Cunoasterea si perspectivele contemporane ale omenirii

Am vizionat recent un TED talk sustinut de Ken Jennings, un multiplu campion al concursului american de cunoastinte generale Jeopardy. Se spune despre Ken ca are una dintre cele mai bune memorii din lume. Omul poseda o cultura generala care rivalizeaza orice enciclopedie intocmita pana in prezent.  In discursul sau, campionul absolut al datelor vorbeste despre cum a ajuns sa cunoasca atatea lucruri si despre cum, intr-un final, a fost infrant la Jeopardy de un calculator sofisticat, in care s-au investit milioane de dolari si mai bine de cinci ani de munca. Ken a suferit atunci un fel de criza de identitate. Intrebarea fundamentala este: Ce rol mai are cunoasterea intr-o societate in care practic oricine poate pune mana pe un smartphone si poatre cauta aproape orice informatie necesara? Intrebarea este una foarte pertinenta, avand implicatii majore in reformularea contemporana a definitiei omului. Omul s-a definit intotdeauna ca o fiinta rationala, posedand o inteligenta unica si o miraculoasa capacitate de autoreflectie. Aceste trasaturi, cuplate cu un fascinant simt al moralitatii care a fost contemplat indelung de ganditori precum Platon sau Kant, ne fac unici in universul cunoscut.

Omul este practic neschimbat in ultimele sute de mii de ani. Intre timp insa, el a trecut de la tribul primordial de vanatori si culegatori preocupati in mare parte de supravietuire,  la comunitati agrare si apoi la orase, state si imperii, formuland structuri sociale si religioase complexe. Asa cum o spune si Manly P. Hall, omul s-a aflat mereu in cautarea Adevarului. Din momentul in care primii exponenti ai specei noastre au observat miscarile Soarelui pe cer, ei si-au pus problema intunericului si  luminii, a frigului si  caldurii, a vietii si  mortii. Din momentul in care primii oamnei au observat miscarile si fazele Lunii,  ei au inceput contemplarea misterelor femeii si ale nasterii, ale apelor care cresc si se retrag, ale viselor si ale subconstientului. Din momentul in care, privind cerul instelat, oamenii au observat frumusetea eterna a astrelor cat si miscarile subtile ale cosmosului, ei au inceput sa inregistreze timpul, sa inteleaga natura lui ciclica si sa-i studieze proprietatile. Toate aceste lucruri le-a regasit in el, in viata sa interioara, intelegand prin mii de ani de observatii legaturile subtile intre jos si sus, inerior si exterior, mic si mare, microcosmos si macrocosmos. Toate acestea le-a facut in cautarea Adevarului si deci in cautarea de sine.

In aceste circumstante au aparut primele Scoli ale Misterelor unde cei vrednici, care se remarcau prin inteligenta, dorinta de cunoastere si nu in ultimul rand prin misterioasa moralitate (specifica omului superior), erau initiati si urmau drumul unei continue perfectionari. Astfel de initiaiti, posesori ai Cunoasterii stramosilor, au devenit poetii, filozofii, arhitectii si matematicienii lumii antice. Ei au condus lumea mai departe, prin  Intelepciune. Ei au scris cartile sacre, adunand in ele invataturile specifice omului superior. Acestea sunt prezentate adesea prin alegorii, mesaje codificate si alte metode de sinteza specifice Misterelor.

De atunci si pana in prezent, pastrand pur acest nucleu esential, oamenii au adaugat in permanenta noi capitole, elaborand in mare detaliu toate aspectele Cunoasterii. Prin intermediul celor Sapte Arte Liberale (Gramatica, Retorica, Logica, Matematica, Geometria, Muzica, Astronomia) ei au creat, folosind  mostenirea sacra, remarcabile opere literare, picturi, piese muzicale, temple si catedrale. Toate aceste opere ascund in ele cele mai inalte aspiratii ale fiintei umane, aflata in permanenta cautare a Adevarului.

Intotdeauna au existat cei care, folosindu-se de Cunoastere, au cautat puterea si au trecut prin viata urmarind doar propriile interese. Un adevarat intelept nu vede nici un sens intr-o existenta bazata pe materialism deoarece gandirea sa holistica, caracterizata de intelegerea profunda a Adevarului, il face sa o considere nedemna. El intelege ca fericirea adevarata trebuie impartasita si ca implinirea nu poate fi atinsa decat daruind si muncind in slujba altora. Daca revenim in prezent, vom constata ca acest intelept a fost aproape distrus de societatea moderna. Cum este acest lucru posibil, avand in vedere permanenta expansiune a Cunoasterii? De ce oare, desi arhiva noastra devine mai plina si mai usor de accesat, Intelepciunea noastra (la nivel de civilizatie globala) nu pare sa evolueze in mod proportional? Inca o intrebare pe care trebuie sa o consideram cu mare atentie.

In ciuda celor care au luptat  pentru Adevar si Dreptate, omul reprezentativ al oricarei epoci a fost mereu bantuit de ignoranta. Acest fapt l-a facut capabil de numeroase atrocitati, pe care numai o minte absurda si neinstruita le poate comite. Astfel se explica  mizeria, suferinta si dezechilibrul produs de o societate tot mai complexa si mai dezbinata. Omul s-a raspandit ca un virus, punand stapanire pe natura si dorindu-si mereu sa cucereasca, manat fiind parca de natura sa inferioara, de animal. Spuneam mai devreme ca omul nu a evoluat deloc, ca individ, in intreaga istorie cunoscuta. El nu a devenit mai inteligent, mai spiritual, mai puternic sau mai intelept. Perceptia unei astfel de evolutii este doar o iluzie. Precum corpul sau, nici mentalitatea sa nu s-a schimbat in mod pozitiv. Mai suntem oare viabili, ca specie dominanta a acestei lumi?

Se pare ca inteligenta superioara nu mai este o trasatura pur umana. Intreaga cunoastere a omenirii este disponibila in norul din ce in ce mai voluminos si mai complex al internetului, nor la care toti suntem conectati si de care, tot mai des, suntem dependenti. Se pare deci ca am ajuns facem un outsourcing al inteligentei si cunoasterii. Se poate spune ca practicam un outsourcing al adevarului. Este evident ca atat informatia cat si procesarea ei inteligenta nu mai sunt asii din maneca specifici omului. Suntem de mult depasiti la acest capitol de propriile noastre creatii. Tot ce mai lipseste acestor noi fiinte este o vointa proprie, liber exprimata. Evolutionistii care sustin teoriile lui Charles Darwin considera ca scopul oricarei fiinte vii este sa se nasca, sa procreeze si sa moara, facand loc noilor generatii. Astfel, spun ei, viata, aceasta trasatura greu de definit a fiintelor, se transforma, evolueaza si se perfectioneaza, prin noi forme de manifestare.

Am ajuns oare, ca specie, la capatul drumului? Daca percepem intreaga societate globala ca pe o fiinta, putem oare afirma ca  aceasta este pe cale sa nasca o noua generatie si apoi trebuie sa dispara? Logica bazata pe legile evolutioniste asa pare sa dicteze. Celebrul fizician Stephen Hawking raspunde, atunci cand este intrebat despre viata in univers, ca exista doua posibilitati: Ori suntem singura civilizatie avansata pe o raza de 100 de ani lumina (aproximativ acum 100 de ani am inceput sa interceptam unde radio cosmice) ori astfel de civilizatii nu dureaza foarte mult, fiind sortite autodistrugerii. Logica sa pare infailibila. Daca analizam cele doua posibilitati vom concluziona ca, cel mai probabil, fiintele precum omul ajung intr-un anume punct in care devin pur si simplu invechite si redundante. Sa fie acesta oare adevarul suprem? Suntem oare pur si simplu depasiti in jocul vietii, definit de regulile nemiloase ale evolutiei?  Situatia in care se afla societatea globala pare sa sugereze ca acesta ar fi adevarul. Argumentele sunt de necontestat. Daca scopul ultim al vietii este acela de a acumula cunostinte si de a atinge starea de echilibru si perfectiune prin Adevar, atunci avem deja multe dezavantaje. Este oare omul, ca unitate fundamentala a fiintei globale, pur si simplu inadecvat pentru a continua aceasta misiune constienta a vietii, de a ajunge la cunoasterea absoluta?

