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Introduction
The eternal return – this is deep; very deep. Deep and thought provoking. I first encountered this idea when I was 16 and had not long left school. I was doing an apprenticeship and had to attend college on a day release scheme.
Back in the 1970s, it was thought to be beneficial to give those studying various trades a brief encounter with various cultural ideas. So, for the first hour of our day release we all took what was then called liberal studies.
Almost without exception, my fellow apprentices loathed this attempt to educate us. I was the exception.
The person who took the class was probably in his early fifties. He was a little world weary and clearly a frustrated academic.
Rightly or wrongly, I assumed that he’d started out with ambitions of running seminars with some of the finest student minds in one of our country’s finest universities. Instead, he was force feeding philosophical ideas to a group of apprentices on hunger strike.
With me, however, some of the stuff he came out with resonated deeply. On one occasion he came out with this interesting thought experiment.
“How many of you would like to live again? And again? And again?” He asked us.
“But here’s the thing,” he continued, “it would be the same life, this life, the life you are living now lived over and over again.”
Most of my group wondered what on earth he was going on about. I reacted very differently. I thought to myself “If I knew my life would be repeated, over and over again, how will I live the rest of my life?”
So, it turns out that the thought experiment I was exposed to was one suggested by Friedrich Nietzsche. He asked how you would feel if a demon told you that you would have to continually relive your life for eternity?
Would you be elated? Dejected? How would you feel about the life you have lived so far and the life you are yet to live?
Friedrich Nietzsche was 19th-century German philosopher. He introduced the idea of the eternal return—the notion that the universe and all events within it are recurring infinitely across time and space.
To be clear, Nietzsche wasn’t the first to talk about the eternal return. You’ll find similar themes in ancient Greek philosophy, Hinduism and Buddhism amongst many other sources.
As you age, this concept might resonate more profoundly, suggesting that ageing isn’t just about moving forward but also about returning to the essence of who you’ve always been.
In this post, we’ll look at how ageing brings Nietzsche’s idea of the eternal return into sharp focus. We’ll explore how growing older is not merely a passage of time but a journey back to your true self, revealing the cyclical nature of life and the wisdom that comes with it.
Understanding Nietzsche’s Concept of the Eternal Return
A Brief Biography of Nietzsche
To appreciate the eternal return, it’s helpful to know a bit about the man behind the idea. Friedrich Nietzsche was born in 1844 in Röcken, Germany. A classical philologist turned philosopher, his work has significantly influenced modern thought, challenging traditional notions of morality, religion, and the self.
Nietzsche’s writings, including notable works like Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Beyond Good and Evil, and The Gay Science, explore complex themes such as the will to power, the death of God, and, of course, the eternal return. His provocative ideas encouraged individuals to question societal norms and to live authentically.
Explaining the Eternal Return
So, what exactly is the eternal return? At its core, it’s the hypothesis that the universe and all events within it are not linear but cyclical—they repeat themselves infinitely.
Try, if you can, to think of every moment of your life recurring over and over, not just metaphorically but in an actual cosmic repetition.
Nietzsche introduced this concept as more than a metaphysical proposition; it was a thought experiment designed to make you evaluate your life.
If you knew that you would have to live your exact life repeatedly for eternity, would you embrace it joyfully, or would you be filled with regret?
Implications of the Eternal Return
The idea of the eternal return serves as a profound ethical test. It challenges you to live in such a way that you’d be willing to relive your life innumerable times.
It’s an invitation to embrace every moment—the joys, the sorrows, the mundane—with acceptance and affirmation. This perspective encourages you to make choices that align with your true self, knowing that these choices echo throughout eternity.
The Cycles of Life and Patterns in Ageing
Observations on Life’s Repetitive Nature
As you go through life, you might notice that certain themes and experiences recur. Perhaps you’ve encountered similar challenges in different jobs, or you’ve found yourself in relationships that echo past dynamics.
So, let’s take a fictional perfectionist whom we’ll call Dan. Dan has always been a perfectionist and it has sometimes caused a few challenges, usually around completing tasks.
He was a perfectionist at school – rarely finishing homework. He was a perfectionist at university. Course work was a nightmare for him and his tutors. His perfectionism didn’t always help his romantic aspirations. And as a parent – well don’t ask his kids if you don’t have a short vacation’s amount of time to listen.
These patterns aren’t merely coincidental; they reflect the cyclical nature of existence that Nietzsche spoke of in the eternal return.
Psychological Perspectives
From a psychological standpoint, ageing alters your perception of time and patterns. In youth, life often feels linear—a series of milestones to achieve. But as you age, you begin to see the patterns that run through your experiences.
You might experience déjà vu or a strong sense of familiarity with new situations, highlighting how past and present mix.
This heightened awareness can lead to nostalgia, but it can also provide valuable insights into your behaviours and choices. Recognising these patterns allows you to understand yourself better and to see how the eternal return manifests in your own life.
