The Void pt. 7

Equipped with a knowledge of the circumstances of our plight and comprehension of the steps required, we are able to perceive a positive direction of travel capable of freeing us from the ruts we've been trapped in. Hope spurs and our Void looses a slight portion of its draw as we focus upon our new mission. It all seems simple enough - let's do this!

Oh yeah! Victory is at hand. All we have to do is follow a few simple steps and - BAM, success. We will be free.

Internally motivated by encouragement achieved via a little knowledge and even less understanding a silent storm brews. The Void senses the motion and reacts as if it is alive. Tension begins to mount as the energy builds - much like the stretching of a rubber band.

Temporarily blinded by the internal charge we are unconscious of the growing stress. We do not recognize our compromised position, having already detoured our success via transgressing the first revelation of our freedom. We have lost sight, ignoring the fact we need an External energy source for our motivation or guidance. Due to our perceived expertise we rush headlong into this challenge - we can do this!

Pushing forward our position extends positively beyond the event horizon, but only momentarily. Suddenly, progress halts.

Remarkably, we recognize the loss of momentum. We even acquiesce to our err, indicating internal awareness and growth. Consequently, we begin seeking external input, asking questions of any and all who will offer up a suggestion.

OH BOY!

The suggestions come streaming in. Virtually every size, shape and colour are presented. This will be weird. Sorting through the rhetoric for any incling of potential forward thrust is diverted. The acquired tension then pulls us back into orbit, riding the event horizon.

With the challenge remaining, another attempt is plausible - if so asserted. Failure to break free, perhaps even after multiple tries, draws our analytical attention. We decide it prudent to attain a single external source to guide us in our endeavor.

Never having chose such a guide before reveals our unprepared status. Picking the correct one will be a low probability at best. Nevertheless, we assert ourselves and pick a guide based upon what we think or feel is just. Let the crap-shoot begin.

Without fully understanding the interactive connections between our five revelations of truth, we choose a source that harmonizes with our current desire and perspective of "success".

How many laps around this mountain will we take? Only time will tell.

As with all five of our discoveries, we bounce, sway and swagger through multiple variant designs - each time gaining what seems like headway - only to see a repeat return to orbit. Frustrated, we either give in and quit, pause for reassessment, or thrust forward with another concocted variant. If we do not quit, we will eventually pause and reconnoiter our circumstances.

It must be the guides I chose.

Perhaps it is the challenges I accepted.

Maybe I gave to the wrong people.

The statements of reconnoiter mount as we ponder. Frustration also grows - we are supposed to be free!

As the frustration overwhelms our conscious and we intently look at our statements of cause, a commonality becomes evident. Every statement contains the directive - "I". WHO is the core of our Void? Despair sets in and we begin to see our expectations. They are all, once again, focused upon personal gain FOR personal reasons. Yes, they are self-centered, defying the very rule to achieve a break away path.

THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE!

Our internal motivation is squelched by our frustration and despair and hope dissipates. Will we continue our pursuit of truth and gain our freedom? Such will be known when it is known.

We must now focus on our expectations. Congruently, convenience rears its head by restating the simplicity of the steps.

If we discontinue we will settle for Status Quo - slowly, particle by particle being consumed by our Void.

The world - the culture we inhabit - by virtue of its own unconscious orbit of a consuming Void tells us we must pursue release FOR our own reasons. Pockets of society, consumed of their own desires issue up a particular brand of cause FOR pursuit - leading to their Void.

It becomes quite evident the appropriate FOR is rather mysterious. Fame, fortune, status, success, wealth, security, etc., etc. The offers FOR abound. Which FOR will empower freedom from our Void?

If our orbit ends in total decay, the core-eruption of self via doing things FOR self - then Charity should be the real FOR. Coming to this conclusion and solution we project one final all out quest for freedom. Unfortunately, the results do not vary and we are returned to orbit.

This push-pull cycle leaves us desperately asking, "What are we to push ahead FOR?" Death is the ultimate result no matter what impetus we choose. Then we find one more venue.

If death is the result, maybe we need to find its contrast - life? For the first time we stumble upon something of substance, something capable of sustaining ample motivation to break free. Innately we know this is what we will do this FOR.

Realizing this, that we do this FOR life, we find we have an even larger question to answer. What is life?

Thank you for reading.

