Contra Transcendence

FAQs about Transcendence

Transcendence is about rising beyond one's self (ego) and the world.

To what does one transcend? It's given various names: God, Heaven, Higher Self, Nirvana, Brahma, Enlightenment, the All, Ultimate Being, and the Source. They're all religious, metaphysical, mental concepts.

How does one transcend one's self? There are various ways: living a morally right life, silence, solitude, intention, just being, meditation, prayer, mantra, and deep relaxation. More serious methods include self denial, fasting, vigils, poverty, and martyrdom.  All involve withdrawing from the world and life, closing one's eyes, and turning inward. For some, death is the ultimate way to transcend one's self and the world.

Who or what does the transcending? How can one's self transcend one's self? What experiences transcendence if not one's self? Some believe that the eternal soul does the transcending. Others believe that transcendence is a metaphor for becoming aware that there really is no difference between us and ultimate being. In reality we are ultimate being, so they believe.

Why would one seek transcendence? Because it's believed to be reality, our true being, and our true home. All else is a fallen state, ignorance, darkness, unenlightenment, an illusion.

My View: Not Transcendence But Engagement

In my view, transcendence is the apotheosis of fiction: escapism deified..

It's an imaginary tale one tells oneself in order to avoid oneself and the world.

Those with low evaluations of themselves and the world indulge in this form of entertainment taken too seriously.

Those who value life and this world have no need for transcendence. They practice the opposite: engagement.

They're in and of this world. They are their egos.

They keep their eyes and other senses open. They live by sight not by faith. 

They accept and embrace life as it is and cower not from living it.

They welcome, seek, and cherish the mystery, beauty, and pleasures of life and this world. They accept the tragedies of life and its pains. They accept life's mortality. 

They rise, not to avoid or escape, but to face life's many challenges. When they're overwhelmed, they take refuge, rest, recover as best they can, and resume living the adventure that is their life.

With family, friends, companions, strangers, and enemies, they co-author the adventure of their life.

Whenever and however their story ends, it ends. No one really knows what happens next, except decomposing and continued life in the bones, blood, and memories of the living.

It's called non-fictional living.