A NEW VIEW OF PURPOSE

It’s been a while hasn’t it. My right hand continues to improve, enough now I can try typing again. I read/hear a lot of things about the current state of being and find it fascinating, really. The more I ponder, the furthest I seek to reach in our past and into our future, leaving the ‘middle’ with the endless question: who are we/what am I? Sticking with the singular: what is my purpose (apart from having none)? If I do have a purpose, is it singular or collective? I think that’s a very fair question in the midst of it all. If I choose ‘singular’ then I have an open slate. If I choose ‘collective’ then I have the task of choosing which collective(s) I want to be associated with, and must keep up the awareness that such a choice can only be temporary since change is the order of the day. I.e., my collective choice does not remove the problem of leading or adapting to on-going change.
Let’s go with ‘singular’ choice as regards purpose before I choose my purpose. That doesn’t mean I won’t be interacting with others (you) but it means that my chosen purpose will override my decisions and for good or ill it means that if the choices offered by whatever collective violate my own sense of purpose then I have the choice and must have the power to say a categorical ‘No’ and go my own way, no matter what that does to my reputation or well-being. So far OK?
What do i mean by “going my own way?” It means I’ve decided that I am an individual. That means I see myself as being fully alive, not just physically but morally and spiritually. That’s scary. For most, life consists of going through the motions: work, play,entertainment and sometimes joining others in demonstrations or revolutions when there seems to be no choice. But what about for a real individual? To answer that, one has to be certain about who one is, and that means knowing beyond any doubt what it means to be alive.
When I speak of life I mean that I speak of a state of being represented by inexhaustible possibilities. Nothing is ever “good enough” or “satisfactory.” If I find myself saying “it is what it is” — to end an argument or avoid one — it doesn’t mean that I believe that, I can’t. An individual always has an answer even if in most cases s/he cannot state it without getting into trouble with believers; with the status quo. We have enough historical evidence of unwise people who insisted on forcing their views on their persecutors and ended up on a scaffold or a cross. To what end?
The person who is truly alive does not need to convince anyone else, that being the beauty and curse of being an individual. The curse because I cannot defend myself against the mob (all collectives are essentially mobs) and the beauty showing me that I do not need to defend whatever it is…
I’ll close this by saying that I have a purpose: not to defend, not to prove this against that, but simply to go on opening those endless Pandora’s boxes of possibilities.


49 thoughts on “A NEW VIEW OF PURPOSE

  1. George F.

    Holy Moly! I just posted an hour ago after being silent for 8 months! Coincidence…or…?

    “We have enough historical evidence of unwise people who insisted on forcing their views on their persecutors and ended up on a scaffold or a cross….which is why I keep my mouth shut and refuse to interact with idiots. Who am I? I decided it doesn’t matter as I slither through life unopposed and with no resistance. What is my purpose? It is NOT to educate fools.

    Liked by 4 people

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      1. George F.

        Phil, I dunno how to “unbann” you from my blog, but your comments are certainly welcome. In fact, I wrote some of this with you in mind (no or few adverbs) and used your emotional dictionary. So thanks so far!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. George F.

        Thanks for popping in but your comment is gone. You could just email it to me…I’ll repost it if you like. Thanks again. I’m sure you noticed I switched to first person while head-hopping ’cause I thought it worked. Anyway…

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      3. Sha'Tara Post author

        Hi George – my comment was: I think that, “not to educate fools” is the first lesson. What comes next, I do not know but I continue to look at the whole picture (no such thing of course but as close as a mind can get). I think I need a TDV – Time Displacement Vehicle, either that or “death” since this life is so tragically stuck in one pattern: birth-chaos-death.
        PS, what’s your name in my address book again? Is it Steve Wilson?

        Liked by 1 person

      4. George F.

        Yeah, but I know it’s hard to keep track. Pop in my new post…I just unbanned Phil after months of meditation and getting my ego out of the way. LOL!

