No. 58: Object Lessons
October 5th 2010 21:49
What are Object Lessons? The simplest way of defining them is that they are reminders. Object Lessons are reminders that there is interconnectedness throughout the universe. There are many, many things that all of creation share in common. We can know them when we take time to observe. Let us touch on a couple of these lessons.
No matter how, or with what strength or design, we peer into the depths of the cosmos, we still find three things happening: birth, growth and death. When things are born (created); they either grow or they are dying, and will eventually make way for another birth/creation. The new creation may be of something else entirely. This is true for the star, the planet or radiation wave. Also, when we look into the mighty microscopes of today, we still see birth, growth, and death occurring. Regardless of the method(s) used--division, multiplication or expansion--when one method stops, the organism dies and makes way for the energy utilization for another birth/creation.
It takes our experiences, knowledge and observation to understand it all, but there are lessons to be learned. Nature CREATES, and in the process, it WASTES form, whether ugly or beautiful. It is the result of passing and transforming energy in our dimension. Scientists work long hours studying energy hoping to understand its conservation law better.
In our bodies, energy courses through the vascular systems feeding every cell and ultimately setting the stage for our synaptic transfers and more accumulated thought processes. At every step of the way, to and from, creation is taking place. Our thoughts, just as our actions, are creative too.
As we learn from creation, we create. Let us find that still, quiet, moment when we can sit undisturbed, looking at a particular object--studying, pondering and asking ourselves questions about it. Take a mountain, for example. It was born as the continental plates collided beneath the surfaces of our planet. Perhaps for millions of years, one could have said that the mountain was still growing as it was pushing higher and higher. Then one day, the ever increasing quest for the heavens stopped, and it began crumbling and deteriorating. With notable exceptions, the energy stored when the mountain was growing is released slowly, so slowly that it is almost unperceived. It will erode away as weather, and other forces, bring it back down to its former elevation. Now a valley or plain will exist to grow other things. A lesson from this may teach us that no matter how big we get in our own eyes, conditions can, and will, bring us down. Live long enough and see it happen. As the old saying goes: “From diaper to diaper,” but enjoy the ride from changing to changing.
Now, ponder a marvelous mighty tree, perhaps an oak. It has grown slowly. It can move large amounts of water up and down through it. It grows its trunk ever thicker, as branches, limbs and leaves cycle on and off it. It spawns the growth of other trees by dropping its seeds to the ground. It provides shade to surroundings. It is beneficial to much of life,--the birds, squirrels and maybe us. It may have been living long before we were born and it may live long after we leave, but its day will come too. As it crashes down, energy is released in the sound and destruction below. What grows from this calamity, starts the process anew. Respect the tree for it is teaching us a lesson. We too can grow tall in stature or fame and fortune. It may last a long time, but all will comes to an end eventually.
I sit on the “Dock of the Bay,” as Otis Redding put it, watching approaching ships and boats ride upon the waves. In my haste to take them for granted, I feel confident that soon they will be safely within harbor. As long as the waves are low, I think, all is well. But, in front of me, I now see splashing waves in front of them! I realize the winds have suddenly grown stronger! Behind me are the dark clouds that only minutes before did not exist in my sight. Now, I am aware that danger may be for some crafts. The smaller, lighter, more vulnerable boats could be in trouble! The mighty ships will ride the breakers as though they do not exist, but the smaller craft? You know… There is a lesson here also. Friends, we must never take things for granted. Anything can happen to our course unpredictably. The winds of sickness, accidents, unemployment, lack of will, and other situations, can create higher waves than we expect. To the best of our ability, we must PREPARE. We have to make sure our ships of life are strong enough to weather the storms that inevitably come.
We all are well advised to take such quiet moments--“stop and smell the roses,” as is said. Once In a while we need to take breaks and look at various items in nature. Ponder their beauty, their uniqueness, their purposes and connections in the scheme of things. As we do, we will learn from nature and help guide our own lives. There are things, not in books or on the Internet, that will help us lead better, more productive, and satisfying lives too, if we will just look.
Please keep it between the lines.
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Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Comment by Edward Allen
Sanity Road
You are just to kind. Not much is happening, but thanks for thinking of us.
Keep up your good work too.