Ham Sandwiches / Noble Directions In the final analysis, petty people find their petty places. To lead a life of
(Petty People)
perfect honesty, to not break (or veer) from the pattern of follow-through,
is to continue at best in one directional flow before transiting to another
mind / wind
air / pattern
It isn't enough to storm the barricades; or pole-vault over the walls, if
halfway in the course of "setting your sails" you take out that little life boat
from the hull and paddle in circles around your vessel, saying,
"My, isn't the water wet!"
Or, if in the course of setting your direction to the North Star and the winds
of your intent, you put on your frog flippers and jump in the little life boat
again, paddling around, saying,
"Yes, I know there's an emergency, but first,
I'll have a ham-and-cheese sandwich!"
The mind corresponds to the element of air and can be easily blown off course.
The water corresponds to the fluidity of emotions. And emotions are like water,
clinging to the body of what we believe. If you've ever tried to
dry / dripping
off / wet
from that feeling of being wet, especially when tired, and exhausted, and
fatigued, and just plain overwhelmed, you might notice how long it takes a
simple towel to absorb the water. The water, the emotion doesn't let go easily,
and in moments of prolonged, continued effort (or paddling), the wet qualities of
one's emotions hang on, and find it rather hard to let go.
"I'm so exhausted from eating this ham sandwich
over and over and over again!"
There's abundant irony in the realm of following-through with our goals
as to whether we "have had enough." No matter how full or empty the bank account,
if the feeling about money is tied to safety, then how could there ever be
enough money to compensate for the vagaries of the world? What bonds or
securities could ever compensate for this globe in which technically there is
enough for all, yet most of its peoples are engaged in throwing ham sandwiches
at one another?
***Where is the genuine or real freedom contained within wisdom?***
"I'm sorry I can't help you. I'm imprisoned by my
overriding concerns for my ham-sandwiches!"
Real freedom, genuinely spiritual, indwelling freedom, if such a state exists,
occurs in the freedom from given constraints of anxiety in any moment.
In hindsight, few fearful situations truly warrant the investment of rigidity and
concerns our emotions give to them. Rarely does fear in-and-of itself, coupled
with anxiety, bring clarity or peace.
"Leave my ham sandwiches alone! They're mine, all mine,
I tell you, all 246 of them, plus the one's we're saving for
Jimmy's college account. Turn off the TV and get off that sofa,
James Hogglesworth, you're turning into a genuine pig!"
In these changing times, the seduction of impermanence leads some of us to wonder
ever-more where our true passion lies. Nothing appears lasting, so naturally one's
anxiety of "not enough" can rob us from the clear mind sky of steady follow-through.
Noble directions ask of us to clearly direct our sails and intention. Noble directions
require consistency within mental winds and gales. Nobility asks that we not be
led from our course by momentary breezes. When there's sufficient mental focus
to chart the course, to summon the winds, the gales, and even the storms, then
and only then can the vessel of intent be lifted to the firmament of our goals.
Suddenly (it may appear sudden yet is resultant from one's steady, unwavering hand)
the vessel is lifted from the waters right into the sky, and what had been bound
to shallow seas, or locked to the land, is literally pulled up and catapulted in the
direction of our intent.
It doesn't mean being rigid, nor being unable to make subtle and remarkable
adjustments in the direction of our course. Nor does it mean storming the
walls even as our home cottage or family is being consumed by flame.
"Wow, I made it! Whoops, lost my family in that big ol' BBQ."
Nor does it mean spending years in psychology analyzing the secret needs of
sails, and whether pigs sing better to Brahms, Madonna, or to Led Zeppelin.
"I'd like to go sailing, but I'd rather sit here and count my
cheese slices."
What it does mean is giving up pettiness. And the greatest weight and holding
back of pettiness occurs from releasing the weight of compensatory behaviors.
These compensatory behaviors are those which keep you paddling around in your vessel,
eating a ham-and-muenster sandwich. Compensatory behaviors are found in any patterns
which prevent you from following through in the arc and direction of your course.
"I prefer cheddar."
Of course it sounds too simple. That's because noble directions are almost never
followed-through by petty people. Weakness of character can come from a
plenitude of distractions.
"Hey, there's a turnoff from the road right here!"
There can be a million explanations and rationales as to why a person cannot,
or will not, follow-through. Yet the pattern remains clear. Some are destined
to greatness, and others destined to eat ham-and-cheese sandwiches while
paddling around in little boats.
"Does pastrami count?"
(Vegetarians or vegans should substitute their own favorite food metaphor.)
Letter to the Author at SoulGnosis@aol.com