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      5. Sha'Tara Post author

        Oh yeah, I read/re-read your new post yesterday. I like it! As always it just says… what’s next? More, more… It was worth the wait.

        Liked by 1 person

      6. Sha'Tara Post author

        That ego thing is interesting isn’t it. My question remains, if I get my ego out of my way then what is it that I call “I” and “my”?

        Liked by 1 person

      7. George F.

        I you get your ego out of the way what remains is a bigger ego….a different ego….a morphed ego..an ego that identifies with something else….but the I is projection of the ever altering ego. There’s no there there other than ego.

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    1. Sha'Tara Post author

      I think that, “not to educate fools” is the first lesson. What comes next, I do not know but I continue to look at the whole picture (no such thing of course but as close as a mind can get). I think I need a TDV – Time Displacement Vehicle, either that or “death” since this life is so tragically stuck in one pattern: birth-chaos-death.

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      1. Sha'Tara Post author

        Quote: “When the I realizes there is a greater consciousness that requires more than I the ego is okay.”
        I don’t want to come across like some know-it-all but what if I have reached a point where “a greater consciousness” just ain’t doin’ it for me? I’ll be blunt: I want it all, i.e., no greater anything lording it over me, not even if that greater thing is something that has brought me to this point. Now I have to wait a few months, years to move out of this physical chaos, mess, confusion, whatever and find out what it is that’s driving me…. but until that time I’m seeking and asking.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Phil Huston

        I wasn’t talking about some OZ, I mean being part of the cosmic stream. Which in my opinion is the best we can do considering the current realm we find ourselves in, Acknowledgement and shallow participation as best we can is it until, as you suggest, we move on beyond this incarnation.

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      3. Sha'Tara Post author

        Moving beyond this incarnation is fine for the one time but it hasn’t helped the race as a whole over time. I suspect but can’t be sure “as yet” that we all return here time after time to repeat our foibles for some nefarious purpose-or perhaps a test. Whatever needs to happen to change the pattern must happen here or never. Can any individual grasp that? Hmmm…

        Liked by 1 person

  2. katharineotto

    Sha’Tara,
    It’s good to see you’re posting again. If you’d said you hurt your right hand, I must have missed it. But about purpose, which is a constant, nagging question with me, I choose to see my life as a balance between personal and collective ideals. I see them as compatible, but if there’s a conflict, I must use my own judgment to decide which path to follow. That is my individuality speaking, and my conscious use of free will. I may be wrong, sometimes, but that is “my cross to bear.” Hopefully, I will learn, or others will learn, from my errors in judgment. That’s communication, is it not?

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    1. Sha'Tara Post author

      That is the gist of what I am attempting to introduce except that I think we are primarily moved to respond to some aspect of collective “wisdom” even when we believe we are thinking/speaking/acting purely from an idealistic individual perspective. I want to break through that, even to realizing that my first “thoughts” were programmed in me by my mother, followed by father, family, school, church, books read and so on, then what I have believed and what I have taught. So where is my “idealistic individual perspective” after all of that? I am seeking the real me, if there is such an entity.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. katharineotto

        Sha’Tara,
        I wonder about “the real me” too, but lately, I wonder if “the real me” is a perpetually evolving entity. “The real me” is a synthesis of everything from the past, present, future, and imagined, so it’s hard to pin down. Would I even want to pin it down?

        I regularly surprise myself with thoughts and inspirations that come, but isn’t that growth? I suspect that others, like me, want methods for structuring our perceptions of reality, so we come up with religion or philosophy, or some way to guide action, but when the beliefs take over ad prevent clarity or perception, then the beliefs themselves need to be re-assessed.

