Here is a quote I have liked for some time:

The wise man knows the Self,
And he plays the game of life.

But the fool lives in the world
Like a beast of burden.

             - Ashtavakra Gita 4:1

We, all of us, have a Self, which is the God who made us and who dwells within us.

In those moments when I realize the joy and the peacefulness that comes from knowing this Self, I also realize that almost everywhere I turn, the "drama" that unfolds is nonsense.  All of it is built on misperceptions and insecurities - whether listening to someone complain about traffic, work relationships, the state of the economy or the latest anxiety over how to make ends meet - whatever - I can, through this Self, see it as simple struggle of our lesser selves who are not paying attention to what is really important. 

Tell me:  if Jesus were your house guest, right now, right this minute; if he were helping you make dinner tonight and the next night and the one after that; if he were helping you with the babysitting or tagging along with you to your next meeting, or to the grocery store, or to church... if he were right there sharing each moment with you, how would that change your perception of your daily activities?  Wouldn't you be tempted to smile a whole lot, and really let go of concerns and just bask in the giddy thrill of knowing that, no matter what things look like, that everything is good, it is under control and is perfectly blessed? 

If you knew, that because the Son of God had taken up residence with you as your partner and best friend, that your home and life was completely blessed, and there would never again be reason for fear, would you still get up and go to work?  Yes, of course.  Would you still live in the world?  Yes, you would.  But, when you already know the outcome is blessed, when you already know the Source is God himself, then participation in all the "duties" of life becomes a game. 

You already know the outcome.  You already know the Author and how he writes it.  You read "the book" for pleasure and discovery.  The wise man knows the Self, and he plays the game of life.

Not realizing that the Self is the core of our being, yes, even our being in the world, we get concerned and fearful and obsessive and worried about way too many things in our lives. All this is illusion, but without knowledge of the Self, we suffer under the illusion and compound it, stumbling through darkness.  But the fool lives in the world like a beast of burden.  But it doesn't have to be that way.

God's brilliant Self is the core of who we are.  It is not too lofty or presumptuous to believe this.  It is, rather, a homecoming, and acknowledgement of what Jesus tried to tell us long ago:  that we have nothing to fear - not sin (he died in our place to forgive our sins), not death (he proved it is powerless); not the world.  All so we could be like him, and accept our inheritance.  That's the best gift we can give back - to stand up and accept who we are, so that through us, God can heal the world of its illusions and burdens.

Let the games continue!  I'll play as long as the Coach has use for me.


Copyright (c) 2006