How to Become More Attuned with "The Work"

In the beginning, there was the Light. Then came the Darkness. We all know the difference between the Light and the Darkness. We experience a little of each every single waking hour. Due to the Light, the Darkness and the interplay therein, we are caught up in what can only be described as "webs"--and they are of every type.

We are caught up in webs of joy, of suffering, of sorrow, and of singing--of every possible and conceivable metaphysical and physical state and emotion, respectively.

So, again--in the beginning there was Light, and then came the Darkness.

A valid question at this point is, "Where did the darkness come from, and what does it want of us?"

The simple answer is: no mortal being knows the answer to this question.

One could ask the same question of the Light.

The answer is the same: we are unaware of both the origin of the Light, and of the manner in which it operates.

The Darkness, as we know it, has several forms and myriad names, and is to be avoided in all of its forms and given monikers.

So, how does one avoid the darkness? It is as simple as this: when you see something that is harmful to you or anyone else, it is to be prevented or corrected in whatever way you are able to prevent or correct it. This is actually very simple. It is sometimes as simple as "passing over" those things which would harm you. However, occasionally a situation may arise which requires a more active role. How does one know when to act as opposed to when not to act?

Although this question dates back to the era of Confucius (and his rather notable contemporary Lao Tzu), the answer to this question is truly simple and 'down-to-earth'.

The answer is that one must follow one's heart.

This is an intuitive and essential method of handling unpredictable situations, of which life is absolutely filled with.

If you recall nothing else from this article, recall that one must always follow one's heart.

So, to review--you must always pass over (or pass by) Evil, unless it is becomes necessary to save another or to alleviate suffering in another. This is known as doing "The Work".

That is truly, in my estimation, what life is all about--doing good works in life, and continuing to do the good works of The Almighty (however you may see him) until the day that it is no longer possible to do so.

This next point is important, and, indeed crucial to the understanding of "The Work", dearest reader--that one person may perceive The Almighty in one form, whereas another may believe and--in fact--know The Almighty to be of different form.

Never let this separate you from nor discourage you from communicating and caring for your fellow residents of "Spaceship Earth" (as Buckminster Fuller was fond of describing this planet).

I believe it to be both the nature and course of things that, as Human Beings, we must continue to communicate. Otherwise, "The Work" shall be ruined entirely.

And what is the work?

According the great American poet Allen Ginsburg, "The Work is to ease suffering. The rest: Big, Dumb Show."

Reflect upon this statement, dearest reader, before forging ahead deeper into this article.

It has become apparent to me that The Work is far more important than any form of a "Big, Dumb Show".

I believe this to be readily apparent to you, the reader, as well.

So, now that we know that we are here to perform The Work, it is a good time to evaluate in what specific method or methods one may move forward with one's Work with the greatest amount of efficacy.

My answer is that there are a number of ways in which one can do the Work. The best, and most natural method of continuing the Work is to accomplish what you are naturally good at. THIS WILL BE OF THE GREATEST HELP TO EVERYONE (provided that you choose to do Good Work). I emphasize this point intentionally.

The reason for the emphasis of the above point is this--some people are born to be Baseball Players, some Chemists, some Plumbers, some Police Officers, some Factory Workers, some Activists--some are even born in the specialized field of Telephone Sanitation. (Yes, this is, in fact, a real job.)

The preceding paragraph obviously identifies only a very limited (albeit well-distributed) segment of the population as a whole. That withstanding, everyone has a place in this society, in this country, and in this world.

Some of us simply have yet to discover said place in the world.

As we have already broached the question of what The Work is, and also how to accomplish said Work, I find it now important to discuss the issue of how one may go about The Work, while still remaining true to one's self.

This is a very important point: you must never entirely lose yourself in what you are doing (as it is very easy to lose oneself in a job setting--especially in our modern society).

Now it is time to find more depth to the Work itself.

I will henceforth speak from a "ground-level" approach, for the duration of this article. That is to say, I will attempt to place the essence of The Work (which can become very complex) in the most basic of terms. This is not an attempt at condescension; rather, I feel that this is a topic that can only be explained properly in the simplest of terms. Any other method of explanation convolutes the true nature of our being.

After all, The Work is simple both in origin and in practice.

So, the basic approach is this: just keep doing what you are best at, always perform as well as is possible for yourself at the time, make sure that you help other people as often as you can, and--finally--take care of yourself so that you can continue to take care of BOTH yourself and everyone else.

Of course, it is of utmost importance to know that you are not alone! Be willing to accept help whenever it is either offered or necessary.

This last point from (the above sentence) is extraordinarily important for a smoothly operating society and--God willing--the new Golden Age of Humanity.

What a glorious thought that is! A new and enduring Golden Age!

With that beautiful thought in mind, I will now draw this article to a close with an idea that was passed on to me approximately fifteen years ago.

A very influential former High School English teacher of mine once relayed to me this fact (as I consider it to be in life): that there are two ways in which one can better one's self in this world.

The first way is to bring everyone else around you down--making yourself feel superior to all others.

The second, and personally preferable, way in which to better one's self in this world is as follows--to lift everyone else up along with you (rather than stepping on their backs on your way to the top).

After all, it is rumored to be exceedingly lonely "at the top".

Of course, if you have the whole host of human beings currently existant upon the planet to accompany you in your travels--not only are you able to travel farther--you will also find that you have plenty of great company to keep you from becoming bored or lonely.

I now leave it to you, dear reader, to choose your path in life (as I have previously described them to be).

I wish you all the best in life, and hope and pray that the best is what you will both earn and receive.

May you find The Work, just as The Work will most certainly find you.