Living in Paradox

It seems to me that everyday I am swimming in an ocean of paradox. And it becomes more and more encompassing as I delve deeper and deeper into the mysteries of the universe... and find ways of applying them to everyday life.

It all has to do with the merging of the physical (world of form) and the spiritual (world of formlessess). Yes, we can walk in both worlds at the same time. All you need is a little bit of practice.

Just the other day, I was plugging away on a particular issue at work, when I got a phone call. That in itself is not unusual, I get calls all the time. The thing about this particular phone call was that the person on the other end of the line was in a state of utmost frustration, so much that off-colour language was exploding at me as if I was running through a mine field.

Immediately, my consciousness shifted from simply an understanding of the work to an understanding of that person's state of being. A voice in my mind whispered soothing words and I became very calm. Words came out of my mouth without me having to think about it. As a result, the person seemed to wake up from a dream ... or nightmare, and calm down. The next day they apologized.

These are the kinds of events that happen all the time. I take a deep breath and let my greater wisdom take over. As a result, I become simply a watcher, a witness, to whatever is happening. It is a very peaceful experience, because you are detached from the situation. Your attitude becomes one of curiosity... as if watching a really interesting movie.

The paradox is that I am the one talking, acting, and yet... I am not. Something else has taken over. I have given myself completely to a power greater than my little self. One that knows what to say, what to do, so that everything turns out for the best.

Some have called it the subconscious/unconscious mind, the spirit/soul, or even the Self with a capital "S". Others have named the experience "flow" or "being in the moment" or "allowing". No matter what the name, it is a beautiful and powerful experience.

As far as I can tell, from personal experience, as one rises in consciousness, one lives more and more in paradox. And not only in the sense that you become simply a witness to yourself, but also that everything you do, everything you are, becomes a paradox. It is the yin and the yang co-existing in perfect harmony. For example:

-The more you release/let go/give, the more you end up having.
-On one level, every little thing matters, and on another, nothing matters at all.
-We are all different/unique, and we are all one - exactly the same.
-Anything can be ugly and beautiful/perfect at the same time, depending on the perspective.
-We are mortal in body and immortal in spirit, living as one.
-The body and the mind are the same.
-One can make tons of money and be enlightened at the same time.
-One can be both physically strong and intelligent (hehe).
-Humour is the best way to teach something serious (haha).
-Sex , sports, combat, or anything else can be the first step to superconsciousness (hoho).
-Reality is fluid.
-The opposite of fear... is love. The more you love, the less you fear.

There are many others, these paradoxi - seemingly contradictory truths- which become visible as one's level of consciousness rises. Eventually, there is no distinction. The fact that both extremes are actually different perspectives of the same circle or sphere is evident.

Then, all there is... is Being.

Charles

Copyright © Charles Begin