The Illogical Things that Continue to Happen

I was a fan of Dave Chappelle and followed the news closely when he abandon a 50-million dollar deal at the height of his career and went to Africa. I also watched his follow up interview with James Lipton where he hinted at the sickness that is plaguing the show business. [1] What Dave did seemed so illogical to so many people that they could only surmise that he's an addict or was "crazy", but at the same time, a lot of us get it. There's something sick about the modern hustle culture that sometimes no amount of money can compel you to stay.

As I was growing up, I realize this happens all the time. Several people I personally know (including myself) quit their jobs with no alternative jobs lined up. Some people move to countries that are considered "third world" and they are happier than ever. There are always voices of judgment from the ... corporate-inclined, so to speak, calling these moves illogical.

Now as I rediscover the life and career of the Buddhadasa the same kind of observation arises: why do retreatants from the west in the 70s and 80s, who enjoy technological abundance compared to Thailand, renounce their material life and fly to Thailand to listen to a forest-dwelling monk talk about meditation and the mind? [2]

You can't touch it. You can't see it. You can't taste it. But time and time again people have weighed spiritual wellness above material possessions and money. Perhaps it is time to stop and ask why these "illogical" moves keep happening, and whether they are illogical at all?

If you tune into the media, almost every advertisement or promoted content is glorifying material, sensuality, and fame. You walk into a mall, and the objects are being sold and advertised mostly satisfy momentary desires.

Yet, if you look hard enough, there are always people who are sick of the noise and instead gravitate towards calm and meditative experiences. More and more people seek out meaningful and minimalistic lifestyles. More and more people are more conscious about what they purchase to make sure it serves the right purpose. I think this serves as evidence that we cannot be easily fooled. Despite the flood of sensory stimulation, some of us do not buy it. Eventually, we see through the illusions and realize what is truly important.

These illogical moves are in fact the most logical of all.

[1] Dave Chappelle: Inside the Actors Studio. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBq_SlX4Ht4
[2] https://www.suanmokkh.org/retreat_talks