The Living One

I can think of no better name for G-d than the Living One. I think that would translate into any language and retain its meaning. And what could be more sacred than life itself. And what does life desire more than to live, and that eternally. Yet merely to live is not enough for life ... life seeks also to love. And love is reflected in the forms that evoke it - which is perhaps what Blake meant when he wrote that eternity is in love with time.

It can also be said that the quality of life is expressed not in possessions themselves but in their capacity to evoke love and maintain a loving relationship. Within the continuity of this loving attentively is also found happiness. On the eve of death, it is our relationships which take center stage and those who have barely escaped a visit of the reaper often re-think their priorities in life in terms of loving relationship.

For objects themselves when pursued and possessed as property have a way of strangling love and the energy of life. We loose interest, become comfortable rather than passionate, and eventually dispassionate about our possessions... ceasing to be our friends they become clutter and baggage.

To be bluntly sacrilegious here, the only difference between a dollar and a crucifix is the meaning we give it. Either can be said to be sacred, depending on its creative use in enhancing the quality of love for life. Under the cross has mass murder been done. Under philanthropy much goodness and healing.

And to the question: how much life and love can one actually stand? Life is creative. Creators are obsessive in their devotion and the risks they take to live, considering even survival nothing compared to life. And it amazes me how the sacred and the profane may be distinguished as essentially a difference in the embrace or avoidance of of living in love - intensely, consciously, continuously. It is as if sometimes life becomes tiring and we surrender to the exhaustion, turning our responsibility for life over to various programs, whether thy be psychological patterns, social agendas, or even on the TV as vicarious living.

So perhaps there is a part of us that does not want responsibility for life. Perhaps this is where our gods come in. It is they that are responsible, they who withhold pain. And all I need do is get with the program of their kings, priests and interpreters. All I need do is follow and believe.

Of course the mystical secret is that life is not a personal possession, but the universal truth of being. It is the same Life that gives to each creature its essence, much as the blood gives to each cell its sustenance. One (energetic) blood stream, one Life stream, one boundless stream of love creative. And so it has been said that love is not an emotion - though it fills the heart with bliss. Love is a decision to live, and the ultimate commitment to transcend mere existence.

© Arjay 2008