Written by Muhammed Ali Kilic
A reflection on my speech at Utrecht University during the rhetoric competition on 2025-06-18. This text is a combination of quotes from that speech, reflections on it, and certain parts of the speech have been slightly reworked for this text.
I remember how, as a child, I used to look at the stars. How a song got me quiet, as if the world stopped for a moment. And how I would come home from school, put on a cartoon, and disappear endlessly into different worlds. My life was full of wonder.
So began my speech at Utrecht University during a rhetoric competition. By the way, these words were not just meant to appear rhetorically powerful, but still reflect a deep desire to feel that wonder again: As I get older-and I am only 25-that magic seems to be gradually disappearing from my life. Instead, my worries, obligations and expectations only seem to pile up. A weight that weighs more and more on my
shoulders. Occasionally that old wonder returns for a moment, but it dissipates before I can hold her properly.
Incidentally, this desire to experience that wonder in my life again is in stark contrast to the promises and dreams of progress sold to us in this day and age. We are more prosperous than ever, and there is unprecedented progress in all areas. Yet I, and perhaps you, are experiencing increasing alienation and mental anguish. The statistics don't lie: millions of Dutch people take antidepressants, young people seek psychological help en masse, and 60% say they live without meaning and purpose.
What I said in the next part of the speech was not a conclusive answer to all these questions and problems, but a plea to make room for ways that might make us feel wonder and connection again: Especially in these times when there is more depression than ever. In which there is more suicide than ever. And in which we all experience less and less meaning and direction in our lives. It is precisely in these times that spirituality and mysticism are being waved away. But precisely in these times, it is more important than ever that we bring this back and revalue it. But you may be thinking: spirituality, mysticism? No, when I talk about spirituality and mysticism, I am not talking about ‘floaty stuff’ or ‘superstition’. No, I am not advocating that you get into tarot cards or chakras.
No. What I mean is something else. Because for me, spirituality is the search for a direct, inner experience of connection. With life. With another. With something greater than yourself. And surely everyone feels that from time to time?
Those moments when you pause for a moment. Where wonder takes you over. And when your ego seems to disappear, and you experience a sense of oneness with everything and
everyone.
But we almost dare not pronounce it. Spirituality, mysticism? Because I know that just naming it can evoke resistance. It is dogmatic, goes against Enlightenment ideals, it is diametrically opposed to the West. Above all, it is vague, perhaps unscientific? It deprives people of the ability to think critically and puts reason in second place. And I understand all these objections. Really. Because I also think research, science, reason and evidence are essential parts
of our society are and must remain. Above all, we should leave the mind as it is. Not affect it. But still, reason can fall short on some issues.
Can reason explain what happens in us when a symphony brings us to tears? Can logic explain love when we first saw our partner? And can reason explain our feelings when we first see our newborn
child in our arms? Spirituality, mysticism? For me, spirituality and mysticism is a way of re-experiencing and experiencing again and more often that wonderment from my childhood, and in fleeting moments. It also offers an explanation and explanation to something that often cannot be expressed in words. And the wave of emotions and euphoria I experienced while giving this speech was perhaps also one and only wonder. For me, that evening was beyond words. The connection and magic I felt with everyone present there is unforgettable. And I think I am not the only one who cannot put into words the best moments of his life, or longs to experience them again.
With the last sentence of my speech, I also want to end here: Let us again make room for wonder.
