Enjoyed that, thank you. What if, though, there are no decisions to make, and what we do consciously is witness and rationalize. Narrate the story as we go along? What if there is purpose but no meaning? We may reach the same end state; but only one description of reality can be right. 🙂🙏
Thanks for reading, Paul! Fascinating - do you mean in your view things are sort of “predestined”? Ie., the story is already written? Trying to wrap my mind around the approach. 🙂
Thank you, Michael, not predestination as in only one possible outcome, more like a limited predictable way of behaving. Then Purpose, as in Nature gives all life a purpose; to procreate, to survive, but not Meaning. After all, Nature doesn't need life to be Nature, and there is no intelligence of Nature to be concerned. If I don't believe there is Free Will, I still have to acknowledge there is a feeling that there is, and I still find myself using language that sounds like I think there is. This is difficult to put into words. I appreciate that you took the time. 🙏
Appreciate you taking the time as well, Paul! 🙂 Mm, I think I see what you mean when you distinguish between “Purpose” and “Meaning”. Not sure I agree that Purpose is enough, though, if we’re defining it as Nature’s evolutionary imperative. I reckon we’re invited to create Meaning, too. ☺️
We align, Michael, it feels right to concentrate on a purpose; the flow state is the most enjoyment I can have, and purpose helps us get there. I would say Nature allows the potential for us to feel there is Purpose. 🙂🙏
"[This] is the question: whether to float with the tide, or to swim for a goal." Very profound question. It's important too to remember to enjoy both the floating and the swimming. Most of the time we forget that.
Also as someone who has chosen the ninth path too often, I think life is not easy for those who don't. Circumstances determine what path we might follow but there's no easy path.
A great post, I loved the idea that if Luke had settled for a farm boy life the galaxy would have been very different!
I find that the universe gives you clues/hints that are yours to follow or ignore as they involve fear or social conflicts ( peer pressure.)
I left Nepal in Dec due to a cry for help from a stranger online.. she was in Thailand and needed help repairing a sailboat. Prior to reading her help post her 1st name had repeatedly appeared in my life like a flashing light, in a song that kept being played in strange places, in name of cousin I never knew I had, while chatting with friends on Annuepurna hike, everywhere! which is why I ended up following the hints from the universe and going to Thailand and spending the last 3 months rebuilding her sailboat and supporting her when it all seemed to much.
She is now heading to Europe to compete in the GGR solo round the world sailing race!
I feel worn out by all the work but energized by a sense that I followed a difficult path far from the easy normal tropical beach laziness which is all too tempting..
I have a sense like Luke that I had to do this, it was a calling, we all get those callings, but most of the time we dismiss these quiet but clear clues, listen for the hints, pay attention, they are powerful whispers in the busy world we live in and can change you forever and maybe save the galaxy!
Matt! If ever there was a reason to vanish from Peace Eye in Nepal, THAT is it, haha. What an incredible story…! 🤯 I’ve got a big smile on my face hearing that you heeded the call, and in such an epic way. “Powerful whispers in the busy world we live in”, such a beautiful way to express it. And “clues/hints that are yours to follow or ignore as they involve fear or social conflicts”, so wise.
Yeah, can you imagine? “Sorry, Ben, I’ve got to go to Tosche Station to pick up that power converter. Good luck with the Empire and all.” 😆
“Decide how you want to live and then see what you can do to make a living WITHIN that way of life.” I love this!! I have been thinking a lot about this in the last four years…I used to think “I want to be xyz” but the reality of that career’s every day tasks are not as fun to me as other careers with less flashy names! It’s been a really interesting process letting go of the labels/my “identity” that I attached myself to for most of my life, and have been focusing more on what makes me genuinely fulfilled…which involves multiple “labels” instead of one clear cut one! Is this my ninth path? I don’t know, but your post has gotten me thinking more about it!!
I love it, too, Kaja! Brave thing to do, to step away from the career you thought you wanted toward something that may seem less clear but is more fulfilling and genuinely “you”. It’s especially complicated when your identity gets caught up in a label, right? Humbled to hear that my musings have got you thinking about your Ninth Path! ☺️ Thanks so much for sharing!
Also you may find Matt’s thoughts here in the comments interesting - “we all get those callings, but most of the time we dismiss these quiet but clear clues, listen for the hints, pay attention, they are powerful whispers in the busy world we live in and can change you forever”.
