“The truth of any matter is undeniable; a truth that is denied is no truth at all.”
After reading an article on health care reform (I don’t need to reference it), I spent some time combing the comments; I couldn’t help but shake my head; then I caught myself and realized that I shouldn’t judge.
How is it, in an age of such mass communication, that we still end up barking at each other? How is it that we end up in such dark places with an infinite amount of knowledge at our finger tips? Do we not want to be better? Do we not want to be brighter? I wonder what would happen if some of us actually got our way? I wonder if we realize that some of the things we insist on being right would be tyranny to almost everyone who knows us?
“To look is not the same as to see, to see is not the same as to perceive. We perceive, really – on a higher, conceptual-functional level – only what we know, understand well and can give a name to. ” Zbigniew Czajkowski
As I’ve become a man, I know that before I can riposte I must be brave enough to open my eyes. That being said, the very best riposte comes from the one who can foresee the others intent. We must have sure footing and we must know the objective before us or our presumptions will almost certainly seal our doom.
Jesus said, “I have cast fire upon the world, and look, I’m guarding it until it blazes.”
Many years ago there were so few of us, it’s hard to believe. There was once an Earth that knew only a few human souls compared to the 6.7 billion walking the Earth today. At one point, we not only shared Earth with cousins of family, but cousins of evolution. I often wish I lived in those times fighting monstrous beasts with spears by day and fire by night; when families spent a millenia migrating over entire continents. Only the sharpest lived in those days; growing up was a right of passage; the elders taught the essentials, then Man braved life. For if he didn’t, he died, and his kind with him. And so, his elders gave him fire.
Twins
But, this time, that’s all I had to say. I was surprised; I’m not a judge of character, but I will try to measure you up; she didn’t strike me as spiritual. However, that moment for me was almost a spiritual climax. I had just found Joseph Campbell and learned of the Buddha’s story; I was fascinated; another hero to validate the human spirit. It was only a few days before that I had realized he would be an essential part of my spiritual journey.
“I have something I think you’ll like” she told me as she put down her beer and headed out of the room. I was a buzz. I’m sure I’m not the only one who can appreciate those moments when an almost perfect stranger seems to just get you. And then she returned with a small brown and black book with a beautiful white statue on the front, “The Dhammapada”. I have yet to master the skill needed to properly articulate my reaction when she handed me that book, “You can have it, it’s yours. You’re supposed to carry it with you”, but I will try.
It was serendipitous, but at the same time I wasn’t surprised. To me, this sorta thing had happened more times than I could count and at one point it was so intense I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do about it; it felt important, and it seems that it still is. But, in my simple nature, I felt and understood that the true beauty of such things is infinitely personal and nearly impossible to be understood by another. The only thing that can bridge this infinite divide is true Love. But, this being said, sometimes I’ve taken note; this seemed like more than a quirk of fate and closer to being reconnected with a long-lost friend.
Reading his words were like flipping switches on in the darkest corners of my heart and mind; those places that drove me, but yet I could find no one else supportive of them. He was that best friend holding a mirror to my heart. I missed him. With tears I thanked God and yet I’d never seen his face.
Update 4/13/10: more on this coming soon.. Here’s a quote from Michael K. Stoskopf that I just found looking up serendipity. “it should be recognized that serendipitous discoveries are of significant value in the advancement of science and often present the foundation for important intellectual leaps of understanding”. Is this serendipitous?
I’ve walked the line and the narrow path. When I have, I’ve been more progressive than any other times of my life. But, at the same time, there were so many around me I cared about that shunned me for not walking theirs and my progress was abominable for abandoning them.
I feel it’s time for me to truly return to the narrow path, for as much as I have tried to please, I have only abandoned myself. In love, I will return.
“Reciting a small portion of the scriptures, but putting it diligently into practice; letting go of passion, aggression, and confusion; revering the truth with a clear mind; and not clinging to anything, here or hereafter; brings the harvest of the holy life.” 20-4, Twins, The Dammaphada, The Buddha