We defined the ego as the “Architect” that demands a destiny. Now, we are looking at what happens when the ego realizes that destiny does not exist.
Usually, people fall into one of two camps: they become bitter and adopt Nihilism, or they find freedom and adopt Zen.
The Shared Premise
Common ground exists between Zen and Nihilism, as both camps look at the universe and arrive at the same conclusion: there is no inherent, pre-written cosmic meaning to life.
Let’s first define Nihilism: Nihilism is a family of philosophical views arguing that life is meaningless, that moral values are baseless, or that knowledge is impossible. Thus, such views reject the basis of certain ideas. Nihilistic views span several branches of philosophy, including ethics, value theory, epistemology, and metaphysics. Nihilism is also described as a broad cultural phenomenon or historical movement that pervades modernity in the Western world. (Source: Wikipedia)
We find similarities with “the Void”, because we understand that our lives, our jobs, and our legacies (if you even believe in having one) are temporary. The universe does not have a “plan” for us, and no one is coming to save us.
In my view, Nihilism is actually the ego in disguise. The ego wants to be the main character of the universe. When it finds out there is no script, it throws a tantrum, gets depressed, and says “If I’m not the center of everything, then nothing matters and I refuse to care.”
Let’s compare the two philosophies below:
The Fork in the Road
With Nihilism, there comes a heavy burden. Sometimes and in some circles, nihilism can breed apathy and despair. If nothing matters, the nihilist can use that as an excuse to give up, treat people poorly, or sink into drudgery or addiction. It can become a philosophy of defeat. It can also lead to feelings of emptiness, hopelessness, or depression. Because of the weakened connection to life, values may be seen as meaningless which can result in unethical behavior.
Clearly, the more extreme the nihilistic tendencies are, the more destructive the behavior. Having such strong convictions to emptiness can be psychologically and socially destabilizing.
We take a different approach with Zen.
We observe that there is no inherent “point” to all of this. Nothing matters on a cosmic scale, sure, but that also means you cannot fail. You are completely free from the pressure of a destiny.
Zen Buddhism allows us to let go of attachment and legacy to be fully present in the moment. The day-to-day and moment-to-moment experiences are the point of life, to seek enjoyment in those moments and to observe the universe as it intended. The Zen perspective allows you to understand that nothing really matters. This sentence can cut either way. It can be defeatist like the Nihilist way of thinking: “Why bother seeking love, nothing matters. Why try to have fun, I’m going to die and it doesn’t matter.” Or, it can be enlightening through the Zen lens: “I get to experience having fun, even though I’m going to die. I can feel love and connection, and it feels great now, but I know one day it won’t be.”
Zen understands balance while Nihilism focuses on pointlessness.
Pointless Beauty
A lot of us do things for fun or “just because”. Some of the best things in life have no cosmic point, probably even most if not all things in life have no cosmic point, but we do them just the same. When we play cards, or drink a good cup of coffee, or sit and watch the flames of a campfire, none of those build a legacy. They are just fun or beautiful and we enjoy them. It is simple.
You and I and everything around us were born from stars. The iron in our blood, the calcium in our bones, the hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous in all of our systems was once a star, born from a great explosion that was the universe coming to life. You are that explosion, you are the universe.
Billions of years ago, you were a big bang, but now you’re a complicated human being. And then we cut ourselves off, and don’t feel that we’re still the big bang. But you are. You are an aperture through which the universe is looking at and exploring itself.
– Alan Watts
Purpose is not something that is assigned to you by the stars or God. Purpose is localized, and it is the temporary joy that you choose to engage with right now.
Think of an activity you love doing that produces no money, no status, and no legacy. Why do you do it? Can you feel the freedom in doing something simply for the joy of the experience?