Leftover thoughts from last week ...

So it seems that in various ways throughout these posts I have equated 'beyond words' with transcendental. I believe that is an oversimplification. 'Beyond Words' is an important identifier for 'transcendental possibility' and may be one's first clue, but it is by no means the only characteristic, and by itself does not establish one's transcendental reality. I believe to qualify as transcendental, a concept should involve intuition, a nagging sense of urgency to understand, a recognition of persistence, a recognition of potential distance from empirical, and a demand for attention, as well as the aforementioned difficulty in describing with words. If there is no loss in translation, a concept is no longer transcendental; it has become empirical.

It appears that I am seeking an empirical understanding of concepts that by definition cannot be understood empirically. Yet knowing that Truth and Wisdom and Happiness will never be completely empirical serves as a catalyst to even more fervently seek connections and formalize concepts, and then find common ground for this transcendental possibility. I think it is what humankind has been doing through all of recorded history, and probably long before.

New discoveries this week ...

"Human salvation lies in the hands of the creatively maladjusted." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Studies consistently show that 90% of us believe we are well adjusted and above average in terms of one's subjective sense of well-being. It seems skewed that 90% of us rate ourselves above the other 50%, but I don't believe it is skewed. Instead, I would say that 40% of us are creatively maladjusted; or perhaps all 90% of us are creatively maladjusted 40% of the time; or perhaps somewhere in between. These scenarios (for me) are preferable to being in the 10% whose subjective sense of well-being is consistently impaired.

This takes me back to the beginnings of this site and Relative Momentary Happiness (RMH) vs. Consistent Long-Lasting Happiness (CLH). Reality demands an accounting of pain and adversity. Survival requires some creative accounting. I believe we all keep two sets of books - one to show the public authorities (friends, family, co-workers, and in varying dergrees, oneself); and one esoteric set of books locked away and hidden, at times even from oneself.

To acknowledge the existence of this second set of books creates an understanding of the reality of Relative Momentary Happiness (RMH) vs. the pipe dream of Consistent Long-Lasting Happiness (CLH). To privately study this second set of books will reveal the elusive nature of Truth, Wisdom, and Happiness, yet allow an occasional fleeting glimpse and create a potential to close the gap. To publicly incorporate various aspects of this second set of books in one's daily thoughts and actions is noteworthy.

These thoughts and this analogy help me to understand the necessity of being creatively maladjusted. I believe the fact that we keep two sets of books reflects the 'maladjusted' aspect of this concept. I believe the selective public display of the second set of books reflects the 'creative' aspect of this concept. I believe ongoing, extensive study and contemplation of this second set of books will extend one's creative capacity and ultimately create a potential for human salvation. (I believe human salvation can occur on varying scales ranging from oneself to a family unit to a community and all the way to 'all' of humankind.) ... This seems like a good stopping point, but I have another question ...

... What is salvation? ...

Above I have (loosely) described how to recognize the inevitability of being maladjusted and how to apply creativity; but to what end? It would be easy to equate 'Truth, Wisdom, and Happiness' to 'Salvation' and be done, and that may be where I end up; but first I would like to dig deeper in and around the concept of Human Salvation.

Salvation is defined as 'the state of being saved or protected from harm or risk.' It often carries with it a religious connotation, but I'd like to explore strictly from an empirical perspective, because I believe that is the intent in the Martin Luther King, Jr. quote.

I don't believe one can be saved from the risk of pain and adversity, but ... perhaps one can be protected from serious or permanent harm by learning that Consistent Long-Lasting Happiness is unattainable. Many of those who know this, know it because they have been subjected to Life's hardships. By experiencing and recognizing pain and adversity, one (in a sense) is immunized against future pain and adversity; at least to an extent that can mitigate its impact. And for those who are privileged and shielded from Life's hardships, one can only hope the privilege continues.

So with this in mind, a realistic, empirical, working definition of 'Human Salvation' revolves around education.

Would mandatory hardship training be too creative? Or too maladjusted? (An exemption could be provided to those who have had naturally-occurring hardships.)

And if hardship training was considered to be impractical, how then could one who isn't interested or doesn't care be forced to learn empathy and compassion?

Perhaps I'm not thinking far enough outside the box. Hardship training would be a hard sell. Why would anyone voluntarily subject themselves to pain, adversity, or even mild discomfort? Many of us work very hard as it is to avoid (and/or ignore) these things now.

So here is a new thought - How about we take advantage of current knowledge (such as neuroscience and mirror neurons) and current creative talents and technologies (such as film production and delivery) to personalize some 'entertaining' hardship training that will also hardwire some empathy and compassion. Perhaps the 'entertainment' value would help to sell the idea of 'Dark' and 'Light' to a narcissistic, entitled, culture in the midst of a 'happy revolution' that is creating and perpetuating unrealistic expectations of 'Light with no Dark'.

It would still be a hard sell, but - We Have To Say "Enough!"

First, we have to recognize and identify Dark and Light to everyone, even when it seems they are not listening.

Then we have to strap on our propeller beanies of creative maladjustment and adopt a strategy of vocal nonviolent resistance towards rainbows and lollipops; especially when rainbows and lollipops are the only invitees.

We cannot drag 'well-adjusted' or 'oblivious' people kicking and screaming into the Dark. They would just close their eyes and expect to see Light each time they opened them; and eventually they would; because we could not in good conscience keep them in the Dark indefinitely until they acknowledged and recognized it. Harmful salvation is not possible.

But is nonviolent resistance and leading by example enough?

I suppose it has to be. Mahatma Ghandi and Martin Luther King, Jr. made great strides by integrating this concept of non-conforming, nonviolent, vocal resistance with their natural, sincere empathy and compassion.

Human Salvation - To protect one from serious or permanent harm through recognition and understanding of both 'Dark' and 'Light'.

Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "Human salvation lies in the hands of the creatively maladjusted." I might say, "Human salvation lies in the potential to convince humankind that we are 'all' creatively maladjusted." With this widespread recognition, the synergy created will bring us even closer to Truth, Wisdom, and Happiness.

Hardship Training ... think about it ...