Share the Mystery, Share the World
A mysterious being walking around in a mysterious world. This is the actual truth to our situation where we are.
It takes a change in perspective to see the situation, but there is really no other way to see things. We can label and name everything, establish routines, and make everything feel comfortable, but really we know absolutely nothing for sure about our situation, except that we exist.
We close our eyes and everything goes black, sort of, but we also see colors and patterns. We fall asleep and become involved in different situations and adventures. The more carefully we observe the world, the more and more utterly mysterious it seems.
The more science explains the quantum and subatomic world, the intricate workings of the human body, or the vastness of the galaxy and universe, the more mysterious it becomes. Science is really just observing things, measuring them, and trying to figure out what's happening, but there are no real answers to the biggest questions. Where did it all come from? If there was a Big Bang, where did the Big Bang happen, and where did the materials for it come from? Is there something else besides us anywhere, something monitoring this world? No answers for any of those questions, none at all. It's a great puzzle that a thoughtful person can investigate.
What does it feel like to be here, conscious? This is part of the meditative state, and the focusing on the I Am of existence that Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj encourages us to do. Focus completely on what you are as a being, and try and figure out what's going on. Am I, my consciousness, projecting a reality into a three dimensional world? Is there a powerful computer generating what I experience and I move through and focus my attention in different places, as if I were in a video game? Really we don't know. We just don't know. The investigating is incredibly interesting, though.
Whatever it is, it is an amazing creation, so incredibly complex compared to what we as a species is able to accomplish. Ultimately, our species may figure out how to recreate what we are, but so far we have not cracked that code, and it seems we are not even close. Until we do make some great revelation about what this all is, or are visited by a species or entity which can explain it to us, what to do and how to act? Not knowing really the rules, the origins, being stranded on a world, in a body, with many other beings, how should we treat each other?
Doesn't it make more sense to recognize everything as part of the Great Mystery and treat everything with admiration and respect, since everything is part of the same grand creation, whatever the origins may be? People are different - they look different and have different opinions, beliefs, and practices they have developed; but all humans share the same basic circumstances and planet. It is ONE HUMAN FAMILY, as a bumper sticker nobly points out. Working together for a healthy planet, and a comfortable living situation for all humans is an excellent goal for humanity. Placing energy and resources towards this goal, instead of hatred and war will create much more positive outcomes.
As well, humans must consume other beings, be they plant or animal, in order to survive. Most humans no longer have to hunt for their food, they only have to purchase it at a market. Choosing to eat animals and animal products, or to not eat them, are both logical choices. For some humans it makes sense, and for others it does not. For those that do choose to eat animals and animal products, the process of raising the animals should be considered.. What is the quality of their existence? Are they suffering because of the conditions they are forced to live in? Does their suffering matter? These are questions for each to consider and investigate.
We are sharing the mystery, we are sharing this world with all other beings. Be they human or animal, we should recognize them as us, and not create conditions that cause suffering.