How Do You Want to Live This Life?

I live my life in widening circles…

The meaning I assign to my life is influenced by what I consume and where I draw inspiration. My love for art goes beyond superficial aesthetic enjoyment; it embodies philosophical purpose. In one notable instance, a poem by the symbolist poet Rilke captured my attention:

I live my life in widening circles

that reach out across the world.

I may not complete this last one

but I will give myself to it.

Rilke’s verse struck a chord, encapsulating an ethos that resonated deeply within. It spoke of a life lived in expansive circles, extending beyond personal boundaries, embracing the wider world. A sentiment acknowledging the possibility of not concluding this expansive journey but committing wholeheartedly to its pursuit.

This profound realization echoed my contemplation on the essence of existence — a realization that my life’s narrative could unfold in widening circles, embracing the vastness of human experience and connection. Perhaps I won’t reach the ultimate circle, for there is no definitive endpoint. Mortality reminds me of the finite nature of my time, the inevitable disappearance. Yet, the desire to strive remains.

Contemplating on the notion of expanding circles, I pondered: What prompts a ring to expand? Imagine interconnected rings perpetually enlarging. To expand, a ring must breach its current boundary, embracing novel experiences beyond its initial scope. It must absorb these encounters, allowing a metamorphosis — a transformation from its original form — before solidifying and transcending once more. I yearn to exist within these ever-expanding, intertwined rings, each a subset of the other. It resonates precisely with Hegelian dialectics.

The term ‘dialectic’ often echoes as ‘thesis-antithesis=synthesis,’ yet the depth of this concept deserves prolonged exploration, a topic we’ll delve into extensively within the Hegelian discourse. Isn’t it remarkable how a poem eloquently encapsulates philosophical musings? Life, to me, embodies a perpetual expansion of circles, continuously embracing and transcending. That’s how I aspire to live.

I’m curious to hear your thoughts on these concepts. How do you envision living your life? Let’s keep this curiosity alive until we reconvene in our next weeks newsletter. Until then, continue exploring the depths of your aspirations and philosophies.