9/20/2023
America is a fragmented country. Her people are divided. Why?
An opposite of division is wholeness. As I continue to travel inward and expand my Quest for wholeness, I realize once again that most people want easy answers—sequential steps to a better life. But what if life is more like a meander, not a sequence? Merriam-Webster says that to meander is to follow a winding or intricate course. For many people, this path of growth is too complex. Americans want simple answers. That is why Twitter, T***p, and “Ten Easy Steps to Anything” flourish.
But to paraphrase Augustine’s quote: Our Life Is a Book and Those Who Do Not Travel Inward Read Only One Page.
This desire for easy answers is why many readers give up on my book “The Quest.” It is not my writing style or lack of communication prowess; it is because they don’t choose to take the time to expand their inner being. It is too scary. It seems too hard. Or they think they have already done the work.
I’m convinced the book contains powerful truths and provides individualized paths for each person willing to undertake or continue the Quest to wholeness. Every critical book I read confirms the Waypoints of The Quest—every one. Ugh. I don’t want to be one of those writers and thinkers whose ideas are not accepted until long after my death.
As I desire to make “The Quest” more accessible to a broader audience, this idea came to me.
To understand what wholeness means, let’s think of it this way. We all can cultivate “active wholeness.” And indeed, there are other terms that we can apply to the concept of wholeness: purposeful wholeness, resilient wholeness, enlightened wholeness, etc. But for now, let’s expand on this one idea.
Apply this term to each of the four aspects of being: body, mind, soul, and spirit. Remember, this is not my way or the only way; it is A way. It would be best if you personalized it for you.
What does it mean to you to have an active body?
For me, it means: exercise, eating, drinking, sex, massage, sleep (yes, sleep is active), and more.
What does it mean to you to have an active mind?
For me, it means: reading, writing, learning, meditation, curiosity, openness, and more.
What does it mean to you to have an active soul?
For me, it means: intimacy, communion, knowing my healthy and unhealthy emotions, meaningful conversations, and more.
What does it mean to you to have an active spirit?
For me, it means: autonomy, freedom, no strings, values such as love, compassion, encouragement, and acceptance, no rules, soaring imagination, and more.
When we apply this single term to each aspect of our being, we see an integration of our true self. Once we have identified the values for body, mind, soul, and spirit, we can cultivate them. When that happens—our being expands into wholeness. As we walk through life, if these principles become important, our consciousness is expanded, our being grows whole and less divided, less fragmented, and joy permeates our life.
And with regard to the divisions in America, we will not be susceptible to authoritarians, conspiracy theories, and untruths.