Perhaps you will receive the hidden gifts within....

theunclericproject

The Void pt. 6

We have taken five conscious laps or orbits around our Void since we awoke to its influence. While each cycle has brought us closer to our own demise, we have gained much knowledge. Knowledge, however, is only the start. We must be able to piece the information attained in an order capable of supporting a solution.

This is where "the going gets rough and the rough get going". This is the moment of assembly, a prerequisite for action rather than reaction.

Five cognizant cycles have initiated this process of assembly by revealing truths of substance. In as much, we now know we are the core of our own spiritual decay through our performance of a routine focused upon gratification of our childish attitude, all the while we empower it by our complacency which appears to have begun as far back as we can reconnoiter due to our errant perceptions of the external world, generating fear of the unknown.

Wow. That is certainly a mouthful!

But HOW do we chart a course out of this orbit?

Like always, we must first draw a contrast. IF we comprehend our current position, what would be the opposing position?

Let's take this a step at a time.

If we are the core of our spiritual decay we can readily assume an "other" is at the core of our spiritual growth.

If we have accomplished this orbit via performing a routine focused upon our child-ISH attitude, we can safely assume we need a routine focused upon our child-LIKE attitude. Therein, the opposite would be a regimen of behavior involving Change, Challenge and Charity.

If this routine has been empowered by our complacency, the opposing regimen would be empowered by aggressive action.

If this deleterious cycle began as far back as we can recall, without a succinct cause advent or event, we must then place our past in a particular value perspective. In other words, the opposing value accepts the past as just that - the past - what's done is done, it is dead.

If our errant perception of the external world generated a false impression or fear, which is the same as illusion, fantasy and/or mirage, the opposite would acknowledge that which is. It would be a position in which one fervently acknowledges intelligent thought - what we may call Faith.

Given these opposing positions, we could summarize this as:

We need spiritual guidance from an external source to help us form a routine focused upon feeding or enabling our child-like abilities to Change, accept challenges and perform Charity with aggressive intentional action while we accept our past as a "done-deal" having no substantial authority in our existence so as to remove illusions and begin a process of faith.

WOW. Another mouthful!

While that puts the opposing perspective and position in our conscious, it still does not answer HOW.

HOW does one garner an external spiritual guide?

HOW does one form a new regimen of Child-like behavior?

HOW does one perform it with aggression?

HOW does one accept their past as 'dead'?

HOW does one fervently acknowledge intelligent thought?

This is where the "rubber meats the road". How is actually rather simple, though we want to make it complex. Nike said it best in, "Just Do It!". This is the quintessential element. We have to DO something to engage the process and it must be conscious, intentional, aggressive action so as to provide us with the necessary feedback to determine whether our act gained positive results.

Here is a simple prospectus.

Every action we do or don't take garners, if our eyes are open, a piece of information - what we call knowledge.

That piece of data must then be placed with other pieces in a manner that 'fits' - just like puzzle pieces. This is what we call understanding.

As more pieces assemble the puzzle displays a 'picture' via interpretation. We must then apply a new act according to the picture we see developing. This is what we call wisdom.

After we have done so, reactions, both internal and external occur. These reactions will generate new puzzle pieces to deal with - new knowledge to rout through the protocols.

Thus, plotting a course out of our deleterious cycle is a progressive regimen requiring consistent Change, Challenge and Charity empowered by Faith. To steal a song's phrase, "This is how we do it, do it".

Welcome to the beginning of a journey, not a destination.

While all this answers the HOW in general terms, its simplicity will most likely leave most of us askew - as we have tried some or all of these before without success. We may fail in spite of knowing HOW.

We will also look at the world around us, see people taking positive action without success and others being complacent with success - all this is temporary and illusive. We will all feel the tug of Comfort, Convenience and Control pulling us back toward the Void from time to time and begin to wonder, what are we doing this FOR?

Like the movie The Matrix, being plugged in can be a very pleasing death. Fantasy can be more appealing and endearing than reality, thus leaving us with our final question - what FOR.

Until the finale'

theunclericproject

The Void pt. 5

As we again orbit our void, we are reminded of our current destiny, awakening another surge of emotion from within. The revelation of how much we have played a role in this dance pierces our heart with even more pain, as if discovering WHO, WHAT, WHERE and WHEN were insufficient impetus to garner our sincere attention.

