Page 14 - Zen of an Earth Mythology
P. 14
inclusiveness of Zen that made all the components
cohere into a single theme. This is because Zen is
intellectually neutral. It does not judge, and thus it
does not summarily disqualify any subject from having
validity. It understands linear explanations, yet is
inclusive enough to value inconsistencies,
contradictions and paradoxes. And it also has a
traditional sensitivity for the meaning of nature and
aesthetics in our lives. It has the perfect qualities for
integrating the disparate, fractured and confusing parts
of human consciousness into an Earth mythology.
And our times are confusing. The deep answers
we need for imparting meaning to the most profound of
our experiences are not being provided by the
superficiality of materialism, the indulgence of
consumerism, or the rationality of empiricism. And the
knowledge and insights that we have gathered during
our history of diligently trying to understand are now
defeating the construction of any mythological
illusions. All we seem to know is that we are here on a
planet somewhere in the universe, that we possess the
mystery of a consciousness attempting to comprehend
itself, that we are unable to explain our puzzling
behaviour, and that we must find a way to survive in
the only place where we truly belong as human beings.
In brief, our lives have now become a Zen koan.
PAGE 28
