I recently had one of those seminal moments that we often reflect on later: what was its meaning? As I was driving my scooter on my way to the gym, I noticed an enormous sign that said, “The Future is Now.” This distracted me for just a moment and I inadvertently crossed the street, my eye catching sight of a 7-11. I always stop for a banana and energy drink: I’m old, you see. I didn’t give enough attention to the traffic flow and was almost struck by a large lorry as I made the turn: the fault being totally my own. I had that somewhat sardonic feeling – that sign was right: my future is now. This only reinforced my concern with this idea that most of us live in the present or the past, not really in the present. What does that fully mean? It is a concept, in my estimation, that bears some reflection. If I maintain that all perception emanates from me: the power that I give my life is of my own making, then I must grasp that I need utilize the “tools” that are available to me: my powers on meditation. “Most humans are never fully present in the now, because unconsciously they believe that the next moment must be more important than this one. But then you miss your whole life, which is never not now. … Most people treat the present moment as if it were an obstacle that they need to overcome. Since the present moment is life itself, it is an insane way to live. … Always say ‘yes’ to the present moment… Surrender to what is. Say ‘yes’ to life – and see how life starts suddenly to start working for you rather than against you.” What Eckhart Tolle (b. 1948) is telling us is that I can give value to every moment of my life – every moment. The consequences are stunning. Potentially, life would not be a short, blurry statement of futility, but a lengthy and exciting adventure of personal discovery. This has major implications for young people. They loathe time for it is an endless continuum of stress and frustration: http://www. DBAWageslave.com. We listened to “21 Pilots” in class. They created the 4th most listened to song “in the world” last week. Their words are clear. It is worth listening to for it mirrors how our Y Generation (1) relates to the world: twenty one pilots: Stressed Out [OFFICIAL VIDEO].
On a related note: I recently read The Fall by Albert Camus (1913-1960). “The story consists of a series of dramatic monologues by the self-proclaimed ‘judge-penitent’ Jean-Baptiste Clamence, as he reflects upon his life to a stranger. In his confession, Clamence tells of his success as a wealthy Parisian defense lawyer who was highly respected by his colleagues and his ultimate ‘fall’ from grace: akin to ‘The Fall of Man’ in the Garden of Eden. ‘The Fall’ explores themes of innocence, imprisonment, non-existence, and truth.” Camus is essentially giving us a choice as to how to live: we can live an absurd life, (2) wherein there is no meaning to life or the rationalist view (3) that holds there is an ultimate purpose to consciousness. I would opt for the belief that there is a hidden purpose. I am therefore free to uncover my reason: the reason for my adventure to life. I believe that it is there only to be discovered. As you have the opportunity to age and experience “the great voyage” that is every man’s existence, you will stumble upon your own version of Odyssey’s Lotus Eaters. “I was driven thence by foul winds for a space of 9 days upon the sea, but on the tenth day we reached the land of the Lotus-eaters, who live on a food that comes from a kind of flower. Here we landed to take in fresh water, and our crews got their mid-day meal on the shore near the ships. When they had eaten and drunk I sent two of my company to see what manner of men the people of the place might be, and they had a third man under them. They started at once, and went about among the Lotus-eaters, who did them no hurt, but gave them to eat of the lotus, which was so delicious that those who ate of it left off caring about home, and did not even want to go back and say what had happened to them, but were for staying and munching lotus with the Lotus-eaters without thinking further of their return; nevertheless, though they wept bitterly I forced them back to the ships and made them fast under the benches. Then I told the rest to go on board at once, lest any of them should taste of the lotus and leave off wanting to get home, so they took their places and smote the grey sea with their oars.” (4) The meaning of this passage, of course, is that we must forgo the vices of life and work on our own personal development. It will not grow and prosper without our direct involvement in its maturation: exciting! Seneca the Younger (4 BC-65 AD) leaves us with a thought: Sometimes even to live is an act of courage.
It is a rough road that leads to the heights of greatness.
All cruelty springs from weakness.
A small joke: A man took his talkative young son to the barber. “How would you like your hair cut, young man?” The haircutter inquired. The young man studied him for a long time and then said. “I would like my hair cut just like yours — with a hole in the middle.”
This week, please reflect on your own life adventure.
Every day look for something magical and beautiful.
Quote: It is a great tragedy to observe the vast majority of people who congregate on the shore of an epic and personal odyssey only to refuse to get into the boat. Why? The reasons are many: usually, it is the fear to take a chance on the “winds of adventure” because you never know where they blow — but they do blow somewhere.
Footnotes:
1) Millennials
2) Absurdism
3) Rationalism
4) The Odyssey: Book IX