What’s It All About?

People are like Peeps: crusty on the outside and gooey on the inside.

Does it ever feel to you like the world is falling apart? The list of issues caused by human activity is horrendous, isn’t it? We’ve got biodiversity loss, environmental disaster, potential nuclear holocaust, destructive artificial intelligence and societal collapse, just to name a few (List of Global Issues).

Given the problems we face individually and collectively, it seems a bit silly to think and talk about philosophy, let alone enjoyment. What does a person’s philosophy have to do with anything? The general perception is that philosophy is a waste of time; it doesn’t lead to a job and it’s not practical—both of which are, kind of true—but, in defense of philosophy, it’s also true that philosophy teaches skills like: analytical thinking—using logic and critical thought to analyze a situation—and critical thinking—making reasoned judgments that are logical and well thought out. Such skills are sadly lacking—especially in countries like the U.S.A, Canada and Mexico, not to mention South Africa and China and Russia, just to name a few.

Contrary to popular opinion, philosophy is important. Every single individual should think about their philosophy because it helps one to be well-rounded and enlightened, as in, “freed from ignorance and misinformation” and “based on full comprehension of the problems involved” (Merrium-Webster Dictionary). Philosophy “teaches us to ask good questions and examine popular opinions, core beliefs, and values” (On the Value of Philosophy).

Here is an example of critical thinking in action:

But as political theorist and writer of The Origins of Totalitarianism (1951) Hannah Arendt (1906-1975) said, “The sad truth is that most evil is done by people who never make up their minds to be good or evil.” She saw philosophy as “human inaction” and said, “Under conditions of tyranny it is far easier to act than to think” (“Dismantling the Ivory Tower of Thinking“).

That’s where enjoyment comes in.

The world is built on what people think about and what people think about is enjoyment. It’s why Disney World exists. It’s why people go to Paris and Rome. Everyone wants to enjoy life. Just like other animals, it’s why people want comfort and convenience and entertainment (even the scary kind). It’s why people shop and watch football and dance. It’s even why some people shoot others, invade countries, sanction murder or cheat at golf.

Whether it’s taking a shot of vodka for enjoyment, creating artificial intelligence or jumping off a cliff for fun (with a parachute, hopefully), most people spend their lifetime trying to enjoy themselves as much as possible, while they can, for as long as they can.

If we can match clear thinking skills with the motivator of enjoyment in harmony with nature, we have a recipe for well-thought out solutions that are good for everyone. Trouble is, when it comes to enjoyment, it’s often “full speed ahead!” regardless of consequences.

Cue music: 

“Cause it’s a bittersweet symphony, that’s life
Tryna make ends meet, you’re a slave to money then you die”

As sweet as enjoyment can be, there is a dark side.

Negative emotions, for example, can be enjoyable for some people. According to a study out of the Netherlands, “people sometimes willfully engage in activities that they know will evoke negative emotions, and even seem to enjoy these experiences. Someone who decides to go bungee jumping, for example, will most probably be aware that this activity will evoke fear. Apparently, the prospect of experiencing negative emotions will not always motivate people to refrain from engaging in a particular activity” (“The Dark Side of Enjoyment“).

Think of people who enjoy recreational drug taking who become drug addicts and lose everything, or people who enjoy alcohol who become alcoholics and lose everything, or gamblers who love gambling and lose everything, or sexual cheaters and deviants who commit crimes and lose everything, or people who enjoy shooting animals until they are gone or people who enjoy driving in a world paved-over for this purpose or people who enjoy roaring around town on a motorcycle until they hit a tree or people who enjoy big houses and garages so much they have the natural habitats of other animals destroyed for their pleasure.

In Zen one watches thoughts come and go without acting on them. It’s a good start and a nice break, but it might take a bit more. Not thinking can lead to a feeling of joy, but clear-headed thinking is not a bad thing—especially when operating heavy machinery.

As for feelings, feelings are choices. People choose anger over calm; they choose “fear over courage and misery over joy,” but if one can look at all sides without locking onto an ill-thought out idea or get emotionally engaged in a negative perspective, one can be free and happy.

