It is late in the week (Wednesday) for me to begin writing. I am fixing dinner, reading about the philosophy behind immortality, drinking a beer, and listening to music that is claiming "nothing is sadder than the soul of a hard-working man; with no means to help out his family, and nothing to do with his hands." The song goes on to ask the question, "What will become of the hard-working man?" The book describes mysticism as "truth flowing into our soul from its fountainhead like an active force." - (attributed to Henri Bergson). The corn is boiling; (I turned it down). The beer is cold. Marty Stuart is now singing (different song) "We're brothers, though we've never met. We've both known heartache, disappointment, and the pain of regret. The full weight of sadness, Love, and its cost. And without Love, a soul is nothing but empty and lost." The book (a few pages later, eavesdropping on a conversation) says, "you feel the life force in love." Perhaps country music and philosophy are not so far apart.

Now it is Thursday and since I need beer to pull relevant meaning from country music (and I'm on my lunch break from work), I'll think about mysticism and intuition. Intuition is defined as 'direct perception of truth independent of any reasoning process'. We frequently attempt to de-mystify mysticism through words. More than two years of weekly blog posts are built on a mystical foundation of our Lifelong search for (unattainable) Truth and Wisdom. Even knowing it is unattainable, we feel compelled to search. Nearly 100,000 words and I continue to use words, knowing words will never suffice.

Intuition occurs in that magical (mystical) moment when one has transcended a particular aspect or (in rare moments) the whole of oneself, but has not yet consciously realized it. In this moment, there are no words. Once the moment becomes tangible (known), the magic is gone; and we cannot re-mystify the mundane. Through words though, we can (and do) glorify these leaps that (we feel) pull magic from beyond. These leaps and the effort expended are 'learning', and this magic made tangible becomes personal growth. 'Learning and Growth' is important and (in a worldly sense) magical, but still, once words are applied...

Intuition also occurs when one transcends, yet never consciously realizes it. This intuition (I believe) is/(is not) identifiable as a teasing vexation that resonates yet is easily ignored or dismissed. This intuition is like a beautiful butterfly seen fleetingly, yet not captured, pinned down (with words), and put on display. This intuition is elusive, therefore thought by some to also be illusive. This intuition is encouraged by solitude, thoughtful reflection, Love, pain, work, and Goodness; but this intuition can also stop us in our tracks on a crowded sidewalk, or in the middle of a busy workday, or (most rewarding) in the middle of a meaningful conversation, but we only stop momentarily, pause to look all around, and wonder "What was That?" This intuition is fleeting, unknown, and yet, somehow, known.

I have stated previously that 'I know I don't know'. Yet I also realize that (in some intuitive way) I have some knowledge that is unknowable. I remember a carnival ride with open cars on legs extending outward from a central spoke. The cars circled faster and faster making me feel as if one time I would be flung smack into the approaching wall. But by the time I had this thought, the wall was past; until it (or another one) came around again. The only way I would have known the Truth of that wall, is if one time I was flung out of my car. Some cower from the approaching wall. Some are nonchalant spectators. And some reach out for the wall, screaming for its Truth as they pass by. One day, each one of us will be flung face-first into the Truth of that wall. In the interim, we can each choose our approach; and we should each recognize it as 'our' approach.

Now back to Marty Stuart and our 'hard-working man'. It is sad and painful when one (for whatever reason) is denied the opportunity to work to their fullest potential in an occupation of their choosing. Our society has most definitely moved in to the age of the knowledge worker. Crafts and handiwork (for many) have become hobbies, and many (including most country songwriters) lament this fact. What if, though, this change allows us (all of humanity) to steadily improve our intuitive, interpersonal communication skills, thus creating a universal synergy in which the transcendental whole is far greater than the sum of its individuals. What if with this synergy we can begin to advance on the intangible, ineffable, intuitive Truths that (acknowledged or not) each of us spend a Lifetime searching for. This was previously addressed in the post 'Global Happiness' from last March. The additional thought here (thanks to beer and Marty Stuart) is the recognition that for some hard work is defined as sweat-of-the-brow manual labor, and its application can be / is satisfyingly intuitive and spiritual. When one has too much 'time on their hands' words suddenly get in the way. Like it or not, the definition of hard work must change. Like it or not, throughout this Life many of us find ourselves booted from the path we were following, which leaves us (at least a little) lost and confused, forcing us to refocus and redefine. Some see the opportunity and some wander aimlessly. So for many, the question remains "What will become of the hard-working man?"

In this post we have transitioned from that which is intangible and ineffable to that which is empirical and consequential. If we indeed want to advance transcendentally / spiritually we cannot be too harsh. We cannot ignore Exoteric Goodness (as a vital component) by attributing the loss of handiwork/craft and its adherents/artisans as a price we must pay for progress. To ignore this impact would be adding both goodness and malevolence (see last week's post), and the goal is not to break even; the goal is to slide toward goodness.

I am not sure the answer; but I am confident that as a whole we could find a way to mitigate, minimize, or (possibly even) eliminate the malevolent fallout. In the meantime, as I am able, I will support local efforts toward handiwork and crafts. We cannot become so wrapped up in big picture perspectives that we forget about individuals. The 'greater good' is not necessarily the greater good.