If the world that i perceive through my senses is a grand symphony of molecular interactions;
If a sudden bang set out this chain reaction, this eternal dance of energy particles that are governing every action, every minute change that is happening right "now".
How does some one explain an erratic behaviour ?
To be precise how does a un-premeditated action affect this whole universe, that i am supposedly a crucial part of ?
The Question brings up the issue of premeditation, can anything be premeditated at all ?
For instance, the words that i am writing right now the flow of ink from this pen; The movement of the ball this is taking place as i write is as complex and as inexplicable and unpredictable as the universe itself. One might argue the physics behind it, but since the origin
of every moment of my hand is a result of the electric impulses sent by my brain through the central nervous system. I have little control on what i exactly want to do.
To make this phenomenon that i call an "error" more apparent, let me illustrate the series of events that have led me to actually write this post. I was taking the elevator on the 7th floor of my 12 storied apartment, to do some laundry on what seemed to be a regular lazy Sunday afternoon.
I got on the elevator with a laundry bag in one hand and detergent in the other, voila! nothing great about i hear you say. Yes, you are right.
The "error" happened when i was pressing the floor button, i had to get to the 1st floor, and i clearly missed and pressed "3". Yes, the lazy Sunday afternoons I'd say. Though i corrected the mistake by pressing '1' again. I knew that the elevator would stop at '3' and i will be hitting the close button.
So where am i getting at ? what is the significance of this event ? If the "butterfly effect" as it is referred to is happening with every action we take. What would be the magnanimous outcome of this so called "error" ? Was i pushed in to a parallel universe ? Did i travel light years just coming down that elevator ? Did this small error change the entire course of my life ?
I can never know the answers to these Questions, as i lack the reference, on what my life "would have been" if i hadn't pushed the wrong button.
If one thing is for sure, i.e, i wouldn't have even thought of scribbling down this one a piece of paper. Not Me! i would have just dragged my lazy ass upstairs in the same elevator and pondered over the first thought that would have occurred to me, till i would realize i was going now where with it or have one of those physical urges to please myself in the easiest possible way.
So the Questions still remain,
Did i just travel light years into a parallel universe, was my elevator a time machine, is time travel happening all around us or was i just doing laundry tonight ?
7 comments:
P...
Wonderful post!! Kudos! I've spent quite a while pondering what you've written here.
If, as I continue to believe, everything happens for a reason and if the universe unfolds exactly as it should, then all events occur exactly when and how they're supposed to for the maximum growth and perhaps even the ultimate purpose of the "being" in Question. Although the elevator occurrence didn't have an immediate apparent effect, because of the fact that all things are connected and that the there is no singular cause for anything (interdependent origination), I wouldn't doubt that that seemingly small event is involved and intertwined with other occurrences in a much more significant way than can be seen at this time. Like you said, if it didn't happen, you wouldn't have turned into a post and I would not be sitting here typing this now. The elevator occurrence has now even impacted my life!lol
IMHO there's no point in thinking about what could have been. Because it wasn't. More importantly, it ISN'T. It's not even really worthwhile wondering what will be, because its unknown and it's not NOW. There's only NOW. My philosophy is to do and seek what your heart and mind call you to...and that usually seems to be what produces the greatest feelings of peace and happiness. The universe will always manifest signs and synchronicities to let you know you're on the right path. We're always learning the lessons we need most at any given time.
(btw...my own NOW seems altered and the passage of time moves slowly and quickly... simultaneously. I frequently wonder how much of this reality is "waking life".)
I think its certainly true that the butterfly effect produces a chain reaction of events in our everyday lives regardless of what we choose as a catalyst. But if the universe is really unfolding exactly as it should then you will always be making the best decisions and moving along the most appropriate paths to your destiny. (we can discuss my destiny/fate theory some other time lol).
