Chapter 10: Responding to peace & pleasure
The tenth major disparity between the three Zones of Being manifests itself in the differing ways their members relate to times of peace &/or pleasure. Feel free to humbly ponder (& then courageously pro-act) the following examples thereof …
*First & foremost, those partaking of the Zone 1 lifestyle tend to use their “left brains” to rationally label feelings of pleasure and moments of comfort as being the “good times” – successes striven to be duplicated and benefits clambered to be maintained for themselves. Those immersed in the Zone 2 mentality, on the other hand, tend to use the capabilities of their reasoned “left brains” to process & appreciate the experiences accessed by their more intuitive “right brains” – judging their own lives to become more “purposeful” or “meaningful” or “worthy” thereby; experiences believed to be more “enlightened” that are then shared with those of like-mind thereafter. In stark contrast to both these mindsets, those choosing the Zone 3 alternative simultaneously utilize both halves of their brains – consciously choosing to selflessly immerse themselves in their interaction with others, and thereby coming to know a far greater sense of Peace & Joy. To them “good times” are not moments of pleasures to be accumulated or deeper experiences to be more fully known, but are rather those priceless times when their conscience is intentionally & courageously aligned with their lives’ nearby neighbors &/or surrounding circumstances.
*Whereas Zone 1 advocates see physical security & emotional comfort as fundamental goals for which should consistently strive and Zone 2 followers see the same as crucial ends that we should all repeatedly manifest, Zone 3 participants know that physical security & emotional comfort are both essentially mirages – that both are innately impossible to lastingly attain or profoundly experience. As such, neither of these temptations is desired at all by the truly Enlightened, for both are clearly recognized as the ethical pitfalls they truly are – smothering the potentially meaningful life with the thick malaise of sloth, the sticky sap of selfishness, and the heavy haze of fear.
*While Zone 1 proponents are grateful for the inevitably fleeting blessings of physical ease &/or emotional euphoria (grateful for the good that that feels good) and Zone 2 accomplices feel gratitude for the similarly transient moments when they “see the good in the bad” or “see the purpose within the pain” (grateful for the good outside the good and the good within the bad), Zone 3 adherents know a Thankfulness far more profound & lasting – one that comes from choosing to SEE all traditionally “negative” happenstances as they truly are (grateful for the opportunity to transcend the bad with good responses thereto, and thereby transforming the former into the latter): appreciating the majestic within everything felt to be “boring,” revering the wondrous within everything judged to be “normal,” honoring the beautiful within everything considered “plain” or “ugly,” and enlivening the Purpose within all things painful – by consciously using all times labeled as being “horrible” or “bad” or even merely “disadvantageous” to empower subsequent acts of selfless kindness.
*Insomuch as Zone 1 patrons feel that abundance (both physical in the form of money &/or possessions, and emotional in the forms of friendship &/or adoration) is granted to those who are either lucky (lackadaisical) or deserving (hard-working), Zone 2 acolytes believe that the same wealth is equally available to everyone, and must merely be intently manifested to be reaped and enjoyed. In unsurprisingly bold contrast, Zone 3 enthusiasts know and harvest a Wealth that is far more profound and an Abundance that is far more meaningful – the former coming not from what one earns or achieves or owns, but instead from what one gives or shares or offers; the latter being found not in unusual chances to succeed or achieve or conquer, but rather in the ever-present opportunities to serve or mend or sacrifice.
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