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What is it to be human? Werner Erhard inspires me in his exploration of our humanity. He’s a trailblazer of sorts, refusing to reinvent or revisit his past work. His past accomplishments remain in the past, where they remain useful. However, the past is the past.
Now, Werner looks to define what it is to be human in a distinctly innovative way. His mission in life: To end human suffering. That’s his noble cause. It’s the cause I, also, want to discover.
We all look upon what it is to be uniquely human when called upon to do so. Eventually, we all reflect upon what it is to be human. Perhaps some will forever defer this inquiry. That’s a matter of choice. There’s no definitive resolution in that eternal inquiry. Yet, we discover value in “doing the math”.
You define your journey in asking, “What is it to be human?” You and I won’t discover THE answer. Rather, we get insight into ourselves from looking through the life lived. Bruce Lee said, “True knowledge is self-knowledge.” There’s profound value in what it is to be human, not so much in the answers.
Whatever resolutions may emerge are inconsequential or superfluously like gravy on meatloaf. Yeah, this is the bizarre analogy. Rather, utility reveals what is beneath the surface. In life, I will continually reveal who I am, who I will become.
Through years of martial arts training, I discovered that authentic introspection is purposel in itself. We play the game of life with distinctly varying conclusions. Perhaps we reveal what it is to be human in the questions we ask: “What is my purpose?” “How can I have my life make a difference?”
Life isn’t a complex mathematical problem to be solved. Look for simplicity, not added complexity. What makes me happy? What makes me sad? What gives me faith?
Werner looks at aspects of life not to understand them, not to figure out. Rather he looks at to be with those aspects. Be present. Get what’s there.
According to Werner, what’s most vital to a human being, maybe other than love, is being gotten by others. Here’s my crude workable definition of “gotten” according to Werner. When who you are over here is now authentically recreated over there in another person, and you are present to that recreation. You are left with the experience of being gotten by that person.
When you authentically get another person, in a real sense, you are them. Aikido training is about becoming one with the universe, to be in harmony. Aikido Founder O-Sensei said, “Everything in the world shares by nature the same spirit with the universe.” In Aikido practice I train to become one with my opponent, with my enemy. We call that awase, the “matching up”. In awase there is no enemy with nothing to resist against or force. No war. No conflict.
As in awase, getting another person sources your compassion, creates the possibility of love. O-Sensei’s grand purpose is the creation of peace and love in the world. He said, “The Way of the Warrior is to give life to all things, to reconcile the world, and to foster the completion of everyone’s journey.”
We all experience unkindness and inhumanity in our experience of the world, whether the mass shootings in Las Vegas resorts and rural community schools, or the calling out of cross-cultural sexual abuse in the #MeToo revolution.
Do complex problems mandate complex solutions? No. What if we have compassion for others? Authentically getting all people, who they are? We can practice awase not just in the Dojo, but in the world at large.
Actor and director Jodie Foster acknowledges the courageous victims of sexual abuse calling out their abusers. She affirms, “They just want it to stop.” So what’s next? What evolves this toxic culture?
O-Sensei said, “True victory is victory over oneself.” We are or become our worst enemy. Compassion begins within you, within me. We have very little to do or rather no say in the actions of others. We do have a say in some of what goes on within us.
We choose what we do, who we are going to be, and what we say. Dear friend Cheryl reminds to be kind to others, and to be kind to me. We all share more in common than our prejudices divide. We’re both lightness and darkness of being. That’s the experience of human being.
We have the tremendous capacity to use our powers for good, not evil. Our time is also finite, defined. We assign our lives meaning. Life exists “in every breath”. That is both blessing and curse of what it is to be human.
So what will you do in the finite time? What will your life be? As human beings we inherently want to make a profound difference for others. Look for the good in people, not for fault or weakness.
Heroes shall arise and inspire. Our heroes shall also fall. When heroes falter and harm those weaker instead of protecting them, forgive them. Let go. Discover your next hero: discover your hero within.
I don’t think being human is about becoming the greatest or about attaining greatness. A human being is the possibility of becoming greater than you know you to be.
Others don’t have to earn your respect. That’s arrogance. The Way of the Warrior gives life to all things. Grant respect to others, just because. When who they are or what they do dishonors that, forgive them too. Have compassion for their failings, knowing that we all will inevitably make mistakes and fail.
What are you willing to give up to become greater than you know yourself to be? Bruce Lee said, “Empty your mind. Be formless, shapeless like water.” Practice mushin, “no mind”. Create and reinvent yourself from nothing. That’s the place to start. Sensei Dan constantly told me, “Have no preconceived notions.” In the bigger picture invent compassion and forgiveness for others, and for you. Define your own greater path.
The world doesn’t revolve around nor does it wait upon me nor you. Life occurs whether we choose to participate or not. Bruce Lee said, “Be water, my friend.” Werner said, “Anything you can let be, lets you be.” Be present to life occurring.
What does being human mean for you? What are you willing to give up, for your greater than?
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Photo credit: Pixabay
Jon, thank you for another thought-provoking piece. I’m very moved by this inquiry: “What are you willing to give up to become greater than you know yourself to be?” What a great question to ask each day.
Cheryl, Thank you! Yeah, I’m discovering more and more it’s what I have to give up to be free. Be more of me…