According to Chinese wisdom, “Intellect can be enlightened only in a kind person. A person can be kind only when he has an enlightened intellect. One helps the other” (from Tolstoy’s A Calendar of Wisdom).

To enjoy is to choose to do so without expectation. There is a calmness when what one has, is all one wants. A relaxed feeling comes when one accepts what is “as is.” The flow of enjoyment can get blocked, however, like water through a crimped garden hose. When one says, “I might enjoy if such-and-such happens,” or, “when I have this-or-that,” this says, “I will enjoy, as long as things go my way.” With this attitude, if there is an inconvenience or disappointment, it’s like a fly on one’s butter: Enjoyment is thwarted.

But, with an objective-subjective perspective (and a philosophy of enjoyment), one can see beauty—even in a butterfly!

After thinking clearly, without personal opinion, without judgement of likes and dislikes, after duties are completed (or even during), breathe in and breathe out, like a bottle making music in the wind.

Consider what you have learned of molecular structures from scientists who foretold that nothing is solidly so. Picture yourself as an organic candle burning energy from the sun. See the world as art. Hear the world as art. Speak of peaceful things and enjoy the best of the world, not the worst.

What if everything is connected and you (and I) are the world itself in the form of our own consciousness? For when the lights go out the very last time, or at the end of day, isn’t it your own consciousness that makes it that way?

Easy does it is the word.

And, don’t forget:

Enjoy.

The Treasure of Life to Enjoy

What does it mean to enjoy? Let’s get right to it. Is it just a matter of having a “Good Time”? Is that what this about? Have fun? Take it easy. It’s a no brainer. Enjoy yourself. End of story. Why make it complicated?

Most people would probably recommend that you relax, take a deep breath and enjoy doing whatever you do. Enjoy a show. Enjoy theme parks. Enjoy eroticism and angry comedy. Enjoy texting, surfing, skiing and skipping. Lift weights. Get religious. Eat protein supplements. Water slide. Run on or off treadmills. Get a dog—carry a bag for poo.

Shop.

Adopt a highway. Go Buddhist. Do yoga. Go churchy. Take classes in mindfulness and meditation. Play video games. Fight death. Enjoy the pure satisfaction of a lush green lawn from fertilizer. Doesn’t matter what you enjoy as long as you keep busy—so goes society’s mass mentality.

Jump from airplanes (with parachute and/or helmet). Climb mountains. “Follow your dreams.” Doesn’t matter what you do—as long as you do something.

Industries are dedicated to providing the highest quality products and services for you to enjoy. If you work hard enjoyment is. “Easy peasy!” as they say.

Peas be with you.

Put on a Life is Good® t-shirt and jiggle as you walk to “I Love to Boogie” by T-Rex. (Note: Life is Good® is a registered trademark). Doesn’t matter if people find you irritating. Who cares? Smile to spite them. Stay positive. Ignore negativity.

Maybe all you need is a six-pack of Pabst Blue ribbon, a fishing rod and a beautiful day. Or, if you’re a real man’s man, all you need is an outlet mall and a blow-out sale on fashion and accessories. Wear humour like a life preserver. Be quick with a smile and say, “Have a stupendous day! Wipe those tears away!

“Keep it simple,” as they say—whoever they are.

If you’re a woman, maybe all you need is a mythically comfortable bra and to dance with abandon with Mr Right.

Mr Right?

Or, if you’re not of a stereotypical gender or race, maybe all you need is a big screen TV, some snacks and the latest episode of the Big Bang Theory or The Walking Dead.

There are any number of enjoyable things to do on (or off) this planet. But if enjoyment is easy, why are so many people unhappy? Is it political, geological, psychological, situational or economic? Even people who say they’re happy might just be busy.

Busy is often mistaken for happy.

On TV in his Unnatural Act (1991), comedian Jim Carey wondered, “Imagine if you could just be that happy? That would be powerful man. People would be tunneling under the street to avoid you.”

Life is bitter sweet. “Trying to make ends meet, you’re a slave to money and then you die—” so sang The Verve. Maybe that’s why, as Chris Rock observed, “People love to get high!” (“Getting High”).

Richard Pryor by Devonne Amos.

