ACCEPTANCE MONTH: DAY 3: “The first step to the knowledge of the wonder and mystery of life is the recognition of the monstrous nature of the earthly human realm as well as its glory, the realization that this is just how it is and that it cannot and will not be changed. Those who think they know how the universe could have been had they created it, without pain, without sorrow, without time, without death, are unfit for illumination.” ― Joseph Campbell
The funny thing about this quote is that I still do not see the human realm as monstrous. I get it that human nature is sometimes horrible to witness; something I often do not understand, but I can see that the people who perpetrate these acts are terribly broken.
The monster, I suppose, is the human ego and its fear-based thinking. We must accept that there is a world out there that can be inhabited by a Mother Teresa and a Hitler (at the same time!), by people who espoused great peace along with people who espoused great anger or hatred. The world is like that. The Universe is like that.
The problem with being unfit for illumination is not that we do not accept these things, but that we judge them. Is judgment, then, a loss of acceptance? It must be so.
What I believed about my own behaviors and addiction were so judgmental that there was no space for grace to enter my life. I was operating under the indoctrination of a system of rules and regulations that I had been taught that gave me a dynamic of good/bad, right/wrong, sinner/saint.
I had a spiritual breakthrough at about 10 years of recovery when I realized how angry I was about these dynamics and their impact on my thinking, life and my humanity.
It came about something like this: that I began to understand that there was a realm where Hitler was welcomed home just as beautifully as Ghandi. That there were no requirements for grace.
I began to question (deeply), the beliefs of millions of people for any veracity and fitness in this great recovery world I was allowed to inhabit, as the recipient of grace. Because it was an unearned gift, (definition of grace), I was unable to get it by any goodness, kindness or other means at my disposal. Therefore, it must be a gift that I could only keep by taking it and seeing that there were no cosmic mistakes. I began to understand (more deeply) the reading of Dr. Paul’s writing about acceptance.
This is such a challenging concept!
So, I threw away the rules! I was so desperate for this to be true that I began to experiment with all the old ideas and discard them one at a time! I began to call the Creator every foul name I could come up with…to rage and scream and curse…nothing happened…lots of people had opinions and judgments about this, but I was FREE!
Today I accept things as being perfect in every way…I can see the reason and the rhyme to the Natural world and remain amused and somewhat puzzled by the human one. I seldom get panicky or crazy around what is happening, it is none of my business.
The only passion I have about the world today is to create and remain in awe of its beauty and the love I see in all of creation. I do what I can to protect and love the natural world, while accepting and loving the things that most need that love.
I am gifted with great love for broken people, the ones most of society does not want to see or hear about. I want to hold them and love them, much like Mother Teresa cared so deeply for lepers. Not that I am anywhere near her love and devotion or sainthood. I am not! Far from it! I am more likely to use foul language (I really do love it!); and then hug someone to let them know they are seen. It is a mixture I am fond of.
I accept you, no matter who you are or what you have done. We are great humans, because we are here and doing our part in the world around us, no matter what that looks like. My deepest longing is that you know your greatness and share it with the world freely and take the burdens off the shoulders you have carried and open your gift and share that too!
Dolphin Hug 