The War Within

To resolve and overcome contradiction is to be in harmony with one's self. There is nothing worse for a rational animal than to be at odds with their very own being. To say one thing one moment and do the opposite the next is how the gates of hell open for each and every one of us. Cognitive dissonance is a malady that can prove to be quite literally fatal for the sufferer if taken to the extreme. The only cure for this dilemma is an ardent commitment towards rational concept analysis, and then practical application of the resulting insight.

If you know something you're doing is self-destructive, then you ought to amend that fact. But unfortunately it doesn't boil down to sheer will power. The secret lies in the correct placement of one's values. We can't desire away desire, but we can choose to prioritise healthier habits over more pathological ones. And what exactly defines these healthy habits? It's what brings long term benefit that is independent of external factors. In other words, pleasure that lasts and remains readily available to us. This inevitably entails moderation and discipline. The minimalist lifestyle.

It might not seem as mind-blowing as excessive sensory stimulation, but the consistent satisfaction of contentment is the only way to swim through the shifting tides of empirical flux without drowning. Once you see this clearly, the choice becomes obvious and the burden is lifted. This is the end of contradiction and the dawn of knowledge. Life need not be an internal battlefield, so let's not make it one. Like a symphony orchestra, all the parts should compliment and accentuate the whole. None of them taking full precedence over the others. This is ultimately what constitutes enlightenment and is the source of real happiness.