Nietzschean Power Training
by Swami apasya
In 1870, Friedrich Nietzsche vounteered to serve as a medical orderly in the Franco-Prussian War and returned in ruined health. In spite of this, he wrote all his major works during the next 18 years.
Nietzsche wrote for hours at a time in often cold and damp rooming houses. Under similar conditions the average person would probably fall into despair. Nietzsche, however, was able to go beyond his pain into a state of heightened mental clarity.
Strength of the sort Nietazsche had is a function of the will. The will is like the proverbial seed buried within human nature waiting to sprout; but which too often lies dorman from lack of nurture.
What is needed is a daily regimen of care to make it develop. Such a regimen should be meditative to the soul, yet physically invigorating.
Nietzsche preferred to walk:
- “The sedentary life is the very sin against the Holy Spirit. Only thoughts reached by walking have value.”
