THE HUMAN CONDITION

It is a curious state, this condition. This state, this circumstance, this place where life is experienced in tangible forms like geometric shapes, in separable colors, textures and always context. The human condition

In this condition, we create, as we should, and are pleased by the works of our hands, like money-currency, boundaries-nation states. Then we forget that we are the creator and soon enough we become boxed into those very creations classes and nation-states, and our sense of self and worth become derived from these things. Then sooner than later, this imagination-that we are separate from each other- creates a big pile of mess, classist societies where the rich become richer and the poor even more dejected, where we seek to subjugate and destroy” lesser” civilizations.

In my observation the pre- requisite to be here, in this state a willingness to turn up, to wade through our inertia and temporary memory loss and paint in bold strokes the future we seek to experience. Still, we all too often start by teaching the new and young of us that we are somewhat inherently less, that we are in fact as we seem/look, that love is somehow earned, that they are to blend in more-stand out less, to play softly so we fall gently. We teach them our history and ask that they come to the same conclusions that we did, to color within the lines. We share too unconsciously our abusive relationships with ourselves, with spirit, with nature. We teach them how to cultivate a binding stifling relationship with guilt, and her cousin disappointment. We teach them that love is retractable, deniable. We say I love you then I need you. In the same breath so they think the two are connected and that one follows the other. We teach that spirit, is far removed from our own ordinariness, a grand, benevolent tyrant appeased through a set of prayers and rituals.

And always, there is a great void, a huge void, an insatiable emptiness. Like background static behind the radio presenters’ voice, always lingering is the feeling of displacement, the constant feeling that you are not quite where you are meant to be. The human condition feels very much like wearing a strangers slippers.