The fifth distinction is one of the more readily noticeable ones – namely, how the various members of the three different Zones of Being interact very differently with their environment; both with their immediate surroundings and with Nature as a whole. Feel free to humbly consider (and then courageously enliven) the following …

*As far as the material world is concerned, while Zone 1 advocates maintain an outlook that is competition-based and soaked in self-centeredness (where the ego is primed to take &/or receive – rationalizing the accumulation of as much as possible for itself; including focusing one’s energies on “friends & family” &/or championing the abuse & consumption of non-human animals for personal pleasure), Zone 2 followers reflect an outlook that is knowledge-based and soaked in in faux-goodness (i.e. being “moral” towards others because the same has been promised or is expected – where the ego is primed to further its own well-being under the guise of “appropriate behavior” &/or a “balance of give & take”; including the reaping of a deservedly “fair portion” of abundance or benefit &/or rationalizing the “humane slaughter” of non-human animals for personal “health”). Zone 3 adherents, on the other hand, foster an outlook that is Love-based and soaked in acts of selfless generosity (i.e. deeply appreciating what one already possesses by using the same to lessen the suffering of others &/or enhance their Joy – where the selfish inclinations of the ego have been consciously set aside in favor of the selfless yearnings of the Soul; including a staunch refusal to intentionally cause any other sentient being harm for personal pleasure or benefit, a regularly open & avid championing of the rights – regardless of species – of all who are downtrodden, and bold attempts to liberate from bondage or abuse – also regardless of species – all those being oppressed).

 

 

*While Zone 1 confederates define wealth as consisting of the positive emotions one feels &/or the material things one possesses, Zone 2 apostles believe that wealth is the facts one knows, the talents one possesses, &/or the experiences one shares with others of like-mind or clan. In contrast, Zone 3 supporters know that wealth does not exist until things traditionally viewed as such are given to others.

*In a similar vein, where Zone 1 proponents see others’ lack of wealth or happiness as cause for either rejoicing (if they are considered opponents) or pity (if they are seen as allies) and one’s own lack of wealth to be cause for sadness or worry, Zone 2 acolytes see other’s lack of wealth or happiness as cause for casual disregard (if considered enemies), analytical advice-giving (if considered strangers) or sympathetic encouragement (if considered friends), and one’s own lack of wealth to be a call to manifest the same. Again in bold contrast, Zone 3 champions know that lack of any kind is actually an intensifier of true abundance – that another’s lack is nothing more than an opportunity to give to the same, and that one’s own lack nothing less than an exponential empowerer of what is there to be given.

 

 

*Though Zone 1 satellites unabashedly love themselves & themselves alone (regardless of perceived levels of dearth or abundance) and Zone 2 crusaders love themselves first “that they might become better able to love others at some point thereafter,” Zone 3 attendants know that both these viewpoints are steeped in ignorance – that any act of self-adoration simultaneously destroys one’s ability to love in the present and commensurately diminishes the likelihood that one will care for others in the future; that every time wealth or comfort or safety or pleasure is attained for oneself the attainer thereof becomes proportionately separated from the whole, and the giving thereof becomes proportionately less likely in the future. Indeed, Zone 3 revelers know that the only way to expand one’s ability to Love is to give anyway – to do so especially in times of perceived lack; especially when they are least inclined to do so, and especially for those “least deserving” of the same.

 

 

*As far as the quantum world is concerned (the world of energetic interconnection), Zone 1 affiliates feel that they are subject to the random whims of happenstance and coincidence (or sometimes controlled “from above” during one’s life &/or given an end predestined before one’s birth) – essentially that they are ultimately ruled by the far greater whirlings of a much more powerful cosmos. In contrast, Zone 2 devotees tend to believe that they are the masters of their lives – that they can train their minds to co-create a new reality &/or manifest a new destiny, and that they thereby are the true rulers of their fate. In greater contrast still, Zone 3 attendants know that everything that happens in one’s life is nothing more or less than an opportunity to harness the same – that every happenstance might not have an objective meaning or purpose to be discovered, and yet that every same happenstance does indeed contain seeds of Meaning & Purpose that can be chosen – and thereby brought into being. The innate & incontrovertible interconnection of the Universe does not mean that we are ruled by our surroundings, nor does it imply that we can rule the same. For whether we react emotionally or act selfishly in response to circumstance, both ensure that we remain distanced from the whole – and that we will ultimately suffer as a result. In contrast, that same innately profound Interconnection means that we can always enhance the harmony of any interaction – that we can indeed in effect “rule” that same unity, by choosing to act accordingly with consciousness and with courage.

