The War Within

To sublate contradictions in cognition and behaviour, is to dialectically generate the harmony and balance necessary for psychological development. There is nothing worse for a rational animal than to be at odds with their very own psyche. To assert something one moment and do the opposite the next, is to pry open the gates of hellfire and inflict inner torment on one's self. Cognitive dissonance is a malady that can prove to be quite literally fatal if left untreated. It is incredibly distressing to feel powerless over one's passions. The only cure for this dilemma is an earnest commitment towards analysing the contents of one's experience, and consistent mindful application of that consequential insight.

If you know something that you're doing is deeply self-destructive, then you ought to amend that fact and change your approach. But unfortunately it's not as simple as sheer willpower and determination. The secret lies in the correct valuation of phenomena. We can't desire away desire, but we can choose to prioritise and develop healthier habits over the more pathological ones. But what exactly are these healthy habits? Essentially, they are patterns of behaviour that bring long term benefits independent of external conditions. In other words, it's the kind of pleasure that lasts and remains readily available to the individual. This entails the virtue of moderation, aka an ascetic lifestyle.

It might not be as immediately pleasurable as excessive sensory stimulation, but the satisfaction of contentment is the only way to swim through the shifting tides of universal flux without drowning. Once you see this clearly, the choice becomes obvious and the burden is lifted. Because to consciously reject this realisation and remain rational is epistemically impossible. Hence, this is how ignorance ends and practical wisdom begins. Life need not be an internal battlefield, and although it may seem otherwise; there is indeed a preferable alternative. Like a skilled symphony orchestra, each aspect of the mind should compliment the whole. With the conductor of reason at the helm, none of the individual parts should take full precedence over the others. This is ultimately what constitutes enlightenment, and it is the sole source of real substantial happiness; the teleological end of human nature.