I confess that though I see all for a second and nothing for a long time, I believe in all. The nature of true knowing is fleeting, though the deepest knowledge is constant. The great Jewish philosopher, physician, rabbi, and astronomer, Maimonides (1138–1204), offered this image about the transient nature of knowing:
At times the truth shines so brilliantly that we perceive it as clear as day. Our nature and habit then draw a veil over our perception, and we return to a darkness almost as dense as before. We are like those who, though beholding frequent flashes of lightning, still find [ourselves] in the thickest darkness of the night.
We see briefly during a flash of lightning, then all goes dark again. And we are called to keep adding to our map of what we have seen during the time we can’t see. This is the deeper process of learning: glimpse the hill, then place it on your map during the time that you can’t see. Next time, glimpse the stream beyond the hill and add it to your map. This is how we map the unknown, a piece at a time, bringing intangible knowledge into the known world.
Forget the expectation of seeing all the time, or even wanting that. And forget the crestfallen inertia of thinking all is lost when you can’t see. These exaggerated states keep us from the human practice of seeing and not seeing. To pine for a permanent state of enlightenment or to extrapolate our moments of darkness and confusion into a chaotic and fallen world only distract us from mapping the truth of what-is as we constantly move from seeing to not seeing to seeing again.
We are asked to endure periods of not seeing without relinquishing the truths we have already seen. When you can’t see, it doesn’t mean there is nothing there. Just that we can’t see in that particular moment. After all, the world doesn’t vanish every time we blink. And so, this is the work of functional faith: mapping what is seen during the time you can’t see.
This leads us to the nature of growth, which, by definition introduces us to something new, which, by definition, doesn’t fit into our existing worldview. Often, we say we’re confused because we can’t find a way to fit what is new into what we know. Often, we try to alter what is new to fit our existent thinking. But true growth and inner education ask us to alter ourselves and our worldview to incorporate what is new.
We do great harm, if when introduced to a songbird, we trim its wings to make it fit our existing birdhouse of knowledge. Rather, it is essential that we alter and expand our knowledge and worldview so there is room for the songbird to flutter inside us.
A Question to Walk With: Describe your own experience of seeing and not seeing and how your map of understanding keeps growing, piece by piece.
This is from my book in progress, Saying Yes to Life.
Check out Mark’s Events page at http://threeintentions.com/events for Mark’s upcoming in-person and online events.
Aug 4–6: Omega Institute, Rhinebeck, NY, Surviving Storms: Finding the Strength to Meet Aversity, Weekend Retreat. (web link)
Sept 8–10: Mercy by the Sea, Madison, CT, Falling Down and Getting Up: An Experiential Weekend and International Book Launch and Signing. (web link)
Sept 15–17: The Sophia Institute, Charleston, SC, Falling Down and Getting Up — Discovering your Inner Resilience and Strength. (web link)
