Most people live their lives at an experiential level, whilst very few live at an existential level. The latter requires a certain knowledge, understanding, and practice. I think both are life enhancing, but one without the other results in an unbalanced and incomplete life. Unfortunately, from an early age we tend to become addicted to the experiential high’s society feeds us, which also means dealing with the inevitable lows. Without the means to consciously exist, this hectic roller coaster ride of emotional highs and lows wears down our human spirit and eventually blinds us to the magnificence of being alive. We become experiential junkies, restless and reactive until our next fix, with little ability to appreciate the present moment. We live with a desperate hope for a better future and the burden of guilt for a misspent past, whilst the here and now seems as elusive as the proverbial pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.
So, what is the difference between existence and experience? Existence is to be, whilst experience is to do. Existence is stillness, whilst experience is action. Existence is to rest, whilst experience is to work. Existence is to receive, whilst experience is to give. Existence is inward, whilst experience is outward. Existence is feminine energy, whilst experience is masculine energy. Existence is present, whilst experience is past and future. Existence is restorative, whilst experience is consuming. Existence is nurturing, whilst experience is producing. Existence is life, whilst experience is death. Existence is nature, whilst experience is culture.
Clearly they go hand in hand, and are mutually interdependent. We really can’t have one without the other. Hence, the importance of awakening ourselves to the value of simply existing. Sadly, existence has been crowded out by all our experiencing, which is why we are dysfunctional, destructive, and distracted. If we want to live in peace, freedom, and joy, then we are going to have to reeducate ourselves into the art and science of existence. Nature gives us the perfect example and explains why we still find comfort and healing when we spend time with animals, birds, rivers, seas, fish, deserts, waterfalls, mountains, forests, lakes, and beaches, not to mention storms, wind, rain, sunshine, fire, and ice. They remind us of the life-force within everything and invite us to simply exist with them whilst we can.
To exist is to take back your life by learning to nurture your nature. This requires spending time with yourself at a body, heart, mind and spirit level. Through daily practices like conscious breathing, emotional intelligence, mental flexibility, and meditation, you enter the presence of your evolving, magnificent being. You come into existence through your own awakening, and when you do experience your environment, you do so from the solidity of who you really are, as opposed to what experience has taught you to be. If you would like someone to assist you to exist and experience peace, freedom, and joy please contact me – psychologist in Fourways.