hopelesshappiness.com

If you could take an anti-aging pill once per day to arrest the process, would you do so? Imagine the cost is minimal (say, a penny per day), and though it would not stop already-acquired advanced illness, nor preclude normal illness (flu, cold, etc.) or accident, let's assume it would take all future life-threatening disease (such as heart disease and cancer) off the table, and it would allow you to retain the overall health and vitality you currently enjoy at whatever age you decide to begin taking the pill. The only question for many would be, at what age do I begin taking this pill?

Some though, may question if they truly want to live forever. If the pill cannot reverse aging (it just stops the process when you begin taking it) then when the pill first comes available, many elderly and/or infirm may opt not to take it. Others may feel that immortality comes in a next life or through a process of regeneration and/or rebirth, and opt out based on personal beliefs. And then there is the question of overpopulation. Would we figure a way to sustain, if the mortality rate suddenly plummeted? Many people would optimistically (narcissistically) think so, and not worry.

But would we truly be happy (or Happy) with immortality? From experience, it feels that everything of value is fleeting. Life is fleeting. Health is fleeting. Happiness is fleeting. If immortality were suddenly thrust upon us, would Living lose some appeal? And some value? And how long before boredom sets in? Additionally, immortality (in this scenario) does not guarantee freedom from pain and adversity. There is no caveat for unlimited wealth; only improved health and vitality. There is no provision for sudden peace and harmony amongst all people. Can we bear an eternity of work, struggle, politics, bureaucracy, conflict, nuisance, the daily grind - not to mention poison ivy and the in-laws? Granted, there are numerous enjoyable, rewarding aspects in Life that for many far outweigh the adversity; but still, eternity is a very long time.

Albert Camus said, "There is but one truly serious philosophical problem, and that is suicide. Judging whether life is or is not worth living..." The anti-aging scenario presented puts this question in terms that would be relevant to each of us. We would have to make a choice that could be presented in varying ways. Some may say you are choosing between Life and suicide. Others may say you are choosing between narcissistic youth and the wisdom of old age. And still others may look at it as a choice between health/vitality and the potential for an agonizingly slow death. I believe it is this last argument that may sway many of us; at least those under the age of 50.

So what if the pharmaceutical gods that make this pill (legally and by government edict) made 1 out of every 500,000 to induce a deep sleep and a painless, peaceful death. This provision would add some interest to the proposition of potential immortality, and some value to Living. Additionally, it would help with the aforementioned issues of overpopulation and sustainability. And it would force everyone to not only more carefully consider IF they would take it, but also at what age they would begin. If one waited too long they could succumb to an irreversible, natural, life-threatening illness; too soon and they could die young as the one out of half-a-million.

Though it has been consistently predicted to be on the horizon, science and technology have yet to provide an anti-aging pill or freedom from the threat of slow, painful, terminal illness. Some believe it will come. If it does, what decisions will you make?

We aspire to transcendence. But if we were to achieve any of these states of being - complete Transcendence... an ultimate Truth... unadulterated Purity... - we will have also stripped away our Humanity. Humanity (strongly) implies imperfection. This week I have wondered if even stumbling in the general proximity of a perfect state, or somehow achieving some semblance (or even some facade) of a perfect state, may not also take away from the experience of Living Life.

Should one's Humanity be balanced? Or should one more actively pursue an understanding of those aspects that call out?

Could active, diligent pursuit of a particular aspect of one's Humanity truly dismantle one's Humanity? Or does it just appear to others that it does so, while to the aspirant (though adding understanding through complexity and depth) the desired state appears to recede? - (i.e. The more you know, the more you know you don't know.)

Uncertainty and the Unknown are a part of our Humanity.

Fear is a part of our Humanity.

Human Interaction is a part of our Humanity.

Struggle is a part of our Humanity.

A desire for Harmony is a part of our Humanity.

A desire for Power and Control is a part of our Humanity.

Pain and Adversity are a part of our Humanity.

Synergy and Interdependence are a part of our Humanity.

Beauty and Ugliness are a part of our Humanity.

Our search for Truth and Wisdom is a part of our Humanity.

The Dark and the Light are a part of our Humanity.

To pursue a deeper, more complex understanding of all of the above is compulsory; but to achieve Perfect Understanding is not desirable. A contradiction? Perhaps; but that too is a part of our Humanity.

Twas the night before Christmas, some day long ahead

My granddaughter tucking her kids into bed;

The aroma of wood smoke hung soft in the air,

As mamma reached down gently ruffling their hair.

And now that the children were snug in their beds,

Good dreams sensing sleep came to dance in their heads;

And mamma in repose watched with joy and delight

As the dreams settled in to dance through the night.