Transcending is a craving. Look at the fun such greats as Lenny Bruce, Mitch Hedberg, River Phoenix, and Philip Seymour Hoffman had on their way to the pleasure dome  of “Kubla Khan”.

But it’s all fun and games until someone starts on fire (or dies). Drugs are slippery. What goes up must come down—sometimes hard.

Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679), the philosopher (not the tiger) said that life is, “nasty, brutish and short” (Leviathan, 1610). He had a low opinion of humans. To him we’re all selfish and driven by a fear of death and a desire for personal gain. Only the rule of law keeps us in check” (source).

Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson.

A biologist might say that life is an arrangement of molecules of self-sustenance and self-replication. Life is self-organising chemistry reproducing and passing characteristics via DNA, but this definition puts humans in with the amoeba.

Science bases life on externals but knowing life means knowing it from within. Life is either a meaningless accident operating in a meaningless universe, or it’s a planned experiment with future unknown. If the universe has any purpose, it is to explore what will happen.

Many physicists believe that the universe is only information and life is a process of energy being transformed—so is non-life, but the difference is that life is linked to the story it contains. Non-life is indifferent to stories imposed.

In Human Givens (2003) Ivan Tyrrell and Joe Griffin said that we are born with needs that seek satisfaction. When enough physical and emotional needs are met, an individual will enjoy life.

But a meaningful life becomes impossible if physical and emotional needs are insufficient and unfortunately, modern society seeks meaning through materialism which leaves us dissatisfied because of our biology. We can’t seem to find meaning. The result is ill mental health at a societal level.

Many people will never experience the satisfaction of a meaningful life. So, what’s the answer?

Look to nature.

Life is an unbroken flow of rippling simultaneous events. The sheer Scale of the Universe is as mind boggling as human ignorance. This world is beautiful. Animal life and the life of vegetation shows us that life is a matter of being. By means of a modest routine of eating, sleeping and reproducing, animals and vegetation balance their days doing what their bodies ask of them.

Life is simply a beautiful and harmonious borrowing of energy.

Humans lose the power to simply be happy eating, sleeping and reproducing because we believe we need a reason to be alive—a purpose and a goal to reach. On our deathbeds (something we have been made to fear) we want to be able to look back and tell ourselves that we have done something.

Life loses its purpose when we try to give it one. We are each no more significant than the sand by the sea or the clouds in the sky.

No more significant but not insignificant.

Whatever your race, religion or gender, when you step outside your door in the morning and feel the morning sun on your face and the fresh air in your lungs, close your eyes and smile. In that moment you feel life as it should be. No defining. No understanding. No thinking. Just that good feeling of bliss.

Hear violins in birds singing. Sing Chaplin’s, “This Is My Song” in your heart to yourself in the voice of Petula Clark. Feel unbridled love and enjoyment as you feel the significance of your own existence and everyone else’s.

This is you! This is you! This is you! Ignore advertising and look around! This is what life is.

Enjoy it.

Enjoy Knowing In the Rain.

It is raining. The question is: Why?

It isn’t what is rain or where is rain or when is rain. We know all that. The question is: Why is rain? Why today? Not that it matters. A philosopher can enjoy a rainy day as well as any other. Rainy day or sunny day. It doesn’t matter. It’s all good, even when it isn’t.

As The Verve said, “it’s a bitter sweet symphony, this life.”

Enjoyment is an attitude. It isn’t weather dependent. It’s immaterial because it doesn’t depend on anything. It comes by way of you. You take a rainy day and enjoy it anyway.

Rubber boots, a puddle, the patter of rain, possibly a hot drink and book later. Doesn’t take much. Jump into a puddle, say, “Here I am!” and there you are.

Gone.

Enjoyment is strapping on life like you’d strap on a baby bonnet – on a baby! It’s gentle, giving and warm, free and innocent and does no harm. You don’t have to be in a beer commercial to be happy or deny that you cry on occasion, “My eyes are just a little sweaty today” (Flight of the Conchords). Resistance to feelings is futile.

