Hugi: He is groping after something, but proceeding incorrectly by holding the world responsible for...

Hugi: He is groping after something, but proceeding incorrectly by holding the world responsible for his own failings.

Corwin: No. He would not even grope to get out of the mud.

Hugi: I meant philosophically.

Corwin: Oh, that sort of mud. Too bad.

Hugi: The whole problem lies with the self, the ego, and its involvement with the world on the one hand and the Absolute on the other.

Corwin: Oh, is that so?

Hugi: Yes. You see, we are hatched and we drift on the surface of events. Sometimes, we feel that we actually influence things, and this gives rise to striving. This is a big mistake, because it creates desires and builds up a false ego when just being should be enough. That leads to more desires and more striving and there you are, trapped.

Corwin: In the mud?

Hugi: So to speak. One needs to fix one’s vision firmly on the Absolute and learn to ignore the mirages, the illusions, the fake sense of identity which sets one apart as a false island of consciousness.

Corwin: I had a fake identity once. It helped me a lot in becoming the absolute that I am now—me.

Hugi: No, that’s fake, too.

Corwin: Then the me that may exist tomorrow will thank me for it, as I do that other.

Hugi: You are missing the point. That you will be fake, too.

Corwin: Why?

Hugi: Because it will still be full of those desires and strivings that set you apart from the Absolute.

Corwin: What is wrong with that?

Hugi: You remain alone in a world of strangers, the world of phenomena.

Corwin: I like being alone. I am quite fond of myself. I like phenomena, too.

Hugi: Yet the Absolute will always be there, calling to you, causing unrest.

Corwin: Good, then there is no need to hurry. But yes, I see what you mean. It takes the form of ideals. Everyone has a few. If you are saying that I should pursue them, I agree with you.

Hugi: No, they are distortions of the Absolute, and what you are talking about is more striving.

Corwin: That is correct.

Hugi: I can see that you have a lot to unlearn.

Corwin: If you are talking about my vulgar instinct for survival, forget it.

#RogerZelazny #TheChroniclesOfAmber

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