GOING BANANAS
“The phrase “we are spiritual beings having a human experience” is a quote often attributed to French philosopher Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, meaning that our physical lives are only one part of our existence, and our true nature is a spiritual one that transcends the physical body; essentially, we are spiritual beings temporarily inhabiting a human form.”
(AI Overview)
While lying on my mat on the lanai for the last few minutes of our online yoga class, I watched a sparrow hop ever so tentatively towards the open doors of our compact kitchen-dining-living hale (powder room, laundry, pantry…) Not knowing how aware of its surroundings a sparrow might be, I nonetheless got the impression it sensed a certain level of danger as it hopped onto the carpet, the back of a chair, then out of my line of sight, only to bolt back outside a short while later as if making a narrow escape. But, not long after, it was back looking speculatively at its new territory before I shooed it away. This little sketch recalled something Swami Radha said about evolution:
“You can see this evolution beginning in the animal kingdom with monkeys. I once saw an experiment where monkeys were kept without food for two days, then taken to a beach where some food was thrown on the soft sand. The monkeys grabbed up the food, all covered with grains of sand, and stuffed it into their mouths. Then, of course, they had to spit a great deal to get the sand out. Next, the researcher put some of the food covered with sand into the water, and the sand fell off. Some of the monkeys saw this and grabbed the food quickly as it surfaced with the sand washed away.
“Then a big basin was put into the water some distance from shore and heaped with bananas. Some of the monkeys walked on their hind legs through the water to get to it. But the moment they grabbed a banana, they reverted to their habitual way of moving on all fours, and had to run back through water with waves over their heads. Some monkeys took this chance, but there were some who would rather die of starvation. That’s precisely the human picture too. There are some people who will take the chance, and there are some others who would rather die of physical, mental or emotional starvation.” (Evolution and Maya, Time to be Holy)
In the current state of world affairs, I cannot help but look beyond the headlines to the teachings of Swami Radha and other luminaries who spent their lives studying and teaching the evolution of consciousness, lest I get pulled under by those crashing waves. Swami Radha describes it as “peeling the onion one layer at a time until you come to the essence that is you” (Ibid)
In my own experience, the mere fact that I am looking for greater insight and understanding suggests that a part of me knows there is something beyond the obvious three dimensions in which I experience my existence. (Mainly because I’d go bananas if I thought otherwise). It is difficult, but not impossible, to define this impulse towards a different way of knowing, or of navigating the confusion and injustice I witness around me, as the journey of the soul. In the introduction to Pathways of the Soul Hillevi Ruumet offers this encouragement:
“We each have our own way to wholeness — holiness — our unique way back to our home in Spirit, which our essence has never left. This journey takes us through the spiraling labyrinth of our individual lives, with many twists and turns, and occasional dead ends. Yet deep down our heart recognizes our authentic path when we encounter it, and then it becomes a matter of motivation and courage to commit to it and stay on it.”
Because there are few if any literal signposts that tell me I’m following my authentic, or soul path, I keep a journal in which to track my thoughts and feelings, words and actions which, in turn, show me how well I’m navigating that spiraling labyrinth. I can see progress when I reflect on simple, day to day choices or actions I’ve made. When I opt for healthy food versus the much-preferred chocolate mousse, I’m advocating for the health of my physical body — the embodiment of my soul journey. When I resist the urge to vent frustration or resentment, I’m advocating for my emotional maturity. When I take time to think deeply about my own and other’s opinions and beliefs, I’m advocating for my intellectual growth and development. When I go beyond the promptings of a dominating Ego, I am advocating for the wellbeing of my soul. With constructive use of my imagination, I can create a vision of a world remade. And in every way that I act with integrity, kindness, inclusivity, compassion and understanding, I’m helping to smooth the way for other seekers and spiritual leaders. That’s what I call cooperating with my evolution of consciousness.
Btw: Why are bananas, nuts and crackers the only foods that say ‘crazy’?