When I was in my 20’s, it occurred to me that we, the human species, have failed in a big way to live up to our potential. We are gifted with an amazing ability to create, to heal, to build, to discover, to be kind, to be generous, to lift each other up and to lift ourselves up in the process. But greed, hate and delusion are seductive. They suck us in, blind us and turn us against each other. Most people think this is inevitable and even the proper way to live. Folks have said as much to me directly.  

As the years have passed, what began as an observation regarding our collective failure has evolved into the realization that humans may be the first creatures to commit species-wide suicide. It isn’t so much that we all want to die. But we are intensely dedicated to maintaining our habitual behaviors, both individually and collectively. And we are equally in denial regarding the direction in which these behaviors are leading us. It is difficult for me to see how our current conduct can have any other long-term result.

We can do much, much better. I believe it is possible for each person to live life in such a manner that their life itself becomes an art form. An art form that if diligently practiced will reduce suffering for oneself and for others. But I have found this idea difficult to communicate. The issue isn’t so much that people are skeptical, although many are. Skepticism is a good thing if it leads to inquiry. The challenge is that when I introduce the idea it is so foreign to conventional thinking that folks have difficulty wrapping their minds around it. Many people assume that I am talking about performance art (e.g. Burning Man or the Cacophony Society). The second most common interpretation is that I am suggesting people become more involved in the arts… music, painting, dance, that sort of thing. Those activities may be fun for those who enjoy them and generally, generally, their pursuit does no harm. But they are not what I am talking about.

A further challenge when describing the art of living is that right away, people begin asking questions about specific actions. “Is this artful living… is that artful living?” Given the enormous range of behaviors available to human beings and the many sets of conditions at any given moment, it isn’t possible to define the concept by addressing every imaginable action a person can take or avoid.

What I mean by the art of living is living in such a way that one eliminates, to the extent humanly possible, suffering for oneself and others. Let me explain. Every word we say, every action we take, every thought we have can be beneficial, neutral or harmful to ourselves and others. Indeed, every word we do not say, every action we do not take and every thought we do not have can also be beneficial, neutral or harmful to ourselves and others. Therefore, I define the art of living as follows:

Conducting ourselves with mindful, situational awareness. Accepting the reality of existing conditions without clinging or aversion. Intentionally doing what will be beneficial or neutral for ourselves and others. Intentionally avoiding actions that will result in negative consequences for ourselves and others.

There is much more to say about this way of living but right now, I want to open up the floor for questions. 

See Part 2, Q&A