Embracing the Power of the Void and Reality’s Emptiness
Updated: Oct 12
Article Synopsis by Mr. John Igwe and Co.
"The Power of the Void" is a philosophical article that delves into the concept of nihilism and the human quest for meaning in an indifferent universe. The article explores complex themes such as existentialism and nihilism, challenging readers to confront the absence of inherent meaning in life and advocating for embracing this void as a source of inner strength.
It critiques societal constructs like religion and absolute ideologies as escapes from confronting the inherent meaninglessness of existence, challenging readers to rethink their dependence on external validation and purpose.
The article uses quotes and philosophical references to add credibility and depth to its argument. It encourages introspection and personal reflection, encouraging readers to consider their relationship with meaning and how they navigate the challenges of existence.
Overall, "The Power of the Void" presents a thought-provoking exploration of existential themes and offers a compelling perspective on embracing the void as a source of personal empowerment.
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"You fear, friend. You don't know what's about to happen, and this worries you. You exist in a pointless existence, and this has recently been shed to horror. You take shelter in concepts, and reality is a theater of horrors."
"Yes. I am deeply driven by survival instinct."
"Reality is an ad-infinitum. At what point does the cell ask the body 'is this good'"?
"When they are truly content, and thus see no reason to fight."
"I suggest the opposite.... However, how aware exactly are the cells of the body?"
Part I: A Seemingly Meaningless Universe
Why We Seek Meaning
There does not necessarily have to be an objective, inherit meaning or purpose to one’s life. There is also no need to have it, unless societal engineering compels us to have it, and we're too weak to resist it. We can also choose to have a purpose to give ourselves a reason to live, but at the same time, we could just teach ourselves to live without it, and see it as a liability.
Many of us desire to have meaning, because many of us are afraid of the void; of being nothing, of living with nothing, of feeling nothing. Many are afraid of the eternal, of the existence of nothingness, for it always outlives all that was, is and will be temporary. Minimizing the worth of something or someone because they won't live forever is called the eternity fallacy.
Many humans feel the desire to depend on absolute purposefulness, so they attempt to be determined about the existence of godhood. This is why religions and other cultural constructs are created; to escape from the nothingness that fills the universe. This is why the meaning of life is questioned and sought after -- to escape the possibility that we are nothing more than organisms and no further, drifting in an absurdist universe.
For the void is one many fear. Fear of being worthless in a worthless universe. And the true self emerges whether it seeks to unleash its revolutionary potential, or give up on any meaning whatsoever -- True Nihilism.
Either way, the search for external meaning is always a result of internal deprivation. A person who lives either way, with meaning or without meaning, is one whose ego has finally been quenched from its hunger for more. With limit, or without.
“All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” -- Blaise Pascal
The Allure of Absolutes
Absoluteness gives so much comfort, like that of a mother. One could delve deeper into this powerful human yearning for the absolute and its connection to the concept of a motherly embrace. The search for meaning can be understood as a desire to be enveloped by a source of ultimate comfort and security, much like the nurturing and unconditional love of a mother.
This "motherly entity" can take many forms: a strict ideology, a unifying theory of the universe, or even a specific deity. By clinging to absolutes, we can create an illusion of psychological safety and avoid confronting the unsettling reality of an indifferent universe – the universality of nothingness: A universe where meaning is as real as a piece of fiction.
However, this enabled need for comfort comes at a cost. Absolutes can be rigid and limiting. They can stifle curiosity and critical thinking, hindering our ability to grow and adapt. Furthermore, the belief in an unquestionable and immortal entity can lead to dogmatism, manipulation and intolerance. After all, those who hold different absolute truths may be seen as threats.
The pursuit of meaning is a fundamental human quest. While absolutes can offer a temporary sense of comfort, true understanding may lie in embracing the complexity and ambiguity of existence. Perhaps, like a mature child venturing out into the world, we can find a different kind of security – one built on resilience, acceptance, and the courage to face the mysteries of life head-on.
