My search for answers for the “who and why of my life” began when working on a defense site in Thule, Greenland. With my recently acquired set of books, I began looking for answers by working my way through the development of the western civilization. The masters had much more to say, of course, then I could comprehend. I took from them what ever my life experience would allow at the time of my readings. (Returning to writings that seemed to resonate with me at different stages of maturity gradually resulted in greater clarity. ) I stumbled through the evolution of philosophic thought from the Hellenistic period, through the writings of Plato, Aristotle, and others. My interest in philosophy and history led to religion. The transition from multiple Gods to Monotheism, the foundation of Judaism and the beginning of Christianity.
Initially I concluded, from this effort, that I was a human being with a somewhat confusing spiritual connection. As a human being, I learned that looking in the mirror didn’t tell the whole story. And who I thought I was, I wasn’t. As for my spiritual connection, I knew I needed to experience more real spirit-based activity, and find ways to better relate to spiritual teachings.
Comments
Different Worlds with similar callings?-You and I came up in totally different worlds. Mine was post- world war II. The country was rapidly growing. It was the early “50s and times were good, particularly if you were white and had a stable home environment. There were plenty of work opportunities (with pensions), college was inexpensive, and life was far less complicated. There were less distractions. It was not without problems, however. Discrimination abound in many ways. Organized religion was burdensome and self- serving with it’s ossified structure. Senseless war and public unrest highlighted by the shit show that characterized the late sixties into the eighties. Somewhere in there was the age of Aquarius, hallucinogenic drugs, magic mushrooms and a lot of questions. I suppose it was fertile ground for the search for self and spiritual connection. (In case your wondering, I never did magic mushrooms or drugs; wine and scotch did the trick for me).
Your world, however, is quite different, and more challenging to navigate. The country is totally confused and divided. Jobs with living wages are hard to find for many, college costs are out of sight and life is difficult for many. Coincidentally, distractions abound, providing a temporary relief from the daily difficulties that many face. Distraction doesn’t solve problems, it merely puts them off, creating anxiety and depression. That’s the world you live in. I believe you chose this life ( I probably sound like I really lost it here with this comment – but I believe it) because you possess older, more mature souls than my generation. The conditions of your world are different, although perhaps similar in that they may be conducive to self evaluation, purpose and spiritual investigation.
Suggestions
Your smart phone is like your brain. It’s a wonderful tool. However tools are meant to be used, they are not supposed to dominate you. You have to consider your incessant use of your smart phone. It usurps your time and conscious awareness. It does not serve your best interest unless thoughtfully employed. Your brain works in similar fashion, but more on that later. “Who you are” is emerging. Trust yourself, own “who you are at this time in your life” and trust the process.
Questions
I asked you in a previous writing to look inside and consciously address your self image, “who you are”. Is this question important to you? If so why, if not- why not? Do you accept the notion that the image presented to you when you look into a mirror is the totality of who you are? What if you added your persona to the mirrored image? And then there are the roles ( i.e, student, teacher, craftsman)- what if they are added to your mirrored image and persona? Is there any room for a spiritual dimension of who you are?
This is not a quiz. These questions, your responses are totally personal and private. Only you will know about them. I ask that you consider them because I am attempting to help you discover insights to your being.”
John 