the GOD within (II)

That which surrounds us, also pervades us. We, ourselves, are as much an expression of our own essential core as we are an expression of our environment. And our environment expresses itself through us. Our surroundings are a nexus to us, as much as we are nodal points to our surroundings. The question to be asked, however, does not only concern the extent of those surroundings, but also its definition. If by surroundings (environment) is meant the physical and socio-cultural surroundings, the above statement shines in all its justness; the only reason why I am not a muslim is because I wasn't born in a muslim country. But where does this environment end, and where does a new one begin? Do we actually know?

We have created words such as 'country', we have built entire systems -both tangible and mental- on language, thus propagating antigony, dichotomy, this and that, but also one-unity-all. I wonder what came first: 'this-that', or 'all'? Doesn't 'all' immediately imply 'this-plus-that'? I'm guessing the concept of distinction consequently gave birth to 'similarity'. Versus the mother gave birth to Plus, son as well as daughter. Let us long for Plus' matricide! Lines, categories, limits, borders, drawers, definitions,...in the end we should all burn them, drown them, because they are the tools of our own mental architecture. We have created them, and they have created us according to the laws of chain and snow ball. This is how we became. This is how I became this and that, this is how I am being perceived by my surroundings. This is how I perceive my surroundings. We are very much so molded by our surroundings and tend to vaporize, into zillions of thits and thats, bouncing within its confinements.

Parallel with the last post, allow me to take a look at another TED speech. Here's an excerpt from Rev Tom Honey's speech:

How would one deepen such a faith? By seeking the inwardness which is in all things. In music and poetry, in the natural world of beauty, in the small ordinary things of life, there is a deep indwelling presence that makes them extraordinary. But it needs a profound attentiveness, and a patient waiting. A contemplative attitude, an awareness of my own infinite value, and a generosity and openness to those whose experience is different from mine.

Two main themes can be distilled from the above: inwardness and openness. I believe both are one and the same; that which surrounds us also pervades us. There is no such thing as an essential core, there is no such thing as surroundings. There is just. Thus I am All and All is I, and so are You. This is what it means to scribble outside the lines.