“It is not enough to be busy. So are the ants. The question is; what are we busy about?” — Henry David Thoreau
We may all have a good laugh at the above quote, unfortunately when we take a good look around us . . . this is exactly what is happening with very few exceptions. I found this to be fundamentally true when I spent many years as an educator. It went beyond my comprehension how busy everyone appeared to be keeping schedules, appointments not only for themselves, but also for their families. It was as if they were passing each other without skipping a beat, or to an even greater degree . . . being at all concerned. When does this disconnect become dangerous in our lives, and will we know if it is to late?
Let’s look at this with the eyes of Henry David Thoreau, “Men have become the tools of their tools.” With this in mind, do we own the electronics that have become so much a part of our lives/existence . . . or do they now own us? At this moment in time, I would say unequivocally without hesitation that the electronics with all the accoutrements to date . . . possess their owners with few exceptions. Communication has been relegated to another means of transference, obliterating a basic component of consciousness. This compromises the basic tenet of who we are and lends itself to the thinking of Lao Tzo, “To know yet to think that one does not know is best; Not to know yet to think that one knows will lead to difficulty.”
The process yields to the individual’s ability to see beyond their eyes. No, this is not intended to be misleading, truth seldom is. Basically, the only need for speed is embraced through faster, smarter apps, ipads, iphones and technology that exceeds expectations. The need for aligning consciousness within ourselves, family or loved ones is often compared to a dying dinosaur, endangered yes . . . but not quite dead. Or . . . if we are not truly conscious, are we just going through an evolution of motion like the ever present technology with the impermanence of our lives? Would we even know the difference?
Becoming awake, aware, alert, present and integrated in consciousness is a continuing process of self direction, focus, clarification, desire and a willingness to let go of the obvious and hook-into another manner of functioning. Are you willing to give up who you think you are, and realize the existence of who you truly are without all the layers, masks and hypocrisy? In the words of Stephen R. Covey it is relatively a simple response, “Priority is a function of context.” JLR