Life Lesson #1: Recognize the monstrous, glorious nature of life
Kirttimukha “Face of Glory” image from here
This from the great student of mythology Joseph Campbell in Myths to Live By:
“…the first step to the knowledge of the highest divine symbol of the wonder and mystery of life is in the recognition of the monstrous nature of life and its glory in that character: the realization that this is just how it is and that it cannot and will not be changed.”
(This is close to the Japanese Wabi Sabi, that says nothing is complete, perfect or permanent. As Andrew Juniper puts it “If an object or expression can bring about, within us, a sense of serene melancholy and a spiritual longing, then that object could be said to be wabi-sabi.”)
Understanding this is more challenging than I think most realize. Many of us are fairy tale programmed with beliefs that true permanent love/bliss on earth can be found, that it is in fact our birthright. Journeying on this quest as opposed to accepting “the joyful sorrow” of life as it is, pretty well guarantees an absence of peace.
I stumble over “…and its glory in that character”…but think it refers to the lesson residing in our glorying in the monstrous nature of life…it can be terrible, this is the way it is… celebrating this great fact can be life affirming.
Buddha says the world is an ever burning fire, and Campbell suggests that this is what one has to affirm, with a yea! a dance! a knowing, solemn, stately dance of the mystic bliss beyond pain that is at the heart of every mythic rite.
May 30th, 2006 at 12:37 PM
Buddhist saying:
“True happiness comes from having no expectations”