Examples of Recurring Life Themes
Consider the phases of personal relationships. You might notice that you gravitate towards similar types of people or that certain conflicts keep arising.
Professionally, perhaps you find yourself repeatedly drawn to roles that challenge you in the same ways or that you encounter familiar obstacles regardless of the setting.
Even on a broader scale, societal and cultural trends often cycle back. Fashion revivals, political movements, and philosophical ideas tend to resurface over time, reinforcing the notion of life’s cyclical patterns inherent in the eternal return.
Ageing Making the Eternal Return More Tangible
Personal Experiences Reinforcing Nietzsche’s Philosophy
As you accumulate life experiences, the concept of the eternal return becomes more tangible. You might reflect on how certain life lessons keep presenting themselves until you’ve truly understood them. This repetition isn’t just theoretical; it’s a lived reality that reinforces Nietzsche’s philosophy.
For instance, perhaps you’ve noticed that every few years, you reassess your priorities, much like turning the pages of the same book but understanding the story differently each time. These recurring introspections align with the idea of returning to your essence.
The Role of Memory and Reflection
Memory plays a crucial role in perceiving the eternal return. As you age, your reservoir of memories grows, providing a rich reserve to reflect upon.
This reflection allows you to see patterns and connections that weren’t apparent before.
By revisiting past experiences with the wisdom you’ve gained, you can find new meanings and appreciate how each moment has shaped you. This process of reflection is itself a cycle, one that deepens your understanding of the eternal return in your life.
Connecting Theory to Reality
Bridging Nietzsche’s abstract concept with your personal experiences makes the eternal return more than just a philosophical idea—it becomes a practical framework for understanding the life you have lived.
Recognising these cycles empowers you to make conscious choices, to break unwanted patterns, and to embrace the ones that enrich your life.
Returning to Our Essence Through Ageing
The Journey Back to Self
Ageing often involves peeling back the layers of societal expectations, roles, and responsibilities that you’ve accumulated over the years. It’s a journey inward, returning to the core of who you are—the values, passions, and desires that define you.
This return to self is a central theme in the eternal return. As life cycles through its phases, you’re given opportunities to reconnect with your essence. It’s about rediscovering what truly matters to you and aligning your life accordingly.
Authenticity in Later Life
With age comes a certain liberation. You might find that you’re less concerned with external validation and more focused on living authentically.
This shift allows you to express yourself more freely, to pursue interests that you might have set aside, and to live in a way that feels true to who you are.
Embracing authenticity is a way of honouring the eternal return. By being true to yourself, you’re ensuring that the life you might live over and over is one of genuine fulfilment.
Examples and Anecdotes
Consider stories of individuals who, later in life, embark on new careers, take up long-forgotten hobbies, or make significant life changes. Perhaps you’ve heard of someone who retires from a corporate job to open an art studio or a grandparent who finally travels the world.
These examples illustrate the return to one’s essence. They’re manifestations of the eternal return, where individuals reconnect with their true selves, often finding joy and satisfaction in ways they hadn’t before.
Implications for Personal Growth and Acceptance
Embracing Life’s Cycles
Recognising the cyclical nature of life allows you to embrace the eternal return positively. Instead of viewing recurring challenges as setbacks, you can see them as opportunities for growth.
Each cycle presents a chance to learn, to deepen your understanding, and to make choices that reflect your evolving self.
By accepting these cycles, you reduce resistance to change and become more adaptable. This acceptance fosters resilience and can lead to greater inner peace.
Applying Nietzsche’s Insights
Nietzsche’s concept of the eternal return isn’t just philosophical musing; it’s a practical tool for self-improvement. By contemplating how you’d feel about reliving your life infinitely, you can assess whether you’re living authentically.
Ask yourself: Are you making choices that align with your true values? If you were to live this moment endlessly, would you be content? This reflection can motivate you to make changes that lead to a more fulfilling life.
Encouraging Reflection
Taking time to reflect on your life’s patterns is invaluable. You might journal your experiences, meditate on recurring themes, or discuss them with trusted friends or mentors. This introspection helps you understand how the eternal return plays out in your life and how you can navigate it consciously.
Conclusion
As we’ve explored, ageing brings Nietzsche’s concept of the eternal return into sharp relief. Life isn’t just a straight line from birth to death; it’s a series of cycles that loop back, offering new perspectives on old experiences.
By recognising and embracing these cycles, perhaps you can return to the essence of who you are. Ageing becomes not just a passage of time but a movement toward reconnecting you with your true self.
The eternal return invites you to live deliberately, to make choices that you’d be happy to revisit endlessly. It’s a call to authenticity, encouraging you to find joy and purpose in the cyclical nature of existence.
As always, leave a comment if this has resonated with you.