Enjoyed that, thank you. What if, though, there are no decisions to make, and what we do consciously is witness and rationalize. Narrate the story as we go along? What if there is purpose but no meaning? We may reach the same end state; but only one description of reality can be right. 🙂🙏
Thanks for reading, Paul! Fascinating - do you mean in your view things are sort of “predestined”? Ie., the story is already written? Trying to wrap my mind around the approach. 🙂
Thank you, Michael, not predestination as in only one possible outcome, more like a limited predictable way of behaving. Then Purpose, as in Nature gives all life a purpose; to procreate, to survive, but not Meaning. After all, Nature doesn't need life to be Nature, and there is no intelligence of Nature to be concerned. If I don't believe there is Free Will, I still have to acknowledge there is a feeling that there is, and I still find myself using language that sounds like I think there is. This is difficult to put into words. I appreciate that you took the time. 🙏
Appreciate you taking the time as well, Paul! 🙂 Mm, I think I see what you mean when you distinguish between “Purpose” and “Meaning”. Not sure I agree that Purpose is enough, though, if we’re defining it as Nature’s evolutionary imperative. I reckon we’re invited to create Meaning, too. ☺️
We align, Michael, it feels right to concentrate on a purpose; the flow state is the most enjoyment I can have, and purpose helps us get there. I would say Nature allows the potential for us to feel there is Purpose. 🙂🙏
Beautifully phrased, Paul! And yeeees, +1 for flow states! ✨
"[This] is the question: whether to float with the tide, or to swim for a goal." Very profound question. It's important too to remember to enjoy both the floating and the swimming. Most of the time we forget that.
Also as someone who has chosen the ninth path too often, I think life is not easy for those who don't. Circumstances determine what path we might follow but there's no easy path.
Mmm. A valuable reminder to enjoy the journey! 🙂 No easy path indeed. I’d be curious to hear, Teodora, what has your Ninth Path looked like?
I've had that Joe Campbell book on my "to read" list for well over a decade now.
It's an interesting book to read but a rather formulaic way to look at story, mainly limited to myth and other traditional storytelling forms.
Agreed! I find it to be a useful framework, but definitely not a panacean prescription - no system is. Extraordinary survey of mythology, though!
Yes! Crack it open, Hamish! It can get pretty academic, dry, and at times too convoluted for its own good, but it’s well worth reading.
A great post, I loved the idea that if Luke had settled for a farm boy life the galaxy would have been very different!
I find that the universe gives you clues/hints that are yours to follow or ignore as they involve fear or social conflicts ( peer pressure.)
I left Nepal in Dec due to a cry for help from a stranger online.. she was in Thailand and needed help repairing a sailboat. Prior to reading her help post her 1st name had repeatedly appeared in my life like a flashing light, in a song that kept being played in strange places, in name of cousin I never knew I had, while chatting with friends on Annuepurna hike, everywhere! which is why I ended up following the hints from the universe and going to Thailand and spending the last 3 months rebuilding her sailboat and supporting her when it all seemed to much.
She is now heading to Europe to compete in the GGR solo round the world sailing race!
I feel worn out by all the work but energized by a sense that I followed a difficult path far from the easy normal tropical beach laziness which is all too tempting..
I have a sense like Luke that I had to do this, it was a calling, we all get those callings, but most of the time we dismiss these quiet but clear clues, listen for the hints, pay attention, they are powerful whispers in the busy world we live in and can change you forever and maybe save the galaxy!
Matt! If ever there was a reason to vanish from Peace Eye in Nepal, THAT is it, haha. What an incredible story…! 🤯 I’ve got a big smile on my face hearing that you heeded the call, and in such an epic way. “Powerful whispers in the busy world we live in”, such a beautiful way to express it. And “clues/hints that are yours to follow or ignore as they involve fear or social conflicts”, so wise.
Yeah, can you imagine? “Sorry, Ben, I’ve got to go to Tosche Station to pick up that power converter. Good luck with the Empire and all.” 😆
Thanks so much for sharing! What’s next for you?
“Decide how you want to live and then see what you can do to make a living WITHIN that way of life.” I love this!! I have been thinking a lot about this in the last four years…I used to think “I want to be xyz” but the reality of that career’s every day tasks are not as fun to me as other careers with less flashy names! It’s been a really interesting process letting go of the labels/my “identity” that I attached myself to for most of my life, and have been focusing more on what makes me genuinely fulfilled…which involves multiple “labels” instead of one clear cut one! Is this my ninth path? I don’t know, but your post has gotten me thinking more about it!!
I love it, too, Kaja! Brave thing to do, to step away from the career you thought you wanted toward something that may seem less clear but is more fulfilling and genuinely “you”. It’s especially complicated when your identity gets caught up in a label, right? Humbled to hear that my musings have got you thinking about your Ninth Path! ☺️ Thanks so much for sharing!
Also you may find Matt’s thoughts here in the comments interesting - “we all get those callings, but most of the time we dismiss these quiet but clear clues, listen for the hints, pay attention, they are powerful whispers in the busy world we live in and can change you forever”.
yes, love that!! 🙏🏻
YES! YES! YES!