Hai sa aruncam o privire la posibilitatile actuale si sa incercam sa vizualizam ceea ce se va petrece in viitorul apropiat. Odata cu studiul geneticii, in secolul XX, omul a deschis prima poarta catre nemurire. La doar cativa ani de la maparea integrala a genomului uman, experimentele au depasit orice asteptari. Cu ajutorul celulelor stem putem deja sintetiza orice tip de tesut si chiar organe. Exista oameni care au deja inlocuite vezici, trahei, urechi si alte elemente cu o structura complexa. Experimentele au demonstrat ca se pot reproduce deja organe precum inima, plamanii, etc. In paralel cu aceste experimente se desfasoara altele, de manipulare genetica a bacteriilor pentru a obtine diverse substante organice complexe, folosite ulterior in medicamente, alimentatie si chiar productia de energie sustenabila. Manipularea genetica a organismelor devine tot mai des practicata si tot mai usor de implementat pe o scara larga.  Se poate fi afirmat ca, in curand, selectia naturala va deveni un concept total depasit. Evolutia, oricum am definit-o  in trecut sau cum o definim in prezent, capata treptat o cu totul alta semnificatie. Ea va fi artificiala, coordonata in mod inteligent si complet supusa ratiunii umane. Ea va fi din ce in ce mai accelerata si mai  prezenta in societate, ca un element motivant si stimulant al progresului. Combinarea organismelor biologie cu sisteme artificiale (precum implanturile de augmentare a simturilor sau membrele robotice) este de multi ani o realitate. Intrebarea relevanta nu este daca astfel de practici vor deveni un lucru obisnuit la nivel global ci cand se va intampla acest lucru. Cunoasterea exista, resursele exista iar progresul tehnologic in acest domeniu este din ce in ce mai accelerat. Urmand acest fir logic  putem concluziona ca, in doar cateva generatii, omul isi va indeplini visul milenar de a deveni nemuritor. Nu ma refer la o nemurire a spiritului (despre care inteleptii vorbesc de la inceputurile istoriei si pe care metafizica secolelor trecute o abordeaza in detaliu) ci la o nemurire a corpului. Degradarea fizica, boala, imbatranirea si moartea vor fi doar notiuni ale trecutului. Nevoia de a produce noi generatii poate disparea si ea deoarece, intr-o lume in care individul este practic nemuritor, nevoia de a procrea este semnificativ redusa, daca nu chiar eliminata. Cupland aceasta nemurire fizica cu accesul rapid si eficient la un sistem informatic centralizat, capabil sa rezolve instantaneu orice problema, putem spune ca civilizatia umana va fi complet transformata. Trebuie insa pusa urmatoarea intrebare:  Ne dorim oare o astfel de societate, stapana asupra materiei si profund inradacinata in lumea fizica, dominata de cele cinci simturi?  Nu stiu cum ar evolua spiritualitatea intr-un astfel de mediu

Trebuie deci sa nu uitam de constiinta umana si felul in care aceasta interactioneaza cu mediul inconjurator. Acesta este un subiect aflat in atentia stiintelor ezoterice de foarte mult timp dar caruia stiinta moderna nu-i acorda nici pe departe suficienta importanta. Mentalitatile incep insa sa se schimbe si in acest domeniu iar experimente realizate de oameni precum Masaru Emoto, care stabileste o legatura concreta intre constiinta umana si organizarea moleculelor de apa, incep sa fie din ce in ce mai acceptate in mainstream-ul stiintific. Fizica cuantica incepe sa inteleaga ceea ce anticii au cunoscut si acceptat ca fiind fundamentul realitatii fizice:  intentia si designul inteligent sau la baza tuturor lucrurilor. Probleme precum cele enuntate de fizicianul  Erwin Schrödinger, inca de la inceputul studiului mecanicii cuantice sau experimente spectaculoase precum faimosul "Double Slit Experiment" arata ca simpla prezenta a observatorul inteligent determina realitatea fizica la nivel subatomic. Devine tot mai clar faptul ca omul este o fiinta mult mai complexa decat isi pot imagina chiar si cele mai luminate minti stiintifice.

Revin la problema initiala, semnalata de Ken Jennings. Care este rolul cunoasterii intr-o lume in care accesibilitatea ei o trivializeaza? A devenit oare informatia atat de usor accesibila incat omul nu o mai doreste? Este posibil ca acest mecanism psihologic primitiv, al abundentei resurselor, sa fie una din cauzele fenomenului global de "dumbing down"? Oare doar cand ceva este perceput ca fiind rar si greu accesibil, acel lucru  devine pretios si deci demn de obtinut sau de luat in considerare? Daca intr-adevar nu mai suntem preocupati de cunoastere pentru ca ea nu este perceputa ca avand o valoare intrinseca, atunci suntem cu adevarat depasiti, ca specie. Cu cat permitem un outsourcing mai mare al informatiilor esentiale, permitem  si un outsourcing mai mare al intelegerii, al deciziilor (care vor fi luate de altii pentru noi) si deci al puterii. Ne putem pierde  controlul asupra propriilor vieti daca ne bazam pe o sursa externa, pentru a obtine instructiunile necesare. Judecam mai putin si executam mai mult. Executam planurile celor care vor sa ne conduca si care, spre deosebire de noi, au acumulat informatiile neesare programelor lor, ca urmare a dorintelor si aspiratiior proprii. Esentiala aici este problema leadership-ului. Acest model poate conduce atat la o utopie cat si la un veritabil infern. Deci, in mainile cui incredintam informatiile? Trebuie sa intelegem ca, la randul lor, acesti leaderi sunt tot mai dependenti de sistemul pe care in conduc. Vom ajunge oare sa depindem in totalitate de un sistem informatic?

Fara o baza a cunoasterii, fondata in Adevar si transformata intr-un filtru personal asupra lumii, riscam sa ne pierdem complet autonomia si capacitatea de luare a deciziilor. Ne putem oare permite sa gandim mai putin si sa nu punem in permanenta intrebari? Fara indoiala, nivelul absolut de cultura generala al unui tanar contemporan este in medie mai ridicat decat era in evul mediu, insa acest nivel de cunoastere nu este nici pe departe proportional cu cel necesar functionarii optime a individului in societatea actuala. Cu alte cuvinte, desi acum cunoastem in medie mai multe, mediul social, economic, politic si cultural in care traim ne solicita, pentru a ne adapta, un volum de cunostinte mult mai ridicat decat in evul mediu, in secolul XIX, sau chiar acum 30 de ani. Aceasta continua crestere a solicitarii face din ce in ce mai dificila, mai ineficienta si nemotivanta adaptarea individului la standardele impuse. Tot mai  viabila devine inlocuirea anumitor functii indeplinite de om cu functii indeplinite sau puternic asistate de calculator. Aceasta automatizare ar trebui sa asigure o mai eficienta functionare a tuturor sistemelor implicate, permitand omului sa se detaseze si sa urmareasca alte preocupari, mai potrivite.

Scopul tehnologiei trebuie sa fie acela de a elibera omul din lanturile rutinei si ale proceselor repetitive care nu-l motiveaza si nu-i stimuleaza imaginatia si creativitatea. Vom ajunge cu siguranta intr-un puct in care va fi mai eficient economic sa inlocuim un om cu un sistem automat, chiar si in conditiile in care il trimitem acasa si-i platim aceeasi bani.  In aceasta situantie, munca va capata o cu totul alta dimensiune, ea devenind un rezultat direct al dorintelor si aspiratiilor superioare ale individului. Poate ca aceasta este societatea utopica la care trebuie sa aspiram. Intrebarea interesanta este: Se doreste oare o astfel de societate in care, descatusat de grijile materiale, omul devine liber sa gndeasca si sa se exprime asa cum doreste? Merita contemplata aceasta intrebare...Intre timp, cum ramane cu problema cunoasterii? Este ea sortita a fi o trasatura specifica masinilor, omul urmand sa fie doar un user cu o intelegere rudimentara a sistemului? Nu am deveni oare un fel de hedonisti, care lipsiti de griji dar si de cunoastere ajung sa elimine orice fel de motivatie din viata, cu exceptia obtinerii de placere? Poate ca pentru o mare parte din noi aceasta ar fi calea urmata dar, chiar si asa, contributiile esentiale aduse de indivizi avansarii cunoasterii colective ar creste semnificativ. Multi dintre cei care poseda capacitatea si dorinta de a cerceta si a se dezvolta dar nu au in prezent posibilitatea sa o faca, din cauza mediului in care traiesc, ar avea oportunitatea sa se exprime si sa se remarce prin realizarile personale. Pentru toti ceilalti, indiferent de modul in care aleg sa-si petreaca timpul, libertatea dobandita nu poate aduce decat fericire. Putem oare astfel sa ne apropiem mai mult de Absolut? Lipsa grijilor materiale si a necesitatii unei munci epuizante nu inseamna neaparat lipsa de  norme sociale care sa asigure stabilitate si coeziune. Fara a fi similari in toate aspectele care-i definesc, oamenii pot deveni astfel uniti prin idealuri, principii si valori. Nu putem sti cu exactitate care ar fi rezultatele unui astfel de experiment sau daca, fara sa inteleaga suferinta, durerea si greutatea, individul se mai poate numi cu adevarat om.

