The last thing Nietzche did before going completely insane was to stop some people in the street who were beating a horse. I once saw a painting of this incident...in the scene Nietzche is in a long white nightgown, and he has his arms around the horse's neck, and he is both hugging and protecting the horse. In the same way we need to protect ourselves from the cruelty of existence. We do this through various ways...not so productively with addictions, and more productively with family, friendships, work, and special interests. When all these fail and there is a tear in the curtain, one just waits. The tears repair themselves. It is best to view philosophy as a game, and not the only way to truth. As for consciousness and reality, I don't agree with any philosophy that promotes solipcism. That is, that reality does not exist once we close our eyes. I don't believe this. I believe that there is an absolute reality...but I cannot go much further beyond asserting that it exists as I have no proof. God consciousness is beautifully illustrated in art, music, and works of literature, and I can appreciate the beauty of these expressions while not fully adhering to any one doctrine. In the end, actions in life should be based on good faith. This should bring some peace of mind and solace in the face of the abyss.

If anyone has been the victim of actions based on bad faith...the difference between good faith and bad faith is easily discerned. Betrayal, lies, deceit, and abuse are acts of bad faith. In this way, how to live is simple. Choose the good.

There is a simple parable about how to live. It is said to have originated in Buddhism, but it has been retold many times in many different cultures. Even the Russian author of War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy, wrote his version. In the story a man is chased by a tiger and the man climbs over a cliff. He manages to hang on by a tiny branch. A black mouse and a white mouse are gnawing through the branch. He cannot climb back up because the tiger is waiting with mouth open. He cannot chase the mice away because he is hanging onto the branch with both hands. He sees one bright berry glistening from the branch. He leans over and plucks the berry off the branch with his teeth and it falls into his mouth. When he bites down the berry explodes in his mouth with juicy sweetness. The man smiles.

For me, the berry on the branch is a my morning cup of coffee. It comforts me, and somehow reassures me.

When there is a tear in the curtain, I wait. So far, the tears mend themselves, almost miraculously. But one day there will be a tear that does not mend itself. That is madness or death. I don't know if our soul or consciousness flies onto a new existence, or God consciousness, of we simply turn into stardust. I do believe that whatever happens, we are a part of a whole. Enlightenment is not merely a loss of singular consciousness, but rather, a larger more encompassing and wise awareness.

I find it very comforting to imagine Nietzche, on the brink of madness, standing in the street in his nightgown, saving an old horse from cruelty. More than his words -- this act of good faith says everything about what it means to be human, and to act humanely. Do life one day, one hour, one minute at a time, and try to do no harm. Enjoy what is simple and evident. Extend kindness and compassion.