Then all of a sudden mamma's mind found some clutter

She crept to the hall and started to mutter.

Away to the kitchen she flew like a flash,

Threw open the back door and took out the trash.

Smiling back on her nest, so much Love to bestow

Her bluster a symbol, her face all aglow.

Then, what to her wondering eyes should appear

But a miniature spring bubbling up cold and clear;

With a twisting and turning so lively and quick

She thought for a moment it must be a trick.

With wonder and awe she examined its source

And whistled and shouted, surprised by its force.

Now dashing and dancing and prancing within it!

Like rapids, with ice cubes; could stand but a minute!

To the top of the hill! To the stone-gated wall!

Refreshed! And Renewed! She dashed in a thrall!

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

So did mamma becalm and ponder the why.

And up to the house, from its source she did go

With a head full of thoughts and an echoing flow.

And then came an inkling; a sound soft and sweet

The prancing and pawing of children's bare feet.

As she drew in her head and was turning around,

Down the hill came her kids with a laugh and a bound.

They were dressed in their pj's on this warm southern night,

And their legs were a-churning as if to take flight.

A bundle of joys full of zest, zip, and zing,

They ran to their mamma and started to sing.

Their eyes -- how they twinkled! Their dimples how merry!

Their cheeks were like roses, their singing quite airy!

The song from their mouths seemed in tune with the flow

Of the spring as they sang of the things they did know.

The Love of their mamma and each other too,

And their encircled thoughts, and how to speak true;

And how to decide, and avoid all that's smelly,

And how to be grateful for food in their belly.

They sang for their mamma - a right jolly old elf

They sang with the spring, of a strong sense of self;

A wink of an eye and a twist of a head,

And this song, and their gift caused a tear to be shed;

She spoke not a word, but went straight to her spring,

A gift from her children; it spoke everything.

And laying her thinking aside, now she knows

A shared intuition that for-ever flows;

It sprang from its depths; its force made her whistle,

And Love flew around like the down of a thistle.

Then she heard her kids sing, full of sweetness and light;

HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT

It is late in the week (Wednesday) for me to begin writing. I am fixing dinner, reading about the philosophy behind immortality, drinking a beer, and listening to music that is claiming "nothing is sadder than the soul of a hard-working man; with no means to help out his family, and nothing to do with his hands." The song goes on to ask the question, "What will become of the hard-working man?" The book describes mysticism as "truth flowing into our soul from its fountainhead like an active force." - (attributed to Henri Bergson). The corn is boiling; (I turned it down). The beer is cold. Marty Stuart is now singing (different song) "We're brothers, though we've never met. We've both known heartache, disappointment, and the pain of regret. The full weight of sadness, Love, and its cost. And without Love, a soul is nothing but empty and lost." The book (a few pages later, eavesdropping on a conversation) says, "you feel the life force in love." Perhaps country music and philosophy are not so far apart.

Now it is Thursday and since I need beer to pull relevant meaning from country music (and I'm on my lunch break from work), I'll think about mysticism and intuition. Intuition is defined as 'direct perception of truth independent of any reasoning process'. We frequently attempt to de-mystify mysticism through words. More than two years of weekly blog posts are built on a mystical foundation of our Lifelong search for (unattainable) Truth and Wisdom. Even knowing it is unattainable, we feel compelled to search. Nearly 100,000 words and I continue to use words, knowing words will never suffice.

Intuition occurs in that magical (mystical) moment when one has transcended a particular aspect or (in rare moments) the whole of oneself, but has not yet consciously realized it. In this moment, there are no words. Once the moment becomes tangible (known), the magic is gone; and we cannot re-mystify the mundane. Through words though, we can (and do) glorify these leaps that (we feel) pull magic from beyond. These leaps and the effort expended are 'learning', and this magic made tangible becomes personal growth. 'Learning and Growth' is important and (in a worldly sense) magical, but still, once words are applied...

Intuition also occurs when one transcends, yet never consciously realizes it. This intuition (I believe) is/(is not) identifiable as a teasing vexation that resonates yet is easily ignored or dismissed. This intuition is like a beautiful butterfly seen fleetingly, yet not captured, pinned down (with words), and put on display. This intuition is elusive, therefore thought by some to also be illusive. This intuition is encouraged by solitude, thoughtful reflection, Love, pain, work, and Goodness; but this intuition can also stop us in our tracks on a crowded sidewalk, or in the middle of a busy workday, or (most rewarding) in the middle of a meaningful conversation, but we only stop momentarily, pause to look all around, and wonder "What was That?" This intuition is fleeting, unknown, and yet, somehow, known.

