George Grosz's "The Wanderer"
There's a saying regarding one's history that goes, "How can one know where to go when one doesn't know where one has been?"
There's a direction and a purpose to our life, yet most people unknowingly wander aimlessly. Whilst they remain lost and unaware of this higher pursuit, most still feel their spirit longing to find this calling. However, they do not understand nor fully realize that there is a higher purpose for them to fulfill - yet by striving to do so they will also find themselves fulfilled as well.
There's a direction and a purpose to our life, yet most people unknowingly wander aimlessly. Whilst they remain lost and unaware of this higher pursuit, most still feel their spirit longing to find this calling. However, they do not understand nor fully realize that there is a higher purpose for them to fulfill - yet by striving to do so they will also find themselves fulfilled as well.
So, what happens to these people?
Sadly, they cannot interpret this feeling, but do however feel its presence. It's a hunger which cannot be satiated - but is always felt. It's a gnawing at the soul which causes a state of discontentment - as if the spirit itself is tossing-and-turning in its bed whilst trapped in a restless sleep. It's a burning in the back of their mind, which gets repeatedly swatted away in the hope that it disappears.
These people, blind to the path, partake in indulgences in hopes to satisfy this feeling. Themselves believing that any celestial or numinous undertakings are out-dated, stupid, or false; they turn to worldly pleasures: acquiring material possessions, celebrity, drugs, sex, food, or whatever other avenue they think they'll find a cure to this feeling.
Others, unsatisfied with the above examples, search for someone who appears to be "enlightened" or knowledgeable. These "enlightened" people are often times someone who tickles their audience's ear, telling them what they want to hear, in order to move their "self-help" books off the shelf and keep tickets to their seminars selling. However, it's not usually a specific person they seek out, but rather an idea or "way-of-life" they find. The whole "I'm spiritual but not religious" crowd can be gathered into here. It's a step in the general direction, anyway, but this usually leads them to a dead-end as well - albeit, it just took longer to get there. These people also wind up finding themselves indulging in all the worldly pleasures mentioned above, because everything is now "spiritual", "an experience", and "part of the universe" - and also is no longer subject to being good or bad, because it's all about "your perception, man".
This way of thinking is far worse, I believe, because it now tries to justify partaking in decadence as being "spiritual" - thus, trapping the person in a loop. The worst aspect about it is the expulsion of objective truth, for now everything is up to "how you perceive it". Sure, that form of deluded thinking may fool yourself when someone voices concern over your lack of responsibility and your frequent, "recreational" drug use. Yet, when looking at something like a robbery, somehow that same pseudo-spiritualism doesn't apply because "it's, like, not the same thing, dude". This dualistic way-of-thinking is shallow at best. Without objective truth there would be nothing - no basis on which to judge good or bad, moral or immoral. Its practitioners may believe it's deep and heavy thinking whilst at the same time saying, "there is no such thing as objective truth". However, they do not realize this glaring contradiction they have just made. I don't want to dwell too much on this particular facet, but I'd very much like to expound on it in the future.
So, how does one find the path?
Through the power of will.
For many, as is the case, the blind have knocked their cane against most everything, that the only thing left for them to find is the path itself. Having found their way onto the path, they have a found a great and foundational truth. However, finding the path isn't enough - they must begin the journey down it. Eventually, as they seek the truth, the blind begin to see; poorly at first, but they are able to make out some semblance of light. Through their will, they begin learning more and more - and the scales begin to shed from their eyes. Then comes the time when they are blind no more, and begin sprinting down the road with a determination that burns like a raging fire and conviction that roars like thunder. If there's any force that dares to impede their progress and block the path, that opposing force will be met with both righteous indignation and the sword!
No longer sightless, they now see the other blind in the ditches and land surrounding the path, and also see those with sight who guide not the blind - making sure they trip over each other, never to find the path. However, the noble and righteous souls that, by their own will and through His benevolence have found the path, may offer a hand to those they see searching for the path.
These people, delivered from darkness in such a way, should not put to waste the road that has been shown to them, and should not out of ignorance take dismissal from the path, for they do not understand and know not where it leads. Nor should they return to their blackened vision in the wayside to seek the comfort of familiarity. They should honour and give thanks to he who has pulled him from the ditch and shown him the path and its truths, and should give thanks to the Lord for the mercy He has shown upon him.
Whether out of misplaced pride, ignorance, or arrogance; those who reject truth will only ever experience the misery of stumbling in the dark - regaining their balance only to trip and fall again and again.
One must have strength-of-will in order to take to the task of searching for the truth; possess the mental-tenacity as to not be swayed from it; and own the spirit bold enough to take on the charge to defend it, once found. However, these are not enough. One must remember - they are a student to the truth. They should always be seeking answers.