Now it is WHY that consumes our thoughts.

We think about our accomplishments, the trials we've overcome and the tests we've passed. We know we are not beyond ration and reason, having a fair amount of knowledge, understanding and wisdom - yet - we are still at the epicenter of our own destruction.

Is it plausible we are masochistic?

Do we enjoy decay?

Are we simply ignorant and unaware of it?

The questions real in our mind. This is our moment of self flagellation as if to say Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa. Such a good beating should draw out an answer, but none comes forth. Again we tire, giving in to the circumstance for what it is. Our mind settles and we begin a new portion of query from an objective state - hopefully.

With achieved objectivity at hand we begin to realize that though we are the major actor on this stage, there are many other actors and even props contributing to the play. Utilizing the information garnered from our WHEN discovery, we look for the transition wherein we willfully chose a childish approach to life. This is not so easy, there are many, many occasions. One thing is obvious however - every occasion possesses certain characteristics only now discernible.

The first we notice is the overwhelming desire to be accepted by those around us. It is powerful, as if it is the meaning of our existence. The appropriate clothes, hair style, vernacular, etc. This, of course, gives way to an intense desire to prove our value or worth, supposedly to our self. Ironically, it appears such is merely vanity, for we are not unique, rather we are a composite of our environ - by choice. Nevertheless, our Ego steps forth as a master, leading to a service of me, myself and I in the most obvious and arrogant ways - including actions of defense when no offense was propagated.

Ironically, when looking back, we see many hurdles and warnings to our pursuit of entry into orbit. Unfortunately, we were consumed with a rebellious attitude, assuming we had attained significant experience to equate to wisdom. Examples of this behavior mount as we look at our life from an external port. Even when we attempted service to something or somebody else, we see a self-suiting reason at the heart of the matter.

Sadness emits as we wonder if there is any hope at all. Are these behaviors the subconscious ruts holding our travels in orbit?

Then, looking at the result of our over active Ego, we see just how close it was to confidence, yet not. That's it! Lack of confidence! We re-acted in stead of acting, but why?

We sense a multitude of reasons - potential rejection, plausible loss of social status, probable loneliness, the list grows as we continue. Hundreds of 'reasons' present themselves. Pondering, we start to see how false all these reasons were and are - they are simply lies.

What is a lie?

It is most certainly something that does not exist outside of our own imagination. It is non-extant - a nothing. Then again, our Void is a nothing, at least in appearance - is it too a lie? Why would we be influenced by a lie?

Then it happens. We recognize a common denominator in our choice to believe, accept and follow lies - FEAR. Fear of the unknown, fear of the truth - fear. While indeed we chose our orbital path, we did so out of false evidence appearing real (F-E-A-R).

Would we have been rejected?

Are we being honest with our self?

Did self-service fulfill us?

Naturally, we have to question why we would fear that which really is, that is, the truth. Would not truth be better than a lie? If a lie is really nothing, non-extant outside our mind, then truth would be extant outside our mind. This could be scary.

Contemplation of this scenario shows further fear of truth because of truth's potential. Truth is, therefore it does not request change - it manufactures it - and Change is contrary to Comfort.

This gives reminder of another statement made by the one called The Christ, "Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." Such is scary to one bound by Comfort.

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN and now WHY have become fairly clear, but we have not been freed from our orbit. This brings us back to our set aside question - HOW, HOW do we plot a course out of this destructive orbit?

Until pt 6 ...

theunclericproject

The Void pt. 4

Realizing we are the core source of our probable demise puts us in an awkward position. We have managed, some way, to trap our self in a deleterious orbit. We sense that if we can resolve WHEN we did so we will have better potential to break free.

WHEN did we begin this orbit around the great nothing?

Again we scour our discrete elements for clues. Perhaps they contain a residue, some trackable and traceable sign capable of indicating an entry point. As we do so, we see many if not most of our elements as self-serving in nature. This will be a difficult task as we will have to look deep into our history.

Looking back, emotions are stirred at every corner. Within these waves we are reminded of a time of freedom, a time when much of what we did was without major consequence. We remember Childhood - a time devoid of the Void, at least that is how it felt.

It was a time of wonder. Everything was an experiment. We were sponges, absorbing anything that came at us. Mystery abounded and we were constantly investigating. We sought to please others, if only to garner their approval. We definitely enjoyed others with a reckless abandon not since experienced.

