Project 1
A Journey Into Infinity
As a spiritual being with a higher purpose in
becoming self-realized, I strive to live a life centered on compassion, unity,
and peace. My existentialist journey of self-discovery began during my childhood.
I yearned to see past the artificial indulgences of our material Universe,
after reading into literature describing how there is an omniscient force
responsible for the underlying order within the cosmos. Literature by Dr. Wayne
W. Dyer and the Dalai Lama challenged my beliefs and allowed me to consciously
deconstruct my genealogical system of knowledge. I began to see all religions
and ideologies as inherently connected, each yearning to form a union with a
higher power. Alan Watts once said, ÒYou canÕt get wet from the word water.Ó[1]
It is not what one calls the higher power that gives it its meaning but rather what
it is. Be it Shiva, Allah, Jehovah, God, Source, Mother Earth, Tao, Universe,
or the Infinite, all of these names serve to describe an unbounded force of
oneness. With this understanding, I tapped into my inner soul through a union
with Source and began my journey into the Infinite. I felt humbled at merely
being aware of the force responsible for the synchronistic workings of the
Universe. Reborn with a new perspective on the mystical workings of the world,
I learned to surrender to this force by trusting in the will of this organized
intelligence. My journey into the Unknown allowed me to glimpse into the mind
of the Tao wherein only connectedness and unity exist. I relinquished my need to judge the
present moment and was now at peace with my life. This shift in consciousness
allowed me to move past the plaguing deaths of my family members, forced me to
forgive all who had ÒwrongedÓ me, and so I began to see all life experiences as
an unfolding of the Mystery. Continuing to live with such a philosophy, I see
divine purpose behind all human interaction. No longer a hostage to the past or
the future, I can now take time to be one with the squirrel, panda, and
homeless person on the street. Many of my most enlightening experiences have
involved simply observing an animal interact within nature. To see a panda
compassionately care for its young ones allows me to slow down and realize my
inherent connectedness to all of humanity. This state of unity consciousness
has allowed me to adopt an awareness of love for all beings. I strive to see
myself within the suffering of others, feel as the ÒOtherÓ does, and realize
one undeniable truth: we all bleed red. Viewing the panda as Òa gateway to the
phenomenal world of the human spirit,Ó[2]
I can now understand my spiritual need to surrender to the present moment.
Always one with the now, the panda finds immanence within our Universe. The
pandaÕs ability to find contentment in nature challenges me to embrace
underlying patterns in nature. I no longer strive to reach a transcended state
of consciousness; rather, I see Òthe true majesty of lifeÓ unfolding in all my
experiences.[3]
Video of
a sneezing baby panda interacting with her mother[4]
Panda
interacting within nature [5]
The pandaÕs level of higher awareness has further
challenged my conventional belief structure. Learning Òto see through animal
eyes,Ó I have relinquished my need to judge and analyze unconventional
perspectives. I always strive to educate myself on the varying perspectives all
religions hold, as I recognize there is no absolute doctrine of truth. I find
truth within the Bible, Quran, Bhagavad Gita, Talmud, and the Tao De Ching. The panda introduces man to the world of limitless
possibilities, Òenabling man to reason intelligently from the Known to the
Unknown.Ó[6]
The more I try to analyze and understand the Mystery, the more bewildered I
become. The pandaÕs sense of contentment has taught me to surrender to the
mystical workings of the Universe, for the panda symbolizes Òa specific force
of the invisible, spiritual realm manifesting within our own life.Ó[7]
Rather than trying to understand life after death, I accept the ineffable
nature of the Mystery and resolve to become one with the present moment. Within
this submission, I realize Ò[t]here is a
thing inherent and natural,
[w]hich existed before heaven and earth.
Motionless and fathomless,
[i]t stands alone and never changes;
[i]t
pervades everywhere and never becomes exhausted.
It may be regarded as
the Mother of the Universe.Ó[8]
I have formed a union with the
Òmotionless and fathomless,Ó and through the spirit of the panda, I intend to
live a life of compassion.
My pandaÕs kindhearted nature has also taught me the
power of forgiveness. Mark Twain once said, ÒForgiveness is the fragrance the
violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.Ó[9]
By bringing in a non-judgmental attitude towards those who may have ÒwrongedÓ
me in some way, the spirit of the panda has taught me to send love to all
individuals. Sending light to all who it interacts with, the panda lives its
life in harmony. Instead of reacting, I have learned to act from a higher state
of awareness, allowing bliss to permeate through my life. Within every moment,
I have the choice to live in a state of resentment or in a state of
forgiveness. The panda has guided me to choose the latter, because when one
sends light towards darkness, the light nullifies the darkness. Each experience
holds the capacity for infinite growth. Many of my most transformative
experiences have been in times of struggle. Witnessing violence, experiencing a
parental separation, and losing loved ones have shaped the identity I hold.
