Philosophers like Martin Heidegger, author of Being and Time, make a big something out of nothing (or, in the case of Heidegger, “no-thingness”). Meditation gurus also make nothing into something. Seems that in the background of our plain, but busy, lives there is this need to get in touch with “being” itself. Or should I say "Being Itself"?
Problem is, we’re always busy, maybe too busy to be concerned about being because our focus is on doing. So, there’s this almost unavoidable dichotomy that plagues us: Being someplace doing something vs. being someplace doing nothing. “What? You need me to… Let me check my schedule…Thursday’s good for me, say about noon. I’ve been trying to get away for some relaxation, maybe a quiet time to ‘just be me’ for a couple of days. No hassles. No schedules. I want to slow down, get in touch with myself, and possibly just stare at a meadow or mountain or ocean. I want something different, a place and time that take me away from all I have to do.” We have either said such or heard such.
But could “doing” actually be our “being”? Staring at a meadow or mountain is actually doing. Right? “Okay, staring is not a frenetic activity by comparison with handing in reports, fixing a machine on time, or preparing others for some task. Getting in touch with our “being” always means doing something. We are doers.
Now what are you doing? Meditating? That’s good, right? Getting in touch with “Self,” “Nature,” “Being Itself.” But do you really need to “get in touch” with any of the three? Aren’t you, by virtue of existing in a place and at a time where and when you do something, connected to Being?
Heidegger, philosophers, and ascetics want you to reconnect to something from which you cannot be separated. Thingness is your earthly destiny. And things require action from the movement of their subatomic particles to their movement by some physical or biological agent. You and “things” are the manifestation of Being in place. Being reveals itself in you. And, sorry to tell those who think they need to “get away to get in touch,” doing is being in touch with Being.
There’s nothing wrong with quiet reflection, with travels to see the guy on the top of the mountain who has “all the answers,” or with pondering philosophical matters. Just remember that both you and the Wise One on the mountain both had to “do” some climbing just to get there. Before you make the trip in search of wisdom and a greater connection to the Great Whatever, think about the life you’ve had in a place, where you have done the work of Being. Maybe we should all be traveling to see you. Your daily activities are the essence of Being.
Enjoy the hassles, the deadlines, and the searches for Self. They are the meaning of Being.
Problem is, we’re always busy, maybe too busy to be concerned about being because our focus is on doing. So, there’s this almost unavoidable dichotomy that plagues us: Being someplace doing something vs. being someplace doing nothing. “What? You need me to… Let me check my schedule…Thursday’s good for me, say about noon. I’ve been trying to get away for some relaxation, maybe a quiet time to ‘just be me’ for a couple of days. No hassles. No schedules. I want to slow down, get in touch with myself, and possibly just stare at a meadow or mountain or ocean. I want something different, a place and time that take me away from all I have to do.” We have either said such or heard such.
But could “doing” actually be our “being”? Staring at a meadow or mountain is actually doing. Right? “Okay, staring is not a frenetic activity by comparison with handing in reports, fixing a machine on time, or preparing others for some task. Getting in touch with our “being” always means doing something. We are doers.
Now what are you doing? Meditating? That’s good, right? Getting in touch with “Self,” “Nature,” “Being Itself.” But do you really need to “get in touch” with any of the three? Aren’t you, by virtue of existing in a place and at a time where and when you do something, connected to Being?
Heidegger, philosophers, and ascetics want you to reconnect to something from which you cannot be separated. Thingness is your earthly destiny. And things require action from the movement of their subatomic particles to their movement by some physical or biological agent. You and “things” are the manifestation of Being in place. Being reveals itself in you. And, sorry to tell those who think they need to “get away to get in touch,” doing is being in touch with Being.
There’s nothing wrong with quiet reflection, with travels to see the guy on the top of the mountain who has “all the answers,” or with pondering philosophical matters. Just remember that both you and the Wise One on the mountain both had to “do” some climbing just to get there. Before you make the trip in search of wisdom and a greater connection to the Great Whatever, think about the life you’ve had in a place, where you have done the work of Being. Maybe we should all be traveling to see you. Your daily activities are the essence of Being.
Enjoy the hassles, the deadlines, and the searches for Self. They are the meaning of Being.
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