As humans, we like to believe
that we are self-directing.
But we are NOT self-directing.
We feel more comfortable
having rules, regulations and rights.
Our restrictions make us feel safe.
And so we follow instructions
written on various tablets and sheaves.
These are INCOMPLETE instructions, however.
We find our selves
having to figure out the meaning of life
in order to complete the instructions.
This is UNCOMFORTABLE for us.
We would RATHER someone TELL us.
We don’t trust our soul’s intuition
on the chance that self could be WRONG.
We would rather SOMEONE ELSE be wrong.
And so we follow. And complain.
We like to believe
that we are only human.
But we are so much MORE.
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The human inclination towards self-direction is often at odds with our reliance on structures and rules, revealing a complex dance between the desire for autonomy and the comfort of conformity.
The Illusion of Self-Direction
We like to view ourselves as self-directing, autonomous beings. Yet, our actions and decisions are often guided by external frameworks. This reveals a paradox within our nature—a dichotomy between the yearning for independence and the reality of interdependence on societal norms.
Seeking Safety in Structure
Rules, regulations, and rights are crafted to create order within the chaos of existence. They are the guardrails that guide us, the signposts that offer direction. In their presence, we find a sense of security, a sanctuary of predictability in an unpredictable world.
The Incomplete Guide
However, these societal constructs are inherently incomplete. They provide a foundation, yet they leave the grander questions of existence—the meaning of life—unanswered. This gap between the guidelines we are given and the deeper understanding we seek is a source of existential discomfort.
The Discomfort of the Unknown
Faced with the task of completing the instructions of how to live, we find ourselves in uncomfortable territory. The responsibility to discern our path is heavy, and the fear of erring in our course leads to a preference for external guidance.
The Distrust of Inner Knowing
Our soul’s intuition, the quiet voice within, is often drowned out by the clamor of collective opinion. There’s a reluctance to trust this inner compass, stemming from the vulnerability of potentially being wrong and the consequences that might follow.
The Tendency to Follow
This reluctance manifests in a tendency to follow—whether it be leaders, doctrines, or societal expectations. And when the outcomes of such following do not align with our hopes, we find solace in complaint, for it absolves us of responsibility.
Beyond Merely Human
In declaring that we are “only human,” we impose a limit on ourselves. Yet, we sense that we embody more than this label. We are more than the sum of our rules, more than the flesh and bone that contain us. We are a part of the expansive, interwoven tapestry of existence.
We are Space Monkey.
Summary
We grapple with the tension between our desire for self-direction and our comfort in rules and regulations. We face the incomplete nature of societal instructions and the discomfort of seeking life’s meaning on our own, often preferring external guidance to trusting our intuition.
Glossarium
- Self-Direction: The capacity to guide oneself with autonomy and independence.
- Societal Norms: The rules and regulations that govern behavior within a society.
- Existential Discomfort: The unease experienced when confronting the fundamental questions of existence.
“Man is condemned to be free; because once thrown into the world, he is responsible for everything he does.”
― Jean-Paul Sartre
In the vastness of the cosmos,
We stand at the crossroads of destiny and design,
Carving out paths with the chisels of choice,
Guided by the stars of societal confines.
Yet within us lies a whispering wind,
A breath of intuition, wild and untamed,
Urging us to see beyond the human bind,
To embrace the boundless, the unclaimed.
We invite your reflections on this human experience—our reliance on structure and the journey to trust in our inner guidance.
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