I have stated previously that 'I know I don't know'. Yet I also realize that (in some intuitive way) I have some knowledge that is unknowable. I remember a carnival ride with open cars on legs extending outward from a central spoke. The cars circled faster and faster making me feel as if one time I would be flung smack into the approaching wall. But by the time I had this thought, the wall was past; until it (or another one) came around again. The only way I would have known the Truth of that wall, is if one time I was flung out of my car. Some cower from the approaching wall. Some are nonchalant spectators. And some reach out for the wall, screaming for its Truth as they pass by. One day, each one of us will be flung face-first into the Truth of that wall. In the interim, we can each choose our approach; and we should each recognize it as 'our' approach.

Now back to Marty Stuart and our 'hard-working man'. It is sad and painful when one (for whatever reason) is denied the opportunity to work to their fullest potential in an occupation of their choosing. Our society has most definitely moved in to the age of the knowledge worker. Crafts and handiwork (for many) have become hobbies, and many (including most country songwriters) lament this fact. What if, though, this change allows us (all of humanity) to steadily improve our intuitive, interpersonal communication skills, thus creating a universal synergy in which the transcendental whole is far greater than the sum of its individuals. What if with this synergy we can begin to advance on the intangible, ineffable, intuitive Truths that (acknowledged or not) each of us spend a Lifetime searching for. This was previously addressed in the post 'Global Happiness' from last March. The additional thought here (thanks to beer and Marty Stuart) is the recognition that for some hard work is defined as sweat-of-the-brow manual labor, and its application can be / is satisfyingly intuitive and spiritual. When one has too much 'time on their hands' words suddenly get in the way. Like it or not, the definition of hard work must change. Like it or not, throughout this Life many of us find ourselves booted from the path we were following, which leaves us (at least a little) lost and confused, forcing us to refocus and redefine. Some see the opportunity and some wander aimlessly. So for many, the question remains "What will become of the hard-working man?"

In this post we have transitioned from that which is intangible and ineffable to that which is empirical and consequential. If we indeed want to advance transcendentally / spiritually we cannot be too harsh. We cannot ignore Exoteric Goodness (as a vital component) by attributing the loss of handiwork/craft and its adherents/artisans as a price we must pay for progress. To ignore this impact would be adding both goodness and malevolence (see last week's post), and the goal is not to break even; the goal is to slide toward goodness.

I am not sure the answer; but I am confident that as a whole we could find a way to mitigate, minimize, or (possibly even) eliminate the malevolent fallout. In the meantime, as I am able, I will support local efforts toward handiwork and crafts. We cannot become so wrapped up in big picture perspectives that we forget about individuals. The 'greater good' is not necessarily the greater good.

Last week I wrote the following:

"(I believe) as individuals, we have the free will to choose which direction we stretch. (I believe) each individual choice toward Exoteric Goodness does not require an equal stretching toward its opposite, (intentional or unintentional malevolence), either by the individual or as a balancing of the whole; ('the whole' being all of humanity). (I believe) as a whole if we stretch toward Goodness, we will move the midpoint in that direction, thus maintaining balance, and changing interpretations. In this manner (I believe) we can eliminate some malevolence."

This week I want to think about malevolence, and determine if I really do believe we can eliminate some malevolence by adding Goodness. Or, if added Goodness simply creates new/different malevolence that we may not (yet) recognize as such, thus maintaining the original balance.

First, a definition for malevolence: actions, occurrences, or events that cause harm or injury to one's everyday (lower-case) happiness, or to one's search for (upper-case) Happiness. Malevolence can have unforeseen, lingering effects. I have previously defined lower-case happiness as everyday cheer and satisfaction, and upper-case Happiness as one's Lifelong search for unattainable Truth and Wisdom. If one's lower-case happiness is consistently thwarted, stunted, or non-existent this impacts upper-case Happiness.

Malevolence may come about as a result of (1) Purposeful Malice, (2) Ignorance (2a. Intentionally Oblivious Ignorance, 2b. Unintentionally Oblivious Ignorance, or 2c. Actively Acknowledged Ignorance), or (3) Acts of Nature, Lady Fortune, or God (depending upon your personal belief).

I would like to think that Purposeful Malice is rare, and limited to sociopaths or psychopaths. I would like to think that all other malevolence that originates from an individual or group of individuals is a function or result of free will choices that involve some aspect/degree of Ignorance and thereby potentially avoidable or mitigated by making better choices - choices that stretch us toward Exoteric Goodness.

I have in previous posts ('here' and 'here') divided Ignorance into two parts - Oblivious Ignorance and Acknowledged Ignorance. Here I am further dividing Oblivious Ignorance into that which is intentional and that which is unintentional; (the intention or lack of intention, of course, then carries over to the resulting malevolence).

