As I left the office the other day, I chanced upon a little girl wearing a ballet tutu: she was holding tenaciously to the hand of a man. It was a scene right out Degas’ sculpture Little Dancer of Fourteen Years.(1) What was to be remarked on, unfortunately, was the demeanor of her father (I assume the man was her father). He had a blank, vacuous expression that could only be called disinterested to the point of disdain. The little girl seemed not to notice and bounced along in happy abandon as children seem compelled to do. “What was wrong here?” I asked myself. It was obvious that the man had missed the moment. We are afforded a limited amount of intimate occurrences in life and this individual had surely bypassed one of them: such a pity, such a tragic waste! I wanted to run up to the man and say, “Look! Look!” I didn’t, being reserved and polite. This whole scene led me to reflect on our “wakefulness.” Are we alive or are we just automata floating through temporal space waiting to be expunged. My observations would conclude less of the former and more of the latter. The answer most pundits believe is related to the Internet and more specifically social media. (2) We are slowly being “dummy downed.”(3)
But, of course, then comes the insightful question, “Why?” There are a host of answers to this inquiry, but the truest is probably “opportunism.” Once the Internet began to take on its present incarnation, more and more world leaders, political strategists, bureaucrats and marketers began to see the long-range implications.” Nothing is more wonderful than the art of being free, but nothing is harder to learn than how to use that freedom.” (4) Simply put: it is much, much easier to control a population if it is thoughtless, or driven to its innate consumptive-self, than if it thinks. We should all be given a test for awareness at twenty or so and asked just two questions: “Do you know that only you know you are alive?” (‘I think therefore I am’ from Rene Descartes) and “Do you realize that one day you will die and therefore cease to exist?” This would certainly have a limiting effect on time wastage, or at least one would hope. Maybe it just doesn’t matter and we should all get on the train towards mutual ecological and spiritual destruction. Nevertheless, it does matter. People are neither stupid nor blind: we are each God’s child and have a gift to give humanity, we are simply overwhelmed. There is just too much data to get a grasp on reality. When you fall into a raging river it is difficult to catch that branch hanging from the shore and pull yourself up onto solid ground. This, however, can be done. The tools: firstly, we must simply slow down and reduce our phone usage – something as simple as leave it off the table when we eat together. Secondly, we must open our eyes to the great world that exists around us. Look at the small things – the bugs, bees, birds, and plants that occupy our consciousness. Thirdly, and most importantly, we must have a talk with our God, in whatever shape or incarnation we see him or her. All answers to life lie within: this is axiomatic to living a successful and meaningful life. After all: it is your life, is it not? The great philosopher, theologian, and mystic, Meister Eckhart, (1260-1328) leaves us with a thought:
Some people prefer solitude. They say their peace of mind depends on this. Others say they would be better off in church. If you do well, you do well wherever you are. If you fail, you fail wherever you are. Your surroundings don’t matter. God is with you everywhere — in the market place as well as in seclusion or in the church. If you look for nothing but God, nothing or no one can disturb you. God is not distracted by a multitude of things. Nor can we be.”When I preach, I usually speak of detachment and say that a man should be empty of self and all things; and secondly, that he should be reconstructed in the simple good that God is; and thirdly, that he should consider the great aristocracy which God has set up in the soul, such that by means of it man may wonderfully attain to God; and fourthly, of the purity of the divine nature.
A closing thought: It is easy to make simplistic statements, but much harder to change the thrust of one’s life. I maintain that if more and more people are made aware of the perils of social media then “our eyes will be opened.” The Internet is knowledge personified as God. I know and can know everything. And, why not, knowledge is a good thing? We cannot equate knowledge with wisdom, though: they are mutually exclusive. When we all work together, we will make this world a better and more inviting place for all. Each of us must simply do his small part: individual water droplets in the sea form the ocean.
To sum up: This week we spoke about “waking up and smelling the roses.” It is important to be thankful for your life and for each moment of consciousness. Additionally: we must all strive to make the world a better place by contributing to the Common Good and being kind to one another. The ultimate and significant question is, “Why not be kind to one another?” The response is undeniable, “We should be because we all inhabit this tiny planet, alone in the cosmos.
A philosophical question: Why, when you are already late for an appointment, do you seem to get later?
Just for fun – Mac Davis, Stop and Smell the Roses
This week on your quiet walk, please ponder the question, “Why am I here and what is my mission in life?”
Every day look for something magical and beautiful
Quote: I must remember to first be honorable to myself and to the mission that I have to complete is my life. It is my agreement with God: I, the Lord, will give you life and you must finish your life’s work for the good of all.
Footnotes:
1) Little Dancer of Fourteen Years
2) Stare Into the Lights My Pretties
3) dumb down
4) Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America (ISBN 9-780-0755-427-35)