We create our own prisons. Like Jacob Marley, we forge our own chains while the key to the lock is in our pocket. I can't tell what the answer is beyond the pursuit of absolute and original creativity. The only true creativity that I personally have found is that which I create for myself, not the market. That's not to say if the market likes it, I will deny it a sale. If you get down to the Judeo-Christian beginning, God created the world for Himself, not us. He spun the universe and all within it as a piece of art that only He can truly admire. Maybe we should take a lead from that even if we are not believers. Create Thyself.
In the biblical tradition before the fall we held a posture outside of the tyranny of the self described so well in the post. It was existence “underwith” the creator who provisioned our world so we could co-create with God in active presence and resonance with God. Our problem in modernity is that we think we are “uber alles” above all, even in our systems of belief. Everything remains subordinate to the self which in biblical terms amounts to idolatry. The death of self, the ego, seems like the appropriate direction.
Kind of Solipsistic. Endless whirls of strings twined on the outer surface always coiling into other dimensions.
If you eat the "I" cracks appear in the system and yes everyone, everything is truly original. Such are the multitudes of realities.
I suggest we are limited in some sense by our design. Surely design - the physical biology has bearing? I would suggest our brain structure - the very meat, has much to do with our "systems". If you were a Praying Mantis you might think otherwise.
Thank you for this. Truly a work from the heart and it is meaningful. Now more than ever we need to hear so we can see how a commitment to the self is the source of our unraveling. Idolatry abounds and a voice calls from the deep within, for those with ears to hear, that it is nearing time to surrender the self to Love that offers us active presence.
This is from the traditional story of Purusha and Prakriti, a story that originated in India at least 2,600 years ago; some say 14,000 years ago or more. This is a very short version of the original.
Purusha is known as the one who sees; he sees everything that can be seen. He has no form or body of his own. Initially, Purusha was happy and quite satisfied with himself, then Prakriti came along.
Prakriti is known as the dancer or the one who creates. When she dances, she can assume any imaginable shape and form. Prakriti is happy dancing for anyone who will watch her.
Prakriti arrived one day and began dancing for Purusha, even though Purusha did not particularly want to watch her. In fact, Purusha was annoyed at first because Prakriti had interrupted his peacefulness. But the more Prakriti danced, the more Purusha was fascinated. While Purusha watched, Prakriti’s dance grew very complex: richer and richer in variety, substance, color, music, and so much more. Prakriti danced the dance of a great world of sights, sounds, aromas, movements, pleasures, and pains all just for Purusha to see.
In time, Purusha became so entranced by Prakriti’s dance that he completely forgot how the dance had begun or where Prakriti had come from. It was maddening to Purusha that most of the time he could scarcely fathom what was happening in the dance. He often got so caught up in the sensations and emotions of the spectacle that he grasped wildly at it to get hold of Prakriti and make her stop just so he could clear his head and understand what it all meant. But Prakriti did not stop dancing, and she easily evaded Purusha’s silly grasping.
Eventually Purusha became so entranced by Prakriti that he forgot it was only a dance; he even forgot that this was just Prakriti dancing for him. One day, dismayed by his inability to comprehend all that was happening and what it all meant, Purusha was no longer able to watch. He calmed his mind and focused his attention, and once again he became satisfied with just being himself, just the one who sees.
In that moment, Prakriti stopped dancing and revealed to Purusha her true appearance. Prakriti’s true appearance is known today as Kind Prakriti to distinguish it from the many forms she assumes as she dances. There was no sign anywhere of the dance, no movement, no music, no forms, no substance. Kind Prakriti revealed herself, and Purusha recognized her instantly.
——
Why did Prakriti stop dancing?
What did Purusha see when he recognized Kind Prakriti?
What emotions did Purusha feel when he recognized Kind Prakriti?
What did Prakriti do next?
What does this have to do with worlds and world-views?
Fine work as always. You remain one of the best writers on this platform.
I've come to believe that the self has always been an act of becoming, rather than being. It's a story we construct for ourselves, and like all stories it is inherently a work of fiction. Given that, the search for the "authentic" self often does us more harm than good. We go looking for something solid and real when all we ever are is temporary coagulation of events. Letting go of the need for authenticity can be freeing.
I expanded on those thoughts recently, if you're interested.
We create our own prisons. Like Jacob Marley, we forge our own chains while the key to the lock is in our pocket. I can't tell what the answer is beyond the pursuit of absolute and original creativity. The only true creativity that I personally have found is that which I create for myself, not the market. That's not to say if the market likes it, I will deny it a sale. If you get down to the Judeo-Christian beginning, God created the world for Himself, not us. He spun the universe and all within it as a piece of art that only He can truly admire. Maybe we should take a lead from that even if we are not believers. Create Thyself.
