the big one is: there is no such thing as objective reality.
i.e. I was abused as a child, even though i had done nothing wrong. So if there is meaning, the only meaning can or could be is: I am a bad person. (I spent my entire childhood (and beyond) believing this).
In reality, the abuse has no meaning.
These days i spend a lot of time reading all the existential philosophers. These are really helpful because they help me re-contextualize my existence. Yes. I think I may be an existential nihilist.
…and pretty much all of the sages I follow, say similar stuff.
Eckhart Tolle: there is no good or bad. There is only ‘what is’.
A Course in Miracles: Lesson 1. Nothing I See Means Anything.
David Hawkins: The other person merely mirrors back what we are projecting onto them.
Friedrich Nietzsche: The snake which cannot cast its skin has to die. As well the minds which are prevented from changing their opinions; they cease to be mind.
i.e. I live next door to a ‘neighbor from hell’. His aggressive behavior ultimately has no meaning. If i did have meaning, it would mean that i am a victim. (I’m definitely not a victim).
Now. don’t freak out…we all need purpose and meaning in our lives…and the fact that we cannot not make meaning is truth of this.
Do I want to make meaning from abuse? Do i want to make meaning from my aggressive neighbor? NO.
Philosophy is a way out of old ideas we may have of ourselves, and helps us to re-think things trough.
Nothing exists; even if something exists, nothing can be known about it; and even if something can be known about it, knowledge about it can’t be communicated to others.
– Gorgias
sedge808.
Releasing the old allows space for new ☺️🤓👍 smiles Hedy 😀 have a joyful weekend Gavin
Thank you
Footnote: A big part of the problem is….I’ve been avoiding suffering, which in turn creates more suffering.
avoidance is resistance….and resistance causes much pain.