Hard Truth Or Ignorant Bliss?
“If someone can prove me wrong and show me my mistake in any thought or action, I shall gladly change. I seek the truth, which never harmed anyone: the harm is to persist in one’s own self-deception and ignorance” — Marcus Aurelius
One of life’s great questions that we face on a daily basis is: do I choose to actively seek out the truth, or shall I remain in ignorant bliss? Ignorant bliss is certainly a lot more secure and less challenging — at least in the short term.
I sometimes wonder whether I am more happy or less happy for pursuing my curiosities and seeking to diminish my ignorance.
There are certainly challenges day to day in engaging in such a process, but on a regular basis I experience these moments of ‘awakening’ (for a less esoteric definition, read as “aha moments”) that provide immense satisfaction and reassurance. They are moments of cognitive ecstasy. The release of neurochemicals upon figuring something out or learning a new piece of information is as good as any other mechanism for achieving those exact same highs.
Why?
I believe that seeking out the harsh truths of life on your own terms — voluntarily — is a more psychologically stable strategy. The truth will inevitably find its way into your life one way or another. Having this occur later in life will most likely have far greater repercussions than at say 24, because you are more embedded in your construction of reality and invested in the narrative that you’ve told yourself.
Naïveté is one of the characteristics of our blissful childhood state, but unfortunately it becomes a hinderance as we enter adulthood. The world can be brutal. And that knowledge only really comes from our direct experiences as we mature. But the more equipped you are, through priming yourself in advance, the softer the blow. Simultaneously the goal is to retain that childlike sense of awe, wonder and enthusiasm but without the aforementioned innocence.
The Elixir of Life
The real question is not whether we should take this journey, but rather once we do so how do we maintain our open and optimistic outlook on life and avoid the clutches of cynicism and pessimism?
For me, this is the ultimate conundrum. Since life throws its fair share of suffering and hardship at people, you come to appreciate why people older than you may have morphed into a cycle of cynical thinking (this doesn’t necessarily justify it). It makes those elders who still retain a sunny disposition all the more impressive.
I think the answer may lie in balance.
Spend as much time engaged in activities that make you laugh, have fun, release stress, and generally make you appreciate the glory of living.
This will complement the more arduous task of pursuing the ‘hard truth’ and reading about denser subject matter. Whenever we feel the claws of cynicism reach out, we take an intentional step back. Self-awareness of one’s own emotions allows us to keep a watchful eye on our well-being. Cultivating self-awareness is an immensely empowering tool because rather than look for external sources of authority, we look within for counsel on our internal dilemmas and conflicts.
Conclusion
Based on my own experience, I fully endorse the path of least resistance. Yes, learning about the realities of life can be traumatic. It bursts a lot of your pre-conceived bubbles. Despite this it is immensely rewarding and empowering. Everyday I feel like a progressively more powerful individual, and I have seen this reflected in the real world. I do have to work harder than before to ensure that I include sufficient outlets of joy and positivity in my life, but these become all the more treasured and appreciated.
The Ithaca Diaries