Through suffering, I have grown and recognized our common humanity. Within
every ÒnegativeÓ experience lies the seed of a positive one ready to emerge.
Times of perceived suffering serve as tests to our true character, for it is
easy to affirm principles when nothing ÒwrongÓ is going on within our lives.
However, by standing firmly by the principles to which we hold dearly within
our hearts, during periods of suffering, we allow for the emergence of our true
selves. The panda has taught me the Òabsolute power and mystery:Ó divine
purpose rests within each moment.[10]
The panda embraces the Mystery and sees all interaction as divine. I have also
come to see through the eyes of the ÒOther.Ó Engrossed within my own state of
suffering, I forget that I may have also been the cause of someone elseÕs
suffering in the past. Experiences from my past do not create the energy I
generate within each of my present moments; however, the trail that I have left
behind serves as a powerful reminder to guide me on the straight Way. I trust
in the cosmic will of the Universe and send all green lights to every person
that comes into my life.
Panda compassionately caring for her Baby[11]
The panda has further strengthened my resolve in
taming my ego. Prior to falling under the ranks of the panda, which is free of
the ego, I was unaware of my true, inner self. Dr. Wayne W. Dyer attributes
this phenomenon to the world of the ego, characterized as ÒEdging-God-Out.Ó[12]
The ego is the false self, driven by mantras of ÒWhat is it in it for me?Ó and
ÒHow can I get ahead?Ó We live the afternoon of our lives under the false
pretext that getting ahead and being Ònumber oneÓ is where our true awareness
lies. The earlier years of my life had been focused on ÒwinningÓ a debate round
or ÒbeatingÓ another team in a simple game of basketball. I gradually realized
the superficiality behind such competition and resolved to live a more inspired
life. Dying to the world of the ego, I no longer strive to ÒwinÓ but rather
grow as an individual for the betterment of humanity. The panda has allowed me
to see how living a life from the perspective of the ego results in a
never-ending struggle. The more material objects we accumulate, the more our
ego yearns to obtain additional objects. Just as the panda finds solace within
its connection to nature, I have similarly resolved to reconnect with Mother
Earth by freeing myself from my material attachments. By learning to Òlet go
and let God,Ó[13]
the only thing I need within this world is my union with Spirit. This
perceptual shift has allowed me to move away from the mentality of ÒWhat is it
in for me?Ó to ÒHow can I serve?Ó The pandaÕs perspective has allowed me to see
the interconnectedness of our world and realize that we are all fundamentally
Òone.Ó We come into this world with nothing and leave with nothing. Thus the
pandaÕs spirit has showed me my purpose: to empathetically make the world a
better place with the limited time I have on this Earth. We are not of this
world but only in this world to help humanity. By surrendering to the will of
the Infinite and relinquishing the egoÕs grip on oneself, a life of purpose is
carried out.
The act of judgment has also crippled the very fabric
of our society. A socially conditioned response, judgment has come to dominate
the way we think, speak, and act. My spirit animal has allowed me to see
through this habituated response. The panda does not judge or analyze the
workings of the Universe but rather approaches each situation with acceptance.
Recognition of the differences inherit to our world is a phenomenon that should
be embraced. The panda does not see a Hindu, Muslim, or Jew differently but
rather as beings connected to the natural world. Similarly, I strive to view
all individuals of particular ideological backgrounds as connected beings to
the Mystery we call Mother Earth. Moreover, when casting judgment, the judger
elevates him or her self to a position that proclaims the ÒOtherÓ as Òwrong,Ó
indicative of egocentric thinking. Understanding that people come from various
cultures, backgrounds, and ethical dispositions fosters a sense of acceptance and
benevolence for all of humanity. The panda has taught me to put myself in the
position of the ÒOther,Ó wherein I realize that judgment is merely a projection
of the self that intellectually weakens the judger. To judge would denote the
idea that one has various ideological perspectives better than the ÒOther.Ó
This undertaking traps oneself within a mental cage that becomes impenetrable
to othersÕ perspectives. Practicing non-judgment and acceptance unlocks the
secrets to the Universe. Pandas live from such a state of consciousness by
seeing interconnectedness in all things. Through such a cosmopolitan
perspective, pandas surpass geographic, ethnic, and religious fervor.
Through the spirit of the panda, I no longer see the
world in dualisms but rather embrace the Mystery that flows through all beings.
The panda has allowed me to see past the dichotomies of our world, helping me
realize myself as a spiritual being connected to the Tree of Humanity, and for
that I am forever grateful.