on separation ...
I am convinced that one of the main quests of humanity has to do with how we deal with separation; at birth we are separated from our mothers womb and ever since it seems that we grow more and more separate, or independent as some may want to call it, yet this "growth" doesn't come free of its own issues, the ones of separation; I just saw a video of a newborn baby and his reaction towards separation from his mother: quiet as he could feel her touch as opposed to crying as he got separated from her to get cleaned, the nurse seem to simply test her theory with the proximity of the mother, the newborn, and its feeling of this separation; it worked like a clock. What is the meaning of this experience? what is this attachment that we feel since birth? He obviously had spent 9 months on the womb and feels and recognizes as safe and comfortable anything and anywhere where he can feel that heartbeat of his mother, and anything that is not that, creates that displeasure, that discomfort, so much that it makes him cry. The Yale Infant Cognition Centre has been doing research regarding the cognitive capacity of infants and they are coming to remarkable conclusions regarding the cognitive capacity of infants, I am fascinated by them and yet it seems that their conclusions are so natural that makes one say, I knew that somehow.
This separation causes also displeasure, certain agony and throughout life we try to deal with it. Some have argued that it is the separation of men from where it was created, this earth to some or the universe to others; in a very similar way religious people have made a spiritual parallel and proposed that we are separated from divinity and it is our quest in life to look for unity. Whether the separation is from divinity, from mother earth or from our mother's womb the concept seems congruent across them all, that men are searching to close that gap of separation. Some like the German Psychologist Erich Fromm might add that separation is the source of all anxiety in life even.
Some centuries ago someone decided that by meditating one could find union with the universe and therefore internal peace. In some other place in the world somebody else thought that by praying to their deity they could also find that union; some others have thought that by going into deep thought and learning and understanding the science of this world and the universe one can find that peace also; some decided to even provide themselves with some tools to help themselves on this quest, they made rosary beads, some burn incense, some chanted, some light candles and some face a predetermined direction; some kneel as a sign of reverence and some cross their arms or feet, some close their eyes some don't; At the end these all are looking for the same thing, all attempts to shorten the distance, to find unity with the universe, with the deity, with pachamama (mother earth) even with their own reason or logic.
Who hasn't had the experience to sit in complete silence and look at some majestic view of this earth and got this indubitable feeling that we are not alone, that the universe is immense and yet we are not alone? I argue that it is because we are achieving that unity at that very moment, making it so special, so nicely treasured by even photographers, poets and all likes.
What is the value on this? one utilitarian might ask, why to "pray"? lets call it. As we do so we will be enlightened to understand our place in the universe, whether it is as this group of recycled atoms or whether it is as children of a Heavenly God, I propose that it brings inner peace from the simple fact that we have found unity, from the anxiety of it as Fromm would say. The most common experience taken from these actions is one of complete humility, humbleness towards this earth, towards the universe, towards even God if one believes in him. How is this useful? can we not use more humility in this world and perhaps avoid so many confrontations? I am certain that unity brings us peace of mind, of spirit, humility, love and a clear understanding of our place in this big puzzle. To the believer it helps us line up our will with the will of God, to others it is the learning that is exciting during this process, of pondering if one may, but to both the benefit lies on that inner peace that comes from it.
Next time we do so, next time we offer our own kind of prayer, whether it is by reading a book, or meditating or pondering or chanting, let us not criticize the one who feels like kneeling nor the one that has beads nor the one who sits and meditates as we are all on the same quest, looking for unity, looking to shorten that separation, Shalom!
Some centuries ago someone decided that by meditating one could find union with the universe and therefore internal peace. In some other place in the world somebody else thought that by praying to their deity they could also find that union; some others have thought that by going into deep thought and learning and understanding the science of this world and the universe one can find that peace also; some decided to even provide themselves with some tools to help themselves on this quest, they made rosary beads, some burn incense, some chanted, some light candles and some face a predetermined direction; some kneel as a sign of reverence and some cross their arms or feet, some close their eyes some don't; At the end these all are looking for the same thing, all attempts to shorten the distance, to find unity with the universe, with the deity, with pachamama (mother earth) even with their own reason or logic.
Who hasn't had the experience to sit in complete silence and look at some majestic view of this earth and got this indubitable feeling that we are not alone, that the universe is immense and yet we are not alone? I argue that it is because we are achieving that unity at that very moment, making it so special, so nicely treasured by even photographers, poets and all likes.
What is the value on this? one utilitarian might ask, why to "pray"? lets call it. As we do so we will be enlightened to understand our place in the universe, whether it is as this group of recycled atoms or whether it is as children of a Heavenly God, I propose that it brings inner peace from the simple fact that we have found unity, from the anxiety of it as Fromm would say. The most common experience taken from these actions is one of complete humility, humbleness towards this earth, towards the universe, towards even God if one believes in him. How is this useful? can we not use more humility in this world and perhaps avoid so many confrontations? I am certain that unity brings us peace of mind, of spirit, humility, love and a clear understanding of our place in this big puzzle. To the believer it helps us line up our will with the will of God, to others it is the learning that is exciting during this process, of pondering if one may, but to both the benefit lies on that inner peace that comes from it.
Next time we do so, next time we offer our own kind of prayer, whether it is by reading a book, or meditating or pondering or chanting, let us not criticize the one who feels like kneeling nor the one that has beads nor the one who sits and meditates as we are all on the same quest, looking for unity, looking to shorten that separation, Shalom!
Comments
Post a Comment