I want to explore the nature of reality. We all, in some sense, forge our own realities, some more so than others. Some keep their realities small and comfortable, others explore beyond the confines of comfort. Some maintain ordered realities, others inhabit chaos. Some do so consciously, some unconsciously. Is there a true reality? That question has been pondered for centuries. The Buddhists believe that reality is change. This sounds plausible, in that the world and nature is ever-changing. Some attempt to shield themselves from this by ordering their realities around the comfortable and unchanging. This does them no favours. Unfortunately, the majority of people who struggle to live within the chaotic world struggle through no fault of their own, given the many factors that determine how an individual responds to change. Genetics, environment, upbringing, trauma, abuse and the nature of our modern society in which attention is profit all contribute to many of us craving comfort and distraction.

The truth is we are not nearly as fulfilled in our little realities than if we were to venture beyond what’s comfortable, into the grand reality of the world

The reasons with which this comfortable mode of being is problematic is that we are less prepared and weak when the pains of the world inevitably crop up and we also fail to explore the wide and wonderful, true nature of the world. The small and comfortable realities we create for ourselves are intentionally shut off from the expanse of the world and therefore we limit and restrict ourselves. The truth is we are not nearly as fulfilled in our little realities than if we were to venture beyond what’s comfortable, into the grand reality of theworld. This suggestion for being is not unique to Buddhism however. We see it throughout our cultures right up to the present day. And so, I’ll take a story as old as can be and portray that it’s wisdom is immortal with a more modern story. The modern story inevitably is The Hobbit, which I’ve written about before, due to its useful themes and Biblical nature. In the story Bilbo is requested by thirteen dwarves to help them journey to Erebor to retrieve a precious jewel that the dragon, Smaug, guards and to free their home from Smaug. Bilbo, who lives a quiet and comfortable life in his little hobbit hole within The Shire declines this offer and intends on returning to his quiet and comfortable life. After the dwarves sleep in Bilbo’s hobbit hole, they leave and set out on their adventure without their hobbit thief. Bilbo awakens to thefamiliar sights and sounds of his little hobbit hole. The birds singing a lovely song, the smell of freshly cut grass outside and the warmth of his home. Unfortunately he does not feel the same as he did a few days ago. He is no longer content. His eyes have been opened to the chaos of the world, just as Adam and Eve’s were in the Biblical story.

The reality of Bilbo’s world was a shield. The Shire acted as a a warm blanket, shielding Bilbo from the true reality of the world, just as God created the Garden of Eden to shield Adam and Eve from the true reality of theworld. “Eden” translating to “walled garden” or “a place of pristine or abundant natural beauty” (3). In other words, Adam and Eve and Bilbo were all contained within pristine and natural beauty. Thesimilarities don’t stop there however. Bilbo’s eyes are opened by the existence of a reptile in Smaug. Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit at the words of the snake, another reptile. Both discover the horrors and chaos of the world in its truest form. It is said that Adam and Eve were therefore the first humans to become self-conscious, self-aware. They walked the garden naked in paradise without the knowledge of threat or chaos, then their eyes were opened to their vulnerability and they immediately covered themselves up. The world, they discovered, has many threats and dangers, so they must now work and sacrifice to keep those dangers at bay. Bilbo becomes aware of the true nature of the world and he now does not feel the same as he did when he was oblivious. Knowledge produces action, knowledge enlightens and it’s not always a positive enlightenment. The nature of the world is chaotic and those who try to order it so that it revolves around them are punished in some sense. They are fighting losing battles and that takes it toll. Whereas those who accept that the world is chaotic, embrace it and struggle through it are rewarded with gold, in Bilbo’s case and are enlightened and fulfilled in thecase of us humans.
Therefore we must accept that the world is chaotic, painful and ever-changing. We mustn’t shield ourselves from this reality. We must leap over the gates of our comfort and venture onwards towards enlightenment, not happiness. We must embrace the struggles of the world, overcome them and find meaningand purpose, but only after we slay a dragon or two.

Keep On Struggling

Gregor

Film I Found Interesting - The Menu

“A young couple travels to a remote island to eat at an exclusive restaurant where the chef has prepared a lavish menu, with some shocking surprises.” I found this film riveting, in that it was close to impossible to decipher what would happen next, but mostly I enjoyed the themes and hidden messages hidden within the film. It seemed to be uncovering the corruption and greed within the egotistical nature of high-stakes cookery. Not only did it poke fun at the sometimes ridiculous nature of chefs who overuse foams and truffle-oil, it also poked fun at those who worship those chefs. Lastly it portrayed that there’s nothing better and more satisfying than a traditional cheeseburger.

Watch the trailer below or watch The Menu on Disney+.

WATCH HERE

TV Show I Found Entertaining - The Traitors

“Get them before they get you. 22 strangers, one castle, £120k - Claudia Winkleman hosts the ultimate reality game of trust and treachery. Let the mind games begin.” Not only was this show great escapism, it also showed that human nature centres around connection and community as it was clearly extremely difficult for the contestants to turn on each other and they clearly became friends even though the aim is to banish and “murder” each other.

Watch the trailer below.

WATCH HERE

Quote to Ponder

Everybody is somebody, but nobody wants to be themselves - Gnarls Barkley

References

1) The Menu Image & Quote - IMDb

2) Traitors Image & Quote - BBC

3) Merriam-Webster