Existential Angst

"If you would be a real seeker after truth, it is necessary that at least once in your life you doubt, as far as possible, all things ..." I don't think Descartes was the first existentialist. I do think existentialism long preceded its name.

Existential angst is fear born of the unknown (our own ignorance). It changes as we learn but never goes away; there is too much there to know it all. Practically, we fear only three things: life, pain and death and, curiously, we can never know any of these things until they happen. It seems we are all doomed to suffer perpetual angst.

Nietzsche’s philosophy comes to life in the "camel, lion and child" and the story brilliantly shows the angst of the camel doubting all things. Religion, myth and art all seem to help ease that angst. Respectfully, these three remedies relate to the camel, lion and child.

We all started too simple to question existence; we are told truth and have faith. As we grow, the truth we knew often proves too weak for us. We seek our own understanding, but we have no words to speak of things beyond knowledge, so we tear at convention. Finally, if we are lucky, we find a thing that we would die doing and find peace in ignorance.

Every step forward is a step to bliss. Existentialism could be stepping into the lion role, but it can also be the child; maybe your bliss is philosophy. It can be the whole journey too. The angst of the unknown is always present. It drives us as it constantly transforms, so old tools fail forcing us to become better equipped. The ultimate solution, of course, is radical acceptance of the mystery (angst). That's when we finally find peace and begin a life, with childlike zeal.

Existentialism keeps me aware of the angst that moves me keeping me on a path toward my bliss--whatever that is. It also reminds me that no one can walk my path but me. I alone am responsible for giving my life meaning. Existentialism seems to be a timeless tool of growth and, ultimately, liberation.