So I've been given the first assignment in the cultivation sect I recently joined. It goes something like this:
Work out a Virtue philosophy you'll live by. Intensely meditate on its principles and be conscious of your actions and decisions. Write a short paragraph of how it affects you and your perception, that'll be the proof of your progress by the end of the two weeks.
Looks simple enough, let's get started.
My life's purpose, my main virtue is progress, to make lots of progress every single day and evolve to discover my fullest human potential, or so I thought.
One thing that's wrong with this Virtue Philosophy is because it's more of a goal than a purpose. You may think evolve and evolve is a purpose, and a good one at that, but it's actually the opposite.
Because it's a goal and not a purpose, it only exist in the future, and we all know that the future can't be reached, the stars can never be touched. Moreover, human evolution knows no bounds, there's no limit to a person's potential, making the goal of unlocking the fullest human potential impossible. Not even the Buddhas and Immortals dare to call themselves "complete".
Therefore, this Virtue Philosophy that I previously made is completely broken, not applicable for real life.
I need a purpose that exists in the Present, not in the past or the future. A purpose that I can do anywhere, anytime, here and now, one that can be practiced regardless of circumstances.
And what would that be?
Why do I exist and experience this Present moment, what is my role in the universe?
What's my purpose? Rather, what purpose do I want to serve in this universe?
Hmm I don't like anything difficult or annoying, I don't want anything that depends on other people either.
Alright, I have decided! My Virtue Philosophy shall be:
"To relax and chill healthily while I watch the entire universe unfold before my very eyes."
What an awesome purpose, I'm so proud of myself for being able to choose this purpose in life!
What makes this purpose particularly special, is that I would want to maintain the highest relaxation 24/7, while being as healthy as possible. Relaxation is most important in Cultivation because it promotes Qi circulation and empties the person's desires and emotions.
Because of this purpose, I will spend the rest of my life trying to be chill and relaxed regardless of any situation, to take advantage of each and every opportunity to simply chill while being conscious of my health.
From now on, I'll fulfill my role as a chill audience from the sidelines, watching all things come and go, watching all emotions rise and fade, watching every spectacle begin and end. Indeed, I'm the Chill Watcher, the Empty Observer, born to simply observe the birth, death, and cycle of the universe of universes.
This means that when life gets heated, when something goes cringe, or when everything seems to explode, I shall remain watching and relaxing from the side, unfazed by everything I see, while eating a popcorn and enjoying the show, watching everything without missing a single scene.
Regardless of how empty, boring, annoying, or mundane life may be, I shall keep my eyes open and watch it with all my soul, noticing even the slightest detail. I won't look away from the seemingly painful truths. I won't back down from the seemingly annoying scenes, as the Cosmic Seer, I'll watch everything from beginning to end, throughout the whole eternity.
There's no need for me to intervene. There's no need for me to be affected. There's no need for me to write everything I see. I'm simply here to watch and chill, nothing more, nothing less. Of course I'll still intervene or write something if I want to, but only if it would lead to more interesting shows to watch.
Ooh what about helping people? Rewarding good people and punishing bad people? What about being part of something great and whole, what about knowing all the truths in the universe?
HAHAHAHAHA none of those are part of my purpose, ask somebody else, find a superhero or something. I'm simply here to watch and relax, to observe and chill. Anything besides watching and chilling are simply side effects of my watching and chilling.
Thus, I conclude my Virtue Philosophy, my purpose in life for the entire lifetime: "sit back and chill".
"Not running away from reality, not hiding from the truth, not escaping from the pain, but simply watching everything, with wide open unblinking eyes."
"There's nothing much to do here, just sit back and relax."
"Chaos and order, reality and illusions, existence and non-existence, what's the difference? I only see One."