Today I want to talk with you about an interesting level of duality. So what do I mean by interesting? Well, so far in my previous posts on duality (here and here), we’ve looked at the either/or nature of duality and how we have to deal with one or the other. Now, I want to get into two areas where the duality is not so cut and dry. Where the duality is more of a perception than an actuality.
Action and Non-action
At first, these appear to be like any other type of duality that we deal with. It’s when you look deeper into what is really going on that you then see that something is different here. Something has definitely changed with respect to the either/or concept. Let me give you an example. If you are running, that is an action. If you stop running, that too is an action and you could say that it’s a non-action because you are no longer in the act of running. While that is true in the sense that you are not running, it is not true in the sense that you are no longer taking action.
This is where it gets into deeper territory on a metaphysical level. When you look at it from this level, you see that everything we do is an action. No matter how you want to phrase it, or look at it or conceive of it, everything is an action. There is, in fact, no time at which we are not in the process of being in an action. This is where the bonds of duality start to slip. There is no up/down, in/out type of duality when talking about action. There is only the single face of it. By understanding this concept, it gives us the ability to see deeper into who and what we are, and to realize that all we do is action. So, where does this action come from?
To Be, Or Not To Be
While that’s not necessarily the question (apologies to the Bard) it does bring us to another level of concept where duality goes sideways. The concept is choices and decisions and the ones we make. Just like with actions, at first it appears to have duality insofar as we either decide (choose) do to something or not. However, once we again look deeper into it we find that everything we do is based on a choice/decision and even when we choose/decide not to do something, we still have made a choice/decision.
We cannot escape making decisions. Ever. Indeed, while the choices we make will have the concept of duality embedded in them (all choices are basically either/or choices) we cannot stop making choices and decisions. Just like action, decision-making is never ending. There is only one side to it. Can you see what I mean by this? Do you start to get some of what this implies as to how we can live our lives in a clearer way?
You see, to be or not to be actually is the question. Because everything is your choice and your actions are dictated by those choices and decisions, by acknowledging that you are in a constant state of deciding and action taking, your personal responsibility for yourself comes to the forefront. Once you realize this and that you are indeed the master of your life, you can now make better decisions, and consequently, take better actions that will help you to become better in all aspects of your life.
Making A Positive Choice
Sit in meditation and look at your decisions and the actions that you’ve taken. Do this as neutrally as possible and simply see how you have made certain choices and done certain things. There is no right or wrong here and definitely no blame. There is only what is. Notice how many of your decisions were made from a negative emotional space and how many were from a positive space. See how the ones that came from the positive space have benefited you greatly and how the ones made from the negative space have been anywhere from annoying to truly devastating.
When you look at these decisions and actions from this neutral space, you see that you are the only creator in your life. You see how you are the only one who can make a decision or take an action for yourself from whatever emotional stance you wish. Now you can become a truly aware architect of your life. May you choose wisely. =)
Bright Blessings.
Ross – “Tolemac”