In
my recent blog 'Heaven and Earth ~ part 1', I began to explore an
interest that I have in the possibility of there being both male and
female principles of creation being contained within any one human
being, irrespective of their sex or gender. I am looking at what it is
that may be giving rise to and shaping desire within a human being - is
it an aspect of the human will?
There are many who will put forward that the basic human instinct for establishing some form of community, of securing a place within its pecking order, simply to enhance survival and opportunities for procreation is largely what motivates humans throughout time. This view is likely to be correct, providing that a human being has a world view that exists simply to reference itself in relation to others and has awareness of its own mortality. The very nature of such a world view would inevitably be frightening and competitive, and the challenges being seen within it would bring out instinctive, impulsive and calculating behaviors, that would include greed as well as sharing as a contribution towards survival.
To put forward this simple assessment as being all that gives rise to human motivation and the will would be a complete disservice to the presence of humanity's curiosity and creative endeavors to explore its world. Not only to journey deep within through contemplation, but to express any impressions through the vehicles of art, dance and music. It is this very depth of relatedness with life that gives rise to an outpouring of joy, companionship, empathy and compassion. Such a kaleidoscope of impression of experience and of self-expression that is possible, is what allows for each human being to be a unique signature, a song, an artwork itself within life and yet at the same time undeniably having commonality with others in what are the basic needs and comforts of life.
An artist might paint an image of the human family as akin to a great tree, with its commonality of needs flowing down into the earth through its trunk, whilst its branches that are growing at differing heights and with differing spreads, reach high into the cosmos, unlimited both in their expression and reach. Indeed, there are versions of a central tree or 'axis mundi' that stretches between the heavens and the earth and which incorporates an underworld that features throughout many ancient cosmologies.Archaeologists and anthropologists have stated that the spiritual beliefs and practices of humanity, stretching back to many thousands of years, included shamanism and ceremonies to do with hunting and animals. This culture went on to influence the development of Taoism and Buddhism, and also the Native American Indian spirituality, which would incorporate elements based on hunting, the mountain and sky gods together with agriculture, shrines, temples and the earth goddesses.
As many of the early practices of spirituality and religions divided the universe into heaven, earth and the underworld, they began to attribute various masculine and feminine concepts of creativity, guardianship and communication to each of these realms as well. Many of the indigenous peoples look upon the cosmos as a vital and living entity, or a womb that nurtures their lives. This naturally gives rise to a desire to sustain a state of being in harmony with it and to experience gratitude for its provision. Other forms of spirituality or religion will hold a different view of the cosmic and human relationship and have more of a goal of being able to attain personal salvation or liberation from a state of being which they recognise themselves as being in. This might seem like a subtle difference, but is one that is important to recognise if there is intent to explore what heaven on earth might mean for a human being and how to deepen relationship, so as to be able to actually experience it.
There remains a question of how do the masculine and feminine aspects of creation fit into the one vehicle of the human being, as if there is polarity, surely this would give rise to particular characteristics and expression? It would follow that how clearly a human being is able to pay attention to and witness such characteristics within their own being, is likely that which will help them to not only know themselves authentically, but to locate their place and contribution within the one great tree of humanity's being.
There are many who will put forward that the basic human instinct for establishing some form of community, of securing a place within its pecking order, simply to enhance survival and opportunities for procreation is largely what motivates humans throughout time. This view is likely to be correct, providing that a human being has a world view that exists simply to reference itself in relation to others and has awareness of its own mortality. The very nature of such a world view would inevitably be frightening and competitive, and the challenges being seen within it would bring out instinctive, impulsive and calculating behaviors, that would include greed as well as sharing as a contribution towards survival.
To put forward this simple assessment as being all that gives rise to human motivation and the will would be a complete disservice to the presence of humanity's curiosity and creative endeavors to explore its world. Not only to journey deep within through contemplation, but to express any impressions through the vehicles of art, dance and music. It is this very depth of relatedness with life that gives rise to an outpouring of joy, companionship, empathy and compassion. Such a kaleidoscope of impression of experience and of self-expression that is possible, is what allows for each human being to be a unique signature, a song, an artwork itself within life and yet at the same time undeniably having commonality with others in what are the basic needs and comforts of life.
An artist might paint an image of the human family as akin to a great tree, with its commonality of needs flowing down into the earth through its trunk, whilst its branches that are growing at differing heights and with differing spreads, reach high into the cosmos, unlimited both in their expression and reach. Indeed, there are versions of a central tree or 'axis mundi' that stretches between the heavens and the earth and which incorporates an underworld that features throughout many ancient cosmologies.Archaeologists and anthropologists have stated that the spiritual beliefs and practices of humanity, stretching back to many thousands of years, included shamanism and ceremonies to do with hunting and animals. This culture went on to influence the development of Taoism and Buddhism, and also the Native American Indian spirituality, which would incorporate elements based on hunting, the mountain and sky gods together with agriculture, shrines, temples and the earth goddesses.
As many of the early practices of spirituality and religions divided the universe into heaven, earth and the underworld, they began to attribute various masculine and feminine concepts of creativity, guardianship and communication to each of these realms as well. Many of the indigenous peoples look upon the cosmos as a vital and living entity, or a womb that nurtures their lives. This naturally gives rise to a desire to sustain a state of being in harmony with it and to experience gratitude for its provision. Other forms of spirituality or religion will hold a different view of the cosmic and human relationship and have more of a goal of being able to attain personal salvation or liberation from a state of being which they recognise themselves as being in. This might seem like a subtle difference, but is one that is important to recognise if there is intent to explore what heaven on earth might mean for a human being and how to deepen relationship, so as to be able to actually experience it.
There remains a question of how do the masculine and feminine aspects of creation fit into the one vehicle of the human being, as if there is polarity, surely this would give rise to particular characteristics and expression? It would follow that how clearly a human being is able to pay attention to and witness such characteristics within their own being, is likely that which will help them to not only know themselves authentically, but to locate their place and contribution within the one great tree of humanity's being.
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