Freedom From the Known. February 27, 2008

I’ve been reading this:

He says this isn’t a ‘philosophy on life’ book, but if it’s not that, I don’t know what else to call it. Life is a continual process of learning about the world and society and yourself and it’s interesting to read his thoughts on it; looking at it from outside yourself. He says that if you look at something that gives you pleasure in life, be it quesadillas, sex, a beautiful sunny day, etc, and be able to enjoy whatever that was for the moment, and not desire it to be repeated in the future, you essentially will be able to avoid pain, fear and sorrow. He mentions that when we try to acheive this enjoyable thing again and again, but fail or are denied it, we because anxious, envious and hateful. So, I guess he’s saying live for the moment and never have any expectations. I don’t know if I can do that. Humans enjoy planning for the future, and thrive off knowing something good is going to come; hopes and dreams.

One thing he talks about that I do think is true, is that our fundamental, lasting interest in life is us. It is. Even if we try to be altruistic, and genuinely wanting to help others without benefiting yourself, is impossible. For example, say you find a ring. And you want to help the person whom it belongs to, so you make a poster and post signs everywhere, “Lost ring,” because you have no interest in benefiting from this new found thing; selling it or keeping it. But even if you do find the owner and are pleased to know they have their rightful belongings and you are the savior, the one who seemed to be doing something good only to benefit others than yourself, you in some way, are still gratifying yourself. You’re satisfied in knowing you did a good deed.

So, the fundamental interest in life is yourself. Hands down.

What about mothers though. I havent read all the way through yet, so maybe he talks about that later…but I would think that once you become a mother, the fundamental interest in life is your child.

Ok, enough of that.