Platon afirma ca scopul omului este de perfectionare, prin depasirea naturii inferioare animalice si prin adoptarea principiilor superioare. Confucius spunea ca natura esentiala a omului este de a face bine. Daca esenta omului este deci una care-l conduce catre ordine si echilibru, atat interior cat si exterior, de ce oare rezultatul tangibil este uneori atat de dezamagitor? Ce anume exisa, in natura noastra, care ne incetineste in drumul pe care esenta spirituala il dicteaza? Omul a fost mereu o fiinta fragila, din punct de vedere fizic. Mintea a fost mereu instrumetul sau principal de supravietuire. De asemenea, individualitatea puternica de care omul da dovada a fost mereu un important avantaj dar si un mare inamic al propriei perfectionari. Omul este deci capabil de a inalta cel mai splendid Templu sau de a comite cea mai mare atrocitate, ambele prin vointa specifica propriei individualitati. Aceasta dualitate, despre care vorbesc initiatii din toate timpurile, ramane un mister si o trasatura fundamentala a naturii umane. Daca studiem putin natura, devine evident ca acest principiu al dualitatii nu este specific numai omului ci tuturor formelor de viata. Am intrebat, la inceput, ce ne defineste ca oameni. Ne poate oare defini aceasta dualitate si deci acest dans etern intre ordine si haos? Realitatea pare sa demonstreze un dezechilibru subtil in acest dans, insa unul semnificativ in raport cu celelalte forme de viata de pe Pamant. Imaginea nu este completa iar aceasta dualitate nu este suficient inteleasa. Suntem, dupa parerea mea, un mare paradox cosmic. Suntem singura fiinta vie care pare a nu se afla intr-o stare de echilibru dinamic. Cu alte cuvinte, exista un factor aditional, specific omului, care tinde sa rastoarne in timp acest echilibru, conducand la inconsistente semnificative. Sa fie oare vorba chiar de ratiune (sau mai degraba lipsa ei sau proasta ei aplicare), aceastra trasatura unica a mintii umane? Celebrul pictor spaniol Francisco Goya afirma ca somnul ratiunii naste monstrii. Immanuel Kant afirma, in Critica Ratiunii Pure, ca ratiunea are o functie regulativa si nu constitutiva, ea dictand directia in care este condusa si aplicata cunoasterea, neavand nimic de-a face cu conditiile apriorice sau fundamentale ale acesteia. Ratiunea permite omului sa-si analizeze propriile actiuni, sa se detaseze de el insusi si sa se priveasca in mod critic. Ratiunea devine deci elementul care se interpune intre ordine si haos, bine si rau sau activ si pasiv. Izvorata din Vointa Initiala, a carei abordare nu poate fi decat una metafizica, ratiunea este ceea ce leaga opusurie si le mediaza. Ratiunea este calea de mijloc, iar manifestarea ei prin gand o plaseza intre universul pasiv al legilor naturale si universul activ al moralitatii, atat de specific fiintei umane. Astfel se naste frumosul, din tot ceea ce este functional sau logic dar si combinat cu eleganta aspiratiilor superioare. Astfel se naste Regatul in care omul domneste. Prin chemarea misterioasa catre transcedental, pe care doar omul o poseda, se naste esenta fiintei umane. Tot ce este aprioric cunoasterii lumesti nu poate fi inteles  prin experienta directa insa, fara indoiala, dorinta milenara a omului de a atinge Absolutul Divin este ceea ce il defineste.

 Moto-ul gradului 33 al Francmasoneriei (in Ritul Scotian Antic si Acceptat) este "Ordo ab Chao". De unde poate izvora aceasta dorinta de ordine, daca nu din decizia rationala, bazata pe Cunoastere, de a interveni pentru schimbarea lumii in care omul domneste. Oamenii au inteles de mult, la inceput intuitiv, ca in absenta Intentiei Divine care se reflecta in ei insusi, lumea este sortita aparentului haos entropic. Daca stiinta a demonstrat ca un Univers steril si mecanic tinde catre cresterea "dezordinii", ea a uitat un lucru foarte important: Universul nu este steril, mecanic si lipsit de intentie. Daca cea de-a doua lege a termodinamicii dicteaza ca un set de sisteme va deveni tot mai dezordonat, ca urmare a orcarui proces de transfer al energiei, acest lucru nu inseamna ca soarta implacabila a universului este haosul, ca inceputul sau este lipsit de semnificatie sau ca aparitia observatorului uman este accidentala. Nu exista om capabil sa inteleaga cu adevarat eficienta, complexitatea  si eleganta unei moelculde de ADN, dupa care sa spuna ca aceasta capodopera biochimica este un simplu accident cosmic. Aceasta lipsa de viziune poate exista doar cuplata cu ignoranta. Numai astfel, in lipsa Cunoasterii si a Adevarului, poate ratiunea sa esueze.

 Am inceput acest text prin a vorbi despre rolul pe care cunoasterea il indeplineste in societatea contemporana. Vreau sa recapitulez cele mai importante intrebari: Care rol are Cunoasterea in societatea contemporana? De ce sporirea Cunoasterii colective nu conduce la sporirea Intelepciunii colective? Am ajuns oare la capatul drumului ca specie sau ne indreptam spre un viitor in care evolutia artificiala va elimina degradarea, boala si moartea? Vom ajunge sa depindem de un sistem informatic centralizat? In mainile cui incredintam informatiile vitale? Se doreste oare o societate in care, prin tehnologie, omul este eliberat de grijile materiale si este liber sa se manifeste?  Intr-o viitoare societate in care suferinta, greutatea si moartea nu mai sunt cunoscute, risca omul sa devina toatal dezpiritualizat sau poate el astfel sa se apropie mai mult de Absolut? Nu in ultimul rand, in acest context si avand in vedere aceste perspective: Cum ne redefinim ca indivizi, ca oameni si ca specie?

Statisticile arata ca volumul de informatii care ajunge in norul global zilnic inregistreaza o crestere exponentiala, dublandu-se tot mai des. 90% din aceste informatii sunt insa contradictorii, neorganizate sau irelevante. Se pare ca principiile entropiei incep sa afecteze si sitemul informational pe care ne bazam. Daca insa ne lasam propria minte sa fie infectata de acest fenomen si lasam puterea in mainile celor care doresc sa stapaneasca cu orice pret, atunci anumite predictii sumbre ale profesorului Hawking vor deveni fara indoiala realitate. Trebuie sa continuam sa invatam, avand mai multa grija ca niciodata ce informatii alegem sa asimilam si cum urmeaza sa le integram in procesul gandirii rationale. Trebuie deci sa migram iar catre centru, catre esenta care ne defineste si vom gasi acolo toate resursele necesare pentru a transforma omenirea intr-o poveste de succes. Pe langa Adevar, acolo se afla imaginatia, creativitatea, emotia umana  precum si multe alte resurse spirituale care ne vor dovedi inca o data ca suntem o remarcabila opera a Marelui Arhitect al Universului.  

