A story is a process, whether we're talking about the story of our lives or the story of our characters' lives. We begin with a simplistic view. We are ignorant of anything outside our perspective. As we accumulate knowledge and experiences, our eyes are opened to the complexity of the world. Complexity leads to confusion because we don't yet possess the wisdom to understand the connections between the tangible elements of our story. As we gain wisdom, the complexity becomes simplified again and we become enlightened.
If you think about it, this arc applies to everything wherein learning is involved. Ignorance is not knowing. Not only do we not know the details of life, but we don't always know there are details to be known. As the saying goes, "You don't know what you don't know." Our perspective on life is determined by our personal experiences, what's called our "field of experience." The less we learn about the rest of the world, the more we rely upon the assumption that the rest of the world is like us. What would cause us to think otherwise?
As we associate with other people and learn about them, our perspective widens to encompass the new information. The faster we learn knowledge, the more confused we can become. Our brains begin to fill with what appears to be separate, if not random pieces of information. This process is difficult, even painful, because it expands our mental capacity. This is why many choose to remain ignorant. As they say, "Ignorance is bliss." But clearly, ignorance only limits our freedom. Without a adequate view of the elements of our story (again, be it life or fiction) we cannot hope to take command of our circumstances.
Like the water lily, these "pads" of information seem separate, but are actually connected. The process of deciphering the randomness of life gives us wisdom. As we begin to understand connections between separate areas of life, we find that our story once again becomes simplified. However, this time our perspective is one of truth and unity rather than self-centered autonomy. We understand that freedom must respect boundaries, and that we live in a world with other individuals.
Rather than blunder through life selfishly, we must think our way through life selfLESSly. In this way, we become enlightened enough to see the big picture, and understand the benefits of fitting ourselves into society on purpose.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
The Parable of the Skyscraper
It is my mission in everything I do to keep three aspects of life in mind at all times: freedom, integrity, and truth. Freedom to me is control of one's time and resources. No one should ever have to answer to another about how he uses his money, where and when he chooses to travel, and what he holds in the highest priority. However, we are on this earth with other people. Those people occasionally have need of our resources. Integrity is about doing what is right. If someone needs what we have, truly needs it, and we have the freedom to decide, integrity is choosing to give. Even if we are free from the control of other people, we still are subject to the bounds of truth. Violating or manipulating truth undermines integrity, and collapses our freedom.
Think of these three components in the building of a skyscraper. As the saying goes: "Sky's the limit." A skyscraper makes use of limitless vertical space. It can turn a city block into hundreds of times the space with vast possibilities for use. Skyscrapers hold shopping centers, apartments, offices, etc. Business within those walls invests in new technologies, builds retirement plans, manages international trade, puts together travel packages, promotes local events, finds cures for diseases, aids the poor, and promotes creative thinking. This vertical space is freedom... limitless space for anything we dream of.
None of this freedom is possible without integrity. What does integrity mean? It means that something is solid and trustworthy. It is something in which we can place our faith; it is something which we can rely upon. When space was at a premium in the first large, industrial cities, engineers began to look to the sky for a solution. They began to build upward with the materials of the day: namely, brick. They soon found out that brick could only support its own weight up to five stories. If they built any higher, the lack of integrity would cause the whole building to collapse. If a greedy housing mogul instructed the builders to disregard this fact, or hired builders who were unaware of this fact, he is doomed to catastrophic failure. He may get away with it for a while, but when the first tremor or severe windstorm occurs, things could get ugly.
Truth is what one starts with: the bare city block. Of course, it is limited in two dimensions (the very reason to build upward). It is usually above underground mains and subway tunnels. The soil has a certain makeup which might restrict the height and materials to be used. The weather or seismic activity may become a factor. Certain ordinances and restrictions might come to bear because of what is nearby. All things considered, a plan must be put in order. The proposed building must be envisioned and drawn out in painstaking detail. This process goes on for some time before a single block is laid.
With expert planning and a detailed understanding of the facts, a building can be raised in the most efficient manner, maintaining stability for years. However, brick is not the only building material possible. Outside of the specific building project, experts are also be engaged in developing new materials with which to build. Eventually, steel was invented, taking the lid off the height of buildings. An increase in the integrity of the structure lead to a vast increase in the amount of freedom.
What does this all mean? Each of us is born a vacant city lot. Over the years, we hold playgrounds, art displays, stage events, and family functions. Eventually, we hold a museum, a store, or a restaurant. Then the need for something greater prompts us to grow. We reach for our potential. We may lay dormant for a while, a hole in the ground, shrouded by a wooden fence. But we are being built. Then, when we have an understanding of the truth, we stop playing small and begin to reach for the heavens. We grow up and leave a legacy for thousands to use.
Realize the truth, do what is right, and you will earn your freedom.
Think of these three components in the building of a skyscraper. As the saying goes: "Sky's the limit." A skyscraper makes use of limitless vertical space. It can turn a city block into hundreds of times the space with vast possibilities for use. Skyscrapers hold shopping centers, apartments, offices, etc. Business within those walls invests in new technologies, builds retirement plans, manages international trade, puts together travel packages, promotes local events, finds cures for diseases, aids the poor, and promotes creative thinking. This vertical space is freedom... limitless space for anything we dream of.
None of this freedom is possible without integrity. What does integrity mean? It means that something is solid and trustworthy. It is something in which we can place our faith; it is something which we can rely upon. When space was at a premium in the first large, industrial cities, engineers began to look to the sky for a solution. They began to build upward with the materials of the day: namely, brick. They soon found out that brick could only support its own weight up to five stories. If they built any higher, the lack of integrity would cause the whole building to collapse. If a greedy housing mogul instructed the builders to disregard this fact, or hired builders who were unaware of this fact, he is doomed to catastrophic failure. He may get away with it for a while, but when the first tremor or severe windstorm occurs, things could get ugly.
Truth is what one starts with: the bare city block. Of course, it is limited in two dimensions (the very reason to build upward). It is usually above underground mains and subway tunnels. The soil has a certain makeup which might restrict the height and materials to be used. The weather or seismic activity may become a factor. Certain ordinances and restrictions might come to bear because of what is nearby. All things considered, a plan must be put in order. The proposed building must be envisioned and drawn out in painstaking detail. This process goes on for some time before a single block is laid.
With expert planning and a detailed understanding of the facts, a building can be raised in the most efficient manner, maintaining stability for years. However, brick is not the only building material possible. Outside of the specific building project, experts are also be engaged in developing new materials with which to build. Eventually, steel was invented, taking the lid off the height of buildings. An increase in the integrity of the structure lead to a vast increase in the amount of freedom.
What does this all mean? Each of us is born a vacant city lot. Over the years, we hold playgrounds, art displays, stage events, and family functions. Eventually, we hold a museum, a store, or a restaurant. Then the need for something greater prompts us to grow. We reach for our potential. We may lay dormant for a while, a hole in the ground, shrouded by a wooden fence. But we are being built. Then, when we have an understanding of the truth, we stop playing small and begin to reach for the heavens. We grow up and leave a legacy for thousands to use.
Realize the truth, do what is right, and you will earn your freedom.
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