The Givens Of Life

THE GIVENS OF LIFE: THE THINGS WE CANNOT CHANGE

  • Everything Changes And Ends
  • Suffering Is Part Of Growth
  • Things Do Not Always Go According To Plan
  • Things Are Not Always Fair
  • People Are Not Loving And Loyal All The Time

 

These are truths about the conditions of existing and also of evolving.

They are the prerequisites for unfolding with character, purpose, and meaning. They make us the fascinating characters we are; they make our human story the intriguing plot that it is:

  • In a transitory world we keep aiming for the timeless.
  • Through suffering we find our inner strength and our need for others too.
  • In an unpredictable universe we expend all the effort we can muster.
  • In the face of injustice we work for justice and act with mercy.
  • Among people who sometimes hurt or betray us we find the choice of love over retaliation and thereby grow in compassion.

 

Taoist Han Hung says: “The biggest risk is to trust that these conditions are all that we need to be ourselves.”

Life is continually baffling us with its contradictions. We can be overwhelmed and demoralized by them or we can allow them to pass through us with equipoise.

Then we find ways to be both defence-less and resource-full.

This ends our quarrel with the givens and we relate to them without blame or anger.

Jung suggests “an unconditional yes to the conditions of existence without protest.”

Then we find in and through them the essence of religion, spirituality, and depth psychology:

 

EVERYTHING CHANGES AND ENDS

yet can be renewed.

This is our entry into the archetype of resurrection.

 

SUFFERING IS PART OF GROWTH

yet we keep finding ways to bring good from evil.

This opens the archetype of redemption.

 

THINGS DO NOT ALWAYS GO ACCORDING TO PLAN

yet we can find the equanimity to say yes to what is and thanks for what has

been.

This is the archetype of synchronicity and of a divine plan that makes

our destiny a larger one than ever we imagined.

 

THINGS ARE NOT ALWAYS FAIR

yet we can be fair and even generous.

This gives us a sense of justice and strengthens

our commitment to fight for it.

It is the archetype of Karma and of atonement and forgiveness.

 

PEOPLE ARE NOT LOVING AND LOYAL ALL THE TIME

yet we do not have to retaliate but can ourselves act with love and loyalty,

never giving up on others.

This is the archetype of unconditional love.

(Inspired by David Richo)