 

Inima, Minte, Inima

 

M-am gandit recent la unele lucruri legate de trecutul meu si la unde am fost candva. Vreau sa scriu aici unele concluzii. Am ales limba romana pentru acest scurt text deorece  simt ca este potrivita.  Vreau sa ma adresez direct celor care au probleme de natura emotionala si care ajung sa sufere in lipsa unor raspunsuri. Ati formulat oare intrebarile potrivite? V-ati luptat uneori cu voi si cu toate cliseele si sfaturile intelepte despre dragoste, incercand  sa le respingeti cu incapatanare? Daca ati procedat astfel ati pierdut adevarata intelepciune care, de multe ori, se ascunde in spatele cuvintelor. Trebuie sa intelegeti ca desi oamenii sunt egali in anumite privinte, care tin de Esenta lor, au propriile Bariere spirituale si propriile Obstacole in calea Cunoasterii.

Fiecare avem Uneltele noastre de factura interioara, care ne ajuta in drumul catre perfectionare si adevar. Instrumentul principal este fara indoiala inima. Ea ne ridica si ea ne coboara, ea ne face bine si tot ea ne poate face rau. Ea ne vorbeste cel mai clar si pe ea trebuie sa invatam sa o ascultam. Altfel, suntem pierduti.

 Daca retineti un singur lucru din ce scriu aici, retineti ce am scris mai sus. Multi intelepti au spus ca atunci cand mergi impotriva dorintelor inimii, nu poti atrage decat suferinta. Dar oare ce au vrut sa spuna cu adevarat? Au vrut sa spuna ca trebuie sa-ti asculti toate sentimentele si sa actionezi in consecina sau ca trebuie sa-i faci toate poftele inimii? Nicidecum. Am spus mai sus ca inima este precum o unealta a cunoasterii. Trebuie sa o folosim just. Trebuie sa o lasam sa vorbeasca iar ceea ce spune trebuie trecut prin filtrul constiintei superioare. Circuitul corect este inima-minte-inima. Circuitul trebuie sa functioneze negresit iar feedback-ul trebuie sa existe in permanenta. De la inima primim informatii subtile si catre ea trimitem inapoi energia noastra emotionala, prin  Vointa,  pentru a ne schimba viata si a face lumea din jurul nostru mai buna.  Daca inima ta sufera, uneori chiar si fizic, este pentru ca te lupti cu ea. Ori nu primesti ce trebuie de la ea ori nu trimiti inapoi pe masura.

                Inima ta ti-a spus candva (poate), ca iubesti. Daca ai suferit, este ori pentru ca nu ai fost iubit sau ai pierdut si nu ai avut Puterea si Intelepciunea sa accepti asta, ori pentru ca ai ajuns sa te lupti cu inima ta. I-ai pus piedici si ai chinuit-o. Nu ai ascultat-o si nu ai trimis inapoi catre ea daruirea  totala si dragostea  deplina, atat de necesare. Ma refer la acea dragoste care-ti permite sa spui: "sunt aici, sunt al tau, sunt liber si aleg sa daruiesc prin iubire". Ti-a fost frica. Universul insusi a simtit cu siguranta asta si a incercat sa comunice cu tine. A reusit? Comunicarea directa este esentiala si trebuie sa functioneze in permanenta, in ambele sensuri. Trebuie sa devenim mai intelepti si mai echilibrati pentru a rezolva, intr-un final, toate problemele inimii. Putem sa incercam sa "reparam" inima de nenumarate ori dar, in lipsa Uneltelor potrivite vom esua de fiecare data. Este ca si cum ai incerca sa scoti cuie cu un ciocan. Este adevarat ca dragostea poate cuceri orice insa nu este vorba aici despre dragostea instinctuala si salbatica ci despre dragostea supusa vointei de a trai prin dragoste. Trebuie sa intelegem ca, daca pornim  la drum fara ca circuitul inima-minte-inima sa fie complet, vom gresi. Daca incepem cu mintea si nu cu inima, vom gresi. Daca nu trimitem inimii Vointa noastra pura, directa si specifica, vom gresi. Omul trebuie sa-si cunoasca corpul sufletesc pentru a fi capabil sa-l integreze armonios in Intregul perfect al Fiintei Umane. Acest  pas este unul esential in drumul catre autocunoastere si iluminare.

Four Elements

I have been thinking for a while about formulating a few basic Principles that I would consider relevant in pursuing The Art of Living. I wanted to make them as general  and as easy to relate to as possible. The final result is rather synthetic, concentrating within the Essence of my Beliefs. It contains little detail and it doesn't enounce any complex Relationships between the Human Being and the various Levels of the Universe. Such powerful Bonds within the subtle Structure of the Whole are for everyone to Find, each according to their own Skill and Measure. Some of them have been revealed but, without the Experience itself, that Knowledge is of lesser Benefit.

The Art of Living requires creativity and imagination, both unique to each individual. I believe that freedom is an important factor in the process of perfecting one's own personal Formula. In this Age, when we are so separated from the Divine and even struggle to find a paradigm that unites us all, each and every one of us must become an independent Creator, exercising his freedom and individuality .Our individuality is both an asset and a clue, thus becoming the Basis upon which we must build our Temple. Our common goal can only be Enlightenment. It is the most important Achievement of one's earthly existence, bringing with it Peace, Happiness and Balance. Enlightenment is pure Knowledge and can only be reached by using all our available Resources, in perfect Harmony. It is the goal of the theosophical art, lifting man to his highest form and helping him merge with the Divine. It is indeed, as some alchemists and mystics have often called it, the true Magnum Opus of an Initiate. Like the Great Work that is the Universe, our own Work must be Whole and Perfect, reflecting Creation itself. It is the Work that Man must undertake to separate himself from the profane World and lift himself to the upper Realms of Spiritual Existence. These Realms are many, as are the Challenges one must overcome and Barriers one must break. All these Trials require Willpower, Discipline and absolute Determination.

Before we get to it I must clarify a few notions and warn you not to take everything literally. Keep an open Mind and remember the basic Principles that I am trying to illustrate. Again, this is my personal way of describing things and I am aware that it will not resonate with everyone.

Man is a being of Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Ether. Man has at his disposal four crucial Entities, all of which he inherits by birth and all of which he will possess until the day he dies. These Entities must be understood and must be treated with equal Care and Respect, if one is to advance on the Path of true Enlightenment. They are the Corpus, Animus, Mens and Spiritus. Many people confuse the Soul with the Spirit, because both are perceived as the unseen Entity that survives the Body after Death. The Soul and Spirit are nevertheless two different Aspects of the Whole. The Spirit is the Divine Flame that inhabits our Body while the Soul is the Shape of our emotions. The Spirit is subtle and hard to connect with (in a normal state of consciousness), while the Soul is "tangible" because it is felt and expressed more easily. The Spirit is independent and will separate from the Body while the Soul is intertwined with the Mind and Body, making itself felt trough emotions. When you get a "gut feeling" or you sense a pressure in your chest, that is the Soul manifesting itself. The Body represents the sum of all your physical parts, as determined by the five senses, as well as your Ethereal Body. The Ethereal Body is used by the Spirit as a Vessel. The Mind is the sum of all your acquired knowledge, connected by the complex sets of relationships that determine your cognitive processes. It gives rise to your unique individual consciousness, allowing you to experience and interpret Reality. The Mind must be aware of the other Entities and must learn to Communicate with them.

        Each of these Entities is traditionally associated with one of the four basic alchemical Elements, as follows: Body is Earth, Soul is Water, Mind is Air and Spirit is Fire. Additionally, our beings also interact with Ether, which is the subtle Substance of the Ethereal Body. Ether can also be viewed as a Resource, Neutral and Divine in nature, which we acquire while we Rest and subsequently use for various Processes. In our daily Activities, we consume this Divine Life Force, causing imbalance, illness and eventually death. No one can escape this Process, but Understanding it and avoiding wasteful Behavior can greatly improve our Lives and aid in our quest for Enlightenment. Based on the four Entities described above, I will formulate my four Principles.

 

1.Treat your Body like you would treat the most Enduring and Reputable Home.
 

-Like Earth, the Home's Strength, Durability and Purity are dependent on the Minerals it contains. It is the Basic Element of your Whole and it must endure the effects of all the other Elements. It is also the Hardest and least Flexible of all Elements. Earth represents Work, Toughness, Shape and the Material Life.
 

