What is the nature of life and reality?
Why do we believe what we do about such things?
One need not be a philosopher to see the value in exploring these questions, though it may take a bit more work if that's not your leanings. Whether or not we've thought about such things in an intentional, rational and systematic way, we all have answers to them, one way or another. While we may not see the immediate value in exploring such questions I have a suspicion that most of us who have a reasonable education and are of average intelligence are capable of doing so, though it may take some effort. It certainly does for me!
Some of us naturally gravitate towards this kind of contemplation and some of us do not and there's nothing wrong with either predisposition. It does not, however, mean that just because we do not naturally gravitate towards these existential questions that their significance diminishes in any way, just as my natural gravitation towards contemplation does not mean that my actions in the world somehow become less significant because of that fact.
The great thing about contemplation and philosophical inquiry is that all it seems to require is a fairly functional and normally developed human brain and a willingness to spend the time to learn and practice how to think in a more clear and focused manner about very specific things. This is not out of the reach of most anyone reading these words.
So why do we avoid contemplation on these, what I would suggest to be, seemingly essential matters of life, which have the potential to shape our destiny? Perhaps for the same reasons we avoid going to the gym: it sounds like a wonderful thing to do but it doesn't seem THAT important in the face of everything else in our lives.
Many of us simply do not wish to make that much effort in what we do not, personally, see as being valuable. This is completely understandable and I don't think there's any way around this. If we don't see the value of spending the time and energy in doing something then we're not going to do it. Many of us don't really see that much value in the kind of contemplative inquiry to which I'm pointing, just as many of us don't see that much value in going to a gym.
But why should you believe that exploring the kinds of questions I'm suggesting is a valuable use of your precious and limited time and energy?
Good question, and one that I feel passionate about attempting to answer as best I can.
(Yes, lets just pretend that you were going to ask that question anyway...)
I believe that part of the role I'm developing in this process called 'life' is to help others begin to see the value in thinking more deeply and more clearly about essential questions that have the potential to reorient our existence in, what I believe to be, entirely positive ways.
I don't have all the answers and I don't even have all the questions. I don't need to and neither do you. What we do need is the willingness to take a step forward into the unknown. I believe there are some very compelling reasons to do so but we each have to decide for ourselves whether we'll take that step or not. That is essential. If we're not willing to step into the unknown then we won't get very far.
Besides, what's the worst thing that could happen? Probably not as bad as this. That should offer some comfort, I think.
Why do we believe what we do about such things?
One need not be a philosopher to see the value in exploring these questions, though it may take a bit more work if that's not your leanings. Whether or not we've thought about such things in an intentional, rational and systematic way, we all have answers to them, one way or another. While we may not see the immediate value in exploring such questions I have a suspicion that most of us who have a reasonable education and are of average intelligence are capable of doing so, though it may take some effort. It certainly does for me!
Some of us naturally gravitate towards this kind of contemplation and some of us do not and there's nothing wrong with either predisposition. It does not, however, mean that just because we do not naturally gravitate towards these existential questions that their significance diminishes in any way, just as my natural gravitation towards contemplation does not mean that my actions in the world somehow become less significant because of that fact.
The great thing about contemplation and philosophical inquiry is that all it seems to require is a fairly functional and normally developed human brain and a willingness to spend the time to learn and practice how to think in a more clear and focused manner about very specific things. This is not out of the reach of most anyone reading these words.
So why do we avoid contemplation on these, what I would suggest to be, seemingly essential matters of life, which have the potential to shape our destiny? Perhaps for the same reasons we avoid going to the gym: it sounds like a wonderful thing to do but it doesn't seem THAT important in the face of everything else in our lives.
Many of us simply do not wish to make that much effort in what we do not, personally, see as being valuable. This is completely understandable and I don't think there's any way around this. If we don't see the value of spending the time and energy in doing something then we're not going to do it. Many of us don't really see that much value in the kind of contemplative inquiry to which I'm pointing, just as many of us don't see that much value in going to a gym.
But why should you believe that exploring the kinds of questions I'm suggesting is a valuable use of your precious and limited time and energy?
Good question, and one that I feel passionate about attempting to answer as best I can.
(Yes, lets just pretend that you were going to ask that question anyway...)
I believe that part of the role I'm developing in this process called 'life' is to help others begin to see the value in thinking more deeply and more clearly about essential questions that have the potential to reorient our existence in, what I believe to be, entirely positive ways.
I don't have all the answers and I don't even have all the questions. I don't need to and neither do you. What we do need is the willingness to take a step forward into the unknown. I believe there are some very compelling reasons to do so but we each have to decide for ourselves whether we'll take that step or not. That is essential. If we're not willing to step into the unknown then we won't get very far.
Besides, what's the worst thing that could happen? Probably not as bad as this. That should offer some comfort, I think.
4 comments:
Probably stepping out into the unknown can be like expecting to have some sort of alien within us that will harm us as soon as the foot heads over the ledge (such a cool video:). Except most often when we DO step off the ledge we find something totally different from death and fear. We find life. Perhaps different from what we're used to and have known thus far, but good nonetheless.
Yeah, I think you're right, that there IS life...and yet we always seem to have a million reasons to refuse to take that step. I know I do.
But if I want to really move forward, I still have to do it.
Why is it so hard to just allow ourselves to choose to really live? And why is it that we aren't afraid to fail, but what we are really afraid of is succeeding?
Good questions:) I think you'll get different answers depending on who you talk to!
For myself, I see a fear of success as a fear of having to be more responsible, to have less excuse to fail when I don't feel like trying.
What do you think?
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