Helicopters on fire

A friend asked me if there was any way to pinpoint the moment of becoming conscious, of becoming awakened. It's true that satori experiences are very much part of the great spiritual traditions. But enlightenment is difficult to define. Becoming aware to the reality of existence can happen in an instant, of course, but mostly it's an ongoing process, less of a linear progression.

Becoming conscious of one's own consciousness is an advanced state for someone to achieve, and takes a lot of self-work. It means being aware and critical of your own biases and assumptions. That's extremely hard work to do, but truly is the core of philosophy.

Philosophy is understanding, understanding self and other. Philosophy is valuing, judging, taking perspectives and attitudes and arranging them in a particular configuration.

If things continue, what is the likely result? What is likely to happen in five years, ten years, twenty years, fifty years? Will things be better or worse? Does the world constantly get better? Does culture, politics, society, technology, etc., always get better? Will 2014 be better than 2013? Is there an app that will make everything better?

Our ideas of what is better are bound to our culture and values. Is every advance of technology better? If I want to send you spam, for me, that is what is better.

Good can become bad, and eventually does. Don't lose hope. Bad eventually becomes good, too. Either way, there's little you can do to affect it. It’s an illusion to think otherwise.

Wouldn't a cartoon hit the spot right now? ☺

Disassembled from Junaid Chundrigar on Vimeo.

Peace,

Dave Roel.

If you want to go somewhere, it is best to find someone who has already been there.

- Robert Kiyosaki