A notion common to a great many religious, psychological, philosophical, or otherwise esoteric systems is that individual people exist, ideally and ultimately, to be of "use" to some higher power or authority or living process. From the paternalistic God of traditional religions, on up to the nebulous cosmic Source or Spirit or Higher Self found in New Age philosophies, the notion is commonly promulgated that to assert one's individual will, based on individual plans, desires, and judgments, is somehow misguided, improper, wrong, selfish, arrogant, or out-and-out evil. (To be fair however, this dynamic can even show up in entirely secular philosophies, where humans are simply being used at the behest of "selfish genes" or blind cosmic forces.)

The proper course according to such philosophies (or at least those I've been exposed to) is to "dissolve the ego", "die to self", "let go and let God", "become an empty vessel, to be filled with Spirit" - "surrendering" one's self to the Higher Whatever -- in order to be "used" by higher intelligence, for its own (presumably) wiser, more benign purposes.

Though I consider myself an earnest seeker, this attitude has always bothered me deeply. It never seemed accurate, though I've never been completely clear about why until now:  Quite simply, it dehumanizes us. It turns living, breathing, sentient beings - wonders of creation - into some sort of cosmic appliance.  One "uses" a tool - it's a passive, unconscious device.  Even if not being reckless about it, one doesn't consider or respect the thoughts, feelings, and opinions of a screwdriver before putting it to "use". If there is some teleological purpose to the existence of evolved, conscious human beings, that doesn't seem a fitting ultimate destination.

However, my stroke of insight (with apologies to Jill Bolte-Taylor) was that, whereas tools might be used, human beings can be of *service*. In addition to "getting the job done", "service" implies doing so with the application of unique-ness, individuality, intelligence, creativity, and heart. The same good may be accomplished -- in fact, perhaps more so, since there is not one common user but a rich diversity of servers -- each with unique experience, talents, and perspectives, each contributing a unique flavor to the good that is offered.

Through the act service, one can honor Creation by honoring what is best in one's self, offering it with the intent of supporting what is best in others, to the good of the larger system in which we all reside. In retrospect, this is what instinctively attracted me to the CharityFocus activities - it just feels good, it feels right - it resonates. Perhaps it is through service that full potential latent within the living cosmos can be fully realized. That *does* seem like a fitting ultimate destination.

Posted by Bill Miller | comments (0) | permalink | more 'Inspiration' |