Anxiety Hour: Thoughts on Current Life and Nietzsche

I’ve been spending a lot of time studying existentialism, and even more so the thinkers that embraced it. There are such amazing minds to tap into in this area: Kierkegaard, Nietzsche and Sartre are a few of the most prominent ones. So when I’m feeling anxious (which is mostly always) I sit around, eat Oreos dunked in milk, and read the thoughts that these dudes jotted down many years ago. I follow their lines of thinking and I see with clarity the way that society was shifting in their time of influence.

Existentialism and Existentialist Thinkers of the Past

Existentialism is, boiled down, simply the study of life. Why do we live instead of die? Unfortunately there’s not an objective answer. But that’s what makes it fun I suppose.

Today I realized that I spend a copious amount of time studying the thoughts of others. Perhaps I have not been spending nearly enough time studying my own thoughts. I’ve already learned all I need to know about existential thought. My brain majors in existentialist thought; she created her own university and PhD program. And what I know, thanks to that helpful organ, is that even when coated in pessimism, life is driven by passion and love of humanity.

In fact existentialist thought was a basis for a major movement in psychoanalysis and philosophy of the mind. Over the last several months I followed the trail of existentialism over into the study of behavior. Specifically, I have been invested in positive psychology. Instead of study of philosophy of the mind, it crosses into study of the mind’s impact on behavior. The bridge between mind and body–action.

Why Do I Stay Off the Mind-Body Bridge?

So why am I driven to continue studying and learning instead of fully embracing my own writing? I assume because it is more comfortable for my brain that way. To create freely you have to get clear of the fears of authenticity and rejection.

I am drawn to the quote in the prologue of Nietzsche’s Thus Spake Zarathustra “Lo! I am weary of my wisdom, like the bee that hath gathered too much honey; I need outstretched hands to take it.” The spread of passion. How does it happen?

In the story, the saint chooses to remain aloof from humanity. Zarathustra chooses to be in the midst of it. Taking the fire of passion to light the way for others. A noble pursuit.

Thought Seeds and Impact

The gift of a thought seeds; like Nietzsche, and others, have done for me–that’s what I want to leave in the world. If the words I write reach just one person now or one person 50 years from now, it has a net positive effect on the world.

How many people were impacted by Nietzsche in his actual time living as Nietzsche? Not many. And today the philosophers of tomorrow are out there, cheering for humanity, passing on knowledge, dodging the pervasive anxiety in the air of society. There is a giant brigade of people that want nothing more than peace and freedom from the shackles of good vs. bad rhetoric. People that want to live life; experience their body and their mind. This is humanity’s natural state.

Nietzsche published his thoughts because he was passionate about humanity. He knew that many (if not most) people disagreed with him, especially on his break with religion. He knew that his views were unpopular, but he expressed them anyway. Why? Because he wanted to embody his philosophy of authenticity and freedom. His passion has gone on to touch many people and inspire them to live a more authentic life, whatever that life looks like.

Aaron Bushnell; A Name for Future History Lessons

Aaron Bushnell. This young man is a U.S. soldier who used the most dramatic form of peaceful protest there is. He spoke to a live audience about his values, he compared what he was about to do as a tiny fragment of what he was protesting and he lit himself on fire. He yelled out “Free Palestine” until he could no longer form words.

This man. This previously unassuming guy, living a seemingly average American life was full of passion and belief in humanity. He gave his life to call attention to what he felt was morally wrong in the treatment of the Palestinians. To bring attention to the ugliness of war and greed. To show Americans that they are not getting the whole story unless they seek the whole story.

A Student, a Teacher or a Drop out?

So when does one stop being a student and become the teacher?

The answer really is already inside of each of us. It’s finding the answers among the noise and suffering and apathy of our society. How do we cleanse the polluted streams?

Knowledge truly is power. The most important knowledge starts with knowledge of yourself.

What kind of world do you want to live in? Is it the one you are living in? Are you paying attention?