Living without a why: what if Eckhart succeeded? Saint Eckhart?

[@pro5702]

I’d like to hear how Eckhart's idea of "living without a why" creates meaning and is a defense against Nihilism. And contrast that with Nietzsche's idea that "he who has a why to live can bear almost any how." Having a clear purpose or reason for living (a "why") can provide the strength and motivation to endure even the most difficult circumstances or challenges (the "how"). This seems like a more robust defense against nihilism.

[@goodtothinkwith]

Ah yes - I need to follow this up with another video when I can about just that topic. Having something meaningful is good, but I think if we imagine Eckhart’s response to that, we’re already most of the way to answering Nietzsche.

[@slottibarfast5402]

Very nicely done. People need an open mind to examine some of the variety of thoughts out there even when in the end you disagree.

[@goodtothinkwith]

Thanks! Yes indeed…

[@MinnesotanMysticism]

This was absolutely incredible to think with! Zen of Eckhart for Christ!

[@goodtothinkwith]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it! 😄

[@AutumnSonderness]

About 7:22 - but does the claim that Eckhart was a mystic not interfere with his rigorous philosophical method? If anything, he rather can be understood as an intellectualist in the sense that the divine intellect had precedence per se?

[@goodtothinkwith]

I think it enhances it. Philosophy should always be involved in lived experience, in my opinion. Plato wrote dialogues after all

[@SolveEtCoagula93]

I think that what is said in this video is incredible. BUT - it is all very good saying that there is another form of Christianity, so how to find it? This has been my frustration for decades! Just reading books is a good start, but where to go for advice, for help, for guidance? That is what is missing - and, so far, I've not found actually people who can help! I know quite a few people who, like myself, rejected the childish form of Christianity during my teens. Passing through the standard Eastern flavours, I found much that appealed. However, years later, I found myself being drawn back to Christianity. Why, I don't know? I still reject so much of that initial kids buffet that we were presented with but cannot find the adult meals!

[@goodtothinkwith]

Yes - that’s the real question! People have been trying to sort that out for quite some time now. My main worry is that there may be no viable popular form. The esoteric form will always work… but I’m not sure how it looks for your run-of-the-mill person. Perhaps the answer is somewhere in art and music for a popularly consumable form… hmm… If you want to stay in Christianity, there’s a long and rich mystical tradition that you could spend years exploring. The East is fertile ground too though and I’ve certainly taken a lot from it. Among the priests, ministers, Zen masters and lamas, there are some really incredible people.. you just have to find them as individuals rather than being concerned with the label of their tradition. That’s at least been my experience, for what it’s worth! Best of luck my friend!

[@SolveEtCoagula93]

@@goodtothinkwith I do, sincerely, thank you for replying. I am physically isolated from anyone who shares my interest, so it is good to hear from fellow travellers. I have travelled these roads for around 55 years and have met many people and explored many avenues. Even coming over to the USA at one point to spend time training in a Zen monastery. The signal to start my journey (in 1969) was not one of over powering awe and wonder, but rather a terrifying experience relating to the nature of reality. I wasn't shown a heavenly choir singing angelic songs with visions of beautiful white lights. Instead, I was given an incredibly brief glimpse of the paper thin shallowness of what we call, 'reality'. Without any reference as to what was happening, I did not understand it and, it all but destroyed me, plunging me into years of deep psychosis. With the aid of a Sufi master, this psychosis was finally resolved nearly 20 years after the event. The strange thing is that now I have finally reached (or am reaching) a point of equilibrium where words, logic and rationality have all but lost any meaning. I still have no one to ask questions about things but have begun to learn that maybe such questions are important either. In recent years, my deepest inspiration has come from Meister Eckhart and St John of the Cross. I love their works, and although I read less and less, I do follow your KZbin channel because it helps me leave behind some of the areas which would ensnare me. Instead, I now allow the words and thoughts to simply arise and pass. In so doing, they leave behind their shadows and carry a meaning way beyond anything written or spoken. Anyway Clint, I've clearly dropped into rambling mode, so please forgive me. I really just want to thank you for both your reply and your channel. They are deep sources of inspiration and help me sit in this desert, watching the sand blow around. Take care.