As the human, lemming-like community nears the precipice of the Cliffs of Dover and free-fall into the icy cold waters of the English Channel perhaps we could pause our reckless dash long enough to consider the rashness of our behavior. Maybe the rash dash (couldn’t resist that one) is not our only alternative.
The trouble is that it is our nature to make something simple complicated. So today we will feed the intellect with lots of detail and myriad options. We begin with the warning that often many of us resist the simple bromide: “Just Do It.” We use the procrastination of insisting on “getting all the facts” before we begin the process of transformation when we have no intention of changing at all.
To begin the spiritual journey or not is up to you, but after reading the material linked to this page, you won’t be able to say that you lacked the complete “how to” manual.
The fundamental character of reality is change itself. — Heraclitus (500 B.C.)
What changes do we need to make in order to achieve Self-realization, in order to live in response to life in the present moment? (1) In the language of our definition of worldview we could ask: What changes do we need to make regarding our attitudes, our beliefs and our values? How challenging will the process of making these changes be? Well, of course, that varies from individual to individual to individual. Joseph Campbell said: “It is a terrifying experience to have your consciousness transformed.” (2) In this essay we learn what particular changes are required.
However, to be honest, we may be kidding ourselves that we have a choice after all. Campbell offers this wonderful though sobering insight: “If we think we have a choice to change or not to change we would do well to consider this old Roman saying: ‘The fates lead him who will; him who won’t they drag.’” (2)
Since you have been reading about Simple Reality for these many pages, you surely have come to realize that we are not talking about cosmetic change, small change or partial change. We are all staring a paradigm shift in the face. In considering a new way of being in the world, C. G. Jung put it this way: “Every transformation demands as its precondition ‘the ending of a world’—the collapse of an old philosophy of life.” (3)
We have come to the point of choice. We have been here many times before. We are about to embark on a journey of Self-transformation—or not! We are about to become a positive and powerful model for sustainable human behavior—or not! We are about to reconnect to the reality of Oneness as a source of identity and meaning in our lives—or not! We are about to transform the relationship that we have with our fears, our pain and our suffering—or not! We can choose to do this—or not!
We would rather be ruined than changed
we would rather die in our dread
than climb the cross of the moment
and let our illusions die.
Epilogue: The Age of Anxiety (Pulitzer Prize, 1948)
W.H. Auden (1901-1973) British-born American poet
Insight # 58: Their destiny is destruction. — Philippians 3:19
Link:
- Spiritual Path on this blog and in the printed book The ABCs of Simple Reality, Vol 2, by Roy Charles Henry, page 246.
References:
- Henry, Roy Charles. “The Challenge of Change.” Where Am I? The First Great Question Concerning the Nature of Reality. Simple Reality, 2012, page 172.
- Campbell, Joseph. The Power of Myth. New York: Bantam, 1988, pages 14, 16.
- Jung, C. G. Man and His Symbols. New York: Doubleday, 1964, page 295.
