Of course, you are. After all, in 1984 Madonna declared that:
"You know that we are living in a material world; And I am a material girl"
Sometimes, profound truth is uttered by pop stars in the form of song lyrics that are put music which resonate through the culture for years and years.
Or, is it truth?
Approximately ten years earlier, Buddhist author Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche in his book entitled, Cutting Through Spiritual Materialsm shared teachings on what he referred to as “the Three Lords of Materialism": 1) The Lord of Form, 2) the Lord
of Speech, and 3) the
Lord of Mind. On a very basic level, these aspects of materialism deal with the challenges
of everyday life: fulfilling one’s needs for food and shelter, as well as intellectual and spiritual sustenance. Taken to an extreme level, these "Lords" enslave us.
As a trained materials scientist, I am keenly aware that modern physics teaches that matter is energy and energy is matter (Einstein). I am also aware that the material world we perceive as people, places, and things is more akin to the vibrations of particles (or waves) dancing to the orchestra of form (quantum physics).
So, when you get a little caught up, or hooked by Three Lords, it may be helpful to recall Matthew 6:19-21:
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth
and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for
yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where
thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your
heart be also.”
In the 1967 film Cool Hand Luke, the
Captain of Road Prison 36 (played by Strother Martin in a memorable
performance) explains to Luke (Paul Newman) upon his arrival at the
prison that, “You run one time, you got yourself a set of chains. You
run twice you got yourself two sets. You ain't gonna need no third set,
'cause you gonna get your mind right.” The implication is clear; either
conform to prison life on the chain gang--or else.
Off the silver screen, “gettin’ your mind right” is a somewhat different matter. As we
mature our ego tends to strengthen and our mind can become muddied like
the waters of a southern bayou. From this perspective it is often
difficult to see clearly and we lose our way. In so doing we
sometimes forget our connection to the Universal Mind, or “Infinite Intelligence” (as it was referred to by Napoleon Hill).
You know the feelings: confusion, disorientation, and general uncertainty.
Can anything good be accomplished when the mind
is in such a state?
During times of
“muddled mind,” it can be helpful to recall what it was like to be
a child. In my home, we refer this to being like the "Goo" (our 8-year old daughter). In Zen Buddhism this state of mind is referred to as Shoshin
or “Beginners Mind.” Shunryu Suzuki succinctly explained this approach
in one of his talks which was compiled in Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind . He said, “In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities; in the expert's mind there are few.”
Along
similar lines, in the Christian tradition we have the parable of Jesus
and the little children. The Apostle Mark describes a scene in which
“People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his
hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he
was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and
do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a
little child will never enter it.’ And he took the children in his arms,
placed his hands on them and blessed them.” (Mark 10: 13-16)
In the words of Dragline (George Kennedy) describing
Luke’s death to his prison mates at the end of Cool Hand Luke,
“He was smiling. That's right. You know, that, that Luke smile of his.
He had it on his face right to the very end. That old Luke smile. Oh,
Luke. He was some boy.”
So how are you going to get YOUR mind right?
"Real magic in relationships happens in absence of judgement."--Dr. Wayne Dyer
Good/Bad. Smart/Stupid. Funny/Serious. Engaging/Boring. Beautiful/Ugly. Capable/Incompetent. Diligent/Careless. Assertive/Meek. Old/Young.
Oh, how we love to judge others. For some, this is the lively sport wherein gossip is the televised action. Film at 11. For many, it's a compulsion. If you believe that the latter is not true, then just try going one whole day without judging a single person. Be truthful, and hold yourself accountable. Watch your mind, and keep score. Each time you fail (and you will fail), recommit yourself to creating a "no-judgment zone" for yourself and those with whom you interact. Go ahead. I dare you to try. In fact, I double dog dare ya!
It can be difficult to refrain from this highly developed and insidious behavior. In a coaching alliance it is an absolute imperative for both the coach and client. When the impulse to judge does come up (and it will) remembering Luke 7:1-3 may be helpful:
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?"
Near the climax of the 1994 film, The Shawshank Redemption, Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) engages in a dialogue with Red (Morgan Freeman) about his dreams of what life would be like outside of prison. Andy encourages Red to dream with him to which Red retorts, " I couldn't hack it on the outside. Been in here too long. I'm and institutional man now." Red pleads with Andy to stop torturing himself with "pipe dreams" of Mexico, to which Andy responds, "I guess it comes down to a simple choice, really. Get busy living, or get busy dying." Follow this link for a video clip of the exchange.
In what parts of your own life have you become "institutionalized'?
"The Unexamined Life is not Worth Living."--Socrates
If the unexamined life is not worth living, then how do we live an examined life? One way, is to review our lives each day. St. Ignatius of Loyola taught an "examination of conscience" as a daily practice in his Spiritual Exercises. While having its origins with Ignatius , the practice is beneficial for the religious and secular. My own adaptation of Ignatius' examination is quick review in the evening of the day's "being" and "doing". It consists of four parts: 1) Awareness, 2) Gratitude, 3) Forgiveness, and 4) Resolution.
Awareness
What part of the
day was inspirational and enthusiastic? What caused stress or confusion? When was there resonance, and where was there dissonance? When were mistakes made, and when was right action taken?
Gratitude
Give thanks for all that the day had to offer.
Forgiveness
Forgive any mistakes, errors, or omissions.
Resolution
Commit to improving tomorrow.
So, how are your examining your own life?
Navigating life is like climbing a mountain--full of fear and exhilaration. Often we set out for the summit of a peak (or to achieve a goal) in fair weather, and then we encounter clouds, fog, wind, rain, and snow along the way. No matter how much we plan in advance, mountains (life) present us with unanticipated challenges. Crevasses need to be crossed, avalanches avoided, and careening boulders gingerly sidestepped.
And then comes the crux of a climb (or a particular phase of life), often the most difficult and important series of moves, that if accomplished will lead to the summit, and if not will lead to retreat--or death.
Personally, I've achieved numerous summits both in life and in the mountains. I've also retreated from many climbs. What I've discovered is that it is possible to hold the tension of advancing and retreating without becoming paralyzed. More often than not, I have chosen to advance. And when I have retreated, I've lived to climb another day. Most importantly, I've savored every step of the way.
How's the climb of your life proceeding?
