The Wings of Chaos

I have had this website for a number of years now. When I first considered its creation, it was to acknowledge a way of life that I was living at the time. I was living in the heart of a community of people who worked vigorously together on many projects. The projects were diverse and the individuals more so.

When involved with many individuals working fast and hard, one invariably hits bumps on the path of cooperation. One person is convinced that this way is clearly the best way, this person controls others through holding a specialized type of data, another is the creative genius whose vision is simply unquestionable. However, as a group we accomplished many projects.

Gradually in this form of work, this type of pressure cooker, one uses the best tools they have, and generally the best tools they have;  tools like anger, resentment, depression, fear. These tools are learned from early childhood, and are somehow perfected in the chosen sandbox, and they are tried over and over and over again. While thinking that this one next time, it should simply work now. Of course it does not work.

I knew there was a way of working together. To work together required one to begin to drop staunch stands of the ego. Iron clad principals of behavior gently soften, and we see that patience may be a new tool. Listening may actually work. We slowly and gradually, and with an almost imperceptibly small amount of faith, we try a new way. Maybe there is a different way of learning. Rather than fighting against the machine of the group, we can see the group as a living organism.

Now, I understand that these principals are known by many. However, if they were so easy to learn and understand why then, have they not been put into practice on a more global basis? The answer is because the tools of growth and group work are appropriated by the ego and its ways of mechanical thinking that persists almost always. As Benidictus Spinoza says on the last line of his seminal work “The Ethics”(Book V, end)

“If the way which I have pointed out as leading to this “true acquiescence of the spirit” seems exceedingly hard, it may nevertheless be discovered. Needs must it be hard, since it is so seldom found. How would it be possible, if salvation were ready to our hand, and could without great labor be found, that it should be almost all men be neglected? But all things excellent are as difficult as they are rare”

The mention of the ideas is easy. We trick ourselves believing we understand. But, it is when we attempt to put these ideas into action, that we face the mystery. This mystery is the area of inquiry in which I am interested. What I have found is that it is only when we develop the courage to face and stand in the mystery that we are able then to avail ourselves of the creative flow of chaos. Only when we acquiesce to the offerings of the cosmic chaos, are we able find out about ourselves and to work with our fellow group members.

We find our creative soul and highest meaning only when we learn to ride the Wings of Chaos. Join me in the exploration.