Heart of a
Mystic
“Each of
us is called to be a mystic. To be a human being means that we are
invited into the possibility of transcendental life and experience.
We are not here simply to pursue a profane existence spent plotting
the course of our human happiness...We are meant for greater things.”
Wayne
Teasdale (The Mystic Heart, p. 120)
My friend, Rebecca, and I
had a conversation last night about the course of human evolution.
Having just watched our President elbow his way to the front of the
line, shoving other Presidents of other countries out of the way,
brought the subject of human evolution, or more aptly, devolution, to
the forefront of our consciousness. We talked about what makes humans
different from other animals—if, in fact, we are different. We
spoke of the curiosity factor—we're not content to let things be,
we need always to know more. Beginning at about two years of age, we
ask a billion questions about everything under the sun. But all
animals are curious. My dog, Liza, pokes her nose into all manner of
things. My back yard is a virtual mine field of holes dug to unearth
voles and chipmunks.
We spoke of the
creativity factor—our ability to make things, even very complex and
multifaceted things. But other animals create too—they make nests
and burrows. I have watched nuthatches gathering spider webs to bind
their nests together. We cited our advanced ability to communicate
thoughts and ideas—though we know for a fact that whales and
dolphins, and even crows have complex and meaningful communication.
Maybe it's our ability to plot and plan, our capacity, that is, for
“strategery.” Ann and Ellen's standard poodle, Ace, has that. He
sees a loaf of bread on a counter top, and has the good sense to
watch and wait. As soon as no one is looking, he grabs it and heads
for the dog door. Maybe humans are not so special after all.
One unique thing we do
seem to have is the capacity to connect with the mystery of life. We
are able to transcend our instincts, and experience being, seeing,
presence, and openness to that mystery. Unlike other animals, we can
choose to live differently from our predecessors. We have the
capacity to not only care for our own species, but to take care of other
species, as well. We are able to add to our knowledge base at an
accelerated pace. The evolutionary question for humanity is this:
Will we maximize those capacities, or not? Will we shove our way to
the front of the line, elbowing all others out of our path, or will we
bring everyone, all of creation, with us?
In the Spirit,
Jane
No comments:
Post a Comment