Thou Art Sisyphus

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The struggle itself towards the heights
is enough to fill a man's heart.
One must imagine Sisyphus happy.

Albert Camus, The Myth of Sisyphus

As far as original and courageous thinkers go, I’m fond of Camus, but the more I think about it, the less I like this “imagine Sisyphus happy” business. The happiness of Sisyphus is the dull-eyed resignation of the subjugated herd-beast. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a boulder up a hill, only to have it roll back down every time he nears the top. Under those circumstances, I’d expect Sisyphus to be a little unhappy, perhaps even upset.

This reminds me of the Zen chop-wood/carry-water admonition to fully commit to the activity of the moment, however tedious and mundane. When washing dishes, just wash. When chewing cud, just chew. When pushing a boulder, just push. Find contentment in mediocrity, victory in abject failure. Don’t worry, be happy. Who do you think this admonition really comes from?

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"The realization that life is absurd cannot
be an end, but only a beginning."

Albert Camus
Albert Camus (1913–1960) was a French-Algerian philosopher, author, and journalist whose provocative works profoundly shaped 20th-century literature and thought. Camus is best known for developing the philosophy of the Absurd—the existential conflict between humanity’s innate desire for inherent meaning and the silent, cold indifference of the universe. Rather than falling into despair or turning to religious faith, Camus argued that individuals should embrace this absurdity with defiance, living passionately and authentically. He illustrated these ideas across a brilliant array of essays, plays, and novels, most notably The Stranger (1942), The Myth of Sisyphus (1942), and The Plague (1947).
 
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