Short Sleeves Insights- Gnats Against The Wind
“You are under the power of no other enemy, are held in no other captivity and want no other deliverance, but from the power of your own earthly self. This is the murderer of the divine life within you. It is your own Cain that murders your own Abel.” Those words were written by William Law, an English mystic, born in 1686. He was a follower of the works of Jacob Boehme another European mystic, who was also a shoemaker.
I was reminded how true this statement can be, while watching the events surrounding the death of a popular model unfold. I will not go into detail, for I’m sure you are aware that there is a struggle taking place concerning where she should be buried. Of course the underlying cause for the drama is money. There is a group of people in a bitter dispute over the physical remains of a person who is still very much alive in consciousness. Her experience of life now, is out of the reach of money, anger, hatred and fear. But the group is in their own “Hell” trying to make sense of the contrast, they are creating. It’s not about the dead. it’s all about the grip of the earthly self on truth. Their own truth, is being held captive, by the allure of money. We do kill our brothers for the sake of an illusion. We kill ourselves for the sake of proving someone else wrong.
We then ask a judge, to tell us who is right, so that we can hide our feelings in justification. As we saw, the judge has no better handle on his truth, lost, like the defendants in the courtroom. It is entertainment for some, disgust for others and a non-event for the deceased.
I thought of a courtroom scene that Rumi wrote about over 700 years ago, that best describes my feeling. It’s called, “Gnats Against The Wind.”
Some gnats come from the grass to speak to Solomon(The King). “O Solomon, you are the champion of the oppresses. You give justice to the little guys, and they don’t get any littler than us. We are tiny metaphors for frailty. Can you defend us?” “Who has mistreated you?” asked Solomon. “Our complaint is against the wind” “Well, said Solomon, you have pretty voices, you gnats, but remember a judge cannot listen to just one side, I must hear both Litigants.” “Of course.” Agree the gnats. “Summon the east wind!” Solomon declares. And the wind arrives almost immediately.
“What happened to the gnat plaintiffs?” Asks Solomon. Gone!!
Such is the way of every seeker who comes to complain to the high court. When the presence of God arrives, where are the seekers? First there’s dying, then union. Just like gnats inside the wind.
Article submitted by Hal Manogue who is a poet and author of Short Sleeves A Book For Friends. Insightful thoughts for the 21st century. Hal’s 2006 Collection and 2007 Collection are available in bookstores and online. Visit Hal’s website: http://www.shortsleeves.net or blog: http://halmanogue.blogspot.com/ for more information about his work and life. Download a copy of the new E-Book, “Unite To Write”, a collection of articles from writers around the globe that will inspire and fill you with useful information. It’s value is priceless. It’s Hal’s gift to you, for you to enjoy.
