Anthony J. Fisichella...
GOOD FORTUNE, ILL FORTUNE, OR ???
An Excerpt From Book I of the One Solitary Life Series,
The Vision The Journey and The Quest
Nothing has an intrinsic meaning or value. That having been established, does this mean that the establishment of a system of values holds no purpose? Of course not. Since the world of objective phenomena, and all contained therein, is without absolute value, we have available a blank slate upon which to write our own personal scenario. “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again”. (Matt.7:2) You set the standard. Without a set of core values we are spiritually bankrupt.
Our life script serves as an accurate statement of who we think we are. The world that composes our personal reality is a reflection of what we think, feel, assess, believe, and desire. The world’s attractions are the keys that unlock my thoughts and feelings and ultimately make me acquainted with myself. In other words, our judgments give us a clear, Dorian Gray picture of ourselves, not that of others or the objects and events that we perceive around us. Used in this regard we are led to an expanded sense of self-awareness. A valuable tool if used honestly and with the acceptance of personal responsibility.
The significance of any occurrence in our lives is dictated by how we choose to view and evaluate the event, and most importantly, how we allow it to affect us and hopefully fuel our growth. It is also a barometer of our spiritual evolution. Every event is pregnant with myriad possibilities and infinite values that which is happening is of little import to our existence. How we perceive, interpret and permit ourselves to be impacted by that which is happening, is all that is of moment. And this, in its turn, is again a clear message about ourselves. In the final analysis, this is the name of the game, it’s called Self discovery, Self actualization and Self mastery; it’s the only game in town or, in the words of Ram Dass, it’s “The only dance there is.”
To further illustrate, an ancient Chinese parable might serve us well. In a tiny hamlet, in ancient China, there resided a poor farmer, Chan, by name. It had always been Chan’s dream to attain that, which no other of his fellow townspeople had been able, the possession of a horse. So, over the years, Chan diligently and judiciously saved what little of his meager earnings as was economically prudent. Finally he managed to save a sufficient amount of money to fulfill his vision, and proceeded to purchase a fine stallion. All of the townspeople, having heard of Chan’s acquisition, gathered at the farm to congratulate him on his good fortune. But Chan, after due reflection, responded, “Who is to know what is good fortune or ill fortune?”
A few days later, someone having inadvertently left the corral door open, saw the beautiful animal race off into the hills carrying with it Chan’s lifelong dream. His neighbors once again gathered at his farm, this time to convey their condolences on his ill fortune and the wise old Chan stoically responded, “Who is to know what is good fortune or ill fortune?”
Who indeed, for a few days later the magnificent steed returned from the hills leading a band of wild horses into the corral. Again the people came with cheers of happiness for the gods surely must have smiled upon Chan with good fortune. But the unflappable Chan simply looked and wondered, “Who is to know what is good fortune or ill fortune?”
Chan’s son, while taming the wild horses, was thrown, resulting in a broken leg. The well intentioned people, true to form, once again descended upon Chan to express their heartfelt concern over his ill fortune. Chan, maintaining a state of perfect equanimity, throughout the shifting tides of fortune, responded, “Who is to know what is good fortune or ill fortune?”
War broke out within Chan’s province and the government combed the countryside in search of young men to conscript, but of course Chan’s son, having a broken leg, was ineligible. Needless to say the townspeople rejoiced at Chan’s good fortune. Chan, also true to character, merely shrugged and said, “Who is to know what is good fortune or ill fortune?”
Of course, this sequence could be carried out ad infinitum, each occurrence succeeded by another and each judged by the masses as good or ill depending upon how they are disposed. And in each instance, Chan, and others of his mold, will profoundly acknowledge that good and ill are illusory in nature. A runaway horse is simply a runaway horse; a broken leg is just that, a broken leg, neither more nor less than the existential fact. And viewed from the quantum void, to be later discussed, even these existential facts are questionable. Succinctly put: observation is required, value judgments are optional and presumptuous, but useable for self-discovery.
Moreover, a recognition and acceptance of the above stated factors is extremely empowering. We, individually and collectively, actualize and empower the world around us by first creating it and then assigning it value and importance. When pain, suffering and anger flair up in our lives, it’s because of the value we have attributed and the power we have surrendered to the people, places and things we have permitted to touch us. We assign value to objects; they rust, decay and break; we are pained. We believe we need each other’s acceptance; if it is not forthcoming we are devastated. We think we must win in order to have personal worth; we lose and are traumatized. Grantland Rice was correct, the importance is, “...how you play the game”, and I might add, how you create and perceive the game.
Think of the significance of this. All too many of us embrace a rather limited and unattractive self-image. We see ourselves in a not too favorable light. After all, have we not been told often enough that we are unworthy sinners? And yet think of the power you truly possess. You create your own reality. You assign value, meaning and purpose to life. You define it all, for you.
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