The “Bucket List” is both a movie and a philosophy of life. The main characters in the movie decide to experience every unfulfilled wish or hope in their last few days on this earth. Their journey says to us that the meaning of life is somehow out there beyond our own person. Is life all about crossing off items on a list, can the meaning of life be that simple? How is that possible when the vast majority of humanity is fighting every day for enough food and safety to survive the vicissitudes of this world? The bucket list philosophy is only about the compacting of life experiences, places and relationships assuming that this will bring meaning to our lives. We all should ask, will it?
This philosophy is targeted to the few and says nothing about the only meaningful life opportunity open to every person, regardless of their circumstances. Some assert that the meaning of life can only be experienced in the psyche of the individual also defined as the totality of who we are without the illusive trappings of body parts. This journey is the exploration of inner space and our bucket list must accordingly shift into reverse. Knowing one’s self was the goal and the teaching of the ancient philosophers and we never get modern enough to find completion on any other journey. The bucket list is the latest modern philosophy that will deflect us away from the inward journey.
All of us avoid this inward journey, we are hard wired as humans to prefer the external fluff of life, content and complicit with our satisfaction with the externals. We pretend that the inward journey is not even necessary while choosing to focus on what we assume are the really important things in life. The list of important things is long, anything and everything can distract or deflect us, the destructive behaviors and the positive behaviors are equally guilty. A life addicted to drugs will deflect the addicted from the inward journey but so may an education, a career path, positive relationships and even religion. Wait a minute, you say, religion is all about the inward journey!
Is it?
G.Goslaw
Landers, Ca
