Chapter 1: The Blue Zones Phenomenon

A friend from the Post-Ego group in Duluth suggested I check out "The Blue Zones Challenge," a fascinating exploration of the diets and lifestyles of centenarians. The book highlights five regions—Okinawa, Ikaria, Sardinia, the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica, and Loma Linda, California—where an impressive number of people reach the age of one hundred.

The main takeaway is simple: prioritize beans and greens in your diet, engage in natural physical activities like walking, and nurture a strong sense of community and purpose. I've embraced this lifestyle and feel fantastic.

Yet, there's a troubling aspect of this "longevity obsession" that I can't shake off. While I support a healthy lifestyle, the underlying assumption that we can somehow prevent death is deeply unsettling.

Section 1.1: The Illusion of Control

Life is inherently challenging. None of us chose to be born into this world, where we were led to believe in a meritocracy that rewards hard work and honesty. However, this notion often proves false, as many dishonest individuals seem to thrive in our society.

What’s worse, we are conditioned to think that our deaths are somehow our own fault. When we hear of someone passing away from a heart attack, we instinctively ask, “Did they smoke? Were they overweight?” If it’s due to COVID, we question their vaccination status.

This tendency to blame the deceased reflects a disturbing aspect of our ego-driven society—what happened to respecting the dead? The belief that death is a personal failing stems from the Horatio Alger myth, where the ultimate failure is death itself.

Subsection 1.1.1: The Viking Perspective

Drawing from my recent viewing of the "Vikings" series, it became clear that the Vikings faced death without fear, believing it was predetermined by the gods. Similarly, many religions, including Christianity, convey that God decides when we depart this world. Eastern philosophies often attribute life's events to karma, emphasizing a sense of limited agency regarding life and death.

This perspective alleviates some of the guilt associated with our mortality. Death is daunting enough without the added burden of believing it could have been avoided with "better choices."

Chapter 2: The Shared Human Experience

In the post-ego movement, we emphasize our common humanity, acknowledging that we all share the same fate, regardless of wealth. Some billionaires may seek to conquer death through technology, but this ambition is misguided.

The quest for immortality is a form of hubris. Being human means accepting our mortality; it defines our existence.

Video Title: FRONTLINE | The Vaccine War | PBS - YouTube

The Seventh-Day Adventists of Loma Linda, a part of the Blue Zones, exemplify how faith-based communities contribute to longevity. Other groups, from the Okinawans to Greeks and Italians, also find strength in their shared beliefs.

What if you lack faith? You can still find a community. The post-ego movement fosters a collective belief in our shared humanity, celebrating love, sustainability, and the joy of life together.

While it’s too soon to tell, I suspect that members of the post-ego community may experience longevity. However, the focus should be on enjoying life in the present rather than fixating on a distant centenarian future.

Let go of the fantasy of immortality. It clouds our perception and prevents us from recognizing reality. Longevity should not be our goal; instead, we should live passionately and joyfully in the moment.

Indulging in life, even enjoying a burger with fries, is perfectly acceptable. It’s not a personal failure if you face health issues or die unexpectedly; it’s a natural part of existence.

Embrace your mortality and foster connections with one another. While you cannot prevent death, you can choose to overcome feelings of isolation.

Join the post-ego movement today and celebrate the beauty of shared humanity!