Tag: philosophy

Over the course of a lifetime, one only experiences a sense of progress through beginnings and endpoints. Without them, one feels a sense of stagnation that, being unnatural, causes a growing discomfort; which, even when masked, tends to intensify until it erupts when least expected—and then there is no way to recover the time that has been lost. That is why it is essential to set them regularly as milestones marking progress. This is how one truly evolves: by maintaining the initiative for new beginnings and the maturity to realize that something has already fulfilled its purpose.

Witnessing even a single one of these moments of “meaningful coincidences” or “synchronicity,” to use Jung’s terminology, more than justifies the study of esotericism as a whole, from the most obscure theories to the most exotic systems of divination. In these moments, one realizes just how inadequate, how foolish this modern scientistic conception is, one that relies on an authority ridiculed by the tremendous, unquestionable, and unforgettable violence of certain experiences. To witness it just once, and it becomes difficult to take any interest in anything “scientific”—the sacredness of the adjective crumbles. So, the real problem: immersing oneself in what is the most prolific territory of charlatans. But there is no way out: one must listen to them, perhaps be deceived, and discover, in the end, what good could be gleaned from it.

It is shockingly obvious that the bulk of dissatisfaction stems from vanity; and the more one manages to curb the latter, the less one experiences the former. It is evident, indisputable. However, a state of complete disillusionment is usually necessary to truly realize this. There is no disillusionment without expectation, and there is no dissatisfaction without vanity. Feeding this vice is a grave mistake, because it never leads to anything good. To destroy it, one must sometimes sever ties, cut roots; but the effort is worth it. One can then practically conclude that all dissatisfaction is groundless, and that life is much better when one rejects the habit of complaining.

It is truly wonderful that Cioran moved to Paris, decided to live without ever holding down a job, and succeeded! Just thinking about this success sparks ideas… It is curious: it seems that something always comes to the rescue of every radical decision of this kind. At least, that is the impression that seems to emerge from reading countless biographies. Someone will surely object: “These, of course, are the ones who survived to tell the story.” But there are many! They go to the extremes of anguish, and when they find the situation unbearable, when they would rather die than prolong it, they take the risk, resolve to do the impossible, and commit to never giving in. And, in the end, things happen. Ah, ideas!…