Hi overmind,
That's really an amazing image you saw in your meditation, and I liked the video you found to illustrate your idea, too. I enjoyed reading this so much, and I could see it on both the literal level, and the symbolic level as well. It echoes even the Big Bang theory, the idea of matter moving from the center point to beyond. So too in meditation when we come 'to the center,' and integrate the parts within ourselves, we are able more fully to 'move out,' and meet others in a more authentic way. But it first takes going within to the center.
It reminds me of Osho (somehow your essays always remind me of Osho! And believe me that is the biggest compliment I could give to anyone!
). He said that people 'seek' and yet what are they seeking? It takes turning within -- not going without. It's like that expression, "Wherever you go, there you are." And what he said reminds me of your discussion of love and its opposites. . . . because he explored that when one turns within, there is no traveling -- there is no adventure -- turning within means that you
stop going out -- you
stop with the adventuring. (Just like the opposite of love is merely the lack of love, not hatred, as you explained so well.) So it is a turning in the sense that one goes inside . . but that is where one already resides. What we do the rest of the time, whether we are in a discussion, or reading a book, watching a TV show, or 'seeking' to attain enlightenment -- these are all external things, where we are engaging with the outside world. Ironically, when we speak in terms of 'seeking' in the spiritual sense, true attainment at the deepest level is the cessation of this outward movement. It is instead a turning within -- a noticing of the fact that we are already inside, and now for a time we will reside there and become acquainted with that self who resides at our deepest layers. Whether we reflect upon the unconscious, the Higher Self, the Thought Adjuster, or the Center or Source, we are using different words for the very same concept.
And with this device you describe and illustrate here, these words of Osho's are what I am thinking of, and I can see how much you really do get it! We can only move outward once we have gone inside, and 'turned' within which is not actually a turning at all. It all begins within, before it can move without.
He gave a great story to illustrate his idea and i think you'll really love it. Mulla Nasrudah was on his hands and knees searching in the dust of the street. The townspeople came and asked what he was searching for. He explained that he had lost his needle and was trying to find it. "But Mulla!" the townspeople cried. "How can you ever find a needle here on the street, with all the dust and all the debris? And the street is so vast and the needle so small?" Mulla shrugged and they all joined him in searching. After a time one of the townspeople cried out, "Mulla, all this rooting and searching around on our hands and knees! The needle is so small -- surely we never will find it! You must tell us where you dropped it -- the exact, precise spot! Only then can we hope to come across it." Mulla replied, "Well, I dropped it in my house." The townspeople were incredulous. "Your house!" they cried. "But then if you dropped it in your house, why are we out here in the street, rooting around like pigs on our hands and knees!" Mulla sat up and smiled at them. "Because," he replied, "It is very dark in there, and out here, it is light."
That, Osho said, is what everyone is doing. They are looking outside, when the only place to look is within. If it appears dark inside, you turn the light on, and even a small candle will do, and then the darkness is dispelled.
The spiritual quest in these modern times is always a searching without, it is always turning outward. But there is no need to go outside -- you dropped your needle in the house.
And you are outside, searching for it where you know it cannot be found.
That's what your essay reminded me of, his story . . . so much wisdom overmind!!!!
We are lucky to have you here sharing your ideas.
Thank you for the lift!
With love, Michele