"Looking Deeper into the Nature of Things"
Part I - Introduction
Pure Potential
Do you often hear yourself saying things like, "People
are really sick"? Or "People are crazy". Or "People
can't be trusted." With the events we are witnessing
on the news and in our homes and communities these
days, it is little wonder that our estimation of
human beings has fallen so low. But before we form
a final judgment about the nature of our species,
let's consider the process by which a HUMAN Being
is formed and developed. Let's consider the resource
material that we have to work with when a new member
of our species comes into the world.
Our first well-founded premise must be that "We
come from the Realm of Infinite Possibility; and
we enter this world as PURE POTENTIAL." Science
today witnesses the truth of these statements. Scientist
have coined such notions as the Unified Field and
String Theory to express the idea that everything
in creation is connected to everything else; and
that all of these material and energy manifestations
come from one Ultimate, Unified Source. In the Yoruba
tradition of West Africa that ultimate energy source
is called the Ase; in Chinese its called Qi (Chi);
and in India it's called Prana. The Celtics called
it the Blank Rune; and the Ancient Egyptian called
it Ankh. They all are referencing the Life Force
or the Force of Life.
If in fact all that we see manifest in creation
is from one singular source then that source must
represent the Realm of Infinite Possibility. Just
reflect upon the varieties of plants, animals, insects,
fish, birds, and mammals on this planet alone. And
we haven't even identified all of them. Not to mention
the fact that among our species, no two of us are
exactly the same, not even identical twins. No two
snowflakes are the same. No two lightning bolts,
no two clouds; and on the list can go. How about
any two leaves on the same tree or plant? Are they
identical? Whatever the true nature of this Creative
Source, one thing is clear. It is not limited in
its capacity to diversify its creations.
Yet, there is also a continuity and order that we
witness in creation. Although each and every one
of us is different and unique, we do share certain
common traits, characteristics, and attributes.
Although each leaf of a tree will be different,
and even trees of the same genus will be difference
from each other to varying degrees; it is also true
that these trees will require similar (not necessarily
identical) environments for their optimal development.
In other words, we can find similarity or commonalities
in the midst of this unlimited diversity. Likewise,
although each of us comes into the world unique
and special, there are some common conditions necessary
for our healthy and optimal development. Our goal
in Part I of this series of articles was just to
get across this all-important idea. We come into
this world as PURE POTENTIAL! And then, something
happens to begin shaping and influencing that potential.
And the results are not always in the best interest
of the individual or the society.
In this series of articles, we have taken the words
'PURE POTENTIAL' and allowed each letter to represent
a particular requirement for the optimal development
of a healthy HUMAN Being. We will discuss each of
the requirements in the subsequent articles in this
series. Here is a list of the ideas and concepts
we will discuss in this series.
P - Purpose
U - Universal Mind
R - Remembering
E - Ecstasy |
P - Personal Power
O - Opportunity
T - Trust E - Equity
N - Nurturance
T - Tradition
I - Intention
A - Awareness
L - Love |
The acorn is the nut or seed of the Oak tree. Now,
within that acorn is all of the potential of the
genus 'Oak Trees'. However, what will determine
the degree to which that potential will be realized
is the quality and characteristics of the soil (environment)
in which it must strive to fulfill itself. In an
'ideal' environment it will reach its full potential.
In a less than ideal environment, it will be stunted,
deformed, diseased, or it will simply die. So it
is with you and me. When you came into the world,
you entered as Pure Potential. And, someone met
you here (parents, guardians, caretakers, foster
parents, etc.). And from the moment of your and
my arrival we have been subject to the forces of
these developmental environments, for better or
for worst. This series of articles will reveal what
'ideally' should exist in those developmental environments
as compared with what too often does exist.
This article will continue with
Part 2: Purpose
"Looking Deeper into the Nature
of Things"
Pt 1 Pure
Potential
Pt 2 Purpose
Pt 3 Universal
Consciousness
Pt 4 Remembering
By A.S. Umar Sharif, MA
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