My daughter Francesca has had me thinking lately. Her and I talk about spirituality quite often, more so lately with the recent loss of a loved one. I practice Buddhism, but was raised in and embraced a strong Christian faith during my childhood and 20’s. She is rather agnostic, bordering on atheist.
However, we do agree that part of the human experience is “not knowing” what happens next.
Warning – deep thoughts approaching – pop a squat and join me.
She and I used to sit with a glass (truthfully a bottle or two) of wine and have deep conversations brought on by mind-altering libations for me, perhaps a plant-based altering for her. Lately, we do most of our deep conversations by text at night or phone calls in our cars.
Try to follow along and I will try to coherently put this “not-knowing” perspective into words. If any of you have taken a religious or a philosophy course, you should be familiar with the concept and argument of “free will”. If a creator exists, did s/he give us free will – are we in charge of our own actions and fate? Or are our lives and future lives laid out before us beyond our control? Either way you look at it – an absolute knowledge of what awaits us after death changes the human experience. Would we behave differently if we knew of a conscious afterlife like we know the earth is round or that chocolate cures my PMS? Would it not affect free will and the choices we make? If I was absolutely sure no afterlife existed, would I live my life selfishly or live my life to the fullest? YOLO and all that… If I knew life existed beyond this one, again would I base my decisions on this chance of a “do-over” or “second chance”? Does God/Creator/Universe know this and allows us doubt so that we actually possess free will? Is it a test?
Have I lost you yet?
There is the scientific perspective that matter and energy cannot be destroyed (or created) , but merely change form. Then we must become SOMETHING. Perhaps…
There is the idea that societal evolution created religion to keep citizens under control.( An idea that is way less romantic in nature and therefore I choose to ignore. I am human, I can use my free will to make that choice. ) Without religion – the question never gets asked and we circle back around again to whether or not it changes our behavior. If there is not God/Creator, what is the meaning of life? Why be good?
We as humans suffer from hubris. We assume we must know everything or that we can prove everything some day. I argue that mystery and “magic” are necessary. We are not the creator and therefore cannot know everything. If the Universe is infinite – so are the discoveries.
My daughter is more atheist than I, but she is morally sound. What is her motivation to be good? Because being kind to others serves a purpose. It adds value to her life. THIS life.
Which gets me to the point of this post…. (Franki’s point actually)
We KNOW we have at this moment – THIS life.
This time right now, right here.
Take a moment and let that sink in, REALLY sink in.
So my fellow humans: Take the trip. Buy the better bed. Eat the comfort food. Snuggle with loved ones…. LOVE often. Feed the soul that exists in this body right now.
Regardless of what awaits, we must pass through this current state of affairs. And no matter what exists or doesn’t exist after we die, we cannot take our job title, money or possessions with us. We leave behind memories – and trust me, those memories mean everything to those left behind.
Be kind. Be generous. Laugh often. Worry less. Let it go…. we have finite time. Don’t waste it.
I have said it before, and I will say it again. I am enough. YOU are enough. *
Your life is amazing and wonderful – whether you choose to be at the top of your career, or an artist, or marathon runner or perhaps just an average Joe like myself. (Please refer to my post Enough is Enough)
I am beginning to catch a sniff of sukha. I suspect it may have to begin with being grateful for, and amazed by, the simple act of being alive.
Hugs,
Di
(*of course I assume you are a decent human being with the ability to practice love and kindness, narcissists and sociopaths not included).
Thanks Francesca, for the content for this post. I love you bunches.
Finding Happiness in an Ordinary Life 