regard all situations as God's arrangement. What's more, she soon discovered that people in this place were in urgent need of saving. She is willing to stay and accept the arduous task of God to save the world from the mire.
Then American Barnard. It is not difficult for us to find that the only one of the four people has no identity. The introduction to him on the way only mentioned that he was a cheerful and casual person, and he saw this encounter very widely. It was not until his real name and identity were exposed that people suddenly realized his calm attitude. In view of his special circumstances, he would rather stay here forever. It is true that Shangri-La is a very good retreat for a bankrupt businessman with heavy debts and the number one fraudster wanted by various countries. The most important thing is to avoid the current messy situation and escape from the police.
Here, the author does not regard Barnard as a villain. Because the purpose of the story is not here, the characters in the story have no clear distinction between good and evil, but their positions and circumstances are different. Surprisingly, we can see the two sides of things through Barnard's story. Of course, this is also a point that this book has been revealing.
Barnard said that the whole game is falling apart. Wade believes that the meaning behind this sentence is far deeper than his original intention. Wade thought: the whole game is collapsing, but fortunately, according to the rules, other players don't have to stand on the court to carry out the endgame. Therefore, the beautiful Shangri-La is a wonderful place for Barnard.
And vice consul Mallinson, his ideas and performance, and the first two are completely different. From beginning to end, he regarded it as a farce. He can't accept this result. Even though the scenery here is strange and the courtesy is profound, he always regards Shangri-La as a wild place far from civilization.
And this great government official, British consul Wade, is even more unexpected than his peers and his outstanding performance when he encountered difficulties before. When he came to this pure and clean world by accident, he felt unprecedented peace. This seemingly illusory place, everything seems confusing, but there is a narrow bridge to communicate with the outside world. There are shiny and exquisite porcelain, all kinds of delicious food, fruits and vegetables, a big library with classic original books from all over the world, and next to the elegant grand piano is a 18-year-old girl from Manchu royal family playing beautiful tunes. ...
Books, music and meditation, and more importantly, the dazzling and pure natural scenery around him, made Wade like this world.
I just like staying here.
In addition to advanced and high-end modern facilities, Shangri-La has another important thing that the world can't wait, and that is their ability to delay aging.
Wade learned about Shangri-La, Blue Moon Valley residents' living and working in peace and contentment, the ruler's "golden mean" concept, the golden mean and the rule of inaction step by step through the Lama's repeated summons, which all fit his temperament, especially when talking with the Lama, making him feel that it is much better to meditate, realize the Tao and lead a clean life in this endless time than the turbulent and war-torn life before.
I would rather follow the savior and live an ascetic life than have a party in London every night. What the elder said is just right for his mood at this time.
In short, when we were fascinated by the things in the book, the whole story has been developing step by step along the fantastic plot, but just as we were rejoicing in Wade's rebirth, the plot reversed. Mallinson, a mediocre but passionate young man, awakened Wade and the horizon disappeared. Shangri-la will also be like a beautiful dream disillusioned in minutes.
Four people, four different outlook on life. Wade found time here, Barnard found a gold mine, Miss Burlington devoted herself to religion, and only Mallinson's eager concept of "joining the WTO" remained unchanged. Wade believes that the exhaustion of passion may be the beginning of wisdom, but it was eventually burned out by Mallinson's passion. He suddenly realized that he desperately fled this pure land that gave him a short peace.
As a result, the Blue Moon Valley disappeared, Shangri-La disappeared and the horizon disappeared. Disappeared in Wade's heart, it has also become an eternal dream in the hearts of countless future generations who are constantly looking for it.
So, does Shangri-La exist in the author's mind? Maybe it exists, because it entrusts people with too many beautiful hopes and longings. Maybe, it doesn't exist. What can isolate and delay aging in the world today? But, anyway, it's all over. Even Wade can't go back.