As the Spirit of our mortal body wanders on in childhood, and youth and old age, the Spirit wanders on to a new body: of this the Sage has no doubts. -- Chapter 2, verse 13, The Bhagavad Gita (Tr. Juan Mascaro)
Before we were a foetus, we were a sperm and egg. That sperm came from a sperm and egg; that egg came from a sperm and egg. And so on back in time, all the way to the Source who started this whole thing. Now each of us is taking on this form, this shape we are currently in.
We catch a glimpse of ourselves in a mirror or storefront window with a shock of nonrecognition. We are the same Spirit we have always been, but are in-habit-ing a constantly changing form. When we lay this one down, what then?
The Talking Heads have it right: "same as it ever was" -- we go on ("wander on") to a new body. If you are a person of open awareness (a sage) you have no doubt about this. If you have doubts about it, that's okay too.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
5. Krishna Smiles
Krishna smiled and spoke to Arjuna -- there between the two armies the voice of God spoke these words: -- Chapter 2, verse 10, The Bhagavad Gita (Tr. Juan Mascaro)
All that Krishna is about to say is contained in that smile. How beautiful that the Source of all being meets our doubts, our fears, our willful refusals, our angers with a smile! Not a frown. Not laughter. A smile.
Krishna first responded to Arjuna's complaints nonverbally. The nonverbal contains about 70 - 80% of the meaning of a communication; the verbal only about 20 - 30%. If Arjuna had been tuned in to Krishna rather than lying dejected on the floor of his chariot, he would have seen the smile and understood immediately. The Gita would have ended right there. Fortunately for us, Krishna had to spell it out for him.
Krishna begins by reminding Arjuna that we humans get caught up in the cycle of life and death, rooting for life and fearing and hating death. Krishna says that both life and death shall pass away. Neither is the ultimate outcome.
Thy tears are for those beyond tears; and are thy words words of wisdom? The wise grieve not for those who live; and they grieve not for those who die -- for life and death shall pass away. -- Chapter 2, verse 11
He then reminds Arjuna that the Spirit which animates us is indestructible.
Because we all have been for all time: I, and thou, and these kings of men. And we all shall be for all time, we all for ever and ever. -- Chapter 2, verse 12
We are made of the same stuff as our Source. At our core is indestructible Spirit. We have been with our Source since the beginning of time. And we shall be with our Source for ever.
I laugh when I realize that before I was born into and as this body, I was doing very well, happy and content. Then I was told I had to leave, take form in a human womb and be born into human society. I did not want to do that, sounded kind of risky to me. I was fine where I was.
Now I have grown accustomed to this embodying and I am told I have to leave here. Once again, a part of me does not want to go, sounds kind of risky to me.
It is so easy to forget I am a process. I want to make of myself a small never-changing kingdom. Fortunately, I am not listened to, for that would be sure death. When I lie on the floor of my chariot and complain, Krishna (our Source) smiles.
All that Krishna is about to say is contained in that smile. How beautiful that the Source of all being meets our doubts, our fears, our willful refusals, our angers with a smile! Not a frown. Not laughter. A smile.
Krishna first responded to Arjuna's complaints nonverbally. The nonverbal contains about 70 - 80% of the meaning of a communication; the verbal only about 20 - 30%. If Arjuna had been tuned in to Krishna rather than lying dejected on the floor of his chariot, he would have seen the smile and understood immediately. The Gita would have ended right there. Fortunately for us, Krishna had to spell it out for him.
Krishna begins by reminding Arjuna that we humans get caught up in the cycle of life and death, rooting for life and fearing and hating death. Krishna says that both life and death shall pass away. Neither is the ultimate outcome.
Thy tears are for those beyond tears; and are thy words words of wisdom? The wise grieve not for those who live; and they grieve not for those who die -- for life and death shall pass away. -- Chapter 2, verse 11
He then reminds Arjuna that the Spirit which animates us is indestructible.
Because we all have been for all time: I, and thou, and these kings of men. And we all shall be for all time, we all for ever and ever. -- Chapter 2, verse 12
We are made of the same stuff as our Source. At our core is indestructible Spirit. We have been with our Source since the beginning of time. And we shall be with our Source for ever.
I laugh when I realize that before I was born into and as this body, I was doing very well, happy and content. Then I was told I had to leave, take form in a human womb and be born into human society. I did not want to do that, sounded kind of risky to me. I was fine where I was.
Now I have grown accustomed to this embodying and I am told I have to leave here. Once again, a part of me does not want to go, sounds kind of risky to me.
It is so easy to forget I am a process. I want to make of myself a small never-changing kingdom. Fortunately, I am not listened to, for that would be sure death. When I lie on the floor of my chariot and complain, Krishna (our Source) smiles.
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