I checked the schedule; the next train wasn’t for another half hour. It was late in the morning and I knew I had the place to myself for the next little while. Instead of racing to work I chose to appreciate what I had been given. The platform was empty. The morning was still. The air was quiet. The view of Freemont Island and Little Mountain, each bathed in soft morning desert pastels were beautiful. A subtle smell of alfalfa wafted the air and so much green speckled across the landscape provided strong contrast. The rising sun shed it’s light through broken clouds making an incredible show of light and shadow. And there it was, the day was handed to me.
Whereas many are unable to see the forest for the trees, my issue lately has been not seeing the trees for the forest. Not seeing and appreciating every little thought, deed or action that goes into manifesting the big picture. Although each of those elements holds beauty, none on its own could stage a scene so grand as what is provided when they work in concert.
We all have those moments when we realize a world outside of ourselves, but still we all mostly operate at the lower end of the The Great Chain of Being like the fish with rudimentary goals in mind; swim, feed, fuck. This is the evolution most people talk about, though few realize it. We are all capable of higher thinking, higher reasoning, a higher understanding of the world around us.
Humans are in an odd position on The Great Chain of Being. We can elevate or descend to exist anywhere on it. Beneath the fish are insects and the like then earth, but at our base level most humans are considered right there with the fish; swim, feed, fuck. If you examine those three actions you can see how much of our lives can be tied back to that. Every animals actions can be, it’s what we do beyond that which defines us.
Above the fish exist the domesticated flock animals: sheep, cows, etc. They almost entirely lack free will and allow man to exercise dominion over them.
Above them are the higher domesticated animals: horses, dogs, cats and the like. Domesticated still, yet servile in nature in that they perform specific functions in the service of man.
Higher still are the wild herd animals: deer, antelope, elk, bison. This group defies domestication, yet still has that issue of free will.
Then come the wild predators: cougars, bears, and wolves. Wolves have an exceptional characteristic of still being herd-like in their mentality; though in a way are much like man, but still the lower of the wild predators.
The latter group will consume any of the lower groups, including the only one higher, man. When this group or any lower attempts to reach beyond its place on the chain, it is still punished. Think what happens when any of these of it’s own volition attacks a human and you’ll know what I mean.
On the earthly level of The Great Chain of Being man sits on top, yet is able to figuratively exist by his manifest behavior with any of the lower, flesh made groups and as such people are often referred to as the animal they manifest: sheep, cow, dog, cougar, wolf. Deer (dear) could even be argued in there.
Beyond man of course are the purely ethereal beings: cherubim, seraphim, archangels then lastly, God. These groups are immutable on The Great Chain of Being and as such demonstrate that we are not meant to advance beyond that within our lifetimes, rather than strive to become one after death.
Man is the dichotomy between the spirit and the flesh. In life we can exist anywhere along The Great Chain of Being and it is the challenge of our condition to push past that and define ourselves on our own terms. Fundamentally that idea of elevating ourselves is the same across the board in all religions. We all have spiritual aspirations, but the flesh is made weak by the temptations of swim, feed, fuck and we fall right back down again.
On the surface it may not sound so hard but let’s polarize this with life. Think of swimming as travel; going from point A to B or just busying ourselves with any little distraction to keep from being made to be alone with ourselves.
Consider feeding as the endless consumerism that we all participate in. If you don’t believe me then go sit in a Starbuck’s and watch the artificial coffee snobs.
And fuck, well yes but that is only in part meant for sex. On the human level that is socializing in general, returning us to that need to not be left alone and surrounding ourselves with hollow relationships.
We all seem to be so deluded with this idea that was either need a large group, OR one or two, close intimate friends. In his book, ”The Art of Happiness,” the Dalai Lama discusses the concept of loneliness as one that perplexes him. He questions how one can truly find themselves lonely when we are all surrounded by friends, acquaintances or loved ones, any of which we are capable of cultivating a meaningful relationship with, and for those who speak under their breath, intimacy is not sex.
Another area this comes in at is the song, Stay Human by Spearhead (which some refer to as ”All the Freaky People,” by Michael Franti, same song, same group) in which he cites the same:
”…. isolation is a riddle
to be surrounded by a million other people
but feel alone like a tree in the desert…. ”
Yes the problem exists, but it’s not a physical issue so much as a spiritual one. Cherubim, seraphim, archangels, and God do not necessarily exist as icons to follow anymore. What does exist is you, and me: objects of the flesh who are real and tangible. We do have a responsibility to evolve, but that evolution isn’t towards some being of light; it’s evolving to being human and pulling yourself from the dirt to dust off the remains from yesterday.
We are built to do more than swim, feed and fuck; yet so many (sometimes myself included) seem perfectly content in that reality. I say don’t be! You’re more an animal when you do your best to blend in and join the herd and in reality the closest to being above man you’ll ever be on The Great Chain of Being is in those moments when you test yourself. We all know of the ugliness we’re capable of, but what about the beauty? You’ll never know until you try and testing that is where you will evolve.
No comments:
Post a Comment