Why On Just Being?

Why On Just Being?

I wouldn’t give a fig for the simplicity on this side of complexity; I would give my right arm for the simplicity on the far side of complexity.
– Oliver Wendell Holmes

I have been pursuing self-knowledge – which I define as becoming more familiar with my innermost core of being – for half a century, since early adulthood. Arriving at an integrated, “simple” understanding in this quest, an understanding that I can communicate clearly and a reader can readily grasp, is not easy. As Oliver Wendell Holmes suggests, a sustained, concerted effort of wading through an often-confusing maze of complexity will likely be required to get there. More realistically, I should say such an effort is required to approach getting there, as I doubt that complete self-knowledge can ever be achieved.

That said, I have traversed a good deal of complexity in the 50 years that I have been committed to this quest, and I know by direct experience that I am attaining an increasingly integrated understanding of the topic at hand. I also know that I have a long way to go, if not a lot of time left to get there. This is especially true when it comes to the ultimate goal of self-knowledge and its only meaningful purpose: internalizing whatever intellectual comprehension I may be gaining into embodied wisdom that informs my actions in the world, enriches my relationships with my fellow human beings, and deepens my love and respect for all of life.

I am creating On Just Being for two reasons. The first motive is to facilitate my own ongoing process of self-knowledge, on two related fronts:

• Writing has always been a powerful learning tool for me, so I trust that striving to clearly express what I am learning and experiencing will advance my pursuit.
• An equally potent learning exercise is engaging others in dialogue, which I invite and encourage via your comments and other to-be-developed interaction channels.

The second and overarching reason for launching On Just Being is my hope that by presenting what I have learned and am continuing to discover, and interacting with readers’ views and experiences, this endeavor will contribute to the quest to “know thyself” by others.

My highest hope is that we can learn and grow together. And by so doing, contribute to creating more awareness, kindness and courage in this inherently interconnected world that so desperately needs our very best efforts at becoming better fellow human beings.

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