Day 349, I am More the More I Have

I shan't pretend that I can maintain two blogs BUT in an effort to regain some semblance of a normal life I've begun another read through "To have or to be?" I can't remember the last time I picked up a book. Oh, how I do love this one. I've read through only 4 pages and I think I've two pages of notes already. Ahh, literature, I feel a bit like a human again.

Every time I read this book I feel as though it's the first time. The words on each page jump out at me with new insight; new thought provoking delicacy. I'm pondering at present the discussion within the first four pages of pleasure. Epicurus believed that pleasure is the highest goal of life. BUT pleasure by his definition "equals the absence of pain and the stillness of the soul." To him and most others before the 17th century the factual existence of a desire did NOT constitute an ethical norm. In other words just because you desire to steal, for example, does not mean you should.

The 17th and 18th century philosophers differed greatly and believed that the aim of life was the fulfillment of EVERY desire. Thus negative driving forces were ok because as long as one felt that drive it was ok to fulfill it, and possibly encouraged that he should. After all, the aim of life is fulfillment of that/those desire(s).

I am in love with the phrase used to describe Epicurus' pleasure: the stillness of the soul. Just reading those words is comforting to me. I believe it's why minimalists seek refuge in less. There is such a sweet calm in uncluttered surroundings. I believe it's why we still escape to wilderness places to clear our minds. I believe it's why yoga and meditation are so craved. It's what makes jazz beautiful. It's why gazing at the stars is so soothing. It's why silence is golden. "The stillness of the soul" is SO pleasurable. There is truly stillness in simplicity, in less.

And one must acknowledge that acquiring every want does not grant this stillness. I'd argue to the contrary that acquiring more and more and more causes chaos in life. Especially if the desires you're fulfilling are harmful to yourself. MANY desires are harmful. But that is the argument of today. It seems to me that, and especially in the political arena, we're fighting with each other over which desires are just. Epicurus would say ones that bring about peace/ stillness are just. Modern society seems to differ. I feel the world in which I'm living believes that more often than not a desire deserves to be sought after. "I am more the more I have!"

I find a delight in pondering the opposite. Am I more when I have less, when I'm free to embrace the stillness of the soul?