Monday, January 20, 2014

A Good Day

I connect Ecclesiastes and the other biblical wisdom books in many ways with the Stoics, and for some reason, both click with me. That unwavering acceptance of reality, of doing one's duty in the face of death or whatever comes. it is not negative, but joyful in a deep sense. It feels very much like a part of the Japanese ethic of "mono no aware", or of the Native American code made famous in Crazy Horse's "It is a good day to die." It is not an embrace of death, but a recognition that we will die, it is inevitable, and so the sweetness of the day is all the sweeter in its brevity and purity and transience. It is a good day to die…it is as good as any other possible day, for all of the perfection of existence is here, now, at this place and in this moment. It is not negative, but so positive in the face of annihilation.

2 comments:

  1. What's up Lance!

    I think it would be good for people to reapply these types philosophies in the face of peak-oil, societal collapse etc. especially for us in the over-developed West. As those with affluent lifestyles see it crumble away, these types of philosophies could be guideposts.

    Its good to hear your thoughts on these connections.

    Justin

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    1. hi Justin! I agree, that these kinds of philosophies are probably the most useful and true, in the face of what we are facing, whether it is a slow collapse like Greer says, or even the most extreme event(s) as suggested by Guy McPherson.

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