Similarly to how differently the three Zones of Being affect the body is how differently they affect the mind. With this in mind, and in the hopes of offering a fresh alternative that can provide an enhanced state of mental wholeness, feel free to humbly ponder (& courageously pro-act) the following …

*Whereas Zone 1 advocates are trapped by their minds’ endless drive to seek personal security or benefit (extended survival &/or enhanced comfort) – an ultimately futile endeavor that always leads to frustration, anxiety, despondency, and despair, Zone 2 acolytes are ruled by similarly dysfunctional thought patterns (e.g. the need to “better understand” their situation &/or “co-create” a better one) – a similarly useless undertaking that invariably engenders feelings of callousness, meaninglessness, frustration, lack, and sadness. In wonderful contrast, the assistants of the Zone 3 alternative choose to transcend both of the aforementioned failures by harnessing the same. They know that the ultimate solution to all states of mental dis-ease is not found by crushing or quelling or bypassing them, but rather in using them to empower one’s concurrent & subsequent choices – choices that seek to forgive when feeling attacked, to care when feeling anxious, to give when feeling unable, and to serve when feeling weak or otherwise deficient. For it is these choices and these choices alone that allow real Intimacy & Empathy into one’s interactions with others, and as such bring true Meaning & emPowerment to one’s living. Indeed, it is these choices & these choices alone that send all negative thoughts & emotions into the background, and allow feelings of blissful Peace & Joy to blossom into the fore.

*Zone 1 affiliates focus on navigating life’s pitfalls in order to create a more pleasurable future for themselves (a fear-based mindset that has them reacting emotionally to external stimuli – fleeing perceived “dangers” and running to known comforts). They are angry &/or terrified during times of trauma or chaos. Somewhat similarly, Zone 2 disciples focus on avoiding personal failures in order to manifest a more peaceful future for themselves (also a fear-founded mindset, though one that has them reacting mentally to life’s happenstances – defending themselves against perceived dangers & immersing themselves in familiar beliefs). They are callous &/or disengaged (a.k.a. “observant” or analytical) during times of trauma or chaos. Zone 3 enthusiasts, in enlightened contrast, focus solely on their immediate Here&Now and what they can do to enhance the harmony of the same. These are the ones who calmly smile in times of trauma or chaos, because these are the ones who choose to pro-act selflessly to those circumstances – doing so while they instinctively/emotionally react to the same. In this way, all moments that would normally be deemed “sad” or “infuriating” or “scary” become cherished opportunities instead – blessed chances for one’s Love to become transformatively potent instead of powerlessly dormant.

 

 

*Zone 1 “awakens” its practitioners to “societal consciousness” (via the “productive” &/or “appropriate” fulfillment of cultural traditions & communal expectations). These are the ones who judge the familiar as being “boring” or who do not notice the familiar at all. These are the ones who remain distracted by their goals &/or “problems;” the ones who see a flower as “only a flower” (or a stranger as “just another person”) and pass it by. Their Zone 2 counterparts, in slight difference, “awaken” a bit more fully (to a consciousness that is more present, more clear, &/or more personal – a state of slightly enhanced calm that often challenges or disrupts social norms in favor of enlivening a “better way”). These are the ones who intellectually understand that everything is innately wondrous and that all beings are inherently worthy, and yet these are also the ones who refuse to act boldly on those beliefs – preferring to mentally masticate upon them or verbally champion them instead. These are the ones who remain focused upon“self improvement” &/or “attaining enlightenment;” the ones who see a flower (or a stranger) and merely mentally acknowledge it to be a “beautiful” portion of their surroundings. Zone 3, in bold contrast, grants its practitioners access to a “Universal consciousness” – to the Truth that all sentient beings are members of the same Family, and to the Power that comes when acting accordingly. These are the ones who fully comprehend the innately interconnected nature of all those they encounter. These are the ones who dismiss personal fears & set aside personal goals in favor of dampening the fears of others &/or helping to fulfill their needs; the ones who see a flower (or a stranger) and pause to caress it gently &/or water it lovingly.

