Companions
I walk with two companions through this
experience which is usually called life. I wonder if a more appropriate term
would be Awareness. That seems more correct. In this Awareness I walk with two
companions. I am never separated from either of them. I know them by the names
of Death and Life. I think of them as two states of being which oppose one
another. They appear to me as enemies, not enemies of me, but of each other. I
sense that they are engaged in a great battle, each seeking to be
victorious.
Viewed in this manner I come to realize that there can be but one victor in this struggle. From this perspective I am left with a pessimistic, dark outcome, for seen as a struggle between Death and Life there can be only one victor. In this hopeless reality I ask why bother with the struggle? What futility. What meaninglessness. What despair. Is this all there is?
Then I turn attention away from my companions known as Death and Life, these opponents who struggle to control my mind. I adjust the Light of Understanding, attempting to discern who is this I that I keep thinking of? Who is this me that is flanked with Death and Life? Who walks through the Awareness with these companions?
Death and Life are but distractions which draw attention away from me. They appear as two powerful forces. Their batter instills fear in my mind, most particularly in this Mother of All Battles, terminal cancer. Death waves his mighty sword and roars his victory cry. He has fought this battle again and again. He tastes the victory, thirsting for the glorious finale; for he knows . . .
Life struggles vainly attempting to be courageous and brave, desiring to continue, but beginning to accept the loss which it must incur. It knows it can not ultimately win. Yes, there is but one outcome in this struggle.
Ah, but the Light of Understanding has once again been prevented from exposing who I is. Somewhere between Death and Life exists I. They loom large and cast mighty shadows of distraction. They make it difficult to see the I with whom they walk.
They draw attention away from Truth. They each attract me, demanding that I choose between them. Life cries out, "Believe in me, have hope, deny the possibility of death, don't give in, fight." Death chortles and mocks, "Don't believe that prattle! I shall be victorious! Give in, there is no need to fight. Accept my victory."
But I senses that each of his companions is lying. The conflict they are struggling over is their battle. It is but a distraction. Rather than being two opponents battling one another, they work together to distract me. They reveal their vanity, their pride. They distract me with their appearance of power. Life says, "I am the way, choose me. I give you the World of Color. I dazzle you, I create desire, don't turn your eyes from me." Death vainly retorts, "Don't be fooled by the World of Color, it is empty, sugar-coated and offers only endless desire. You will never be satisfied, you will always desire more. I give you stillness, release from desire."
But the Light of Understanding brings I our of the shadows of distraction. I is not involved with any struggle and has nothing to fear from either of his companions. I turns his eyes away from the desire of the World of Color, turns away from Death's mocking image. The Light of Understanding is fully cast upon I and Truth is revealed. The batter between Death and Life has nothing to do with him. Let them wage their war, let them engage in their struggle, I know peace.
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;
for thou are with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."
Psalm 23:4
(written January, 2004)
Viewed in this manner I come to realize that there can be but one victor in this struggle. From this perspective I am left with a pessimistic, dark outcome, for seen as a struggle between Death and Life there can be only one victor. In this hopeless reality I ask why bother with the struggle? What futility. What meaninglessness. What despair. Is this all there is?
Then I turn attention away from my companions known as Death and Life, these opponents who struggle to control my mind. I adjust the Light of Understanding, attempting to discern who is this I that I keep thinking of? Who is this me that is flanked with Death and Life? Who walks through the Awareness with these companions?
Death and Life are but distractions which draw attention away from me. They appear as two powerful forces. Their batter instills fear in my mind, most particularly in this Mother of All Battles, terminal cancer. Death waves his mighty sword and roars his victory cry. He has fought this battle again and again. He tastes the victory, thirsting for the glorious finale; for he knows . . .
Life struggles vainly attempting to be courageous and brave, desiring to continue, but beginning to accept the loss which it must incur. It knows it can not ultimately win. Yes, there is but one outcome in this struggle.
Ah, but the Light of Understanding has once again been prevented from exposing who I is. Somewhere between Death and Life exists I. They loom large and cast mighty shadows of distraction. They make it difficult to see the I with whom they walk.
They draw attention away from Truth. They each attract me, demanding that I choose between them. Life cries out, "Believe in me, have hope, deny the possibility of death, don't give in, fight." Death chortles and mocks, "Don't believe that prattle! I shall be victorious! Give in, there is no need to fight. Accept my victory."
But I senses that each of his companions is lying. The conflict they are struggling over is their battle. It is but a distraction. Rather than being two opponents battling one another, they work together to distract me. They reveal their vanity, their pride. They distract me with their appearance of power. Life says, "I am the way, choose me. I give you the World of Color. I dazzle you, I create desire, don't turn your eyes from me." Death vainly retorts, "Don't be fooled by the World of Color, it is empty, sugar-coated and offers only endless desire. You will never be satisfied, you will always desire more. I give you stillness, release from desire."
But the Light of Understanding brings I our of the shadows of distraction. I is not involved with any struggle and has nothing to fear from either of his companions. I turns his eyes away from the desire of the World of Color, turns away from Death's mocking image. The Light of Understanding is fully cast upon I and Truth is revealed. The batter between Death and Life has nothing to do with him. Let them wage their war, let them engage in their struggle, I know peace.
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;
for thou are with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."
Psalm 23:4
(written January, 2004)
Posted: Wed - January 18, 2006 at 09:57 PM
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"Chance favors only the prepared mind." - Louis Pasteur
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In a museum most people spend less than twenty seconds looking at a work of art."
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Published On: Jan 18, 2006 09:57 PM
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Published On: Jan 18, 2006 09:57 PM