Concepts & Ideas versus Real Life

          “You cannot explain me with ‘isms.’
        They are very bad for an artist.
        What one must believe in is color.”              Marc Chagall

     We compulsively distance ourselves from reality by quickly putting things into categories, concepts, theories. How often do we cut patients, colleagues, friends & family members off with "yeh, yeh, I know"? Don't bother me with facts, I already have cherished opinions. We love the illusion of knowing & the illusion of having control over our rapidly changing, incomprehensibly complex universe. Pure delusion!
     And even the things we do know something about intellectually, we often lack the critical element: direct EXPERIENCE! Most of us need to learn to intentionally connect with, fully embrace & flow with the "full catastrophe" of life - see: http://mindfulnessforeveryone.blogspot.ca/2012/03/65-embracing-full-catastrophe.html
     And no, opening up isn't at all easy for us who've lived much of our lives hidden away, Howard Hughes-like, in the castle between our ears!

Gretel contemplating a nap

Blind Spots - Common & Normal

     Years ago, while driving in heavy Toronto traffic, I looked in the side mirror and without turning to look directly, I quickly switched into the lane to my right. In the process, I cut off a (marked) police car and scared the heck out of one of the policemen. Obviously I had not seen them - they were in my "blind spot." Of course I would have seen them, had I appropriately turned to look directly.

     How many times have we done regrettable things and wondered "What was I thinking?" We now clearly see what was invisible to us then. Most of these blind spots are developmental-stage dependent. We were simply too "young, dumb, and (possibly) full of rum".

     It's so important to realize that we have a huge potential for continued growth as human beings. If we must define ourselves, can it be as a "work-in-progress" or perhaps a verb instead of a noun? Instead of having simplistic "premature closure" about infinitely complex, fluid, ever-changing reality, can we not instead wonder about the mystery of "Who am I?" and "What is this?"

     Our life is "a complex process that includes changes in biological, cognitive, emotional, social, spiritual, and moral dimensions.”

       Parks SD. “Big questions, worthy dreams. Mentoring young adults in their search for meaning, purpose, and faith.” John Wiley & Sons, San Francisco, 2000.

 

Photo: eric87   www.dpreview.com