Unhealthy Wellness

Among the many sick traits of our society is that of wellness.

Everyone's world depends on the eyes through which they look at it. People today, even when they call themselves holistic, are in reality not so, and do not understand holism.

A person who sees the Whole as unfragmented does not let themselves be caught by today's materialistic idea of wellness. They understand that wellbeing depends on many spiritual components, whereas the ignorant person sees only a body.

Whoever sees only a body fixates on diets, numbers and quantities. They become a perfect cash cow for the wellness market and begin to think about what to do and what not to do.

Authentic wellbeing depends far more on the sense of fulfilment that permeates existence: Eudaimonia.

If drinking alcohol becomes a moment of conviviality, or of genuine, contemplative personal pleasure, it is good for the spirit.

Risking your physical integrity, hurting your body to follow an ideal you believe in, is good for the spirit.

Sacrificing yourself, your own interests and your body's “wellbeing” for the woman you love is good for the spirit.

Going without sleep, eating junk food, pushing beyond the extreme — Askesis — to see through a commitment you have made is good for the spirit.

Staying motionless, despite the pain, so as not to lose the fleeting contemplative instant, is good for the spirit.

Whoever does not understand this stays at home preserving themselves for the grave, counting calories, not drinking alcohol, not smoking, not taking risks, in order to live longer without realising they are already dead.

As for us, we look down into the abyss from above, letting the vertigo seize us.

m.m.

*photo by Emanuela Boriotti