A path with heart in a heartless universe
Apr. 16th, 2004 09:47 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
vaneramosAtheism raises some difficult questions. This morning I am reading A Path With Heart by Jack Kornfield: "To see the preciousness of all things, we must bring our full attention to life."
Logically, a crocus is no more precious than the void. If life is a cosmic whim, then why do I bother paying attention? What is the point of anything?
My ultimate meaning must lie in what matters to myself. Trusting such meaning can feel uncomfortable when one is conditioned to look for security in a higher power or higher morality.
Selfish values need not be base. If I disregard life, my own existence becomes unbearable. Instead I choose what fosters balance with the world around me. I seek to understand what blesses me and to pursue it. By blessing I mean happiness, but not in the sense of having all my desires fulfilled. I'm talking about the happiness that comes from getting along with my friends and family, society, and nature. We must find our own meaning in serving ourselves, but being social creatures we cannot serve ourselves at the expense of others.
It's the best reason I can think of for listening to my heart. I don't step on the slug because it would contradict my essential alliance with life. This inner voice is natural and human.
Logically, a crocus is no more precious than the void. If life is a cosmic whim, then why do I bother paying attention? What is the point of anything?
My ultimate meaning must lie in what matters to myself. Trusting such meaning can feel uncomfortable when one is conditioned to look for security in a higher power or higher morality.
Selfish values need not be base. If I disregard life, my own existence becomes unbearable. Instead I choose what fosters balance with the world around me. I seek to understand what blesses me and to pursue it. By blessing I mean happiness, but not in the sense of having all my desires fulfilled. I'm talking about the happiness that comes from getting along with my friends and family, society, and nature. We must find our own meaning in serving ourselves, but being social creatures we cannot serve ourselves at the expense of others.
It's the best reason I can think of for listening to my heart. I don't step on the slug because it would contradict my essential alliance with life. This inner voice is natural and human.
