Living Beyond the "Everyday"
A Heideggerian View on Life and Buddhism
In our fast-paced, routine-driven world, it’s easy to forget to pause and truly reflect on our existence. We wake up, go to work, meet friends, eat, sleep—and repeat. Heidegger, a German philosopher, calls this state of being everydayness. In his seminal work Being and Time, he highlights how we often get lost in the rush of everyday activities, performing tasks without being truly present or aware of our deeper existence. This leads us to a life where we are not fully engaged with ourselves but merely follow the routines set by others. Heidegger introduces another concept that deepens this sense of inauthentic living: the "they" (das Man).
The "They" and Living Authentically
The "they" refers to the collective norms, expectations, and pressures that shape our lives without us fully realizing it. It’s the voice of society telling us how to live, what to value, and even who to be. Heidegger argues that when we conform to the "they," we lose touch with our authentic selves. We act based on external expectations rather than our own understanding and desires.
This resonates deeply with Buddhist teachings, particularly those surrounding dukkha (suffering) and samsara (the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth). In Buddhism, dukkha arises not just from pain but also from the way we cling to routine, distraction, and societal pressures. The "they" represents a form of samsara—a cycle of conditioning that keeps us locked in patterns of thought and behavior, never truly examining the nature of our existence.
The Buddhist Parallel: Mindfulness and Awakening
In Buddhism, the path to freedom from samsara involves awakening from this cycle of conditioned existence through mindfulness and awareness. Just as Heidegger urges us to break free from the influence of the "they," Buddhism asks us to move beyond automatic, unconscious living. The practice of mindfulness encourages us to become aware of our thoughts, feelings, and actions in each moment, breaking free from routine and societal expectations. By doing so, we can discover our true nature, which is not shaped by external forces.
Take, for example, the concept of right view in the Eightfold Path, which is similar to Heidegger’s call for authenticity. In Buddhism, right view invites us to see the world as it truly is—impermanent, interconnected, and free from the self-centered illusions that society often promotes. By embracing this view, we begin to understand that our attachment to routine, to the "they," is a source of suffering. Only through deep mindfulness can we break free from this automatic existence and start living authentically.
Reading to Deepen the Connection
If you’re interested in exploring these concepts further, here are a few readings that delve into Heidegger’s philosophy and its connection to Buddhist thought:
Heidegger’s Being and Time – A fundamental text that explores the idea of everydayness and they in relation to authentic existence.
Thich Nhat Hanh’s The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching – This book offers a practical guide to Buddhist teachings, particularly mindfulness, and how to break free from the cycle of samsara.
Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now – A modern interpretation of mindfulness and being present, echoing many ideas found in both Heidegger’s philosophy and Buddhist teachings.
Dalai Lama’s The Art of Happiness – Offers insight into how to live authentically through Buddhist practices, such as mindfulness, that are aligned with Heidegger’s challenge to move beyond everydayness and the influence of the "they."
By integrating the wisdom of Heidegger with Buddhist principles, we can begin to move beyond the shallow patterns of everyday life and rediscover the deeper meaning of our existence. It’s about stepping out of the "they" and into a life of authenticity, mindfulness, and true awareness.