The Highest Art
While I wrote this some time ago, IT is my defining Inspiration & Aspiration. It is also a Monumental Crucible - as a Noble & Worthy Life probably should be...
At some point I believe, the truly deep, psycho-spiritual work must come to an end in this (my) lifetime. The incessant, unrelenting ‘seeking’ must diminish – must become less-and-less important (irresistible). Some believe that the choice can be consciously made to end it – this seeking. I wonder about that considering its power over us (me). I imagine it’s akin to a full-blown addiction (no offense to those who suffer from this) that must be addressed and then lived-with or ‘managed’ once you become ‘clean.’ Once an addict, always an addict. Factor in immense struggles with health, depression, great grief, finances, relationships, work/career/vocation, Teachers, Paths, ‘purpose,’ etc. and you’ve got all the attendant characteristics and mechanisms of enabling this type of behavior - this addiction. For the addict, removing oneself from the people and behaviors that enable / facilitate the addiction is absolutely necessary for any attempt at successful recovery. In the addiction to seeking, no such strategy will suffice. And what exactly is being sought? G-O-D? ‘Enlightenment?’ Peace? What would happen if you found “It” or NEVER found “It?” What if “It” was something that can’t be sought / found in the first place – or is indeed some Holy Grail-type destination or state of Being? How would either of those characteristics or outcomes leave this “seeking self” and this addiction? What if this world / reality is indeed a holographic projection / simulation / Maya / Illusion? Where would that leave your Faith or belief system(s) or existential concepts and struggles? How adaptable are they? How adaptable SHOULD THEY BE? What is resolute and undeniable - and unwavering?
Perhaps G-O-D chose to manifest duality – to manifest Others – to manifest Separateness – in order to ultimately not be alone / lonely? And the only way that would truly alleviate that ultimate loneliness would be to LOVE oneself so absolutely and so unconditionally – through the “created vehicle” of Loving Others, Service / Serving Others? Could this idea, this commitment, this resolve – this Immortal & Eternal Vow - be taken to (inform) the essential nature of your very existence? To ultimate existentialism? Perhaps the ultimate expression of Faith is that of Karma / Duty / Right Action? Doing something, believing something to be True – to be wholly worthwhile – to be absolutely life-affirming, LOVE affirming – even in the face of a potentially cruel and indifferent G-O-D? What would such an expression be or look like? When a belief or Faith is such that ONLY YOU “Hold” It?
I recently watched the quite powerful Netflix film “Shot Caller” starring Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (aka: “Ser Jaime Lannister” from “Game of Thrones” fame) and was again reminded of this idea of ultimate expression, of ultimate Karma / Duty / Right Action / Service. Without giving-away the plot, I felt that the character chose to “Hold” the ultimate expression of his LOVE – and discharge his Karma / Duty / Right Action in Service to that (his) ultimate “the Good, the True, and the Beautiful” (LOVE) in his life. It is a startling film and study in ultimate, yet noble sacrifice – the character’s “highest art” – his heartbreaking, but incredible masterpiece of his making – his incredible masterpiece of commitment - his incredible masterpiece of Service - the incredible masterpiece of his very own life.
What to you is worth living-for? And what to you is worth dying-for? What would you sacrifice for your greatest LOVE? What ultimate expression would have you feel you’ve redeemed yourself - and possibly humanity? What is it that would make you feel worthy of being loved by G-O-D? What is it that would make you feel worthy of BEING G-O-D?
Even in the face of absolute futility, absurdity, cruelty, and meaninglessness - what would you choose to “Hold” in your last breath, in your last thought? To stand-for even if it could potentially mean absolutely nothing – to anything / anyone other than yourself? What is it that ultimately gives you purpose and meaning – and can that finally, after so much, after so long, put a compassionate end to your suffering – this infernal seeking? Perhaps when you find your “highest art,” this ‘seeking’ will naturally end? It seems so.
EPILOGUE
I have been studying this “Idea” (‘seeking’ ‘enlightenment’ ‘purpose’ ‘peace’ ‘ truth’ ‘Service’ – my greatest potential – my “Highest Art”) for some time, both before and after this particular (previous) posting. I think I wrote it in early 2020 – before the world literally and figuratively changed. I have been troubled with “It” for a very long time – to the extent that I question my sanity on occasion. But when I am quiet – when I am still – when I “allow” GRACE to speak to me – in me – through me - “It” (the ‘question?’) is reaffirmed as essential, vital, undeniable, irrefutable. I do not claim to understand “It.” I don’t even understand Prayer - although I try to “Be Open.” All that seems to arise is a FEELING – an embodiment – of the Blessings of Redemption and Reunion – and an impetus or imperative (a Calling) to me – in me – towards the (my) “Highest Art.” To be in Service to that which comprises my Mortal Life – which is essentially that which comprises the “totality” of my Immortal Life – my Immortal, Divine Sovereignty – and my Immortal Vows.
I no longer “resist” this “Divine, Immortal Configuration” – regardless of “Its” outward appearance – of how I am perceived – how “It” is perceived - even by those closest to me. I no longer resist the Great, Miraculous Crucible that “It” represents in me and my life. Temet Nosce. Amor Fati. Memento Mori.
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Pi Patel: “So tell me, since it makes no factual difference to you and you can’t prove the question either way, which story do you prefer? Which is the better story, the story with animals or the story without animals?”
Mr. Okamoto: “That’s an interesting question…”
Mr. Chiba: “The story with animals.”
Mr. Okamoto: “Yes. The story with animals is the better story.”
Pi Patel: “Thank you. And so it goes with G-O-D.”
“Life of Pi” by Yann Martell
i.e. Your life? Your Path? Your ‘seeking?’ Your ‘enlightenment?’ It’s ultimately between You and G-O-D. Between You and Y-O-U.
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“Kingdom of Heaven” (“Rise a Knight”)
Sometimes even in popular culture, the Divine Immortal Frequency, The Highest Art, is beautifully expressed…
"He can see above the clouds; my other ears that hear above the winds. He is the part of me that can reach out into the sea. He has told me a thousand times over that I am his reason for being: by the way he rests against my leg; by the way he shows his hurt when I leave without taking him.(I think it makes him sick with worry when he is not along to care for me.) When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive. When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile. When I am happy, he is joy unbounded. When I am a fool, he ignores it. When I succeed, he brags. Without him, I am only another man. With him, I am all-powerful. He is loyalty itself. He has taught me the meaning of devotion. With him, I know a secret comfort and a private peace. He has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant. His head on my knee can heal my human hurts. His presence by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things. He has promised to wait for me... whenever.wherever--in case I need him. And I expect I will--as I always will miss you."
~ Author Unknown.