secular vanaprastha

The long slow goodbye begins at middle age.

The rollercoaster crests, and down you go in terms of your physical virility.

Well, I think peak virility is around 18 years old for a man, but, yes, in terms of physical decline the acceleration is noticeable around middle age.

I think the crest is around 18 years in and then the ride begins in earnest.

It's called adulthood.

When the average life expectancy was around 72 years that divided cleanly into four stages.

54 would mark the end of the 3rd stage and into the final ride.

Freedom 55.

You are finished with your worldly duties and off into the forest you go to figure out life.

Vanaprastha in Hinduism.

Part of focusing on the spiritual at that point is no longer being able to physically support yourself.

You are reliant on your children.

It's the cultural expectation in India.

Hinduism is a way of life.

I take it you don't follow that method.

I respect it, but I'm not a Hindu.

What's your plan with the rollercoaster that heads towards physical death where you need to rely on others?

Hindus didn't have financial markets or advisors giving them advice to save for Vanaprastha.

You don't need to physically work if you save for retirement.

Your money works for you.

Instead of a forest dweller, you can become a philosopher.

What's the difference?

Historically a philosopher has money which is the means to live a life of contemplation.

A forest dweller choses a simple life that doesn't require money.

They must make do with what the forest provides.

Don't they spend most of their time then on basic survival?

Yes, it's very spiritual.

I can see that.

You renounce the buzz of human economic activity and lead a simple life which allows you to reconnect with nature.

Through nature you become more spiritual because you are no longer in the carnival.

Yeah, that's it.

Are you going to find your cabin in the woods?

No.

Why not?

You already spend a lot of time alone in the forest.

The philosopher path appeals more to me.

What is appealing?

I want to bake the funnel cake of life and then eat it.

So, you want to remain in the carnival?

Yes.

Why?

It has everything you need.

Yes, but it is an illusion which obscures you from reality.

Yeah.

That's why you exit it in the hope you will see through it.

The thinking is you can't see it while you are in it.

Why not?

The bright lights.

You think it is reality.

The Hindus teach you to get out of it and then discover what it is all about.

Does that work?

I don't know; I'd have to go talk to a bunch of forest dwellers.

Do you think they know?

It's pure projection if I answer.

Okay, what about yourself?

I woke up in the carnival and didn't do anything rash.

I balanced my old life with my awakening.

I noticed a lot of people upon awakening end up in spiritual communities or make choices based on their awakening.

I didn't do that.

I remained in the carnival and mostly kept to myself.

It took a while and I had to do the spiritual work, but I reached the second awakening.

What's that?

You see it.

What?

The carnival.

It's an illusion.

Do you think a forest dweller sees it?

I think so.

So, that's a path towards the truth of reality.

Yes.

Wouldn't you teach that because it is a cleaner path and those on a spiritual trip would resonate with it.

There is something romantic about living in the woods if you are so inclined.

I think you see through the illusion on your deathbed.

I don't think you do before that event.

By then it is too late to explain it to anyone.

Why not?

You are mumbling incoherently as you make your exit.

Your knowledge of the game is dismissed as a hallucination caused by the shutdown of your major organs.

It's a failsafe.

A failsafe for what?

Keeping the carnival open and prosperous.

Why?

The carnival is the attraction.

If you shut it down, why would you incarnate?

I think it is to get away from everyone in the purely mental realms.

The attraction of physical incarnation is vast expanses of forest where you can be left alone.

That's the attraction.

What's the carnival then?

It's the funhouse.

We don't want to be alone.

So, we come here for solace and end up at the carnival?

No, I think deep down everyone wants to go to the carnival.

Why?

You can manifest your desires.

All those dirty and lustful thoughts in your head you can make come true.

You can have physical sex with other people.

Do you want that or do you want peace and quiet in the forest?

I think you want both.

Why choose?

Yes, so the way to accomplish that is to awaken the second time and see the carnival.

Don't become an impotent spiritual elder.

Stay virile.

Play the game while retreating to the forest, so you don't get lost in the game again.

Is this a new religion you are coming up with?

Yes, I think so.

What is it?

Paulism.

Nice.