“The universe is also actively benevolent.” — Steven Pressfield, Writer
We’ve discussed the ego — that malevolent force of resistence that entices with its rationality, ambition and self-serving obsession — but bigger and more powerful is the force of honour, truth, beauty and freedom. That amazing creative energy is incalculable, immeasurable and often invisible to the material world but is very real even if we may be too blind or too preoccupied to notice it. Unlike the ego, which has been manuafactured by our own minds, this indescribable force is what enables growth, pushes discovery and gives meaning to our existence. Without it, there is no science, no art, no life.
The Outer Saviours:
Sometimes, this generous force comes in the form of people; the amazing friend who’s always there when you need him; the co-worker who stays late with you during overtime offering comraderie and helping you maintain sanity; the old schoolmate or colleague who refers jobs/clients/opportunities to you without even telling you; the teacher/mentor who goes above and beyond his professional duty and who teaches you not just techniques but more importantly, how to think; and finally, that crucial, and sometimes lone friend/family member who always has your back because he loves you and believes in you no matter what. These individuals keep us going, support us without credit. They tell us what we need to hear and not just what we want to hear. We should forever be grateful to them (I know I am) and we must keep them in our memories and in our silent prayers ( I do so regularly). And although we’re not likely to be granted the opportunity to return the favour, what we can do is pay it forward — helping others like how we ourselves have been helped. That’s how a world in harmony works, not selfishly, but generously.
insight (n.) Root Definition/entymology:
c. 1200, innsihht, “sight with the ‘eyes’ of the mind, mental vision, understanding from within.”
The Inner Saviour:
Now, to depend purely on outside saviours is not only unfair, selfish and lazy, but it’s also insufficient; we must work on what happens inside of us. That inner power — that sublime intelligence which belongs to the universe but comes though each of us — arrives only when our minds are silent. What does that mean? Simply this: that only the attentive mind can listen carefully to what our work (and our world) says to us and what it needs, for our actions (including the thoughts and words we say/write) are a reflection of what’s inside, the culmination of that mental/emotional battle in our brains. For instance, when we truly listen to our craft and the results of our work, that is, without attachment, we’ll magically see better. What looked strong now looks weak. What appeared fast now seems too slow. What seemed on course before now appears clearly off track. A different perspective is revealed; we see wider, deeper and with greater accuracy. We see not just from our usual line of sight, but take on a bird’s eye view enabling our mind to walk around our problems and see it from multiple perspectives. Very quickly we learn that no one viewpoint gives us the whole truth — it’s only a collection of perspectives that can lead us to the right action. When the chatter of our mechanical brains stops we percieve things at a much higher level of insight — the kind of wisdom we witness in the words and works of history’s greater masters. And with that clarity, we can see the errors of our ways, both within the craft itself and within ourselves, both philosophically and morally. Humility arrives naturally rather than being forced. The same thing begins to happens to our decision-making and discipline. With greater truths revealed, options eliminate themselves, and the lone sane choice that remains literally compels you to take action — you don’t have to will it — the mind and body align on their own. This is the faith we must hold to, not that of any ideology.
“Verily, truth is sight.” — Brhadaranyaka Upanishad 5.14.4 (Vedic Sanskrit text)
The Inexplicable Saviour:
In our modern world, we’re easily tricked and confused into the idea that “more” is the answer — more options, more wealth, more friends, more contacts — we become obsessed with quantity rather than quality. The truth is that more “stuff” also means more to carry, both physically and, more importantly, psychologically. Everyone knows that when answering a multiple choice exam that it’s much harder when there four or five options to choose from rather than just two. Every rich person becomes disproportionally concerned with not “losing” their material wealth and comfort. The Casanova with multiple wives/mistresses never knows true love nor the freedom that comes from trust. The notion that more is better is as absurd as the situations these examples provide. We need to learn the value of limitations. The good thing is that sometimes, its the benevolent universe that comes to the rescue — by taking away those options for us. It may come in the guise of losing a job you didn’t really like, or ending a relationship that has become toxic. We lament and complain about the “loss” when it occurs because we don’t always realize what’s really happening — a gain of real freedom. It’s a beautiful thing to become unburdened, to see with the mind unclouded, and to be able to start anew. In fact, each day, each moment is new just as each painting, composition, animation, or sculpture is new. Do not be fooled by apparent failure or mistakes, for they are secretly guiding lights. For example, when a house fire burned down my entire art studio several years ago, it gave me the courage to finally do the “new” art I was meant to do. Now, instead of anger or regret I felt at the time, I feel an immense gratitude for the intervention, one that helped align me with my destiny, with the courage to be who I am.
“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” – Dr. Seuss, Writer
In summary, I’d like to say that you should not hope for help, but rather know that it will arrive, that there are benevolent (often invisible) forces out there assisting you. Don’t let that rational egoic mind of yours or the outside naysayers tell you that life is crap, cruel, lonely and meaningless and that the only thing that matters is you and what’s yours. We, and our capacity for creation, are intimately bonded to the greater universe. Ignore the saboteurs. Turn your attention instead to connection and discovery, to all that is good and beautiful. Really listen, listen with your eyes. Find wisdom in insecurity. Know that you’re a creator and like our own creator(s), the magic that enables discovery and creation is much greater and more magnanimous than we can possibly imagine.
