Happy people tend to be in love with the process of showing up for their passion everyday, and finding ways to share it with others.
In many of the ancient traditions which practiced the self-denial mentioned yesterday, there were a few caveats that are often missing in their modern descendants. (This a continuation of yesterday’s letter.)
First, the denial was almost always temporary. If we look at the Vedic stages of life, for example—an idea curated by the earliest Gurus of Hindu Philosophy—we see that there are in fact two seasons set aside specifically for this way of living (renunciation and retreat).
The first is a time early in life to find oneself, and second a time late in life to find ways to help others do the same.
In between these two stages are what they collectively referred to as the most important:
1) creating a way to ethically generate wealth to support oneself and others (sometimes but not always in the context of a family) and
2) an intentional, leisurely retirement later in adulthood.
It’s important to note, that according to the Vedic Stages, the first and last stages of life in which one retreats and denies themselves temporarily, was for the purpose of supporting the middle two for themselves and others.
Today’s mined wisdom then is this: life is in flux.
There is a wisdom in knowing and accepting when it is time to retreat, to restore, to discover, and know. And on the other hand, when it is time to engage, to try, to fail, and show up for yourselves, your desires, and for those you love.
This wisdom is the final foundational component we’ll consider before our (ahem, epic) conclusion tomorrow.
I’ll leave you to meditate on this ancient string of ideas, and can’t wait to share the last installment in the morning.
Until then,
Matt
PS, here is a wonderful article on Rose Marcario, the former CEO of Patagonia, and her experience with Vedic Stages.
Happiness and Habits Ch. 3