Questioning Naive Optimism
In the classic parody, Candide, we follow the journey of a young protagonist who is forced to wrestle his nascent philosophy with the horrors of the world. This is something we all experience. And just like us, Candide’s philosophy was taught to him. As relayed in What Voltaire Meant, his goal was to communicate the emptiness of a belief system “centered on science, love, technological progress, and a faith in reason.” A belief that was exploding in popularity during the Enlightenment which saw a transfer of faith from “a providential God to a perfect, clockwork universe.”
Despite the horrors experienced by Candide, such as the brutal realities of war, a devastating earthquake in Lisbon, and the suffering of his beloved Cunegonde, he initially struggles to break free from the naive optimism instilled in him by his tutor, Dr. Pangloss. But the emotions experienced by Candide during these tragedies eventually caused him to question the philosophy that “all is for the best in the best of all possible worlds.” Which showcases the limitations of optimism in dealing with personal loss.
There comes a moment in all of our lives when we start to question naive teachings (and our naive interpretations of them). And just like Candide, we stick with them through great tragedies and spans of time. Why is it so difficult to part from our fragile, demonstrably insufficient beliefs? What is it about the nature of these belief systems that make them fundamentally unworkable? These are questions that Voltaire offers an answer to at the end of the parody.
“Cultivate your own garden”
This simple phrase symbolizes much more than it seems at first glance. It suggests that we should focus on our own responsibilities and well-being rather than being overly concerned with external circumstances beyond our control. In the context of mental health, this means paying attention to our own thoughts and reactions, ensuring that our inner world is healthy and well-tended. By cultivating our mental garden, we can better manage our emotions and thoughts, leading to a more balanced and fulfilling life.
Modernity doesn’t want you to be healthy
Part of this philosophy entails staying comfortable, a suggestion that truly flies in the face of a lot of mainstream teachings which demand you “get out of your comfort zone”. There are a lot of nuances here, but it shouldn’t be difficult to imagine the shortcomings of a philosophy that insists that you’re never comfortable, that insists that you always “push yourself, never settle, get out of your comfort zone.” After all, what is behind these ideas? It is a paranoia of being compared with others. If I don’t push myself to get to the gym, or work all night, etc. then I won’t be as strong or as rich as the other person.
The Strength of Homegrown Ideas
Cultivating your own garden implies the following: participate in that which you feel comfortable participating in, write that which you feel comfortable writing, and speak that which you feel comfortable speaking. It’s quite simple but it serves a real purpose: it acts as fertilizer for your own conviction. When an idea that is cultivated in your own garden is challenged by one that is grown in the topsoil of the material world, your idea is more likely to survive and flourish. As you nurture these home-grown ideas and plant more, your garden gradually expands into broader areas.
Getting Rid of Weeds and Prospecting
So pay attention to what’s right in front of you, ensuring it’s healthy and growing. Clearing your inner world of weeds is a challenging but necessary process. This involves identifying, inspecting, and reprocessing old traumas, ideas, and experiences that may distort your mental models. And in order to identify vitiating ideas you have to sit with them: a daunting task. It can’t be understated how reflexive it is for us to repress and turn away from difficult ideas and emotions. It’s so instinctive that most people don’t realize they are doing it. If you are one of these people, start by paying attention to the bad behaviors themselves. Bad behaviors are those that an individual themself knows to be harmful. Watching Seinfeld isn’t harmful on its own, but if every time you get a work email you switch over to Netflix, it is for you.
If you aren’t sure what ideas are causing your harmful behaviors, you should start from the outside in. Everyone could list a few behaviors they would classify as harmful. So start with those. Identify them, then observe when you engage in them. As you become more aware of the behavior, try to notice when the idea starts. I used the example of a work email, but maybe the origin is a little more distant: maybe the intro song to your favorite show starts playing in your head when you get stopped at a red light. It’s a journey, just start to pay attention.
There’s no limit to how much progress you can make and how much clearer you can feel when you start paying attention to yourself. But it is also likely that you eventually run into a wall: be it you located the source of an idea and you aren’t sure how to interpret it, or it’s too scary to engage with on your own. Or you might run into contradictions in your behaviors and ideas, and are unable to make progres. In these situations it is advised to find professionals to speak with. But in any event, this is not something to be scared of, and congratulations on the progress you’ve made.
As you clear these internal and external weeds, you create space for new, positive growth. It’s important, however, to remain mindful of not overreaching or overstepping your boundaries. Just as a gardener must carefully tend to their plot without overextending their efforts, you must be cautious not to take on more than you can handle, both mentally and externally. This means being aware of your limits, prioritizing self-care, and ensuring that you’re not spreading yourself too thin. By focusing on what you can realistically manage, you maintain a healthy balance and avoid burnout.
Conclusion: Embracing a Balanced Approach
In essence, Voltaire’s Candide and the advice to “cultivate your own garden” offer valuable insights into managing our mental well-being. By focusing on what we can control and nurturing our inner selves, we can navigate life’s challenges with greater clarity and resilience. This approach not only helps in managing our mental well-being but also sets the foundation for positive change in our communities and beyond. By staying within our comfort zones and gradually expanding them, we build the confidence and strength to tackle more significant challenges while maintaining a healthy and balanced mindset.
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