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| ~ ∞ ~ A Species with Collective Amnesia (Human Condition) – The Essence of Life ~ ∞ ~ |
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Let us continue, shall we? If we take into consideration everything we discussed in the previous chapter – is it any wonder that the whole of humanity is suffering from a collective condition, better known as ‘the human condition’ – inherent and innate to all human beings?
Traditionally this condition is being described as the unalterable part of humanity, not dependent on factors such as gender, race, culture or class; it includes concerns such as the meaning of life, the search for gratification, the sense of curiosity, and last but certainly not the least, an awareness regarding the inescapability of death – you see, of all living things, only humans suffer an awareness of their own mortality, which is the source of a great deal of emotional stress and pain.
To better understand the profoundness of this condition in our lives, it is necessary to draw the distinction between human nature and the human condition, for the simple reason that all too often they are confused as practically interchangeable terms, when in actuality, they describe two distinctively different aspects of humanity. Let us take a look at human nature first. In its simplest, human nature is an ensemble term used to describe our humanness; in much the same way as a cat has certain characteristics that distinguish it from other animals, so do humans.
Thus, the term is often regarded as capturing what it is to be human, or the essence of humanity; it includes distinguishing characteristics of humans, such as ways of thinking, feeling, and acting – which humans tend to have naturally, independently of the influence of culture. In other words, human nature can be regarded as a source of norms of conduct or ways of life. The branches of contemporary science associated with the study of human nature include anthropology, sociology, sociobiology, and psychology – particularly evolutionary psychology.
The human condition, on the other hand, is one that cannot be fully understood by rational thought or empirical/scientific research, but a part of that condition is that it demands answers to the questions that arise from existence itself; other than that, the human condition can be regarded as presenting obstacles or constraints on living a good life. It is something that has evolved with us through time; it is a product of our inability to properly understand the way in which all life is intrinsically interconnected.
You see, generations of disconnect between the finite human mind and the Infinite Soul, Spirit or God, has resulted in a lack of respect and gratitude for the Gift of Life. It is precisely this very disconnection that is the source of our dysfunctional behavior – see?
Although the human condition is primarily the same for all people, it is still uniquely different experience for each individual due to the different cultural backgrounds – nevertheless, in essence, the core remains the same – the experience of disconnection from the Divine Source, and as an extension of, from True Self, from other fellow human beings, from nature and its creatures – animals and other sentient beings – see?
When we take a look at ourselves as humans – a diverse species with the human condition, it seems almost as if we are suffering from a certain level of collective amnesia, which is another way of saying that people have absolutely no idea who they are, why they are here, whence they came from, or where they are going.
From this, the question arises: Could it be possible that there might have been, and still might be a few individuals around the world who may remember something that most of us have forgotten? And if so, wouldn’t that mean, then, that in so doing, these awakened individuals have continuously done their best in sharing their knowledge and wisdom with the rest of us – in hopes of awakening the remembrance in others as well?
Here it is worth pointing out especially Lao-Tzu – the author of the Tao Te Ching or “The Book of the Way of Virtue,” the Buddha, countless Zen Masters, Mystics, Yogis and Sages.
“All know the Way, but few actually walk it.” ~ Bodhidharma.
Considering all the aforementioned, one should be inclined to ask the following question: Could it be possible that there may have been many advanced civilizations before us? This leads to follow-up questions: How many civilizations came before the current one? Is it possible that these advanced civilizations have been destroyed by some great worldwide catastrophe, the likes of which are described in various religious scriptures and different mythologies around the world?
If that’s the case, then it’s only natural that for each civilization that has died out, another has taken its place with a selected few holding on to the memories and sacred knowledge of the past civilization. In light of that, we can easily draw the conclusion that in our hubris, we often think that we have discovered some of the great truths of science and technology, but the honest truth is that we are only just beginning to rediscover the profound wisdom of past civilizations. And so you see, in many ways, we are like an awakening species with amnesia, yearning to reclaim our forgotten past.
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~ ॐ ~ Sambodhi Padmasamadhi ~ ∞ ~
Get the Book: Awaken the Living Awareness Within – Discover the Keys to Happiness, Inner Peace & Harmony
~ ॐ ~ Sambodhi Padmasamadhi ~ ∞ ~
Get the Book: Awaken the Living Awareness Within – Discover the Keys to Happiness, Inner Peace & Harmony
[ Click » here « to read the next part: Humanity – The Pinnacle of Evolution? 1/4 – The Essence of Life: Part III ]
Extra Material: Video: Society, A Perpetual Cycle [Alan Watts]. Video description: "Alan Watts talks about how our society conditions children to live with a constant frustration and worry about the future, and never learn how to live in the present."
