Hey Collective Crew, Shaun here. What in your life is worth dying for? And more importantly, what is worth living for? This week on The Collective, we tackled one of history’s most profound questions with our episode, “To Be or Not To Be.” Joined by former U.S. Army soldier and social worker Clay Surratt, Chance and I stepped into the philosophical arena sparked by Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The conversation moved quickly beyond the stage play to explore the core of human existence: the burden and beauty of choice, the true meaning of sacrifice, and the relentless, internal hunt for purpose in a world full of distractions.
This Week’s Philosopher-Warrior:
– Clay Surratt: Former U.S. Army soldier, martial arts instructor, and social worker, bringing a grounded, thoughtful perspective to life’s biggest questions.
Key Insights from Our “To Be or Not To Be” Discussion:
1. The Universal Binary Choice
Shakespeare’s famous line, “To be, or not to be,” presents a binary choice. While it has been interpreted in countless ways across the world’s acting stages – to live deliberately or to drift passively, considering life versus suicide, facing the existential dread of what’s it all about – across the centuries countless actors have portrayed the scene in countless ways, its power lies in its universality. It speaks to the fundamental human condition of having to choose: to act or to suffer, to engage or to withdraw, to live or to merely exist. Every day, we answer the question, consciously or not.
2. The Human Burden of Choice
Clay introduced the concept of “Timshol” from Steinbeck’s East of Eden, which means “thou mayest” or “to choose.” He argued that this ability to choose is what defines us, but it is also a great burden. Using a leopard as the contrasting example, it simply is a hunter. Humans, however, without a deep understanding of their central nature must constantly wrestle with what they should be, and many fail to live up to their own primal core.
3. Sacrifice is a Sacred Act, Not a Negative
We had a deep discussion on the word “sacrifice.” I pushed back against its casual, modern use, where giving up Netflix is referenced as a sacrifice. Chance offered its Latin root: sacra (sacred rites) and facere (to do). Therefore, a true sacrifice is “to do something sacred.” It is not a loss, but an offering of one’s time or energy in service of a higher, sacred purpose.
4. Purpose is Forged in Sacrifice
Building on that idea, Clay offered up that purpose isn’t something you find like treasure, it’s something you forge in the crucible of sacrifice. He posed the ultimate question: “What are you willing to sacrifice to the real, sacred degree… and let that thing be what gives you purpose?” Our purpose is revealed in what we deem sacred enough to serve, whether it’s our family, our community, or a cause.
5. The Deception of Daydreaming
I made the distinction between “I am” (the present) and “to be” (the future). Many people get stuck in the future-casting “to be” phase, daydreaming about who they will become without doing the work on who they are right now. The challenge is to be fully present and engaged in the moment, rather than living in a future that may never arrive.
6. Meditation as a State of Flow
We explored meditation not as a rigid practice of sitting still, but as the act of finding a “flow state.” This can happen on the jiu-jitsu mats, on a long run, or behind a heavy bag. You are in the moment rather than being the moment. You are in the experience but not consumed by thought; you are simply aware and allowing things to unfold. Once you have tasted the flow state, you know how to find it again, and begin increasing it.
7. The Necessity of a “Accountability Friends”
Clay noted that as he gets older, he seeks more accountability. This led to a discussion on the importance of having that “handful of friends” – people in your life who challenge you, who hold you to a higher standard, and who aren’t afraid to be a bit of an irritant because they care. These are the people who help us grow.
Final Thought: The Question Isn’t Whether To Be, But How To Be.
“To be, or not to be” is less a question about life and death and more a daily referendum on how we choose to live. It is about consciously deciding what is sacred in our lives and then deliberately orienting our actions to serve that purpose. It is the continuous, moment-to-moment choice to engage, to serve, and to become, rather than simply letting life happen to us.
What is sacred enough for you to serve?
Listen to the full “To Be or Not To Be” discussion here: To Be Or Not To Be
Keep seeking,
Shaun & The Collective Crew
