The fact of your own mortality offers you the greatest power over your destiny.
The reason no one wants you to know that it's all for nothing is because if everyone knew the system was a giant defense against mortality and not the only way of living, then society as we know it would collapse. But that's exactly why your knowledge of this fact is so significant!
When you understand that what you make--whether it's your career, business, or relationships--will disappear, you can control how you view everything that happens in your life.
You can view each failure as an opportunity, you can view each success as a way to practice non-attachment, and you can view every second as a reason to appreciate, celebrate, and rejoice.
Facing this fact gives you the power to find a game worth playing
It helps you express gratitude and love for each minute detail of your day--the way the grass moves in the wind, the perfect confetti of fall leaves, the absurdity of sitting in traffic--everything is more beautiful when you realize its luminosity and fragility.
Allow me to show you what I mean: Imagine a beach.
As you approach this beach hearing the distant crashing of waves and inhaling the scent of salt, you notice the low tide. Your eyes are drawn to the endless amounts of wet sand stretching across the horizon, when you notice three men.
The first man is constructing the most elaborate sand castles, pouring everything he has into his work, without the knowledge that the incoming tide will destroy all that he's built.This person ignores the reality of the situation and is constantly surprised, battered and bruised about life.The second person sees the inevitability of the incoming tide and decides not to build any sandcastles--he stands obstinate.This person's preoccupation with the inevitable ending prevents him from enjoying the process of playing in the sand and appreciating what's right in front of him.The third person is aware of the incoming tide, knows that nothing he builds will last forever, and yet decides to build sand castles anyway.This person's awareness of the end sweetens his enjoyment of the present moment and increases his passion for the creative process.
When you are aware that you are playing a finite game in an infinite universe, it gives you permission to play whatever game you like. Find your passion, whether that's inside of the system in which you were raised or not, and then enjoy the game.
The fact of your own mortality offers you the greatest power over your destiny.
The reason no one wants you to know that it's all for nothing is because if everyone knew the system was a giant defense against mortality and not the only way of living, then society as we know it would collapse. But that's exactly why your knowledge of this fact is so significant!
When you understand that what you make--whether it's your career, business, or relationships--will disappear, you can control how you view everything that happens in your life.
You can view each failure as an opportunity, you can view each success as a way to practice non-attachment, and you can view every second as a reason to appreciate, celebrate, and rejoice.
Facing this fact gives you the power to find a game worth playing
It helps you express gratitude and love for each minute detail of your day--the way the grass moves in the wind, the perfect confetti of fall leaves, the absurdity of sitting in traffic--everything is more beautiful when you realize its luminosity and fragility.
Allow me to show you what I mean: Imagine a beach.
As you approach this beach hearing the distant crashing of waves and inhaling the scent of salt, you notice the low tide. Your eyes are drawn to the endless amounts of wet sand stretching across the horizon, when you notice three men.
The first man is constructing the most elaborate sand castles, pouring everything he has into his work, without the knowledge that the incoming tide will destroy all that he's built.This person ignores the reality of the situation and is constantly surprised, battered and bruised about life.The second person sees the inevitability of the incoming tide and decides not to build any sandcastles--he stands obstinate.This person's preoccupation with the inevitable ending prevents him from enjoying the process of playing in the sand and appreciating what's right in front of him.The third person is aware of the incoming tide, knows that nothing he builds will last forever, and yet decides to build sand castles anyway.This person's awareness of the end sweetens his enjoyment of the present moment and increases his passion for the creative process. When you are aware that you are playing a finite game in an infinite universe, it gives you permission to play whatever game you like. Find your passion, whether that's inside of the system in which you were raised or not, and then enjoy the game.