The Frosty Atheist
By Ross Meisner
As you may have deduced by now, I like to highlight the awe and wonder in our real world. I try to blend that awe with a bit of philosophy when I can, but am no expert. Thus, my musings may not cover much new ground. However, revisiting thought-provoking ideas is definitely warranted; it keeps us in touch with our values, and inspires us to recall what we deeply care about as we go about our daily lives.
I previously offered two opposing perspectives on life. We live on a speck of dust in a vast universe and are truly insignificant: We are nothing (first article). As conscious creatures our unique existence is extraordinarily rare and special beyond all measure: We are everything (second article).
There is a Zen Buddhist thought that goes hand-in-hand with these conflicting views, that helps me hold them both in my mind simultaneously. It’s a simple thought that feels natural to atheists, as it argues against claims of divine intervention. And it is a powerful tool to help us through our unpredictable lives, our ups and downs, our successes and failures.
“It is what it is.”
Those five little words offer so much perspective on our reality. We can’t help but think of ourselves as special, and there must be reasons why things occur as they do. Yet it’s just unfathomable and indifferent nature that dictates what is happening around us. Got in a car accident? Chance. Won the lottery? Chance. Fell in love? Broke up? Cut your finger? Found $20? There is no reason or design, it is what it is. It gets messy because we are emotional beings—we care about what happens. It’s so hard to accept we have such little control. My son makes a huge mistake, ignores my advice, and costs us real money? Pause. Breathe. It is what it is.
Have you heard the Chinese parable of the Taoist farmer and his horse? It’s a brilliant encapsulation of this thought. And it reminds us of the two things we actually do have control over: Our attitude and our reactions. So try it. Whatever you’re thinking about right now and wondering why it happened that way. There is no “why.” Simply … it is what it is.
The Taoist Farmer
(a Chinese Parable, in brief)
One day the old farmer’s only horse ran away. His neighbors lamented, “It’s so unfortunate!” The farmer merely replied, “perhaps.”
A few days later, his horse returns leading seven wild horses. His neighbors exclaim, “Isn’t that great!” The farmer again replies, “perhaps.”
While trying to break the wild horses, the farmer’s son is thrown and breaks his leg. The neighbors sympathize, “Oh dear, that’s too bad!” The farmer responds, “perhaps.”
Then army conscription officers come to town and lead all able-bodied young men to war, leaving behind the farmer’s son. The neighbors say, “How lucky for you!” Again the farmer says, “perhaps.”
