Were I to put aside rationale, what would remain?
The irrational.
What, then, would fuel logic?
The illogical?
If I were to put aside matters of the physical self, what would remain?
The spiritual?
Let us say I am nay a spiritualist, for the spirit is associated with that which is supernatural, which in this mind exists not.
Mentality must be naught, as mentality would grasp to the forementioned physicality or rationale.
What then must be left, aside from the goal? The work.
Work is defined as any exertion of energy.
Let us expound then, on this: what is the great work?
Energy must be exerted to continue a lifecycle. Consumption, excretion, and rest are work.
Work, then, may be described, as that which one must do to survive.
What is greater than this?
If you were asked to choose between a path that would surely bring you great happiness, and one that would bring great joy, which would you choose?
Work is the path that leads to happiness. Happiness can be described as an ecstatic feeling, however, one based on circumstance and consequence.
The great work, then, must be the path to joy. What is joy? A deepseated ecstacy, that really can not be described as a feeling at all, rather, the sum of many emotions, from which, others spring. This is not based on circumstance or consequence, so much as it is derived from being. Can that which is not based on circumstance and/or consequence be finite? Can something, such as joy, that has no origin, and that never actually "came to be" cease to exist, or will it endure?
So, backing up then, we have said work is that which one must do to survive.
That said and knowing as we know, the great work is that which one must do to endure.
More specifically, then, what must one do to endure?
Simple. Separate that which is derived from circumstance and consequence, from that which is derived from being, and kill it.
Being does not have to entail any more or any less than what it sounds like. Perception does not build being, rather perception is built on being.
Happiness does not build joy, rather, happiness is built on joy.
So think of circumstance and consequence as matters of perception.
Happiness, then is a perception, and joy is.
"Perception does not build being, rather perception is built on being. Happiness does not build joy, rather, happiness is built on joy"
Note: perception is built on being. It does NOT stem from being. Perception stems from the psyche.
Happiness is built on joy, it does NOT stem from joy, it stems from perception which stems from the psyche.
Oh, I like this one very much. The topic matter was very interesting, I am sure I am not alone in considering such matters (particulary the tangent you went on at the end) often. The structure was also enjoyable.
Nice one, we can discuss this one in a pm, or else i think we may flood the forum regarding the great work, or even the greater work or calling ;) which is more or less the same, just with a extra realisation or two attached ;)
I reckon that I misunderstand the initial intentions in everything you write Perdurabo, yet i always take something from it, unaware if it's what you actually ment or not...
Like in this essay, it seems to me as if you describe the two majour paths (two 'works') that people choose to follow, and the concequence of that decision. To strive for a life filled with materialism brings happiness when succeeding. To focus on the growth of spirituality and enlightenment brings joy, which can possibly be described as the opposite of depression, because one can suffer from severe deppression yet still experience happiness... so happiness is superficial, it can be wiped away by any sign of misfortune in your circumstances.
Anyway, what I'm trying to say is: yes, there's few who understand what you mean, exactly... but for the rest of us we can just derive a more simple explanation on what we think might be the intent. So a lot more people can appreciate your stuff than you thought.
once again fine sir your riddled words and deeper meanings have filled my heart with such great joy... not happiness...
to again be able to read the workings of minds so far beyond the perception of modern man that even the author (i am guessing) would have suffed at places over this piece to try make the message more tangable for those he cherishes. and yet when reading through eyes that have seen similar beauties as yours... i am sure you have begun on your great work and are already reaping the fruits of devine being... my soul salutes you A.C...