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      2. Sha'Tara Post author

        Beliefs – that’s where I’m working from. My question (to me) is, why have any belief at all. Isn’t it true that any belief automatically destroys true free will? Belief cancels uncertainty but wouldn’t accepting one’s uncertainty be conducive to mental/moral/spiritual growth whereas a belief just fills the mind like junk food…

        Liked by 1 person

      3. katharineotto

        Isn’t that the definition of agnosticism? Not knowing? Or, to paraphrase Socrates< "I know only one thing, and that is, I know nothing." To shed beliefs, or to put them in a kind of context, is like taking blinders off, but I suspect even the most open minded of people need some kind of reference point, a standard for comparison

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Sha'Tara Post author

        It is easy for an intelligent person to claim not to know anything-the dummy knows everything of course since s/he operates on the strictly material level-but that is as much a copout. We do know something no matter what the claim is otherwise what would be the point? I believe the trick isn’t agnosticism but more to be labeled as endless, tireless quest. I believe we, as a mob, are being denied access to critical information that keeps us operating at the mob level with the politicians as rulers of the mob. We know this but are stuck in the process as long as we refuse to ditch the mob mind and turn to truly individual thinking. All the great evils we know of are the result of mob think and acting. All belief systems are mob ruled. More later!

        Liked by 1 person

      5. katharineotto

        Sha’Tara,
        That’s why it’s refreshing to encounter a philosophically-minded free thinker like you. You always seem willing to take thought to deeper levels, a rare talent among the humans I’ve come across.

        I’ve ben reading the book, “Manufacturing Consent,” by Edward S. Herman and Noam Chomsky. It’s the 2002 edition , which was updated from the original 1988 edition, but even my copy was probably already at the publishers when the fateful, world changing 9/11happened. Still, the book is eye-opening, because it reveals in great detail how the mass mind is conditioned to absorb a manufactured version of “reality” that is calculated to serve the interests of government and corporate elites and their minions. I found the book through posts on WordPress, possibly Stuart Bramhall’s site, and it is a classic well worth reading, but I’ve only read the new introductions and preface, and a little of the first chapter so far.

        Liked by 1 person

      6. katharineotto

        Sha’Tara,
        Also, I do believe I know something, but it is my own experience, which I cannot adequately convey to others, even if they cared to know. Like Socrates, I believe, the unwillingness to accept any finality keeps minds open, free, and alive.

        Liked by 1 person

  3. sherazade

    Cara Sha’ Tara ben ritrovata 🌻
    Oggi è il mio 65 compleanno un bel pezzo di vita alle spalle e i tuoi pensieri i tuoi dubbi più che mai sono presenti ogni anno che passa.
    Credo sia necessario mantenere la propria individualità per interagire collettivamente senza diventare gregge belante.
    Stai bene mia cara. Ti sbbraccio

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    1. Sha'Tara Post author

      Ciao Shera… grazie per la risposta. Sembra che per i “pensatori” debba esserci un luogo dove il pensiero individuale interagisce con la comunicazione collettiva. Spero che questo post sia un’introduzione ad alcune idee piuttosto confuse che ho raccolto o raccolto…

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  4. Lisa R. Palmer

    I agree with so much of what you say here, Sha’Tara! Unfortunately, I have to go to work now, so details will have to wait. Just know I needed to respond, that I am grateful to “hear” your voice in the chaos, and that I’m focusing very deliberately on that patch of sanity today. Thank you!

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    1. Sha'Tara Post author

      Thanks Lisa. That “patch of sanity” is well put. For too long I’ve been listening, partially believing, in those collective thoughts that know it all. Now I have to break it down, bit by bit, and find those patches of sanity that may issue from the chaos. There may even be some???

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  5. Phil Huston

    Ahhh… Whatever happened I’m glad it’s in the rearview

    Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends
    We’re so glad you could attend
    Come inside! Come inside!
    There behind a glass stands a real blade of grass
    be careful as you pass.
    Move along! Move along!
    Come inside, the show’s about to start
    guaranteed to blow your head apart
    Rest assured you’ll get your money’s worth
    The greatest show in Heaven, Hell or Earth.
    You’ve got to see the show,
    it’s a dynamo.
    You’ve got to see the show…
    Lake/Sinfield “Karn Evil 9”

