In eastern wisdom traditions, one way to reach
higher states of consciousness is to understand that the most fundamental condition of life
and existence is paradox, contradiction, and
ambiguity.
When we look at nature, we see the forces
of creativity and destruction co-existing
simultaneously. Creativity is the evolutionary
impulse of the Universe. Destruction is the
inertia of the Universe. If the universe were
pure evolution and creativity, it would rapidly
expand and evolve so fast that it would disappear
immediately.
On the other hand if there were only inertia
and destruction, the universe would implode.
It would disappear into a black hole before
I could even complete this sentence. The play
of the universe is the simultaneity of opposites
- of creation and destruction.
Life feeds upon life and life comes from life.
As life forms evolve - from reptiles to mammals
- they learn to play. All mammals bond emotionally
through play, singing, touching, cooing, cuddling,
affection, tenderness, and love.
But mammals are also part of the food chain
and while a lot of them feed on grass and
berries, and other plants, a lot of them are
also predators. Insects are of course critical
to balancing the ecosystem. In fact, if all
insects disappeared from our planet, the world
would come to a standstill, and extinction
would be at hand. It is also claimed that
if Humans disappeared from our planet today,
life would flourish, and the earth would become
once again a pristine Garden of Eden. This
of course means that from Nature's point
of view, insects are more critical than you
and me. Inherent in nature is the intelligence
to keep it in balance.
Without ambiguity, contradiction, paradox
and the play of opposites, there would be
no life at all.
