I believe in hedonism as a means to a better life. It worked for me when I decided to become a happy person, a decision which has led to a great deal of healing in my life and more wellbeing.
I was having a conversation with a friend yesterday and admitted to not being 100% happy, to feeling pretty happy but with a touch of boredom, restlessness, ennui. . . anger! A few months ago, I described it as "being amped up" - kind of a punk rock happiness.
I also asked my readers and myself what they/I would go to the mat for some months ago. I had the idea that I might want to work for creating a sort of Heaven on Earth. What did I mean? Well. . at the time I didn't know.
But now I do. I want Freedom-Love, not only for myself, or even for a special person, but for everyone. I need to be present to the broken society around me, and the wounds it's created in the people around me. I need to be a friend to everybody, and work towards Freedom and Love for everyone (a path for justice) in order to really be happy. Hedonism is the stepping stone, finding a sense of purpose is the milestone.
It sounds like you have found a leadership quest for yourself in this world!
ReplyDeleteI am reading a great book right now (Practicing the Presence of Peace by Bear Jack Gebhardt), which talks about the importance of being at peace with our thoughts.
From the book: "...living in peace is the most practical and most natural and most generous thing we can do for ourselves and for everybody around us,"
That, to me, is heaven on earth. Being at peace with all those things you are feeling right now (boredom, restlessness, etc.) is setting a good example and bringing us toward more peace. Brava!