Gaining a Better Understanding of the Self

My experiences in life have taught me about the fragility of human nature, and that our existence here is one of the most temperamental and delicate things that exists in the natural world. The human condition is dependent on so much without the realm of our control that one may question exactly where the idea that we control our own destiny came from. We do not get to pick and choose when we feel sad or when we feel happy… we do not get to pick and choose when our parents die or when our significant other has to leave for a long period of time. To a large extent, our state of being is influenced by things far from our control. Even the best planning and consideration with foresight cannot prevent the unknown from happening. So, how then does one deal with the occasionally oppressive weight that life throws on our shoulders? I think it is best to live in the moment… to allow one to experience the full canvas of emotions. Now, some may be prone to think that living “in the moment” promotes a certain daredevil, reckless sort of lifestyle; but, I think differently than that. Oddly enough, I believe that living in the moment and experiencing the full weight of one’s emotions actually promotes a prescient awareness, for it grounds one in reality; and, if one is grounded in reality, one understands the situation more clearly; and, if one understands the situation more clearly, than one can better her/his understanding of their emotions, thus equipping one with the emotional maturity that promotes a more wholesome awareness of one’s own  condition within the human experience. Living in the moment can be dangerous for your emotions can more easily control you; yet, it is more prudent than living in the past and dwelling on emotions. Living in the past merely promotes the awareness of emotions… it does not promote the mastery of emotions – it is contemplative. I am not arguing for anyone to discount and discredit their past experiences, for they too are part of who we are and are part of the human experience; however, they are only things that we can learn from retrospectively and the past will not equip us with the knowledge required to live in the reality of today. Living in the moment, in the here-and-now, is about mastering one’s emotions and through this mastery gaining the ability to better understand one’s own human condition – it is through this that a prescient awareness is developed… an awareness that will equip one to live in the reality of today. We must give ourselves over to the moment and embrace the unpredictability of life. This is where living in the moment, living in the reality of today… in the reality of the here-and-now, is essential. It will help us to better cope with the invisible force that directs the course of our lives. We cannot dominate life, for, surely such a thing would be to our own detriment; no, we must only aspire to catch glimpses of its triumphs and tragedies… and in those moments – moments that we must dedicate ourselves to – we must strive to understand and master our emotions. This understanding can then lead to a better understanding of the human condition and then human nature itself… pain… suffering… joy… love… … … all existing in the reality of today.