 

 

*Though Zone 1 patrons think that their ideas & beliefs are obviously right and that those of their opponents are blatantly wrong (a trait that often leads them to be aggressive, brash, harsh, &/or hypercritical towards the latter). Zone 2 minions vary significantly in that they believe that those of unlike mind (be they annoyances, enemies, or competitors) merit at least a modicum of external respect and therefore tend to exude a form of token humility (via tact or politeness or sympathy or pity) when confronted with the same. Of course, these people do so quite superficially; still believing that they are correct and that their opponents are much less so – a mentality often revealed by the polite piousness of their religious convictions, the condescending callousness of their intellectual prowess, &/or the determined doggedness of their political certainties. Zone 3 champions, quite differently indeed, choose to be “as humble as a toddler” – embracing the innate correctness of unconditional Love whenever it is given, while staunchly refusing to passionately preach or argue or persuade or even encourage others with regard to that inalienable Rightness. These are the ones who believe devoutly in the power of radical Kindness, and who let their courageously gentle actions do most of their relaying of the same.

 

 

 

*Whereas Zone 1 proponents are certain of life’s certainties (displayed via their arrogance, indignation, zealotry, or even bigotry related to their beliefs, &/or the overt pride they display for their “personal achievements”) and Zone 2 devotees tend to be certain of life’s uncertainty (i.e. that reality is impossible to ascertain &/or that Right Action is impossible to know – beliefs used to smugly appreciate their individual accomplishments, rationalize their selfish efforts towards “self help,” &/or justify their lack of effort made for the benefit of others), Zone 3 contributors dismiss all forms of mental certainty in favor of caring boldly (almost recklessly) for any & all nearby – being deferential in times of “success” & generous in times of “failure,” and then allowing the various outcomes of those caring deeds determine their “correctness” after the fact.

 

 

*While the thoughts of Zone 1 backers are drenched in either the past (often in nostalgia or regret) or the future (often in hope or worry) and the minds of Zone 2 followers attempt to inactively soak in the present moment (&/or strive to “return to the now”), Zone 3 adherents are deeply & actively engaged with their surroundings – immersing themselves spontaneously & intentionally & intimately & caringly into the lives of others around them; doing whatever they can to enhance the Harmony &/or the Peace &/or the Joy of the same.

 

 

*Servants of the Zone 1 philosophy are driven to strengthen their bonds to “the herd” (those of like-mind &/or similar values – primarily friends & family members – who openly support &/or defend them) and make the same as large &/or powerful a group as possible. They feel truly “free” whenever they are readily able to harvest personal wealth or pleasure &/or openly enliven comfortable beliefs. Zone 2 accomplices, quite differently, maintain a mindset that is driven to improve the quality of their particular “herd” more than its potency (i.e. still those of like-mind, and yet those of a like mind that is “wiser” or “smarter” or “more advanced”). They feel truly “free” whenever readily able to openly espouse older beliefs &/or devoutly learn about newer ones. Zone 3 participants, contrastingly, expand the boundaries of their “herd” well beyond traditional labels of “friend or foe” and well beyond traditional requirements of “having a like mind.” These are the ones who have come to realize that all sentient beings – regardless of differing beliefs or behaviors – are their beloved brethren, and these are the ones who have the courage to treat all of them accordingly. These are the ones who are free from “freedom” – the ones whose perceived “freedom” has nothing to do with feeling any lack of circumstantial constraints, and everything to do with choosing to boldly Care for others regardless of the same.

 

 

“I’m simply saying that there is a way to be truly sane; simply saying you can be easily rid of the insanity created by all the non-functioning patterns of old thought and past deed still residing within you. And it is important to understand that doing so comes not from being a mere witness to your thinking; nor can it arrive by merely sitting silently and ‘being in the moment.’ No, becoming truly lucid to your True Self requires not only ceasing to judge, but also ceasing to judge judgment itself – for it is a state of selfless Being that only comes when one is enacting a selfless state of Doing. Indeed, the only ‘pure witness’ to your highest Self is the witness that stops merely witnessing life and starts radically living it. For the moment you are merely saying ‘That is Good’ is also the moment you are not performing that same Goodness. Merely acknowledging that a thing or a belief can bring others Peace or Joy is itself a form of insanity. It is only in enlivening the same that real sanity can return.” ~ inspired by Osho

Filed under: Enlightening Enlightenment by Scaughdt