Intentional Oblivious Ignorance that results in malevolence comes from those who truly know the potential result of their actions but drive ahead regardless, due to an individual or group agenda, an ego high on power and/or control, or other selfish justifications characterized by a 'greater good' mindset; (often believing the 'greater good' equates with 'what's best for ME'). Some would say that Intentional Oblivious Ignorance is very close to or (in some cases) the same as Purposeful Malice.

Unintentional Oblivious Ignorance that results in malevolence comes from those who truly do not understand the potential result or seriousness of their actions. These individuals do not understand for varying reasons, including but not limited to immaturity (bullying is an example), insecurity (that can lead to groupthink and defensiveness), narcissism, apathy, a subpar work ethic, a lack of critical thinking skills, illogic, excessive emotion, or any combination of these (and other) characteristics that then potentially exacerbate one another creating a multi-headed megalomaniac (often unknowingly) spewing malevolence in all directions.

Sometimes it is difficult to determine if an individual's Oblivious Ignorance is intentional or unintentional; especially when they are of the multi-headed variety. Sometimes (as the spewer) we learn and grow and understand, and then it becomes intentional; and not only too late for most of the already-spewed malevolence, but also very difficult to create new habits.

Typically a group agenda that results in malevolence requires one or more group members to be intentionally oblivious but many (and in some cases, most) group members may remain unintentionally oblivious. Indoctrination and zealotry can give one a sense of belonging, and those who are knowingly, intentionally oblivious take advantage.

In the aforementioned previous posts I identified acknowledged ignorance as preferable to oblivious ignorance. Here I am adding a qualifier to encourage actively acknowledged ignorance. If you know you don't know and ignore that fact, this creates some overlap between acknowledged ignorance and oblivious ignorance, thus potentially magnifying the impact of the resulting malevolence. Even actively acknowledged ignorance can result in malevolence in some circumstances, but due to the openness and compassion inherent in the active acknowledgment, the resulting malevolence is often mitigated in both seriousness and perseverance. I could provide examples, but logic dictates that if an individual is not certain of the 'best' course of action, mistakes are made and malevolence may result; and uncertainty is (or should be) a cornerstone of one's humanity.

This leaves acts, occurrences, or events whose origins are unidentifiable and result in malevolence. Be it nature, bad luck, or God it often seems we have no control over some circumstance. I would first challenge one to examine the circumstance (and one's personal actions leading to the circumstance) carefully to ensure that 'bad luck' is not (at least partially) one's own doing. Upon examination one should not regret or be too harsh, but we should learn and grow from the experience. If it is truly an unforeseen, (seemingly) uncaused or random event, such as a tornado or brand new brakes failing, it feels our only option is still to learn and grow from the experience; and most importantly, in either case, move on.

And now the big question - Can we eliminate some malevolence by adding Goodness, or does added Goodness simply create a new/different malevolence that we may not (yet) recognize as such, thus maintaining the original balance? An example - many people have benefited from antibiotics but there is some research that claims that antibiotics also kill good bacteria thereby potentially causing obesity, heart disease, and even cancer. An added Goodness (antibiotics) has potentially created some unforeseen, unintentional malevolence. Yet our average lifespan has increased partially due to the Goodness created by the antibiotic; but so (it seems) has our suffering. So we have to judge - did the midpoint slide (even slightly) toward Goodness, or is it an even trade? And if in this case it is deemed an even trade, is this the case every time? I would like to argue that it is not. Technology, for example, has provided ways to forewarn us of impending disasters such as hurricanes, typhoons, tsunamis, etc., thus saving lives. Technology has also built safer automobiles, again saving lives. But it was also that same (simpler, earlier) technology that has brought us to today where we lose (on average, in this country) 100 lives per day in auto crashes. And one could argue that the lives saved from hurricanes (or car crashes) go on to contribute to overpopulation, joblessness, and homelessness. Again, are these even trades, or are we slowly sliding toward greater Goodness?

It is a matter of perspective.

Is there a 'grand' balancing to ensure that the midpoint between Goodness and Malevolence remains stable and set? Ultimately, I am uncertain. Uncertainty is a cornerstone of Humanity. But, I still believe, as individuals we have the free will to choose which direction we stretch. And as long as that is true, I will choose to stretch toward (my understanding of) Exoteric Goodness. I will continue to act as if we will move the midpoint in that direction, thus maintaining balance, changing interpretations, and eliminating some malevolence. I am confident it will not hurt the big picture, and I feel it may help. And no one will convince me that I do not have the power to choose as I please.