Indeed there were moments of selfishness, but we remember a heart with a great ability to transcend the limits of self. We were sensitive to the feelings and needs of others, ready to act at a moments notice. We were, however, incapable of specifically identifying the intellectual complexities involved, we simply loved.

We remember our attitude. We were always willing to accept virtually any challenge, though our attention span and patience level prohibited solving the grand complexities. It was incredible, this thing called childhood.

After this brief rendezvous with our past, reality and honesty return. Yes, we are romanticizing our childhood. There were many times of selfish activity and uncontrolled emotional upheaval, (most of us would not choose to return to it and start over) but we were not held responsible - we were under authority, unable to choose or succinctly direct our path alone.

This leads us to conclude some outside force, perhaps parents, relatives, friends, school or other external advent as the preeminent force behind our path's direction.

Such must also have sufficient energy to alter or destroy the 'child-like' attitude of openness and discovery, diverting the energy toward the empowerment of the 'child-ish' attitude of me, myself and I. It would seem to have to be, barring physical abnormality, a traumatic event or advent in order to do so, as children are very resilient.

Simultaneously, our logic brings to bear the very nature of being a unique, physically separate entity. As such, there is an innate capacity to be self-centered via individual sentience. The world revolves around us. Childhood and thereby children would be susceptible to these multiple influences of self-focus capable of rendering an entry into orbit - the WHEN as it were. What we can safely assume therein is only the behavior surrounding the WHEN.

Given all we have surmised is true, a child would continue a path of Change, Challenge and Charity until a sufficient and unchecked influence altered it. Thus, we enter orbit around the Void through a pulling away from the external world via seeking Comfort, Convenience or Control as our source of encouragement.

WHEN this occurs may be any time within our human development from Childhood to Adulthood (and such prevents Maturity). Thus, the WHEN we are looking for is not a specific event or advent external, rather it is a witness of transition from a child-like attitude to a child-ish attitude toward the external world and existence.

This gives a little clarity to an ancient statement familiar to Western culture - a statement given by one called The Christ, "Thou must be child-like to enter the Kingdom of Heaven."

This revelation leaves us, via the contrast, wondering why we would do such a thing or allow it to happen to us. Nevertheless, we now have ascertained the WHO, WHAT, WHERE and WHEN - leaving us to investigate the WHY.

Until pt 4...

theunclericproject

The Void pt. 3

With our routine focused upon Comfort, Convenience and Control there is a generation of a Void, projecting a gravitational force that holds us in a slow, steadily decaying orbit around the Void. We have tried to break free, only to realize the force is greater than our capability, leaving us in a conscious state of insufficiency. The whole of our life is part and parcel of this erotic dance of death, until we can discover and destroy the source of the Void's power.

As we are revolving around the Void, the power source must be directly correlated to our position. Consequently we continue introspection, but with a new perspective. "How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop?"

In locating the Void's core we first confirm our sum's orbital path. In such devise, we re-address the discrete elements of our life as our sum's orbit in relation to our self position, as we are succinctly at the core of our discrete elements.

As we do, it is revealed our elements are arranged to compliment the routine of Comfort, Convenience and Control - assisting the Void's continuance. These elements are the result of our choices, meaning our intention - conscious or not - is to empower the routine.

If these assertions be true, we must then discover contrasting forces of form to help reveal the source of empowerment.

Comfort is a state of ease and rest, a type of stasis. A diametrically opposed force would therein be difficult and dynamic. Thus, its opposing force of contrast is Change.

Convenience is a state of personal order, wherein access to an object is clear and simple, requiring very little extension of effort. An opposite force would have an order outside of personal device, wherein access to an object is relatively complex, requiring extension of effort to attain the object or objective - equating to Challenge.

Control is a relative perspective, wherein we are the master of our environ. Herein we manipulate circumstances to fill our desires. Thus, a contrary force would accept circumstances as they are and look toward fulfilling the desires of others. Only Charity fits this bill.

In summation, Comfort is relative to self-provision, Convenience to self-protection and Control to self-promotion. In poetic irony, the discovery of the WHO is harmonious with the discovery of the WHERE.

In all this introspection and analysis it is readily apparent we are empowering our Void's gravitational pull and thereby steadily destroying our self via our self. This then begs the question, How long before our self generated decay pulls us beyond the event horizon to the point of no return, no escape?

