Aztec philosophy argues that happiness should not be the ultimate life goal; instead, true fulfillment comes from being rooted in relationships and values. Unlike stoicism or Buddhism focusing on internal reflection, the Aztecs stress the importance of our external environment. They challenge the idea of seeking invulnerability, asserting that the most meaningful aspects of life come with vulnerabilities, noting that love and integrity, for instance, make life unpredictable and fragile. Thus, their teachings provide ten lessons on grounding oneself in reality rather than ephemeral happiness.
Happiness, when it’s not some complicated idea that’s drifted from our ordinary meaning, is fleeting and tends to be followed by its opposite: pain or at least fatigue.
What you truly want is something richer, and they likened it to rootedness: being firmly grounded in your body, mind, society and nature.
The best things in life, such as love, integrity and justice, also expose you to pain.
The Aztecs took a more realistic approach. Happiness isn’t a suitable goal in life, though it at first looks plausible.
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