Introduction
All three of the Visionary writings in this chapter have a central theme, that of looking at the nature of existence but from slightly different perspectives. The Game looks more specifically at controlling nature of our existence. As such it can be seen as a more contentious view point suggesting the impotence of man: he is compelled to participate like a puppet with out choice. At face value such a suggestion is very distasteful but it must be seen that it is in the very recognition of his circumstance that allows him to escape from it: it is like an ill man that cant not recognise his symptoms must first accept he is ill before he can do something about it. His freedom from the game lies in the recognition that he is playing the game.
sisideas
sisideas
The Game
For most of us, we live life accepting things at face value. We live life within the confines of "the Box" that is our reality but for a moment let us step outside and take an analytical look at what motivates us.
Man can be seen as the unwitting player of a game, “The Game of Life”. Like all games there are rules. At its most basic the rules are very simple: survive and procreate. And the nub of the matter is to survive. We have been programmed to see our own personal existence as being the most important thing above all else, our egotistical preservation expanding to things/people around us. In short the success of all life is in its self-centred. We are selfish, without any pejorative connotation.
Controls
The Game controls us by coercion and manipulation. Pain and the fear of pain, thirst, and hunger, are the principle forms of negative coercion with only one major positive manipulation being that of the pleasure of an orgasm during sex (minor being the cessation of thirst and hunger). We are so inculcated into this framework of this existence it is hard to see our lives in this way. I have called it “the game” with neither cynicism nor belittlement of life but to show at one level its simplicity.
We must step out of the game. Otherwise there can be no true morality or direction to life other than what the game prescribes. Form within the game we are bound to our instinctual nature. It is so simple to free ourselves from its constraints- see the game for what it is and you have made the door of your escape.
Man can be seen as the unwitting player of a game, “The Game of Life”. Like all games there are rules. At its most basic the rules are very simple: survive and procreate. And the nub of the matter is to survive. We have been programmed to see our own personal existence as being the most important thing above all else, our egotistical preservation expanding to things/people around us. In short the success of all life is in its self-centred. We are selfish, without any pejorative connotation.
Controls
The Game controls us by coercion and manipulation. Pain and the fear of pain, thirst, and hunger, are the principle forms of negative coercion with only one major positive manipulation being that of the pleasure of an orgasm during sex (minor being the cessation of thirst and hunger). We are so inculcated into this framework of this existence it is hard to see our lives in this way. I have called it “the game” with neither cynicism nor belittlement of life but to show at one level its simplicity.
We must step out of the game. Otherwise there can be no true morality or direction to life other than what the game prescribes. Form within the game we are bound to our instinctual nature. It is so simple to free ourselves from its constraints- see the game for what it is and you have made the door of your escape.