Volition (Προχαίρεσις)
-From the Meletic Scrolls.
There is a profound and compelling force that embodies the true nature of our character, and that is our volition. This faculty of choice is the intrinsic essence of our autonomy, the mechanism by which we discern, judge and navigate the impressions that life presents before us. Every action we take, every thought we ponder and every decision we make evolves from this inherent ability to exercise our will.
Life in its boundless complexity is a journey towards enlightenment, towards a deeper understanding of our purpose and existence. Despite the vast paths that life presents, it is our volition that determines which singular road we take. Through this selection, we discover not just the external realities of the world, but the innermost depths also of our being. To exist is one thing; to choose how to exist is another. What we discover through this process is not merely knowledge or experience, but the core of our actual existence.
What is the purpose of imagination, creativity, intuition and reason if we do not actively engage them? What significance do our ideas and insights have if they are left dormant, unexamined or unexplored? Without the exercise of these faculties, we would be reduced to mere mechanical entities, functioning without agency, moving through life as though we were automatons, reacting rather than consciously acting in our comportment.
It is in the recognition of our potentiality that we truly awaken to the wonder of life. The remarkable essence of our being is not just something granted to us; it is something that must be cultivated and actualised. To merely exist without the will to think, to create and to choose is to squander the magnitude of our potentiality. The true richness of life is found in our ability to cultivate this inner power and direct it with intent.
Our volition is deeply intertwined with the freedom of thought, for without this freedom, the self is rendered powerless. Without the self, we lack the foundation upon which our identity is built. It is important to distinguish the self from the ego, because whilst the ego is a construct of self-importance and illusion, the self is the authentic core of our existence.
The will, when fortified with determination and resilience, becomes a powerful force capable of shaping our destiny. The desires we entertain are not always in alignment with what is truly beneficial for us. Often, we are drawn towards illusions of satisfaction that lead to suffering rather than fulfilment. This is where the virtues of humbleness and temperance must serve as our guiding principles.
To live ethically is to exercise good judgement, to cultivate awareness that extends beyond the immediacy of our desires. It is easy to be led astray by momentary pleasures. Wisdom demands that we elevate ourselves beyond transient gratification. To act with morality and reason is not a burden; instead, it is a testament to the strength of our will.
The pursuit of self-betterment should not be seen as an abstract goal, but as an essential aspect of our existence. In understanding this, we come to realise that our volition is not merely a passive element of our being, it is a liberating force. It allows us to break free from the heavy chains of oppression, whether imposed by society, ideology or our own limitations.
Oppression in all its forms seeks to diminish our autonomy, and to reduce us to mere subjects of external authority. Through volition, we reclaim sovereignty over ourselves. This realisation is critical and permits our thoughts to demonstrate power, and when we realise their influence, we begin to shape not just our own lives, but the world around us.
Without the conscious direction of our volition, we risk falling prey to the darker aspects of human instinct, where decisions are driven by fear, impulse and external manipulation than rational self-governance. To succumb to these tempting forces is to lose the integral essence of our humanity. If we allow ourselves to be ruled by external dictates rather than our inner wisdom, we become helpless rather than helpful, passive rather than purposeful.
At its core, volition is more than just a mechanism of choice, it is the reflection of our true self. It is the force that revitalises both the soul and conscience, providing them with direction and meaning. Every decision we make, every action we take, contributes to the shaping of our destiny in one form or another.
Philosophy emphasises volition because it is the foundation of resilience, awareness and self-mastery. To succumb to the unrestrained desires of the body or the irrationality of the mind is to relinquish control. The stronger our will becomes, the weaker is the ego’s grip upon us. We must always remember that we are the masters of our free will, not the slaves of our ego or a god.
When we surrender our freedom, we forfeit our authority over ourselves. We become subjects to imposed authority, whether it be societal structures, dogma or external coercion. This is the antithesis of volition, which is to live without choice, without direction and without true agency. Such a fate is not one of our own making; rather, it is imposed upon us when we fail to actively examine the self from within.
Life is not a token gift that we should take for granted; it is a responsibility that we must cherish. Every moment presents an opportunity to either affirm our existence with purpose or squander it in passivity. (To Ένa) the One grants us life, not as an arbitrary occurrence, but as an opportunity to seek understanding, to cultivate wisdom and to exercise our volition with intent.
Volition is neither an entitlement nor a reward. It is a fundamental aspect of our nature. Without it, we lack a soul to nourish, a mind to enhance and a self to cultivate. The significance of our existence is found in our capacity to think, to act and ultimately to choose. Our journey begins with life and culminates in the return to To Ena, which is the ultimate realisation of unity and truth.
It is natural to desire eternity, to yearn for a sense of permanence beyond the fleeting nature of existence. The truth remains that we are not immortal, nor shall we ever be. To Ena does not grant us an everlasting physical existence, nor does it promise an afterlife of divine reward or punishment. Unlike a religious saviour, To Ena does not bestow salvation. It grants meaningful enlightenment.
People often turn to a god in moments of despair, seeking divine intervention where human willpower could suffice. The greatest force we possess is not prayer, but our unwavering determination to overcome adversity. This strength is not the creation of a deity; it is the product of our own resilience established.
When we come to terms with this truth is when we accept that our will is our greatest power. We become truly enlightened. No external force dictates our fate; no divine being controls our destiny. We are the architects of our own existence, and through our volition, we carve the path towards our ultimate realisation.
Thus, we should embrace our volition, not as a mere faculty of decision-making, but as the actual essence of our autonomy, the manifestation of our self-awareness and the beacon of our enlightenment. In doing so, we affirm the true purpose of our existence, which is to think, to act and to become enlightened.
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