-The Structure of the Home is represented by the Materials that you use to Build, Sustain and Repair it with. These Materials must be Pure and True to nature, therefore reflecting the Essence of the Home. If they are not adequate, the Home will be of lesser Quality and will deteriorate quickly. Do not attempt to Store too much, as this will reduce the Comfort of your Family. Also, do not attempt to Build too much or too fast, as large Buildings are harder to Sustain and Fast Built Walls are Constructed poorly. It is always better to have less than you think you need, than to have more than you need. Your Family will learn Modesty and Appreciation.
 

-The Life of the Home is the Family that Resides within. Think of it as your vitality. You must Educate this Family and Teach it Discipline. Only then will it reach its full Potential. Your Family must learn the value of the Materials you Build your Home with. The Family must be Happy, balanced and well adapted to the outside World, forever Communicating with the Neighbors and Knowing its Surroundings. Your Family must be part of the Community and must embrace unity in diversity.
 

-Do not abuse your Home with unnecessary or self indulgent activities. Such activities will weaken and corrupt your Family, making it lose sight of the necessary Activities. It will become unfit to Clean and Repair your Home, therefore failing to Nurture and Support you.
 

-Your Home must be a Honorable one. Maintaining its good Reputation is of the utmost importance. Do not Build your Home on the Suffering of Others, no matter how small or weak. If you Take from other Homes for the sake of luxury you will damage your Reputation and your Home will be unwelcomed in the Community.

 

2. Your Soul is like a Beautiful Wild Stallion that you must learn to Tame.
 

-Like Water, the Stallion Flows endlessly, following the Path of Least Resistance and seeking Balance. Just like Water, the Stallion shapes the Earth it gallops across. Soft Earth is destroyed immediately and carried Downstream, while Hard Earth is carved slowly, forever baring the marks of the Water. However, Earth needs Water in order to sustain the Seeds of Life. Water also represents Faith.
 

-This Stallion is often unpredictable and full of Impulses. It will desire to do many things at once or nothing at all. The Rider is your higher consciousness, able to communicate with the Stallion, which is the embodiment of all your emotions, Flowing endlessly trough you. The Rider must learn to approach the Beast and focus it on the Task at hand. He must be forever Agile, Calm and Confident. He must however pay close attention to the Stallion, making sure that it gets enough Rest, Nourishment and Friendship. The Rider must not attempt to Enslave his Companion and must be Wise to its Needs. The Stallion will reward him with its Strength, Courage and Devotion. These Attributes are essential in the Journey.
 

-The Stallion has limited Energy. If left Unsupervised, it will gradually consume itself, becoming chaotic and easily distracted. Without the Guidance of the Rider, It can often engage in self destructive Behavior. The Rider must never lose the Attention of his Companion, if he wishes to advance on the chosen Path. If the Rider becomes Weak, the Stallion will take over and lead both of them into Anarchy. The Two are inseparable. They must learn to Communicate and Understand each other perfectly.

 

3. Your Mind is like your Car's Radio, receiving Broadcasts as you Drive through a Hurricane.
 

-Like Air, the Radio is connected to the Environment, receiving Information as Vibration and Processing it into Effects. Also like Air, the Radio is affected by Storm Clouds, baring the unresolved Energy of Water. Air that is saturated with Water becomes Burdened until a Storm sets it free. Air represents Experience and Intelligence.
 

-The Radio can be tuned to receive countess Stations, all offering Information, Directions or Solutions. The Radio is your Mind, the Stations are your thoughts and the Hurricane is the endless barrage of experiences that you are subjected to every day. You must attempt to Tune your Radio to the adequate Stations in order to successfully Navigate through the Hurricane. When choosing your Stations you must consider the current Environment while continuously filtering out unnecessary or conflicting information. Never listen to Stations that broadcast trivial or unrelated Programs. Doing so will cause you to become Lost, Trapped or Injured. Never ignore Stations that seem potentially helpful but learn to prioritize and Listen to them according to Urgency.
 

-If the Driver Listens to Stations that attempt to predict the future he makes room for Fear and if he bothers himself with Stations that dwell on past occurrences he limits his freedom. Both those actions diminish him and make him weaker in the present, where he forever lives. The Driver must concern himself with the present and, never forgetting his Destination, he must deal with the Road as it is laid out in front of him.
 

-The Driver must occasionally stop the Vehicle in a Safe Spot to Rest and Refuel. On such occasions the Driver must close the Radio, thus Silencing all Stations. This will Energize the Driver, improving his Hearing as well as all subsequent Reception. As soon as the time for Resting is done, the Driver must start interacting with the Radio once again, balancing the Outside with the Inside. This is the right way to Travel, keeping true to the Middle Path.

 

4. Your Spirit is your Divine Essence, granting you the Experience of Life.
 

-Like Fire, the Spirit burns with Divine Energy in the form of Light, animating Earth, Water and Air. Without this Energy, Earth would not bare Seed, Water would not Flow and Air would not Circulate. The World would be cold and barren. Fire represents Force, Motion and Initiation.
 

-The Spirit Whispers in the Ears of The Master of the Home, The Rider of the Stallion and The Operator of the Radio. It grants them Light and Life, but also Knowledge. Your own Spirit is not the only one that desires Attention. The Whispers are many, soft and subtle, but only Trained Ears can Hear them. Your must close your eyes and learn to Listen. After you Listen long enough, you will learn to See with new Eyes. -As you gain the True Sight, you will learn to Walk Outside of your House, to Dismount your Stallion and to Know without the aid of the Radio.
 

 

 

    The Mysteries of Time, Space, Vibration and Energy will unfold, casting your Understanding far beyond the abstract, rational and mechanistic view that conventional science has to offer. Such a limited view will never find Hope in Existence and Intent in the Cosmic Void. It does not accept the Unthinkable and does not understand the Limits of the Human Mind. It can never know Love or Light, because it seeks them in the wrong Place. Love and Fear are considered by most scientists to be just a sequence of synapses. However, Love emits a high frequency Vibration and Fear emits a low frequency Vibration.  It has been discovered that about a third of the 64 codons  in the human DNA are used for synthesizing proteins. The other two thirds seem to compose a highly sophisticated electromagnetic receiver/transmitter. A single cell in the human body contains about two meters of DNA strands, if you were to stretch them out. The human body contains trillions of cells. We therefore have millions of kilometers of DNA strands in our body. Modern science hasn't even come close to creating an artificial antenna as sophisticated and enormous as the one contained in each and every one of our Bodies. In its Blind arrogance, it seems to have forgotten that the most complex thing in the known physical Universe is still the human Body. The human heart emits an electromagnetic field so strong that it can be detected by our simple instruments from meters away. If Love and Hate emit electromagnetic pulses and our DNA is the ultimate antenna, what does that say about our emotions and the way they interact with our Bodies and the people around us? Think about it.  
 

    When the Initiate Finds Light, he smiles and Sees everyone around him as they truly are. He will not separate them by their Appearance but by their Age. He will See that old men are often Young, young men are often Old and educated men are often both Young and Blind. This Blindness comes from an imbalance of the Elements. Only after you See and Embrace all the Elements, can you Detach from them and Continue Upwards. Only after you Find the True Connections between the Human Being and the Universe can you experience the Fulfillment and Joy of Enlightenment.

I AM

 

I have the Dark Lord Saturn and his somber ally Pluto fighting the radiant Lion of Seven Hearts within my soul. Wise Mercury sits calmly as the Buddha, blocking the Moon as it shines the silver Light of Yahweh and his warrior Archangel Michael, who wields his terrible sword of flames within my eyes. I am the Darkness, the Snake and the Light, forever dancing in mysterious Trinity, thriving in the face of chaos and cursing order alike.  I am the middle, contemplating beginning and end, up and down, good and evil, cold and warmth. I am Man, I am World and I am Universe. I am all things and nothing at all, as my nature lies hidden in the hearts of all Men and above my Essence is the Word itself. Word comes from a Throne of Light and gives rise to all Strengths and Principles.  He is ever so mighty and pure that my ears won't hear Him spoken and my eyes dare not see Him written. Pious Purity flies around this ultimate Truth, separating Him from my unworthy presence. The Seraphim are both strong and humble, chanting as They dance in endless joy before the Throne. From this Perfection descends all spirit, both high and low, both seen and unseen. Time comes and goes, rises and falls as all things are constructed from this Crown of Will that precedes all Wisdom, Strength and Beauty.

