As we move into Act III: Understanding Purpose and the Weight of Meaning we’ll be shifting into some of my favorite topics. I very much enjoy talking about reason and the assumed destinies that people believe in, and I cannot wait to dive into these topics further.
Humanity’s Why
We’ve evolved seeking patterns. We look at clouds and see shapes, so when we look at life we try to see a pattern called: destiny. As we grew as a species, we needed to find patterns to survive, like how prey behaved and how the fruit on the trees grew so that we could acquire them for our food. As we grew, we developed a higher intelligence that pushed us to seek social connection and cognitive improvement.
Humans have, overall, grown more intelligent as each generation passes, and because of that, we are still seeking out patterns. However, now we’ve shifted from trying to learn how the deer roam to trying to figure out life’s deepest meanings and most obscure questions. There is a fear that randomness is a “bad” thing, because with randomness comes uncertainty, and that is what most people actually fear. They want to be certain that life has a purpose, so they seek out patterns that fulfill their version of what their destiny is supposed to be.
In my view, the universe is not a random entity, but rather, it’s an entire being that grows. This is where the discomfort lies. The ego does not like the idea that it’s a random growth that came from the stars. It wants to believe that it is destined for greatness, but that is simply not the case. We are here because we grew out of the universe, just as an apple is there because it grew out from a tree.
The ego thinks that life happening without reason means the self is not in control. When people don’t feel in control, they experience anxiety. That’s why I would much rather drive somewhere than fly; it’s the lack of control that is anxiety inducing. As a claims adjuster, I notice a lot of people attempt to attach a reason to what they’re experiencing. In severe and complex injury matters, people try to attach a meaning to why the accident happened, but the answer is often that there is no reason. It is simply an accident that was outside of their control.
The Trap of “Everything Happens for a Reason”
This is an extremely common phrase that I hear all the time. It’s my opinion that this phrase is harmful because it forces people to try and find a “lesson” in a tragedy that might just be accidental or a natural occurrence. Similarly, when a large scale loss happens, people will brand it as “An Act of God,” as if a tsunami was pre-planned by a deity. Clearly, these are simply natural occurrences of our planet, which is constantly growing and changing just as we are.
Folks often think that if they’re “good,” then good things should happen to them. However, tragedy befalls “good” people all the time, and evil people are sometimes rewarded with power. Being a “good” person might increase your odds that others will be nice to you, but it doesn’t always work. If you run into someone having a horrible day, they may be rude to you regardless of how you interact with them.
We try to force reasoning into everything because the ego wants to believe it is the center of the universe. Don’t give in to your ego’s desire. Understand that the ego is irrelevant, and so are we. We have no meaning; there is no reason aside from just being. Just experience life and enjoy the times or material things that you are able to.
If you find yourself stuck in the drudgery of work and chores, zoom out and understand that you’re simply a person on a planet going about your life. Focus on the here and now. Find comfort that you can look up at the sky and see the stars at night. Shift your observation to the ability of observation itself. We are the conscious observers of the universe; just as our eyes see for us, we see for the universe.
Freedom of Non-Reason
There is silence in the Universe. The cosmos do not owe us any answers or explanations. The stars do not shine for a reason other than to simply exist. As humans, we’ve been given a double-sided sword with intelligence. It allows us deep connection, but it also gives us the intelligence to question things we will never know the answer to.
The universe cannot stand outside of itself and look upon its own majesty, so it created light, matter, and humans to understand itself. Most other creatures go about their lives and eventually relinquish their life force without a question. Humans want to hold onto their life force because they have nurtured their ego to the point of fanaticism. Whether it is freezing themselves for the future, building extravagant mausoleums, or dreaming of a dimension called heaven, these beliefs are derived from the ego’s fear of having no reason.
I am here to tell you that there is freedom in not having any reason. Since there’s no reason to any of this, you can simply enjoy yourself and relax. You don’t have to try and solve a complex puzzle as to why you’re here. You can just relax and experience what is.
Reflection
Think of a recent event that frustrated you because it didn’t make sense. What happens to your stress level if you decide that there is no hidden lesson or cosmic reason, and it was simply a thing that happened?
Feel free to post your reflection as a comment on the blog page or post over on the forums. I’d love to have conversations with anyone on their reflections.
I recently decided to delete my YouTube channel to focus on my music as a hobby rather than a chore. The constant cycle of engagement and the technical struggle of recording in a cramped space were draining my creativity. Deleting everything was a massive relief. Now, I can just pick up my acoustic guitar and play whenever I want without worrying about edits, uploads, or “the algorithm.”
It’s good to live in the moment, and play when you’re inspired. Focus on enjoying it. If you like making the videos, then make them and forget about the algorithm and anything of that nature.
Be free of your ego and the anxiety will dissipate.