4th of March

“Mankind is poised midway between the gods and the beasts.”   – Plotinus

...“But if men and women are up from beasts and on their way to gods, they are in the meantime rather tragic figures. Poised between the two extremes, they are subjected to the most violent of conflicts. No longer beast, not yet god – or worse, half-beast, half-god: there is the soul of mankind. Put another way, humankind is an essentially tragic figure with a beautifully optimistic future – if they can survive the transition.”

- Ken Wilber (from Up From Eden)

I don't believe myself to be either god or beast, but I do recognize the parts of myself that lean a little more toward unrestrained nature, or conversely, do things on a more thoughtful, more selfless level. When I find myself in some sort of quandary, I generally have these two parts in the mix, both wanting their way. I don't see one or the other as being better necessarily, they just are. I suppose I hold the thoughtful in higher esteem, the trick is not to view the natural impulse as completely negative.  

As such, my aim is generally more toward the thoughtful side of things, but the other side has its place, too. I suppose, once again, balance is the key here. Though my idea of balance here, is not an even split; more of a focus on trying to be thoughtful, with the understanding that the beastie side is not a bad thing in and of itself. If I take care of my basic, elemental needs, then I am in a better position to do for others, and have more room in general to be thoughtful. 

I have to say, I love Wilber's view of humans as being 'essentially tragic with a beautifully optimistic future' – beautifully put. 

the Keeper (word to think about/keep with me for a bit): 

"Quandary” - n. 1.) a state of perplexity or uncertainty over what to do in a difficult situation.

I hope to avoid quandary as much as is possible, and to have my many parts in balance, so as to manifest the more optimistic side of things. 

2nd of March

“One will rarely err if extreme actions be ascribed to vanity, ordinary actions to habit, and mean actions to fear.”

- Friedrich Nietzsche

Though the man may have not had the fluffiest, happiest worldview in recorded history, he did have keen insight. In this assertion, more than most. 

Thinking about this quote in regards to the wide array of humans, is helpful, maybe in that I can look at situations with an extra perspective, a little more understanding. But where I may get the most out of it, is by looking at my actions in light of the above. Are there exceptions to what he is saying? Of course. But, looking over my past, I can say that, in quite a few instances, he is spot on.

“Extreme actions” can be negative extreme actions, but I take his meaning to be more of the 'larger than life' moments... most of these, in my life, have been because I wanted to be seen doing them, I think. With few exceptions. 

Habits are habits, specific to each person, and therefore, what is usual to one, may not be usual to another. 

The “mean actions” are the most interesting to me.... In almost every instance I can think of where I have been mean to someone, or mean in the sense of being small-minded or petty, I have been fearful. There may have been other things going on, too, but the primary ingredient has usually been fear. Think about it in your own life. From being out-and-out harsh to someone down to mild gossiping about someone, there is a significant part that is driven by fear. Whether they make you question yourself, or by their actions challenge your worldview... the essential piece in saying 'you are wrong', in a mean way, is usually, I think, saying 'am I right?' This is totally outside of trying to help someone see something a certain way, or teaching... It is talking them down, or lashing out. In the more extreme example of physical aggression or violence, it is clearly almost always a response to being or feeling threatened. Cornered animals will attack why? Because they are afraid.

If you can take away the adrenaline rush that comes from fear, your world will be a decidedly calmer place. It is truly amazing what you can do if you take fear out of the equation. At the very least (and by 'least' I mean elemental), it is much easier to not lash out, to be kind. That is a pretty excellent springboard for just about anything. 

the Keeper (word to think about/keep with me for a bit): 

“Mean” - adj. 1.) spiteful and petty; unkind. 2.) ignoble; base. 3.) low in quality or grade; low in value or amount. 

I hope to not be mean in any way, shape, or form today. May I be free of fear. 

20th of February

"What wisdom can you find that is greater than kindness?"

– Jean-Jacques Rousseau

It is probably the elemental thing to live your life by... quite a few of the “rules” out there, be they philosophical, religious, societal, or familial, either boil down to, or are superseded by kindness. If you are as kind as you know how to be at every turn in your day, most of those rules fall away... or are taken care of by said kindness.

It is a funny word, because it is simple in that people can easily point to kindness, or the lack thereof... but it is a word that contains a number of things. It is treating people well, of course... do unto others, and whatnot... but it has a softness to it, and an understanding or sympathy that is in there, too. Being thoughtful. Having empathy. There is a little bit of advantage vs. disadvantage, too. You can be kind to people that are in a great space I suppose, but most of the time, it seems to carry with it the sense of helping someone less fortunate in any number of ways.

the Keeper (word to think about/keep with me for a bit):

“Thoughtful” - adj. 1.) showing consideration for the needs of other people. 2.) showing careful consideration or attention.

I hope to be kind, thoughtful, and aware today.