 I am one but I am all and my Strength comes from breathing, feeling and knowing, all in Unity and all at once. I am my own Nemesis and my own Salvation, because good and evil spring from the divine Neutrality gifted to me each day. I am a black Warden holding an executioner's sword of steel and I am an Archangel swinging a blade of furious flame, fighting myself with subtle conclusion. I have fallen from my Essence of no color, taste, smell, sound and texture, to know great passion and sin. I have felt my Essence being drained and stolen by emotion, taught, food and lust. But I also found freedom both inside and out. I have found Grammar, Rhetoric and Logic. Further, I have found the Number, the Shape, the Sound and the Lights of Heaven. I have found freedom in expression and glory in mortality. Such wonderful illusions are all these things that are invented by mortal Mind! Such freedom and joy they all bring!

I have sent my Ether away from its first Cavity, ever lower, harder and darker to the abyss of Man, only to lift it once again with renewed purity, on the Ladder of Seven Steps, spiraling towards the Stars. Now, as Two become One, my eyes become dark and my Darkness fills with Light. What my eyes could never see, my soul now feels and my spirit welcomes as glorious Perfection. I see wise alchemists, pious saints, golden pharaohs and beloved heroes blessing my vision and calling me home. I am everything that ever was, is and will ever be…The countless Stars behold my spirit, the Sun keeps my soul and the Body is my home. Blessed are all the moments of such an existence and blessed are all those who in Earth, Water, Air and Fire dwell, keeping Truth and Balance. What is Man if not a Mirror into which the Heavens stare?

JADE

    I think a comparison can be made between the purest piece of jade and an enlightened being. Many ancient cultures valued jade and in some cases, it was more important than gold. I believe the ancients understood the essence of the human soul and made jade into a symbol, representing their highest aspirations of purity, beauty and strength.

    I said before that I consider courage to be a sort of "prima materia" of a fully expressed human being. It is the quintessential tool for expressing our true self. Without it we are unable to overcome fear and therefore we become weak and unbalanced. Now I want to go a bit further and explain what I believe makes us who we are. An enlightened human being is strong. With true knowledge comes diligence and colossal strength. This strength comes from our courage and conviction. It comes from understanding ourselves and knowing the true power of choice. After all, it is choice that makes us who we are. All of us make hundreds of choices every day but few of us understand what that represents. Too few people make true choices, based on true understanding and conviction. That is why I would like to divide choices into two categories: weak choices and strong choices. Weaker persons make mostly weak choices while stronger people make some strong choices. Wise people make only strong choices because they fully understand the meaning and impact of their decisions.

    So what makes a human being weak? Is it the environment or perhaps a genetic trait? Is it because he or she is truly helpless? NO. That is a great pile of HORSE SHIT. Individuals are weak by choice. Indeed, weakness itself is just another basic choice. Weak people are usually ignorant, which makes them fearful. As many of you know, in an age of free flowing information, ignorance is a choice for most of us. When you are ignorant of your body, mind or spirit you are weak. You don't make any strong choices and you are easy to manipulate. You bend to the slightest wind, following directions at every turn and you break at the first storm. As the saying goes: "If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything". Only a small percentage of people are capable of making strong choices while the others fall prey to situations and environments they don't fully understand. This may be a direct or indirect phenomenon. I believe that making weak choices is a natural part of our development, granting us valuable experience and determining how fast we achieve our true potential.

    So, what should a strong, enlightened observer do? Should he intervene promptly and inform the less knowledgeable individual of his weak choices? Is it his duty to step up and correct the behavior of others even against their will, if need be? Absolutely not. This is the most common mistake that well intentioned but inexperienced individuals make. It is also a common mistake that parents make. It is caused by frustration, which has its roots in fear. This is important to understand. Just like children, all human beings grow and expand their consciousness, following a number of crucial steps. These steps cannot be skipped, as each and every one of them is essential in the development of the enlightened being. Some people are naturally able to stride across these stages of development while others may never be able to fully rise. It is the duty of the strong to guide the weak and offer support while climbing, not to push them forcefully.

    The strong willed and wise have the moral authority to offer guidance. This authority is not self proclaimed and is granted by those they would lead. It becomes their duty to inspire others with their conduct, showing impeccable consistence and everlasting fidelity to their principles. They are like unshakable pillars, attracting respect and the hunger for knowledge. They must assume this responsibility willingly and happily, forever bound to continue their work for the benefit of all mankind. They must work in the spiritual realm, ever silent and humble, spreading waves of compassion to those around them.

    How do we become strong? How do we get to the point where we say: "I wish to know more and transcend my physical boundaries?" There are no magic formulas or universal answers. I guess that everyone must arrive at that essential point on their own terms and in their own time. Once they do, they will need guidance and seek the masters on their own. They will need no pushing because then, standing on that threshold, they made their most important strong choice. From there on, there is no turning back. Fear will slowly disappear and with it the illusion of anger, hate and envy will also be undone. After a while they will learn to read the signs around them, using both intuition and reason. They will learn what fidelity, courage and virtue mean and they will become like the strongest oak, reaching high into the skies but also equally far into the ground.

    What is the essence of that knowledge? What is the grand revelation. It is so simple and elegant that any one of us will smile and agree, but few will truly understand. To truly understand, you must set your roots deep in the unseen world and become like the oak. You must feel with your soul before you think with your mind and learn to see all things in a new light. You must brush away the hologram of time and space to see what lies beyond. You will see that matter does not determine us but, beautifully enough, we determine matter. Intent came before there was even an atom in the universe. You will see it inside you and inside all the things around you, no matter how small or large. At that moment, you will know God.

    Pause for a while and ask yourself these questions: Where do I belong? Why do we humans create these structures that promote gross inequality and competition instead of cooperation and equity? Is it because some of us are superior and better suited for decision making? Do any of us have the right to dictate to another human being what they should do with their life? Do we need to manipulate and deceive each other in order to gain meaningless so called"advantages". Is privilege a commodity to be traded and regulated, like silver and gold? Imagine a world where none of those things occupied our minds and wasted our time. Is this world even possible? The answer is YES. It is possible.

    Before we can achieve that, we must first know ourselves and love ourselves truly. Only then can we understand and love other human beings. Only by recognizing our divine nature and the limitless potential that resides in each and every one of us can we open our eyes and see the world and everyone in it as a whole. All life is connected and all living things are sacred. This is a fundamental truth that mankind seems to have forgotten over the past millennia. Never in our history have we been more disconnected from our world and from our own spiri-tuality. We have fallen so deep into the abyss of materialism that it has become hard to imagine that we were ever anything else. We are so much more than flesh and blood. Our bodies are just the vessels that carry our consciousness in this physical world. This is something the ancients seemed to understand. I will argue with anyone who tells me that mankind has evolved over the past five thousand years. We have done little to further our collective perception of balance, freedom and happiness. This fact is reflected in the current state of the world. Right now, our consciousness is limited and our perception of the world is impaired. Just like the veils of Isis that hid the divine essence of the goddess, so we have countless veils before our eyes, separating us from the truth. We must become strong enough to lift those veils, courageous enough to challenge our perception of reality and wise enough to understand what lies beyond. It is a journey that we can take separately as individuals or collectively as a society. In the end, when the truth is finally before us and all material burdens are unloaded, there will be only love. Indeed, love is the only force that consciousness needs to achieve creation. Because we are all acts of creation, we are also all products of love.

    Fear is the biggest veil that blinds you from this truth. It is the root of all negative emotions you perceive and unless you learn to control it and eliminate it from all aspects of your life, you will never be truly enlightened. Fear is in your self image, fear is in your hate of others and your false sense of superiority. Fear is in disgust, anger and envy. As long as you are afraid, you will never be free. Those who would lead you and who attempt to manipulate and control you know this all too well. Fear is the single greatest instrument of manipulation in history.

    Understand fear, love and the relationship between them and you will hold the key to your higher self. Understand that light and shadow are both parts of the world and you will achieve true balance. Understand that no shadow may exist without light and that light comes from within you, if you so choose. That is the ultimate strong choice you can make. Expand your consciousness and tap in to the energy of creation that binds us all. Then, as you learn to see behind the thin curtains of reality, you will begin to change the world.

