CULTURE IS YOUR OPERATING SYSTEM

By
Terence McKenna

If you would like to learn more about Terence Mckenna and his work, visit the website Terence McKenna Land.

NOW Is All that Exists

This whole idea of living in the moment seems to be much more complex then advertised by your usual free spirited hippy or drunkard.  The vague concept is usually a staple expressed by the likes of an individual who follows the “Dead” while out on tour.  It’s also used as a hefty defense for those promiscuous characters when speaking on their exploits.  Either I’m an idiot, or most of the individuals mentioned above are full of shit.  I’ll walk the middle ground and just say it is probably a bit of both.  Truly living in the moment is one of the most grueling and disciplined meditations I have ever experimented with.

This idea is constantly advocated when talking about moments of what could only be the sheer preciousness of jubilation.   Well who the hell wouldn’t want to get lost in a moment of exuberance?!  It’s the mundane and/or out right disappointing moments you don’t want to hold onto.  Pure rubbish.  As Hunter would say, “Anything worth doing…is worth doing right.”  In my mind, this loosely translates into…why do something if you’re gonna half-ass the damn thing.  Any softheaded simpleton can and is willing to submit to a blissful moment.  That doesn’t take much effort.  What else do you expect from a nation that prides itself on an over abundance of instant gratification.

I have found the meditation of experiencing the NOW to be just as difficult and time consuming as good posture & correct breathing (For those of you that laughed out loud at that statement, I challenge you to do either one for 15 min).   It doesn’t seem hard, but it isn’t a skill or trade that is forced upon us to learn.  Besides, it is seemingly to under-stimulating and mundane for a lazy population to give much credence.   I have found this certain point of view to be folly, and one that has put a self imposed limitation on an individual’s potential.

I’ve never read Eckhart Tolle, and I do understand the fundamental properties of the philosophy that is “The Law of Attraction”.  So what I am talking about isn’t anything new.  How true the words ring, “There is a difference in knowing the path and walking the path.”  It’s funny what makes an impression on you in this world isn’t it?  I’ve known of this meditation for sometime, but I have been distracted by worldly and living static to focus.  That and being conditioned for spiritual laziness, is it any wonder that most of us live in the fog?  I am no expert or guru, but I am learning, and at my own pace.

Recently I work at being more mindful of the moment.  I attempt to pay attention to my thoughts and where they are taking me.  Thoughts are like a fire, and the time given to each thought is like adding more fuel to be burned, which only perpetuates the fires life span.  I try to focus my attention to the simple truth that there is only this moment and it should be honored.  Yesterday has already been passed by and tomorrow hasn’t occurred.  All you ever have is right now.  No matter what you are doing:  Reading this blog, sweeping the floor, crying from heartache, or laughing with friends.  There is only this moment, and to allow your mind to wonder to other realms, long since passed or a future trajectory, is to miss what is happening in the NOW.

This is a practice that I fail, succeed, and ultimately learn from every day since I have started; which hasn’t been that long ago.  My goal is obviously to keep this concept in mind.  That’s the practice.  PAY ATTENTION!  The trick is not to make it a hassle or get down on yourself when you lose focus.  Have as much patience & compassion for yourself as you should have for others.  There is plenty of static in the world.  We are constantly assaulted by what seems to be a strategized campaign of forceful noise.  Why add to it by allowing that inner critic to editorialize it’s cynicism.

Pulling Away is Walking Forward

Recently, I’ve been spending a tremendous amount of time by myself.  You could say that I have always been like this.  Even when I do go out, I usually keep to myself.  I am big into observation and not very good at casual chit-chat.  My brain doesn’t function properly in monotonous chatter.  My God that sound pretentious!  So be it.  Still, I find this period in my life much different compared to my personal historic patterns or habits..

For starters, this is the first time in my life that I don’t have a romantic partner or a hetero-lifemate that I spend my personal time with.  I guess you can call this being “codependent”.  Okay, that is exactly what you can call it.  For the past month I have all but isolated myself from most individuals in my world.  When I do have the opportunity to spend time with friends, I try to make the most of it, honoring the time I am sharing with them.   For the most part I have decided to stay away, learning the art of detachment.

To some, this may be a sign of depression.  Maybe it is, but learning how to fill your time with you (this doesn’t include TV time) is a discipline in its own right.  It has taken me a month just to recognize this simple truth.  I have found bliss in the simplicity of life’s ignored treasure.  Reading a book, doing my laundry, cleaning my living space, or writing this blog.  Some people are better than others with this…I am not one of those people.  After a month of pseudo-seclusion, I have found a breath of fresh air.  Keep in mind, you will never be left wanting any corn or cheese when reading my sporadic lingo.

I have to admit, this isolation is premeditated and is rife with the idea that I want it to be well thought out.  One of the culprits for this detachment is the cross-country bicycle ride waiting just a few months down the road.   Stepping outside of one's comfort zone is, without a doubt, jarring.  Stepping out is a bit of an understatement.  One could say I am being shot from a canon, landing just beyond the horizon line view of what used to be a comfort zone.  I’m not just making assumptions.  I’ve been in a similar situation walking cross-country.  I was so far away from my norm, the first two weeks were miserable.  I cried like a child with ADHD that had his PSP confiscated. It wasn’t a pretty sight.  The journey confronting me dwarfs my previous exploit without question.

I'm quitting my job in a horrible economic climate without a coveted degree to prove to an employer that I have value; all so that I can participate in a personal pilgrimage with a trusted friend, for god knows how long.  The idea is to begin an open dialog about suicide and the societal pressures that contribute to the suicidal ideology for so many people. This new yearning for romanticized adventure does have a tendency to raise questions.  Sweet Jesus...I have a thousand questions!  Most people don’t get it, and have many concerns for my safety.  I’m sure many of those are secretly concerned with my mental safety as well.

I recognize the fact that this isn’t normal behavior, but respect the truth that this isn’t an isolated incident.  People do this all the time, case in point, as I stated earlier this is my second crack at it.  Sorta.  Depending on your circle, you may or may not hear about those who for what ever reason follow the magnet the pulls them to a life on the road.  As much as I will miss loved ones, I can’t allow that child like notion of homesickness, if that’s what I am talking about, influence my reactions and interactions while doing my Frodo thing.

As usual, I am probably over thinking the situation, but this happens to be one of the ways my brain functions.  Besides, introspective thought process has been a great mediation for the practice of letting go and falling into the moment of the always evolving NOW.