So what is it that we are to understand from the title of this essay? It has two points, two expressions, before correct interpretation can be assuaged. So really the title is practically empty of content till I choose the direction of content by elaborating on its significance. But for most of us it is pregnant with information because we act on it unwittingly. See my essay
on theconditioned mind which explains this. The reason is simply because the statement is either taken as a command or, as
an invitation. Here is an example, ‘I am now taking orders (invitation) for our new summer line, or’ I am now taking orders (command) as per Instruction Manual 12 of Company Policy ’. You clearly do not have to be a philologist to understand the hidden layers in this statement. You just have to wait for the content to expand just a little bit, wait for content to open it up. But
I raise this point because it is quite important in any study or observation regarding some set values engrained in your mind. After all, doesn’t this statement ‘your mind ‘imply proprietary? That you have some control over it? Ownership as to what goes in and out whether it be a command or by invitation you would like to think your decision making skills are truly made by you. Have you ever been in a situation after having left your previous employment some months down the track you still answer the phone by the previous employer’s name? Funny that! What about an evening of television when a sudden hunger pang arises after a particular food related advertisement is shown? Funny that! Seems harmless enough doesn’t it. You couldn’t possibly allow yourself too much concern over this. Nobody plays with your mind do they? What about the number of morning shows which contents are related to products and segues itself into product advertisement? Seems harmless enough? So if I were to have a discussion with you regarding these topics how much power do you suppose I would sway? I have had discussions over the years regarding this subject and all I have managed to produce is animosity. Why do you suppose that is? It is fear arising, people do not like the floor they are standing firmly on shaken. They are happy enough experiencing emotions when emotions decide to arise without too much interference. Why? Sorry I’m going to have to say it again, ‘The line of least resistance ‘. I say this over and over again in various ways in all my teaching essays because its patterns that is utilized to condition your mind. The average individual envisages life as a tour of duty they are obliged to fulfill and then move on. There is happiness, joy, sadness, good times, sprinkled bad times and if they duck low enough they might just get out of it without too many disappointments. So as silly as this may sound, I’m conditioning you to become unconditioned so you can finally make some really choices. Either by invitation or by command that’s the choice. The Buddhist have a term for this which is ‘Sunyata ‘, the emptiness or the void. It is where all thoughts arise from. By making ourselves aware of this arising, our actions can truly be ours! It is not dictated, commanded but entered in invitation. This is where striving or non-striving arises from. The opportunity to become a part of endless creation as it manifest outwardly. We are no longer victims if we can by just being; invite life rather than being commanded into it by circumstances created by ourselves (conditioned mind). You give richer meaning to existence because you truly are there now. So at present we do live in a dualistic world albeit an illusion where choices are made with every movement we undertake. We either move left, right, up or down all with consequences. So it is important to be there during this journey in observation of everything which arises including the self which is writing this now. Your life becomes enriched and not dictated for you by now taking orders.