    As for me, I'm setting my roots deep, like the oak. I will be myself, smiling in the face of every storm. If ever you are in need of shelter, come and sit beside me and you will never feel alone. I will put a piece of jade into your palm and tell you: "Be as strong as steel and as beautiful as an emerald."

 

The bull, the man, the eagle and the lion

I stood there speechless and I watched them fight.  I had never seen such an apparently uneven match-up and I was both terrified and intrigued. There was nothing I could do to intervene so I accepted the role of the spectator.  To my left stood a man dressed in rags. He was dirty and his hands were all battered, probably by long years of hard work. His hair was long and entangled. In his left hand he held an old rusty machete that seemed blunt and well past its usefulness. He seemed to place no value on his physical appearance or on how others perceived him. Perhaps he did not have the luxury of fine clothes or quality gear but that did not excuse his general appearance, I taught. There was however a strange glow in his eyes and his entire being seemed to burn with the rage of a thousand suns. 

His opponent was the complete opposite. He was well groomed and he wore a complicated black armor the likes of which I had never seen before. His face and arms were covered in battle scars and tattoos the meaning of which I did not know. In his right hand he held a long curved sword. It was a soldier's weapon and although it had seen its share of combat it was well maintained. He was as cold and still as a mountain of ice. There was no expression on his face and his eyes were dark and empty. It was as if he was not actually there and his very soul was stripped away by the unrelenting carnage his eyes had witnessed and the pain and death his hands had surely delivered. Only an eternity of darkness could have forged a man into this pure embodiment of terror.  As I looked upon him a sinister and cold fear overwhelmed me, as if I had seen the devil himself.

The fight seemed pointless. The ragged man stood no chance but his courage in the face of certain death was strangely inspiring. I found myself hoping for a miracle. It's funny how hope, no matter how dim, makes some things worthwhile. As disturbing as it may seem, If there was even a infinitely small chance that he would walk away from this fight, then that made witnessing his struggle a worthwhile experience. At least, that is how I justified my presence there. 

The fight started quickly and unexpectedly. The ragged man launched himself at the dark warrior swinging his machete. Barely moving from his spot, the solider blocked the attack and countered with lightning fast punch to the chest. The ragged man fell to his knees gasping for air.  Strangely, the solider did nothing. He just stood there looking at his opponent, fully realizing he could end this if he so pleased. It was his choice not to. Perhaps he somehow felt that this is not how the fight should end. I did not know if he was torturing that poor soul or if he was granting him the chance to die on his feet, instead of on his knees. This is where it all became very interesting. Was there honor and decency behind that empty cold gaze after all, or was this just a cruel form of amusement for the dark warrior?  It was impossible to tell, as he revealed nothing. Perhaps it was just habit or a discipline of steel that drove him to give his opponent a warrior's death. But why? Why bother with the ragged man, who seemed so utterly insignificant? Why offer him a fighting chance when undoubtedly, others did not receive such consideration? Could that dark gaze pierce into the souls of the opponents and judge each one, passing verdict and sentence as some sort of sinister judge? All these questions rose in my mind while the ragged man lay on his knees.

There were only a few moments of stillness and silence. He got up slowly and tightened his grip on the rusty weapon.  He was surprised that he was still alive and was no doubt wondering, as I did, why his opponent had spared him. He then understood that he had a long and agonizing fight ahead of him, and that he would not be killed before he gave all that he had. It was his final burden and he seemed ready to carry it with dignity. He would keep himself until the bitter end. The fight continued and the ragged man kept attacking and failing to strike his target. Each time he fell he was allowed to rise to his feet and each time he seemed to become faster and stronger. It was as if all his attempts and failures had made him tougher and more determined instead of weak and desperate. I had never seen such a thing. Instead of slowly extinguishing, the fire within became ever stronger, until I could see a raging inferno behind his eyes. I could tell that the dark warrior was pleased, even though he remained silent. The events seemed to be going according to his plans, and he showed no signs of distress or fear.  I found myself wondering what the outcome of this sinister spectacle would be.

As the fight progressed, both combatants became wounded. The dark warrior was less affected, as his far superior skills served him well.  Then, something unexpected happened. He kicked the ragged man to the ground and, in the seconds of pause, he removed his chest armor. As his opponent rose, the dark warrior threw his sword to the ground. "Pick it up" he said, in a commanding voice that echoed in my head like a dark incantation. Puzzled, the ragged man slowly moved towards the weapon and picked it up with his right hand.  I did not understand what was happening, because now the warrior was unarmed and lacking his armor. Was this what he intended all along? Did he choose this fight to be his final one or was he so arrogant that even so, he believed he held the advantage? 

The fight continued, and the ragged man attacked ferociously using both weapons. Even so, he did not manage to fatally wound the dark warrior, whose agility allowed him to evade almost all the blows and counter with punches and kicks. After a while, the ragged man became exhausted from swinging those heavy weapons in such a chaotic manor. He stopped attacking for a few moments to catch his breath and think. He was hurt and his strength was failing him. Only now did I understand that this was a battle of the fire more than it was one of steel and blood. It was his very soul that the dark warrior was after. He felt humiliation, fear and desperation slowly creeping their way into his mind, clouding his judgment. He did not understand why that happened and he looked with disgust at the weapons in his hands. He saw all the wounds and the blood and realized he was fighting a mortal man and knew that no man is invincible. Looking at the many scars that covered the warrior's limbs and face he understood that wounds alone would not win the fight. The dark warrior just stood there as silent and still as he was in the beginning. The pain didn't seem to bother him and blood was surely an all too familiar sight to his eyes.

The fight was now in its final stage. The ragged man dropped the heavy and ineffective machete and took a deep breath. His eyes were losing their glow and his pace was slow and unsure. He started swinging and shouting, taking longer and longer each time to recover and strike again. He finally stopped and fell to his knees, gasping for air.  He had finally succumbed to his own weakness. The warrior looked at him for a while, waiting for him to get up. He didn't get up, and it was clear that the fight was over. The victor picked up the machete with his left hand and slowly moved behind the kneeling man. I expected the final strike to follow shortly, but it never did.  The warrior smiled and spoke with a changed voice: "It was hope that betrayed you. You see, in the end it was not your body, soul or spirit that succumbed. It was your mind". After these words, he turned away and left, taking only the old machete as his prize and leaving his sword and armor behind. The ragged man remained there on his knees, with the words of the mysterious warrior echoing in his head.

I do not know what became of the ragged man or the warrior. However, I later heard of a strange person living in the wild and roaming the countryside, looking for something. No one knows who he is or where his purpose lies, but every time I hear tales of him I think of the fight I witnessed that day.

The value of time (a lucid dream)

        I had a lucid dream. It was about an architect who had a good life, a bright mind and a heart that could conquer the entire world with its passion. Being a creative person, he enjoyed many things like painting, writing and even building things with his hands. He was happiest when working on one of his projects and as soon as he finished it or at least solved the major problems, he moved on to the next one, and then to the next one. You see, he got bored easily and as soon as an activity was no longer a challenge, he saw no reason to keep at it and moved on.

        He worked on allot of interesting projects and soon he put together a business of his own. At first it was difficult but after a while things started to fall into place and he got more and more commissions. He was an excellent professional and a charismatic leader who treated each of his clients with respect and put a lot of effort into his designs. His work did not go unnoticed and as time passed he became a known and appreciated architect. His business grew steadily as he gained notoriety and the acknowledgement of his peers. By now he was happily married and was starting a family. His wife was a wonderful and supporting person and his new born son was a joy to behold. He spent every minute he could with his family and every other minute working on his projects, which were…more and more ambitious. He had a couple of nice cars, a great house and the perfect family. One might say….he had it all. After all, what more can a man ask for in life.

        As the years passed, you could find his projects presented in many magazines and on the internet. He even published books and articles about his work.  He was now a famous architect and clients from all over the world rushed to him with wonderful commissions. He now had the luxury of choosing his clients and complete control over the design process. The business expanded even more and he now had a lot of people working for him and a lot of responsibilities. In all this chaos he somehow still found time to spend with his family and got to watch his son grow up and become a great person. He was now growing old and tired from all the long years and 12 hour work days but still had the strength to lead his business and go hiking with his son and his new fiancé.  Soon he became a grandfather and he again felt the joy of holding a newborn in his arms.  Staring into his grandson's eyes he saw all the endless potential that a single life could offer. He had great hopes and dreams for his grandson but, being a wise man, he knew better than to burden others with his expectations. He instead hoped that the child would have a remarkable life, as he did.