Given we have a limited life span and a definable growth process we must continue questioning. As we have discovered the WHO, WHAT and now WHERE, we continue with, "WHEN did we become so destructively self oriented?"

Until part 4 ....

theunclericproject

The Void pt. 2

We ponder the 'HOW'.

Simultaneously we react, instinctual flailing about for a moment like an insect when it first realizes it has been caught in a spider's web. It's not pretty.

Realizing nothing has changed and the Void still has us safely in its field of influence we stop flailing, only to be left in a state of awe, amazed at the Void's power. HOW must be set aside temporarily as we determine WHAT. What is this nothing sucking the very life out of our being?

If we are to gain victory, this enemic force must be identified. What do we know about it?

From our initial encounter we have determined WHO it is connected to, that is, our self - somehow. It obviously projects gravitational force capable of drawing us into it - somehow. It is also directly proportional to Status Quo - somehow.

If all this be true, what is it that Status Quo generates?

Contemplating further, we find ourselves essaying a variety of elements; our job, our career and the time we devote to it, the people we surround our self with, the possessions we have accumulated, etc., etc. All such things, however, cannot complete the definition of this Void - yet they are all connected to it.

Then, as we try ourselves through introspection, a flash of light exposes a little bit of perspective. It is EVERYTHING! Yes, everything combined, the sum of what we have experienced, accumulated and achieved - nothing, really. We carry out our routine daily, performing a pattern of operations as if programed like an automaton. Are we an Artificial Intelligence?

This cycle, this pattern of behavior, this routine - it has formed an inescapable path in that the wheels of our conscious are kept within the ruts of our subconscious through our repeated travels.

Ironically, we have been relatively unaware - comfortable in the cycle as it provides us with a sense of convenience. We know what to expect - no real challenges, simply the same ol' same ol'. We feel in control as our life is mysteriously sucked away, particle by particle, until we are no more. Yes! This is WHAT it is - our routine of comfort, convenience and control.

This emotional upheaval has given us the opportunity to perceive imminent doom by issuing a clear warning - conceiving in us an awareness of self - the WHO of the matter. Now, as we introspect, the routine is easy recognized as a formation of pattern, a cycle devoid of hope for all is a constant repeat of comfort, convenience and control. We must go deeper.

Having the WHO and WHAT, we need the WHERE. Where is this cycle's core? Where is it's source of power?

to be continued...

theunclericproject

The Void pt. 1

After a weekend with my new brothers in Fort Worth I give thanks to my brother Orion for his hospitality. Also, thank you Kari for your patient input and kind character - it is appreciated (you are definitely helping me in my 'great adventure').

To those who responded to my last e-mail - awesome, awesome, awesome!!! To those who did not - well .........

As the journey continues the spirit moves and I am again compelled to share. Naturally, some of the "compelling" is due to a need to feel connected - but so be it - I guess after all, I'm human (kriy-kee).

Hopefully, that which I share somehow edifies those who read. If not - oh well, what can I say?

And so, I give you a little diddy (feel free to share) ---

THE VOID

pt1

(Status Quo)

There are epochs in our lives wherein nothing seems to make sense. No matter how bright the sun, clear the sky or blue the ocean, status quo eats away at our conscious creating a growing void within.

We often medicate this evolving emptiness with everything from entertainment and business to religion, only to delay the outcome - a conflict with self.

During this progression we will point the finger at every and all measure of external cause and effect, attempting diversion, as if we were the victim of some grand conspiracy, but resistance is futile. Naturally, there are phases that progressively unveil the source, such as recession and denial, but short of spontaneous combustion the inevitable is, well, inevitable.

In "the cool of the day", after we have expended all our defensive energy, reality sets in and we are left facing the central character in this twisted play of emotional upheaval - self.

It is at this point the Void becomes overwhelmingly apparent, revealed in feelings so intense they easily remind us of a great weight tied to our feet, the vacuum of space - or even a Black Whole.

While the pain of this position in space and time is intense, it is our "Event Horizon" - the location wherein we know our destiny if we continue without a major change in course, it is the moment of opportunity and decision.

As we confront this Void, a dual question takes precedence, "How do we escape the gravitational pull of our own insufficiency and plot a course toward proficiency?"

Stay tuned for part two ...

theunclericproject