    Liked by 1 person

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  6. deteremineddespitewp

    Hi Sha’ Tara.
    So glad to see you back in the WP-verse, missed you.
    At this stage of my Physical existence on the third planet from this minor star (just past 70…yea!) aside from my relationship with Sheila, my children and grandchildren I am not too sure as to The What, Where, When or Who my status might be, or would care for it to be.
    From a quantum perfect my status is a collection of particles held together by the Strong Interactive force which apparently is 10 to the power of 38 stronger than Gravity but since it works on those very, very titchy things that make molecules, atoms and below, we don’t notice so much. How that has evolved into the body is something to do with the processes of 3 billion years of Life evolving. Where the Consciousness etc that make up the mind comes from….Who knows
    So where am I? Not to sure, and kind of at one with that (Although that doesn’t stop me getting into tussles on FaceBook, once an old doctrinal socialist, always an….you know the song).
    Thus on reflection of your post, it’s possible we might be in the same portion of the Cosmos/Creation- it’s a big place; there’s room enough.
    Once more, glad to see you back
    Roger

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      1. deteremineddespitewp

        Yesterday I think I finally grasped the concept of the Four Fundamental Forces of the Standard Model in Particle Physics; it was a spiritual moment; an ‘Oh yeah…I get it’ reaction.
        Its my way of travelling through The Creation, 😀
        I can still wave to you too 👋

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  7. wolfess

    Being an old crone at this point in my reality, the only thing I know for sure about me is that thinking well of myself (i.e.: having a positive self-image) is necessary to survive what happens day-to-day. Purpose can be as simple as getting out of bed, or as complex as choosing to put someone else’s needs before my own, but what must come first is my strength/willingness to face whatever comes, and I don’t believe it is possible to do that without recognizing that I/we have the freedom, power and strength to do whatever needs to be done.

    Now … let me give you a snapshot into my 68 years on this mortal plane — I married way too young 😜; my first child was born October 6, 1972 … and died 2 days later. It took me years to even be willing to try having another child, but my second son was born August 16, 1977 (the day Elvis Presley died). He was 3 years old when we found out he was cognitively disabled (retarded). My husband fought in both Korea and Vietnam, (in both instances they were using Agent Orange when he was there) he has been getting dialysis for 10 years now (he isn’t healthy enough for a kidney transplant because his heart isn’t healthy enough to survive the transplant). When I was young all I wanted was a couple of children and a house with a white picket fence … that house will be completely ours in less than a year (except we have a wooden privacy fence instead of a white picket fence 😎). I recognize that my life has been neither easier or harder than anyone else’s, but my experience allows me to respect others because they deserve no less than that.

    Sha`Tara, please continue to take care of yourself so that you are able to continue blessing us with your presence!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Sha'Tara Post author

      Replying via phone… I know what you’re saying I have a few years up on you and no idea for how long I’ll hold up but I’m going to keep looking!
      The idea of thinking well of self is paramount for me currently. Working at avoiding current highly inflamed situations. Well this is about all I’m going to say this time until I get to a computer. You take good care of yourself also!!!

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. wolfess

        Remember, age is relative — most days I don’t feel older than dirt (except this summer has really made me feel my age). I am quite seriously impressed with how well you have dealt with your physical issues — not the least of which is the fact that you have spoken about them.

        *My house beasties are pacing as I write this — we are scheduled to get another storm any minute now; 2 weeks ago we got one helluva storm overnight, lots of tree damage all over the city and no power for a day and a half (some didn’t have power for more than a week) so now every time the thunder starts my furbabies get very nervous. We have a big, beautiful ash tree in our backyard that beautifully frames our house when we park the car in the driveway. In the 18 years we have lived here in ‘Hamiltonia’ I have had it trimmed twice because it is too important a part of our ecosystem to risk having it broken like so many of the trees around town were in the last big storm. She lost a couple of branches in that storm, but nothing major so I will continue to take care of her so she can continue taking care of us and all the wild beasties that have taken up residence in her.

        Liked by 1 person

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