Do you ever feel like you are just a human being who sprang up from nothingness into existence, into a life you haven’t asked for, into a world you haven’t created, into a society you haven’t chosen, with a cultural history always already behind you out of which you must carve your own future, your own personal destiny? Do you ever feel like you are nothing but one, single, individual creature in a constant showdown against the natural world, in a universe so utterly separate from you, which is unfathomably mysterious, random and meaningless, empty and dark? Do you ever feel like you are an isolated ego, a strictly individual person, a soul “housed in a bag of skin”, a creature that is completely distinct from their friends, family members, neighbours – and the world? Do you ever feel like throughout the course of your life, you experience nothing but continuous striving, forever competing for wealth, status and power in this hopelessly futile attempt to control the chaos of your daily life? If so, then you should ask your doctor about – never mind, bad idea. But you should definitely check out Alan Watts’ The Book on the Taboo against Knowing Who You Are. (Get it, “check out”…?)  Continue reading →