Many answers lie in the fourth dimension which is time.
Have you read Lincoln and Childs? Great authors. Fun and interesting. In, 'Still Life with Crows' they had a great line-
Time is a storm we are all caught within...
There has been some remarkable physics done regarding dimensions and time. In thought we tend to live a linear life, traveling point A to point B, while our awareness focused with our attention leaps forward and backward on the time line of our life experience. Especially in these 'modern times' with so much multi-tasking and so many 'things' [subject/object] to ensnare our attention it is easy to get caught 'in life' and miss the greater experience in the now. Our body always lives in the now. In reality we always live in the now. Always have, do and always will. We can not actually ever live in any other time but now.
Interesting is this. A line is a collection of points. It requires time to travel from one point to another. A point is a representation of a singularity on the time line. A point is. Just like NOW.
The present moment is a hypothetical dividing line between a past that is always over and a future that never arrives. Life is and will always exist in the now.
Interesting is that now encompasses eternity. Words and a little trippy but the reality is
the truth within the concept
is a fulcrum
that can aide the attention to lift from the gully's we travel in back onto the road.
The real trick
is to do your work
which is to listen to your deepest truest knowing and direction [the still small voice within]
as best you can,
as often as you can
and do your best.
The effort we expend in the process of living our 'good life' realizes our potential strength to us and opens untold gates of opportunity and grand experience. The secret place we all strive for is hidden, within. Within our own awareness.
Hence, it is hard and it is easy simultaneously.
Dichotomies, paradox, life is filled with them. A singularity does exist. It is only a theoretical construct in words or in debate or argument though UNTIL you personally are able to experience it.
Philip Caputo, a photojournalist who has specialized in war coverage and was himself captured and held in the mideast by extremists with no cavalry to save him. He knew he would die or survive on his own resource. After weeks he saw an opportunity and was able to escape and live to tell about it. A remarkable man. In one of his recent books he had a quote that reflects the truth he knows-
'Our vitality is restored
Not through ease
but through effort.'
There is a nice story from Japan in past centuries when the Samurai was revered, feared and esteemed. It was known that a Monk who had attained great understanding resided atop a hill in a small orchard with a very spartan home. He led an austere life and was himself held in very high regard by all the locals who knew him as possessing vast understanding of the mysteries of life.
A Samuai from far off heard of this Monk and traveled to see him. When he arrived in the nearby village he inquired of the whereabouts of the Fabled Monk. This Samurai was bold, abrupt and demanding in his words and manner with a powerful physical presence that evoked fearful respect. He was directed to a small path that lead up the hill to the Monk’s residence.
Upon reaching the hilltop he spied the small hut of the Monk and found it empty. He looked about and saw a small elderly figure sitting in meditation under an apple tree in the quiet late afternoon. He boldly strided over to the Monk and in a loud voice demanded of him,
“Hey Monk, if you are who people say you are, teach me the difference between heaven and hell!”
The Monk slowly opened his eyes and looked at the Samurai taking him in.
He replied with a dismissive sweep of his arm,
“Go away, you disgust me.”
Again, context, old Japan, Samurai were the head of the pecking order and were not addressed in such a way.
The Monk closed his eyes and resumed his meditation.
The Samurai was enraged with the words and gesture. He trembled with anger and fury. Then he reflexively reached for his sword, pulled it from its scabbard raising it high over his head preparing to behead the Monk.
Just as he readied to swing it down upon the old man, the monk opened his eyes and looked at the Samurai and said these words.
‘This is Hell.’
The Samurai immediately halted, his emotions transmuting from furious rage as he was over come with shame for reacting so and with awe at the courage and wisdom of this Monk to risk his life to teach him, a stranger, this lesson in so dangerous a way. He fell to his knees, lowering his sword and looking into the eyes of the Monk. He then began to cry and bow before him.
The Monk then gently lifted his chin and softly spoke these words.
‘And this, my son, is heaven.’
Best regards...
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