Part II: Embracing the Void for Inner Power and Peace
“Seeking what is true is not seeking what is desirable.” -- Albert Camus
There is no eternal and gigantic absolute like that of the void. In fact, science claims that over 31% of stuff makes up most of the universe. Many humans, who struggle living whether or not they have a reason to do so, create and fall into other absolutes—religions, ideologies, societal expectations— all desperate attempts to defeat the chilling realization of the void encompassing reality. The truth is hard to swallow, a bitter pill only for those strong enough to face the silence of the eternal nothingness.
However, as long as we depend our wellbeing on distant ideals, we'll suffer in accordance with our impractical mentality. Perhaps we should stop shooting ourselves in the foot in the name of justice.
But the eternal nothingness is here, there, and everywhere. Sometimes we delude ourselves that our lives are good for us, that people around us are nice to us. However, it's often a cover and excuse not to be exposed to how really unfair this world really is.
We may strive for extra optimism with a shining light that blinds us from the inherent darkness and void of the universe. It's known as extreme optimism, often used to overlook problems. However, what if nihilism's problematic nature is merely perceived by choice?
We take cover under comforting illusions, self-made prisons of ideas and social conventions around our minds. Yet, the truth cannot be forever masked, if we seek to examine it, and not merely be amused by its projection.
However, once nothingness is realized, a profound shift occurs. Nothing, not fear, not desire, can hold power over you. The void then becomes a source of immense strength, when you stop unnecessarily depending yourself on any significance that seeks to deny it.
The void can be a wellspring of stoic and serene power, one that transcends any fleeting desire or worldly suffering.
To be one with the void is to accept the inherent meaninglessness of existence, to see "worth" as nothing more than a self-deception, a temporary escape from the truly profound questions life throws at us. For these questions may drive us for suicide. However, "living either way" cannot be possible, in this largely-empty reality, if you're dead. And the point is to live either way, as to not depend upon ourselves our visions of a paradise.
This acceptance doesn't lead to despair, but rather, liberation. It frees us from the shackles of external validation and allows us to live life without worrying about whether or not we were productive today. You can think about this, not as forging our own path, but as aimlessly jaywalking between the paths, while still, choosing to live no matter which path you're on.
Look how the functionality of meaning can make us suicidal when we're too weak to be without one. Then, we should ask: Is the quest for meaning/understanding meaning, always moral?
Part III: Freedom from the Meaning Myth
Once you understand the objective void of things, you can become sober from the addiction that is meaning-seeking, as long as you're strong enough. Then, you may realize that meaning is merely a creation of the consciousness, not an objective and concrete entity. An intersubjective value, "elevated" into objectivity. However, it is realist to distinguish between what is intersubjective in value, and what is generally objective. Ad-populum distorts this understanding.
Then, there is no necessary desire to torment you in the journey of life, when it comes to meaning. To desire it like a simp desires an internet star, that is your choice, and therefore, not other people's problem, necessarily. Should we really keep normalizing our emotions as a collective responsibility? How about our fortunes and misfortunes? Maybe we should stop blaming society for a desire for meaning we can either quench or kill off relentlessly.
Either way, must we let our lives depend on it, given the vast emptiness of the universe, and the shallowness of modern society?
What would happen if we fail to attain our ambitions? Should we end up like a Japanese paramilitary leader after he tried restoring the glory of WW2 Japan? Should we die off because of failure? Die, because of difficulty that can be overcome?
The Power of the Untethered Self
With this newfound clarity, you can free you from the dangers of nihilism and existential despair. You can become resilient from the inside, no longer susceptible to the paralyzing fear of meaninglessness.
You can become tougher, live peacefully under the stoic principle of control dichotomy, and be less mentally weak. Unburdened by the need for external validation or a preordained purpose, you are free to forge your own path, without having to resort to premature death. Without resorting to escape.
The vast, silent void doesn't have to scare you like a monster. Instead, you can subvert it as a source of strength and unwavering self-reliance.
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