 

 

*Insomuch as servants of the Zone 1 mentality believe that reality is objectively concrete (and thereby to be known & respected as “real”), disciples of the Zone 2 viewpoint believe that reality is ever subjectively nebulous (and therefore to be essentially discounted as “delusion”). In profound contrast, Zone 3 protagonists know that this debate is as irrelevant as it is fruitless, that our perception of reality – regardless its level of (in)accuracy – is a priceless gift to be honored; that every perceived encounter is imbued with fantastic potential for personal empowerment – that we are not to debate or determine whether or not our experiences are “real,” but rather have been blessed with the ability to consciously & courageously (i.e. intentionally & selflessly – and thereby powerfully) respond to each & every one of them as if they were. Indeed, Zone 3 pro-actors know that all the vapid talk about “reality is bit an illusion” often proves to be a huge distraction — a scintillating temptation to simply “sit and be” instead of reach out to others who need our assistance or who are in pain. Yes, it is true that life might very well be nothing but an illusion, and yet the suffering that always comes from inactively attaching to that delusion is very real indeed. As such, when in doubt – don’t; always err on the side of Compassion over mere contemplation – always side with selfless service over sitting in stillness.

 

 

*Those enacting the Zone 1 way of being feel that they must continually struggle to “make things happen” &/or strive to “make life work” or “get what they deserve” – all frames of mind that mirror (and thereby entrench) the very self-focused mindset that created their suffering in the first place. Zone 2 crusaders, on the other hand, choose to (ultimately ineffectively) combat this tendency by either “being still” (i.e. “going within” and merely observing life; “letting the Universe flow” and “allowing things work out by themselves”) or intensely visualizing a “better life” and thereby mentally “co-creating” a more pleasurable reality. Of course, such a mindset – despite its seemingly “enlightened” vernacular – is just as self-focused as its Zone 1 counterpart, and thus ultimately just as ineffectual. In bold contrast to both viewpoints, Zone 3 contributors know that life is always “happening” and that it is our privilege as sentient beings to be able to purposefully immerse ourselves into the same whenever & however we wish¹ – aligning ourselves with each happenstance by choosing to use the same to either enhance the Joy or lessen the suffering of those therein.

 

 

*Whereas Zone 1 patrons focus on “protecting what is mine” and Zone 2 apostles tend to “manifest” what is deserved, Zone 3 participants simply Give whatever they already have to give. The latter know that there is no such thing as lack and that life is never “broken” – indeed, that being able to extend goodwill to others (via words of kindness &/or deeds of selfless service) in those moments of life that are difficult or painful or “bad” or “wrong” is precisely what makes living powerful, and thus precisely what makes life worth living.

 

 

“Without fail, my brightest dreams and deepest desires meld into the singular – with them ultimately becoming the following one: to clearly hear for the duration of a single heartbeat the totality of the Universe in its mysteriously innate and ultimately full Harmony; and then in the very next instant – to have the courage to boldly dance in accordance therewith … Indeed, it is our greatest downfall as a species to keep striving to force all into agreement or mandate a oneness of being. For the ultimate Truth of life and its living is grounded in the scintillating diversity of its being; in the constancy with which it presents us all with endless opportunities to co-create Harmony within the chaos – by fully loving the unlovable, by tenderly caring for the unforgivable, by openly caring for the wicked & the noble & the wealthy & the downtrodden alike.” ~ inspired by Hermann Hesse & C. JoyBell C.

 

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Filed under: Enlightening Enlightenment by Scaughdt