Do not be so proud as to dismiss something without learning about it. Listen to both sides, and if your facts are wrong, have the humility to own up to it. When your knowledge is tested and is shown to be correct, give thanks to the Lord that by His grace He has illuminated your way on this path and has given you understanding!
"Remember that to change your opinion and to follow him who corrects your error is not a surrender of freedom. Your action follows your own judgement and understanding and keeps the course your mind has set." - from Marcus Aurelius' "Meditations"
As always, take care and God bless.
- The Author
Sadly, they cannot interpret this feeling, but do however feel its presence. It's a hunger which cannot be satiated - but is always felt. It's a gnawing at the soul which causes a state of discontentment - as if the spirit itself is tossing-and-turning in its bed whilst trapped in a restless sleep. It's a burning in the back of their mind, which gets repeatedly swatted away in the hope that it disappears.
These people, blind to the path, partake in indulgences in hopes to satisfy this feeling. Themselves believing that any celestial or numinous undertakings are out-dated, stupid, or false; they turn to worldly pleasures: acquiring material possessions, celebrity, drugs, sex, food, or whatever other avenue they think they'll find a cure to this feeling.
Others, unsatisfied with the above examples, search for someone who appears to be "enlightened" or knowledgeable. These "enlightened" people are often times someone who tickles their audience's ear, telling them what they want to hear, in order to move their "self-help" books off the shelf and keep tickets to their seminars selling. However, it's not usually a specific person they seek out, but rather an idea or "way-of-life" they find. The whole "I'm spiritual but not religious" crowd can be gathered into here. It's a step in the general direction, anyway, but this usually leads them to a dead-end as well - albeit, it just took longer to get there. These people also wind up finding themselves indulging in all the worldly pleasures mentioned above, because everything is now "spiritual", "an experience", and "part of the universe" - and also is no longer subject to being good or bad, because it's all about "your perception, man".
This way of thinking is far worse, I believe, because it now tries to justify partaking in decadence as being "spiritual" - thus, trapping the person in a loop. The worst aspect about it is the expulsion of objective truth, for now everything is up to "how you perceive it". Sure, that form of deluded thinking may fool yourself when someone voices concern over your lack of responsibility and your frequent, "recreational" drug use. Yet, when looking at something like a robbery, somehow that same pseudo-spiritualism doesn't apply because "it's, like, not the same thing, dude". This dualistic way-of-thinking is shallow at best. Without objective truth there would be nothing - no basis on which to judge good or bad, moral or immoral. Its practitioners may believe it's deep and heavy thinking whilst at the same time saying, "there is no such thing as objective truth". However, they do not realize this glaring contradiction they have just made. I don't want to dwell too much on this particular facet, but I'd very much like to expound on it in the future.
So, how does one find the path?
Through the power of will.
For many, as is the case, the blind have knocked their cane against most everything, that the only thing left for them to find is the path itself. Having found their way onto the path, they have a found a great and foundational truth. However, finding the path isn't enough - they must begin the journey down it. Eventually, as they seek the truth, the blind begin to see; poorly at first, but they are able to make out some semblance of light. Through their will, they begin learning more and more - and the scales begin to shed from their eyes. Then comes the time when they are blind no more, and begin sprinting down the road with a determination that burns like a raging fire and conviction that roars like thunder. If there's any force that dares to impede their progress and block the path, that opposing force will be met with both righteous indignation and the sword!
No longer sightless, they now see the other blind in the ditches and land surrounding the path, and also see those with sight who guide not the blind - making sure they trip over each other, never to find the path. However, the noble and righteous souls that, by their own will and through His benevolence have found the path, may offer a hand to those they see searching for the path.
These people, delivered from darkness in such a way, should not put to waste the road that has been shown to them, and should not out of ignorance take dismissal from the path, for they do not understand and know not where it leads. Nor should they return to their blackened vision in the wayside to seek the comfort of familiarity. They should honour and give thanks to he who has pulled him from the ditch and shown him the path and its truths, and should give thanks to the Lord for the mercy He has shown upon him.
Whether out of misplaced pride, ignorance, or arrogance; those who reject truth will only ever experience the misery of stumbling in the dark - regaining their balance only to trip and fall again and again.
One must have strength-of-will in order to take to the task of searching for the truth; possess the mental-tenacity as to not be swayed from it; and own the spirit bold enough to take on the charge to defend it, once found. However, these are not enough. One must remember - they are a student to the truth. They should always be seeking answers.
Do not be so proud as to dismiss something without learning about it. Listen to both sides, and if your facts are wrong, have the humility to own up to it. When your knowledge is tested and is shown to be correct, give thanks to the Lord that by His grace He has illuminated your way on this path and has given you understanding!
"Remember that to change your opinion and to follow him who corrects your error is not a surrender of freedom. Your action follows your own judgement and understanding and keeps the course your mind has set." - from Marcus Aurelius' "Meditations"
As always, take care and God bless.
- The Author