The Amnesia of Flourishing: Has Modernity Made Us Forget What's Good for Us?
In the sprawling expanse of human history, it's a mere blink since we began our march towards modernity. But with every leap forward, have we unknowingly left behind a blueprint for happiness, purpose, and well-being?
For millennia, our ancestors thrived harmoniously with nature. While it's vital not to overly romanticise their existence, which undoubtedly had its hardships, they possessed an innate understanding of what benefitted them. This knowledge was rooted in survival instincts and a profound connection to their environment. Their existence ebbed and flowed with nature's rhythms and their communities. They didn't need, for example, workshops or online courses in developing skills such as 'Emotional Intelligence', 'The Science of Wellbeing', 'Mindfulness', or the how-to of 'Pursuing Happiness and Fulfilment '. These ‘innate skills’ were naturally embodied in their daily lives.
Today, in the bustling corridors of our contemporary lives, these and many other innate skills seem to be eroding, replaced by confusion, anxiety, and a perpetual sense of dissatisfaction. Many people I talk to feel that they are simply not good enough.
Why is it that in our hyper-connected, technologically-driven world, surrounded by a constant deluge of scientific discoveries of ‘how to optimise our lives’, we appear to be so disconnected from what's truly good for us?
Further, why does no one stop to ask the glaring question: Why have we, as humans, reached a point where we need instruction on how to simply be 'human'?
The Modern Paradox: Is Our Worldview Truly Serving Us?
Earlier, I noted how our ancestors were intimately entwined, having an intrinsic connection with the natural world. Building on that, I wish to delve deeper into a modern conundrum that plagues us. I've touched on this previously in other articles on this blog, but it demands a more exhaustive exploration: Is the contemporary worldview we've assimilated into genuinely beneficial for us?
Our modern ethos, mostly unexamined by the masses, seems to be constructed on some questionable premises. It propagates the idea that life is a game of scarcity, where Darwinian survival tactics force us to eclipse others, regardless of the consequences. It equates material acquisition with success, champions unbridled consumption as a byproduct of capitalist entitlement, and extols the virtue of relentless competition as the pinnacle of human accomplishment.
But what if the emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual turmoil many of us find ourselves increasingly grappling with in the modern world isn't a reflection of our personal inadequacies, as society often suggests? What if the real malady is the modern paradigm itself? To put it bluntly, is our collective modern worldview suffering from its own form of malaise? Even further, is the actual worldview so many of us simply unquestionably adhere to itself ‘mentally ill’?
From my vantage point, acknowledging this is neither easy nor comfortable. Accepting the possibility that the very worldview we navigate daily might be inherently flawed is overwhelming, to say the least. If the sources of our afflictions are foundational to the modern world, brought about by the ‘system’ itself, how can a lone individual hope to challenge or change it? No wonder many prefer to remain submerged in this familiar environment, even if it's slowly sapping their vitality. As the adage goes, "Better the devil you know than the devil you don't."
At this juncture, I'm irresistibly drawn to a poignant scene from the movie 'The Matrix.' After experiencing freedom from the controlling Machines, Cypher opts to return to the simulated world, willingly sacrificing authentic existence for a fabricated reality. Despite being aware of the simulation's falseness, Cypher still chooses it, craving an illusionary life of wealth and fame. His choice underscores a profound human tendency: our inclination to embrace a comfortable lie over confronting the inconvenient truth.
The underlying question this narrative arc presents is: Why do we, like Cypher, often prefer the illusion? Why do we gravitate towards a system that is likely inherently toxic? Is the pull of ‘this is just how it is’ that strong, or have we become so entangled in the modern matrix that envisioning an alternative seems far-fetched?
I believe that recognising our plight is the first step to genuinely healing ourselves, but it's insufficient in itself.
Rediscovering Our Innate Essence in a Modern World
Navigating our future requires a clear compass. Amidst the labyrinth of modern life, how can we rediscover and embrace what I fondly term our 'Natural Wisdom'? How can we rekindle the innate human traits that once not only secured our survival but also propelled our flourishing? Is it possible to reclaim what seems lost in the annals of time? Perhaps!
Over the past several years, I've embarked on a personal quest, seeking answers to these poignant questions. I've pondered deeply about my individual role and the tangible changes I can bring about. My journey has, in many ways, been a voyage back in time—revisiting an era where our way of life harmonised with the planet's rhythm. By reflecting on the wisdom and practices of our Earthly forebears, I've sought insights, lessons, and inspiration.
And what have I come to realise?
The path isn't easy. It's fraught with challenges, largely due to the contradictions between our ‘Natural Wisdom’ and contemporary norms. In other words, the principles our ancestors believed essential for a fulfilling life largely contradict modern notions of happiness.
The path forward however isn't about regressing to the ways of the hunter-gatherers but integrating the spirit of their life philosophy into our current milieu. A philosophy where 'less' genuinely means 'more' and where ‘simplicity of being’ isn't just an ideal but a lived reality. It requires a transformative journey back to our roots, to that primal 'Natural Wisdom' that once directed our every step.
Such a journey isn't merely about external changes; it's an inward voyage—a process of shedding layers of accumulated societal norms and rediscovering our authentic selves. We must strive to reduce not just our external footprints but pare down the internal clutter, the noise that drowns out our innate wisdom.
In embracing 'Natural Wisdom', we align ourselves with the symphonies of the earth, understanding and respecting the interconnectedness of life. We begin to see life not as a series of disjointed episodes but as a harmonious continuum.
In upcoming articles, watch for the pieces titled "Practices." There, I'll share methods to reignite your "Natural Wisdom." The majority of these practices are cost-free and involve minimal to no technology—except for the most wondrous piece of technology: you!