As Lynn Anderson sang it, “Along with the sunshine, there’s gotta be a little rain sometime” (“Rose Garden“). Feel self pity and fear all you want but when you get tired of it, raise your eyes to the skies and go outside. Forget about it. Forget self-esteem! Forget self-importance! Forget yourself. Heartache fades when you focus outward.

Rain isn’t scientific. It isn’t for the purpose of survival. Rain is Beauty. Rain is Truth. That is the why of rain.

The poet John Keats (1795-1821) taught that, “human sorrow may be vanquished forever in the conquest of the infinite certitude that eternal Beauty and eternal Truth are one” (Thorpe, 1926, p. 10). But what is beautiful? What is true?

That’s up to you.

To see the beauty of a person or object is to recognize its beauty and see beyond the superficial. “Beauty is truth, truth beauty,—that is all ye know on earth, and all ye need to know” (Ode on a Grecian Urn, Keats, 1819). It’s an easy message to follow: cast off your social facade and display yourself naked before the judgmental scrutiny of all humankind (then run like hell!).

That’s all.

“Well, this is  me.”

Let your brainiac intellect go quiet and remember the advice Paul McCartney received in a dream from his mum.

Paul, left, with his mother Mary and brother Michael

Said Paul, “I remember quite clearly her saying ‘Let it be,’ and ‘It’s going to be OK. Don’t worry. You know, ‘Let it be'” (source).

“Nowhere you can be that isn’t where you’re meant to be. It’s Easy.“

To which John Lennon said, “I don’t know what he’s thinking when he writes “Let It Be.” I think it was inspired by “Bridge Over Troubled Water” (source).

To which Paul Simon said after writing, “Where did that come from? It doesn’t seem like me” (source).

That’s the mystery.

It’s an eclipse.

When you whisper words of wisdom, “let it be,” when you lay yourself down like a bridge over troubled water for a friend, that’s when you get it. Like the melancholy man said, “A beam of light will fill your head. And you’ll remember what’s been said. By all the good men this world’s ever known” (Moody Blues, “Melancholy Man”).

As a poet said, “Save me a place. I’ll come running if you love me today” (Fleetwood Mac, “Save Me A Place”).

The poet Thomas Traherne (1637-1674) taught that when people get tangled in words, ideas and discriminations they lose sight of the one amazing reality all around.

Traherne in stained glass window, Hereford Cathedral, England.

Traherne wrote, “we should be as very Strangers to the Thoughts, Customs, and Opinions of men in this World as if we were but little children” (Centuries, III, 5).

Today we forget self pity. We set our luggage down. We breathe easy. Instead of focusing straight ahead with laser beam eyes, we use flood lights to see the sides.

Today we walk in slow motion without swinging our arms. Chin up, shoulders back. We have a peripheral vision. We love a lost cat in the rain while Mantovani plays “Moon River” in our brain.

The proof that people don’t understand what they do is in their doing. If they could do better, they would. But they can’t. So they don’t. Those who are cruel have broken from beauty.

People think themselves reasonable as they do something horrible. We are visible manifestations of our inner thoughts and feelings. A terrorist to one person is a freedom fighter to another. We lose self-respect. Those who hit get admired. The trouble is, we can’t stop what we do as we’re doing it (because we’re doing it).

Awareness is the key to self-mastery. Watch what you watch and then watch yourself watching yourself watching what you watch and then, when you get tired of all that, go for a walk and hear sounds without comment. Look for beauty like you’re in a movie.

Imagine you’re on a bridge in Paris. A bell strikes midnight.

You see a man named Gil greet a woman named Gabrielle. You hear Gabrielle mention Cole Porter and you see Gil smile.

You see Gil offer to buy Gabrielle coffee just as it begins to rain and Gabrielle smiles. “I don’t mind getting wet,” she says. “Actually, Paris is at its most beautiful in the rain.”

Gil couldn’t agree more.

And a jazz song from Sidney Bechet begins to play. In the rain. Such is the magic and beauty of enjoyment realized simply in the love of a moment. Content.

It’s the final scene in the movie Midnight in Paris (2011). It’s fiction. There is no Gil or Gabrielle. There is no going back in time, but Beauty and Truth are not fictional. Prove it to yourself by enjoying.

With love and amazement at what is.