☀️ Arselia and Akonia

"Wow! She's really getting into it!" the girl said, looking around at the gathered people, making sure they were listening attentively to their friend, Kalina.

"Have you ever wondered where the mental anguish in a person's life comes from? There is a universal answer to this question: it comes from the mismatch between our desires and reality. We want more money to afford this and that – a bigger house, more food, more luxurious clothes, but we don't have them, so, lacking the ability to acquire them, there is no other option but to suffer. We want to be healthy, to run and jump like other people, but we can't. A loved one has died, but we want them to be alive. There are countless examples, and each will be confirmed by this simple axiom."

"That's the kind of generalization she decided to make. It's hard to judge, but perhaps, usually it's like that? If I happen to feel sad, it's because I couldn't do something? I think that trying to delve into one's own soul and look for the reason why she is sad at this very moment means falling into a meaningless cycle of amplifying negative feelings, and I don't see any benefit in it, so I never do that. In the end, there is a great risk of getting involved in another pseudo-philosophical problem, studying unnecessary and impractical concepts. But okay, I digress.)"

Many will immediately think of the idea of giving up their desires and thereby, if not eliminating, at least minimizing mental suffering, but this is a dead end – firstly, few people are capable of it, and secondly, without fulfilling desires, there will be no joy in life.

"You're right, desires are the engine of progress," a thoughtful nod.

In order to maintain composure in such conditions, one must possess a very specific mindset.

"I'm lucky."

Therefore, the answer lies not only within us but also outside – systematic changes are needed that change the paradigm of our society as a whole.

"Hmm... Maybe?"

If you don't believe that you are unhappy, just look in the mirror – will you see the face of a joyful person in its reflection?

She looks around, wondering if they are all filled with joy. Kalina's words seemed to have nothing to do with the current situation of uncertainty; they were... an attempt to describe the average picture? And is it really so bad that most of the listeners will find themselves unhappy, living in such a wonderful world, in comfort and safety? This really seems like a mental problem.

The difference between, say, Kriedar and Margel lies in the so-called "development" of civilization, science, and magic. A loved one has died? No problem – we will resurrect him as an undead or by sacrificing a crowd of innocents. We want more power and money – we will invent hypnosis, whether magical or medical, it doesn't matter. We don't want to die – we will live forever as the same undead or some kind of demon with a third eye on our forehead.

"There are people with a very one-sided mind who are unable to see the other side of the problem, yes. Fortunately, they are in the minority. Although it is true that this minority is very capable of causing a lot of trouble due to its stubbornness or lack of control."

However, even though I said that systematic changes are needed to solve the problem at the root, we should still start with ourselves, gradually giving up "benefits" or, more precisely, the evils of civilization, spending more time in nature, and building strong relationships with like-minded people, because it is very difficult to preserve the light of our souls alone, especially in such dark times. What is truly important is hidden not in the material, remember that.

"No, the material is no less important than the spiritual. If it were the other way around, if the existence of the spirit were much more important than matter, then it would be more logical to give up matter along with the body and kill oneself, because the "soul" would still remain. Well... Probably? Given my modest experience, it shouldn't completely disappear. But in reality, I'm not going to give up the material until it is taken away from me, because it is important to me. When it is taken away, however, I will not be upset, because this is a normal state of affairs." In general, there is criticism, but there are also good thoughts. Erephir thought that yes, some people might be inspired by this and find peace of mind in these troubled times for most. Kalina is doing a good job; she will work a little, Carneol will work a little, and someone else will work a little – and maybe the country won't fall apart. That's how it should be, with small but frequent steps.