In the biblical tradition before the fall we held a posture outside of the tyranny of the self described so well in the post. It was existence “underwith” the creator who provisioned our world so we could co-create with God in active presence and resonance with God. Our problem in modernity is that we think we are “uber alles” above all, even in our systems of belief. Everything remains subordinate to the self which in biblical terms amounts to idolatry. The death of self, the ego, seems like the appropriate direction.
Kind of Solipsistic. Endless whirls of strings twined on the outer surface always coiling into other dimensions.
If you eat the "I" cracks appear in the system and yes everyone, everything is truly original. Such are the multitudes of realities.
I suggest we are limited in some sense by our design. Surely design - the physical biology has bearing? I would suggest our brain structure - the very meat, has much to do with our "systems". If you were a Praying Mantis you might think otherwise.
Thanks!
Thank you for this. Truly a work from the heart and it is meaningful. Now more than ever we need to hear so we can see how a commitment to the self is the source of our unraveling. Idolatry abounds and a voice calls from the deep within, for those with ears to hear, that it is nearing time to surrender the self to Love that offers us active presence.
The Seer and the Seen [8]
(Exploring the universe of all possible experience)
https://burnteliot.substack.com/p/the-seer-and-the-seen-8
This is from the traditional story of Purusha and Prakriti, a story that originated in India at least 2,600 years ago; some say 14,000 years ago or more. This is a very short version of the original.
Purusha is known as the one who sees; he sees everything that can be seen. He has no form or body of his own. Initially, Purusha was happy and quite satisfied with himself, then Prakriti came along.
Prakriti is known as the dancer or the one who creates. When she dances, she can assume any imaginable shape and form. Prakriti is happy dancing for anyone who will watch her.
Prakriti arrived one day and began dancing for Purusha, even though Purusha did not particularly want to watch her. In fact, Purusha was annoyed at first because Prakriti had interrupted his peacefulness. But the more Prakriti danced, the more Purusha was fascinated. While Purusha watched, Prakriti’s dance grew very complex: richer and richer in variety, substance, color, music, and so much more. Prakriti danced the dance of a great world of sights, sounds, aromas, movements, pleasures, and pains all just for Purusha to see.
In time, Purusha became so entranced by Prakriti’s dance that he completely forgot how the dance had begun or where Prakriti had come from. It was maddening to Purusha that most of the time he could scarcely fathom what was happening in the dance. He often got so caught up in the sensations and emotions of the spectacle that he grasped wildly at it to get hold of Prakriti and make her stop just so he could clear his head and understand what it all meant. But Prakriti did not stop dancing, and she easily evaded Purusha’s silly grasping.
Eventually Purusha became so entranced by Prakriti that he forgot it was only a dance; he even forgot that this was just Prakriti dancing for him. One day, dismayed by his inability to comprehend all that was happening and what it all meant, Purusha was no longer able to watch. He calmed his mind and focused his attention, and once again he became satisfied with just being himself, just the one who sees.
In that moment, Prakriti stopped dancing and revealed to Purusha her true appearance. Prakriti’s true appearance is known today as Kind Prakriti to distinguish it from the many forms she assumes as she dances. There was no sign anywhere of the dance, no movement, no music, no forms, no substance. Kind Prakriti revealed herself, and Purusha recognized her instantly.
——
Why did Prakriti stop dancing?
What did Purusha see when he recognized Kind Prakriti?
What emotions did Purusha feel when he recognized Kind Prakriti?
What did Prakriti do next?
What does this have to do with worlds and world-views?
What is Prakriti?
Where did Prakriti come from?
-- -- --
From chapter 8, "Universe and World," in the book, Reality and Being. https://archive.org/details/BurntEliot/page/33/mode/2up
Amazingly thought provoking and wonderfully written, as ever. Thank you for making us sit and reflect again and again.
Fine work as always. You remain one of the best writers on this platform.
I've come to believe that the self has always been an act of becoming, rather than being. It's a story we construct for ourselves, and like all stories it is inherently a work of fiction. Given that, the search for the "authentic" self often does us more harm than good. We go looking for something solid and real when all we ever are is temporary coagulation of events. Letting go of the need for authenticity can be freeing.
I expanded on those thoughts recently, if you're interested.
https://teleonomicwanderings.substack.com/p/searching-for-the-self