Some thoughts on meaning, human nature, and the initial difficulties of learning TTATT.
It's not just the fear of the wild, the untamed, or the untraversed regions of the mind that drives JWs to seek shelter in the dim and dark citadels of their ignorance - seemingly protected from the insoluble mysteries of their universe. But it's also the fact that the winds of reality can, at times, be cold and harsh and can rain storm and thunder upon everything they thought they knew. So the JWs take refuge behind their unenlightened walls where they feel safe from the uncertain, protected from the unknown, and oblivious to that terrifying chasm that stands between existence . . . and meaning.
It's truly unfortunate that the abyss is something most minds cannot easily comprehend. Because no two people can use the same bridge to get across. The connection between existence and meaning can only ever be built by its wayfarer. And, far too often, JWs surrender their identity - their life's meaning - to conformity. All the while seeking inspiration in the white noise of their ancient book, new age beliefs, or in the comfort of ceremonial rites (baptism), religious customs (service), and the long preformed sacraments of ancient communions (memorial). But the pathway out of darkness is not in the catacombs of ignorance. Rather, meaning is found high up in the foothills and in the mountains of knowledge. And, while no one knows if these peaks can ever be conquered, it is none the less true that the higher up you climb - the further out you can see. And the further out you can see, the more likely you are to lay eyes upon your prize.
There are plenty of things worth believing in. And there are almost an infinite amount of causes and worthwhile pursuits. But the religious and the supernatural are not among them. The narrative - the story telling of our lives - must be ours and ours alone. Meaning is not something that can be prescribed, or gifted or handed out. Rather, meaning is a pursuit, a lifelong pilgrimage, into the unknown. It's the aspiration to be more than what we are. It's the ability to imagine and to comprehend and, sometimes, to even do dare to do what was once thought impossible.
Just because we've collapsed the cage doesn't mean we've escaped the cage. Just because we've realized our beliefs were false doesn't mean that we're not still trapped by the same bad reasoning that got us there in the first place. No one can walk our path for us.
We are the custodian of life's meaning. And if we crave some cosmic purpose then we had better find ourselves a worthy goal.
-Carl Sagan