Chapter 06: Relating to friends & allies
The sixth way in which the three fundamental Zones of Being differ is the way in which their members respond to and interrelate with their friends & allies. Consider the following explanations thereof …
*Whereas Zone 1 advocates embrace relationships with friends & family in order to ensure their own sense of safety &/or well-being (subconsciously feeling the same to be necessary for their survival) , Zone 2 followers extend that embrace to include those of like-mind in order to elevate their sense of self-worth &/or enhance their own quality of life (believing the same to provide a necessary support-network for potentially trying times). In great contrast, Zone 3 enliveners embrace all the members of their community and do so solely for the benefit of that community. They see their relationships with others – be they friend or foe; allies or antagonists – as regular & ready-made opportunities to become “reborn” via deeds of selfless kindness given thereto.
*While Zone 1 proponents give to others only when pressured to do so (or to receive a giving in return), Zone 2 disciples give “freely” to others only after having given to themselves (or when already in a place of personal wealth or comfort). Zone 3 enthusiasts, on the other hand, give as a parent gives to their children. They give solely to give – ever willingly, even when seemingly unable to do so; ever joyously, even for those “least deserving” of the same.
*Insomuch as both Zone 1 patrons & Zone 2 devotees see their loved ones (including themselves if Zone 1, or those of like-mind or like-belief if Zone 2) as being more worthy recipients of any giving, Zone 3 participants make no such distinctions between those seemingly less or more worthy. These are the ones choosing to live without judgment of others – to live “humble as a child” – a mindset where a mere opportunity to give is enough to warrant their giving.
*Those soaking in the Zone 1 lifestyle love being loved, and it is receiving love from others that inspires them to extend the same. Similarly, but of a differing degree, apostles of the Zone 2 mindset love to publicly love others the way they wish to be loved in return, and it is noticing those who are worthy of their love that inspire them to give the same (especially when there is a good chance of being complimented by others for doing so). In stark contrast to both, Zone 3 contributors choose to Love others unconditionally, and it is the mere recognition of any opportunity to give the same that inspires them to do so.
*Satellites of the Zone 1 paradigm give primarily to those considered to be friends, and give more & more often to those friends considered to be “better” or “best.” Zone 2 accomplices, on the other hand, share primarily with those considered to be of like-mind or like-belief &/or those who champion similar values, and share more & more often with “Soulmates” or those who are “equally enlightened.” Contrastingly, Zone 3 supporters give to all without determination or delineation, though they do see those who are aggressive (“enemies”) & those who are not yet known (“strangers”) as being especially ripe for their deeds of generous kindness. Indeed, Zone 3 folks have simply come to understand that as soon as we start looking for “better” or “more worthy” people to love, our LOVE loses all its deepest potency and our lives thus lose a primary portion of their potential meaning. They know that real LOVE knows no exceptions, and is in fact most potent when given to those “least deserving” of it, and especially in those times we feel least able to give the same.
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