7 Lessons From Heraclitus
By Garrett Davis
Heraclitus lived about 2500 years ago. Sometimes the greatest wisdom can found in the text of the ancient philosophers. Modern society may be great at building skyscrapers and inventing mobile gadgets that all of us geeks can incessantly check our email on, but when it comes to timeless aphorisms, Heraclitus is the man. I’ve taken the time to provide you with some of the wisdom that this great thinker inked over two millennia before your parents got the hots for each other. Enjoy.
The sun is new
again, all day.
The river
where you set
your foot just now
is gone –
those waters
giving way to this,
now this.
Interpretation:
Heraclitus writes much about fire and water. He was interested in these two things because they are ever changing, as is life in every passing moment. Just as a burning fire takes on a slightly new shape every time you glance at it, every new moment in time is new again, and ought to be appreciated for its novelty. We have been programmed for pattern recognition, which allows us to make sense of the world. However, the patterns that we recognize and categorize in our minds often lead us to forget that each new day is truly just that, a new day. In fact, every passing moment in time is just as new as a new day, or a new year, or a new decade. People often rely on major markers of time to set new goals, such as a new year. You don’t need a new year, a new month, or a new whatever to start something new. Start now. Now is a brand new moment in time! Whatever hurt you in the past was, well, in the past. Treat your past afflictions the way they deserve to be treated, like yesterday’s news. People hold on all too tightly to the pain that their past has caused them. Instead, practice letting go, and celebrate each new day that comes your way. Be like the fire, the river. New, and new again.
The Word proves
those first hearing it
as numb to understanding
as the ones who have not heard.
Yet all things follow from the word.
Heraclitus writes much about fire and water. He was interested in these two things because they are ever changing, as is life in every passing moment. Just as a burning fire takes on a slightly new shape every time you glance at it, every new moment in time is new again, and ought to be appreciated for its novelty. We have been programmed for pattern recognition, which allows us to make sense of the world. However, the patterns that we recognize and categorize in our minds often lead us to forget that each new day is truly just that, a new day. In fact, every passing moment in time is just as new as a new day, or a new year, or a new decade. People often rely on major markers of time to set new goals, such as a new year. You don’t need a new year, a new month, or a new whatever to start something new. Start now. Now is a brand new moment in time! Whatever hurt you in the past was, well, in the past. Treat your past afflictions the way they deserve to be treated, like yesterday’s news. People hold on all too tightly to the pain that their past has caused them. Instead, practice letting go, and celebrate each new day that comes your way. Be like the fire, the river. New, and new again.
The Word proves
those first hearing it
as numb to understanding
as the ones who have not heard.
Yet all things follow from the word.
Interpretation:
Enlightenment is a journey. It's typically not something that happens in an instant. If you truly want to understand the essence of life, devotion to such an understanding is what is required. Be curious, study, listen and learn. Every time you are attentive, quiet, curious, and mindful, you gain a fuller and richer understanding of the source of things. As Wayne Dyer teaches us, particles themselves do not produce more particles. There must exist something working on a deeper level than that which we can readily observe that creates new ideas, circumstances and events. This something is referred to by Heraclitus as the word.
Those unmindful when they hear,
for all they make of their intelligence,
may be regarded as the walking dead.
People dull their wits with gibberish,
and cannot use their ears and eyes.
Enlightenment is a journey. It's typically not something that happens in an instant. If you truly want to understand the essence of life, devotion to such an understanding is what is required. Be curious, study, listen and learn. Every time you are attentive, quiet, curious, and mindful, you gain a fuller and richer understanding of the source of things. As Wayne Dyer teaches us, particles themselves do not produce more particles. There must exist something working on a deeper level than that which we can readily observe that creates new ideas, circumstances and events. This something is referred to by Heraclitus as the word.
Those unmindful when they hear,
for all they make of their intelligence,
may be regarded as the walking dead.
People dull their wits with gibberish,
and cannot use their ears and eyes.
Interpretation:
Speak less and listen more. Study, learn, and be quiet. Wasting energy on gossip, blabber, and unmindful speech is not the way to enlightenment. Furthermore, realize that your beliefs are simply the byproducts of what you have repeatedly exposed your attention to. There are many different belief systems that have many different and valuable virtues. If you are an ardent adherent to any one mode of belief and refuse to let the views, opinions and interpretations of others in, you are only dulling your wits, not fostering wisdom.
Heraclitus went on to say that:
The poet was a fool
who wanted no conflict
among us.
harmony needs
low and high,
as progeny needs
man and woman.
Interpretation:
Differing worldviews are what make this life an interesting one to live. If everyone was the same, we would all be bored to death. When someone takes on a different opinion than you, they are granting you with an opportunity to observe and appreciate the very facet of life that makes life itself worth living. Everyday is new, and every person is different. Respect is what is called for.