And as to your final questions...my best "guestimate" would be: probably yes on all 4 counts. lol
This stuff is great! Keep writing! :) \p/
M,
You have summarized what i wanted to say in the post in saying..this
"If, as I continue to believe, everything happens for a reason and if the universe unfolds exactly as it should, then all events occur exactly when and how they're supposed to for the maximum growth and perhaps even the ultimate purpose of the "being" in Question."
Yes, the belief in a pattern that governs all the universe, leaves you helpless in the Quest of an awakening. If all was happening as it was supposed to, our role in this insanity is as insignificant as anything..
This drives me to the conclusion, that "Nirvana" is the act of seeing beyond one's own reality.. An act of integrating the chaos and the realization of the pattern behind the seemingly miraculous and inexplicable events that take place in our day to day life.
P.
sounds like the evil butters from the parallel universe:-p
P...
You said that "the belief in a pattern that governs all the universe, leaves you helpless in the Quest of an awakening. If all was happening as it was supposed to, our role in this insanity is as insignificant as anything.."
I disagree (because I have to for my sanity, unless you can suggest an alternative). If life unfolds as it should, (or perhaps for the maximum growth/learning of the ones involved) then that seems to prove some kind of significance rather than insignificance. Also, it means we are developing or growing TOWARDS or INTO something. These 2 things are points or ends...therefore life and the roles we play DO have a purpose...and even meaning. I have to believe this in order to continue on in this existence.
I love how you defined Nirvana as "an act of integrating the chaos and the realization of the pattern behind the seemingly miraculous and inexplicable events," but do you think that maybe Nirvana is seeing one's reality in its most clearest possible perception, rather than seeing beyond it? But then again, that isn't really consistent with "Ubermensch" philosophy, is it?
Keep writing...I absolutely love this stuff!
M,
I see your point, when you said the way in which the universe unfolds gives you a sense of purpose and life its singnificance. What troubles me in this is the lack of "free will", or the illusion of it. If everything will happen the way it was supposed to be, all i can do is to wait and see. Which inturn reduces my significance to a mere spectator.
My argument is this,
Even in this chaos, we have the right to choose our path by focussing on our awareness of events that happen around us. And, you might say that this awareness itself is bestowed up on us, because it was the way universe wanted us to grow. I can't agree more :)
P...
IMHO...
I have (sometimes quite sadly) seen and accepted the evidence of my own free will and its consequences. But it has also shown me that the existence that I sometimes entirely despise is the reality that I HAVE CREATED (mea culpa dammit lol). All the aspects of participation in this existence (mental, physical and spiritual, etc.) have rippled out into infinity from ME. I have projected the shape, form and colour of my thoughts and feelings onto the universe directly, substantially affecting how it is manifested. I realize how every time I see a shitty existence it's because a shitty existence is what, due to my past accumulation of experiences, and either consciously or subconsciously, have chosen to manifest.
So why can't both free will AND destiny truly be existing in collaboration? If we can agree (even a little) that the concept "destiny" is equivalent to "exactly where we should/need to be for maximum opportunity for personal growth" (since every choice we make [freewill] decides precisely where we should be in order for the optimal learning we need at that time to take place [destiny]) then it follows that the two polarities are really just different sides of the same coin. Every product of our minds (thoughts, ideas, etc) therefore continues to form or unfold our destiny.
So both free will AND destiny are essential to a meaningful or significant life.
I like the way you phrased this... "it was the way universe wanted us to grow"...and I would like to add something. I don't think that what we really want for ourselves is entirely separate from what the universe 'wants'. I see our individual minds as being innately connected to the original, universal, divine oneness...the 'thing' that exists outside of us but which is also inside us as well. It really IS true, therefore, that what you do to your neighbour you also do to yourself...and everyone else for that matter.
I do hope this is intelligible. Thanks for the mental stimulation :)
PS. I'll forget all this just when I need it most...so please remind me when I have. :)
CORRECTION:
I meant to say that the ACCEPTANCE of both free will AND destiny are essential to a meaningful or significant life.
Feel free to dispute...
:)
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