        One day, while he was hiking with his son and grandson he came across an amazing sight, at the top of mountain peak.  It was late in the day and the setting sun lit the sky and all the clouds in to a magnificent show of color. The beautiful play of shadow and light painted an almost surreal landscape. It was the most amazing thing he had ever seen… and he had seen and made many wonderful things.

        As he stood there alongside his son and grandson, contemplating the beauty, he finally understood what his life was all about… It was all about those wonderful moments that took his breath away.  As he made his way down the mountain path, he could not help but ask himself why there were so few of these moments in his life and why did so many years have to pass before he understood the things that he now understood. 

        He enjoyed most of his work and he got to actually make a difference in to many people's lives, over the years. That was more than most people accomplish in their lifetime.  However, things seemed to become more complicated with the passing of time and the innocence and burning passion he had in his eyes when his journey was starting, had faded. Suddenly none of his past seemed to matter and all but a few moments, like the one he just had, were vivid and fresh in his mind. It was those moments that gave him meaning but it was not enough.  He felt that there was so much more to do and to experience and each idle moment  became like a great weight bearing down on him, suffocating him and filling him with a sense of urgency. Time was now more precious than ever so he decided that, no matter how much he had left, he would spend it doing all the things he wanted to do but somehow ended up convincing himself to neglect. He did not understand anymore: Why in the world did he do that?  Why did he not do all those things? 

        Suddenly he remembered about the novel he started to write in those early years, when it seemed that nothing was impossible and settling for anything less than changing the world seemed like madness. He now wondered where and when he had lost that feeling. It was a mystery but it did not matter anymore because the feeling was now back and all was not lost. He was going to finish the novel and fulfill what was perhaps his true destiny.  His spirit was invigorated and bathed into renewed light as he rushed down the mountain path with the energy of a young man. The impossible seemed possible again.

        As he skipped from one rock to the next, fate dealt him his final hand. He tripped and hit his head on a large boulder then tumbled downhill injuring himself fatally. When he finally stopped he knew he was not to rise ever again. As his son and grandson desperately rushed towards him, his mind became haunted by flashbacks and all the major decisions he had ever made in his life were now returned to him in vivid colors. He remembered passages from his unfinished book and reviewed all the words that he had written and that no one else had ever read.  They were inspiring words of hope, courage and compassion that resonated with his whole being and even now brought tears to his eyes. They were words that embodied a young man's dream of a better world. That young man had the courage to act as his heart dictated, defying the status quo and the aged rules of society. Was he all that different back then? Could his rusty courage not have shined once more? Time, that was it…..back then he had time…

        "Why is grandpa crying?" the grandson asked.  "Grandpa is happy" his father replied, "He is going to fly with the angels, now" 

As the dying man took his last breath, he wished he could tell his son and grandson that he loved them… just one more time. It was time he did not have.

CINE SUNTEM?

Aseara am fost si eu in Piata Universitatii.  Eram curios sa aflu care este atmosfera si doream sa citesc cateva pancarte mai interesante. Nu am sa va descriu cum este sa inhalezi gaze lacrimogene in Piata Universitatii sau sa fii imbrancit pe trotuar de un jandarm mitocan, platit din banii tai. Acestea sunt lucruiri pe care le puteti  intelege cu adevarat numai daca le simtiti pe pielea voastra si nu va doresc….. In primul rand, trebuie sa marturisesc ca am fost surprins de "diversitatea sociala" de acolo.  Am intalnit atat batrani cat si huligani, betivi, studenti sau intelectuali. Am fost surprins si de categoria de varsta dominanta. Majoritatea oamenilor prezenti la ora 22:00 erau cu varstele cuprinse intre 20 si 30 ani. Acest lucru este semnificativ. Vorbim despre studenti si tineri profesionisti, deci oameni care reprezinta viitorul acestei tari. Vorbrim despre oameni inteligenti si motivati, dezamagiti dar si curajosi, furiosi dar si plini de bun simt. Nu m-am simtit ca un extraterestru mergand printre ei si  pot sa spun ca ma identific cu furia lor si cu lupta pe care sunt hotarati sa o poarte. Pot sa spun ca avem nevoie de oameni ca ei, care au curajul si vointa necesara pentru a se ridica de pe banca sau canapea si a veni acolo sa se faca vazuti si ascultati.

            Va recomand tuturor celor care nu ati facut inca acest pas, considerand ca nu este necesar sau important sa va puneti urmatoarea intrebare: "Cine sunt eu?". Daca raspunsul la aceasta intrebare este un om cu demnitate, un roman care doreste sa poata afla pacea si fericirea in propria tara sau un profesionist care munceste de dimineata pana seara, tinand in carca acest sistem corupt si ineficient, atunci nu ar mai trebui sa stati pe ganduri.  Locul vostru este acolo, printre acei oameni care sunt in mare parte ca voi,…nu mai prosti sau mai ghinionisti. Trebuie sa fim toti dispusi, de acum inainte, sa ne facem partea, nu sa ne uitam ca simpli spectatori in timp ce altii se lupta pentru drepturile noastre.

Suntem martorii unui fenomen unic in istoria postcomunista din Romania.  Poporul  se trezeste din letargia generala iar constiinta se ridica la un alt nivel! Acest fenomen este ireversibil si marcheaza un punct important in evolutia societatii. In sfarsit, putem striga "Pana aici!" si in sfarsit avem oportunitatea sa curatam structurile statului de acesti "politicieni" compromisi moral, care ne paraziteaza de 22 de ani. Nu mai vrea nimeni sa auda aceleasi promisiuni reciclate si regurgitate de aceiasi indivizi, indiferent de partid sau functie. Marturisesc ca simt o scarba profunda fata de acest mare "club al trisorilor", in care intrarea se face be baza de dosar penal.

L-am auzit pe domnul presedinte PNL Crin Antonescu cum urla cat il tin plamanii, plin de patos si tupeu, ca daca vrem sa traim mai bine in Romania , avem nevoie unii de altii. Prin "unii de altii" se refera la ei , politicienii si noi, poporul. As vrea sa-l informez pe domnul Crin Antonescu ca se inseala. Cuvintele lui nu au nici o valoare. NU avem nevoie de Crin Antonescu in mod special si NU avem nevoie de Victor Ponta in mod special asa cum nu avem nevoie nici de Traian Basescu sau Emil Boc. Daca actuala clasa politica isi imagineaza ca nu va urma decat o simpla si obisnuita schimbare de putere, asa cum se tot intampla de doua decenii, se inseala. Domnii politicieni, indiferent de culoare si nume, vor avea de muncit, de tras cu dintii si de depus eforturi colosale daca vor dori sa castige respectul romanilor. Respectul, …..domnilor politicieni, despre el vorbim. Se pare ca respectul si responsabilitatea  sunt doua cuvinte care nu prea rezoneaza cu dumneavoastra si le aruncati precum niste batiste murdare prin toate discursurile, fara sa le intelegeti cu adevarat.  Nici macar 10% dintre dumneavoastra nu au autoritatea morala, pregatirea profesionala si performantele necesare pentru a primi responsabilitatea de a conduce aceasta tara. Daca va fi nevoie sa rasturnam inca 10 guverne ca sa pricepeti aceasta idee, asta o sa facem. Vrem lideri care cred in performanta, motivati de rezultate  si animati de virtutea morala, nu o mana de actori mitocani.

            Eu va propun tuturor sa facem o promisiune: De acum inainte, toleranta noastra fata de incompetenta si coruptia din structurile statului va fi ZERO. Trebuie sa starpim pentru totdeauna acest flagel, in acelasi fel in care administram un antibiotic: sistematic si pana la capatul tratamentului. Daca vrem sa vindecam aceasta tara de boala coruptiei, trebuie sa mergem pana la capat.  Nu exista nici o alta cale. Numai asa vom vedea rezultate si numai asa vom fi multumiti. Daca vrem sa schimbam mentalitatile, acum trebuie sa incepem. Tineti minte: Umorul si comportamentul pasnic inving frica si violenta. Sper sa intelegeti acest mesaj si sa nu va lasati descurajati de sacrificiile pe care justa conduita le implica.