Whoever cannot seek
the unforeseen sees nothing,
for the known way
is an impasse.
The eye, the ear,
the mind in action,
these I value.
Speak less and listen more. Study, learn, and be quiet. Wasting energy on gossip, blabber, and unmindful speech is not the way to enlightenment. Furthermore, realize that your beliefs are simply the byproducts of what you have repeatedly exposed your attention to. There are many different belief systems that have many different and valuable virtues. If you are an ardent adherent to any one mode of belief and refuse to let the views, opinions and interpretations of others in, you are only dulling your wits, not fostering wisdom.
Heraclitus went on to say that:
The poet was a fool
who wanted no conflict
among us.
harmony needs
low and high,
as progeny needs
man and woman.
Interpretation:
Differing worldviews are what make this life an interesting one to live. If everyone was the same, we would all be bored to death. When someone takes on a different opinion than you, they are granting you with an opportunity to observe and appreciate the very facet of life that makes life itself worth living. Everyday is new, and every person is different. Respect is what is called for.
Whoever cannot seek
the unforeseen sees nothing,
for the known way
is an impasse.
The eye, the ear,
the mind in action,
these I value.
Interpretation:
Innovation is the way to prosperity. Forward thinking is what is required if true progression is what is desired. If you are a business owner, or an aspiring entrepreneur, or someone looking to advance in your career, learn to think in such a way as to facilitate progression. Think to yourself: How can I offer more value? Listen to people, watch and observe, and practice mindfulness. Notice that there are lots of people doing much of the same. How can you take a different approach and offer a new service, product, or a new way of doing things that will be of benefit to others? By taking the known path, you take the easy way out. Instead, focus on innovation. Be a leader, not a follower. If you can do this, abundance and prosperity will follow. Remember, when you help others get what they want, you will in turn get more of what you want.
Men dig tons of earth
to find an ounce of gold.
Innovation is the way to prosperity. Forward thinking is what is required if true progression is what is desired. If you are a business owner, or an aspiring entrepreneur, or someone looking to advance in your career, learn to think in such a way as to facilitate progression. Think to yourself: How can I offer more value? Listen to people, watch and observe, and practice mindfulness. Notice that there are lots of people doing much of the same. How can you take a different approach and offer a new service, product, or a new way of doing things that will be of benefit to others? By taking the known path, you take the easy way out. Instead, focus on innovation. Be a leader, not a follower. If you can do this, abundance and prosperity will follow. Remember, when you help others get what they want, you will in turn get more of what you want.
Men dig tons of earth
to find an ounce of gold.
Interpretation:
Things that are worth having are things that are worth working for. Oftentimes, the path that leads to the greatest reward is the path that is at first hidden. What is it that you are inspired to do in your life? This inspiration may not be obvious at first, or easily understandable by others. The gold that will be your dream’s attainment very well may be hidden, but digging tons of earth to get to it will be well worth the effort in the end. This may mean going back to school, starting your own business, or manufacturing and marketing an idea for an invention that you’ve had. None of these endeavors are necessarily the easiest paths to take, but that is because they contain the greatest reward in the end.
The mind, to think of the accord
that strains against itself,
needs strength, as does the arm
to string the bow or lyre.
Things that are worth having are things that are worth working for. Oftentimes, the path that leads to the greatest reward is the path that is at first hidden. What is it that you are inspired to do in your life? This inspiration may not be obvious at first, or easily understandable by others. The gold that will be your dream’s attainment very well may be hidden, but digging tons of earth to get to it will be well worth the effort in the end. This may mean going back to school, starting your own business, or manufacturing and marketing an idea for an invention that you’ve had. None of these endeavors are necessarily the easiest paths to take, but that is because they contain the greatest reward in the end.
The mind, to think of the accord
that strains against itself,
needs strength, as does the arm
to string the bow or lyre.
Interpretation:
When your mind is straining against itself, you are allowing yourself to think harmful thoughts. Negative thinking leads to depression and low self-esteem. Depression and low self-esteem deteriorate your consciousness. Practicing mindfulness means monitoring the continuous thoughts that race through your mind. Recognize the thoughts that are harmful to you and replace them with beneficial thoughts. Thinking in this way takes practice and persistence. Your mind needs strength in order to do this effectively. You will gain this mental strength as you exercise mindfulness, just as one gains muscle strength from working out.
When your mind is straining against itself, you are allowing yourself to think harmful thoughts. Negative thinking leads to depression and low self-esteem. Depression and low self-esteem deteriorate your consciousness. Practicing mindfulness means monitoring the continuous thoughts that race through your mind. Recognize the thoughts that are harmful to you and replace them with beneficial thoughts. Thinking in this way takes practice and persistence. Your mind needs strength in order to do this effectively. You will gain this mental strength as you exercise mindfulness, just as one gains muscle strength from working out.
