September
24, 2001
Thou Art That
Dedicated
to the memory of Roger L. Ratzlaff
How is it possible that suffering that is neither
my own nor of my concern should immediately affect me as though it were my own,
and with such force that it moves me to action?… This is something really
mysterious, something for which Reason can provide no explanation, and for which
no basis can be found in practical experience. It is not unknown even to the most hard-hearted and
self-interested. Examples appear
every day before our eyes of instant responses of the kind, without reflection,
one person helping another, coming to his aid, even setting his own life in
clear danger for someone whom he has seen for the first time, having nothing
more in mind than that the other is in need and in peril of his life…
…my own true inner being actually exists in every
living creature…[and] is the ground of that compassion (Mitleid)
upon which all true, that is to say, unselfish, virtue rests and whose
expression is in every good deed.
On
The Foundations of Morality
by Arthur Schopenhauer, German philosopher 1788-1860
Joseph Campbell was fond of this body of work by
Schopenhauer. To him it embodied
the Sanskrit (1) phrase “tat tvam asi” or “thou art that”.
Those who knew Campbell say that he not only embraced the spiritual
meaning of the phrase, but also lived by it as well.
Last week the world saw examples of this unselfish
caring for our fellow human beings through acts of kindness and valor as
chronicled by the media. The words
that Schopenhauer used above are almost chilling especially, “coming to his
aid, even setting his own life in clear danger” when reflecting on the actions
of the firemen and policemen running into the World Trade Center, or the
passengers on the downed Pennsylvania flight.
What does this reveal about our true nature when logic is replaced by
compassion for our fellow humans.
The outpouring of generosity that continues to happen
overwhelms me. Actors and musicians
epitomized the national efforts last Friday with the simulcast.
Lyrics of many of the songs took on new meaning and the unpolished
readings made superstars seem human. Quietly,
though, amazing results are coming from less notable players in the theater of
life. In our community an elementary school just raised $20,000
because they believed “thou art that”.
A few days ago, I was listening to a talk radio show and
callers were giving examples of how things had changed over the past two weeks.
Many comments could be characterized as observations of the collective
soul. Everything from reduction of road rage to people just making
more eye contact were among the little things noticed.
Even though I am warmed by the worldwide focus on
spirituality, I am also saddened by the examples of ignorance that we hear of as
it relates to persecution of those of Arab descent.
In the midst of this love for one another, why is it that a few validate
others who believe we are a nation that is not tolerant of all people and
faiths? We must condemn the actions
of those few who commit hate crimes against Muslims in our country just as the
majority of Muslims condemn the terrorists.
In spite of these isolated examples of insecurity and
ignorance, the soul of the world continues to be awakened.
From my personal observations, so many people have been yearning to be
given permission to become more soulful in all aspects of their lives.
This movement of soulfullness has been just below the surface of our
daily lives. The feeling of “thou
art that” appears to be innate and just as the heavens opened up to receive
thousands of unexpected souls we too have observed the mass awakening of the
souls within our human community.
With respect, acceptance, and love,
Richard
(1)
Sanskrit is an ancient Indic language the is the classical language of India and
of Hinduism as described by Indian grammarians
©
Richard D. Olson and Awaken The Soul, 2001; Edited by Janice E. Olson