N.13 The Mindset of A Child

Below is a passage I came upon in Frederick Nietzsche’s Untimely Meditations. It seemed important to pass along.

“This is the means by which an inquiry into the most important aspect can be initiated: let the youthful soul look back on life with the question ‘What have you truly loved up to now; what has drawn your soul aloft; what has mastered it and at the same time blessed it?'”

In Nietzsche’s book Thus Spoke Zarathustra, he explains that the goal of humanity is to become the Übermensch, or “Over-Man.” As best I understand it, the Over-Man is one who has transcended the rigors of adulthood and reverted to the playful and innocent mindset of a child. And while I fail miserably each day at becoming, or even resembling, the Over-Man, my life is better for trying.

Who knows, maybe you’ll find this concept interesting and aspire to become the “Over-Woman.” Regardless, do what you can to apply a childlike perspective to aspects of life which cause unreasonable stress. Be playful and spontaneous. Maintain a lighthearted attitude toward your own hardships. The more you are able to laugh at life’s absurdities, the happier you will be.

N.3 A Dream Within A Dream

Considering again my recent dream in which the meaning of life was communicated to me, I’m beginning to think that my memory of waking up and repeating the answer quietly to myself over and over was actually an extension of the dream, or a dream within a dream. I suppose that does not change the fact that the answer had, in fact, been presented to me. As I lie there in the dark, whispering it to myself, the answer was in my possession. Whether I was awake at this point or still dreaming, all I had to do is remember it.

Maybe one day it will come back to me.

N.1 The Answer To Life’s Greatest Question Is…

Not long ago I had an unusual dream. In the dream I saw myself as if from another’s perspective. I was standing in a field, alone. The sun was shining. The sky was blue. As I stood still there in the field, I had a premonition. I was awaiting something of great importance. The meaning of life was about to be communicated to me. When the answer finally came, I was stuck by its simplicity. The meaning of all life, of our existence, was so simple I couldn’t believe that I hadn’t thought of it before. I woke, still in a groggy and somewhat semi-conscious state, and repeated the answer in my mind. “I won’t forget this,” I thought. “It’s far too important.” Elated by the extraordinary gift I’d been given, I began repeating the answer quietly to myself until I finally drifted back to sleep. When I woke the next morning I immediately remembered having had the dream. The image of myself standing in the field was still vivid in my mind. I remembered the bright sunlight and the blue sky and the feeling I had at being given the answer to humanity’s most perplexing question. “What is the meaning of life?” The part of the dream I could not recall was the answer.