the second veil

This entry is the second part of a seven part series. It will make much more sense if you’ve read part one.

When the second veil is removed humans will see that the world around them that they consider dead, lifeless, motionless, or less important is alive and active. “The inanimate world appears static, ‘dead,’ to humans only because of our neuromuscular chauvinism. We are so enamored of our own activity range that we blind ourselves to the fact that most of the action of the universe is unfolding outside our range…”

We are blind to that around us which moves significantly slower (the liquid flow of glass) or faster (the zipping of electrons) than our own bodies. How can we be expected to stop long enough to watch a river change its course? We also miss that which is too small or too big to detect with the naked eye. They can make for some fun pictures in high school science, but then are quickly forgotten.

When we see and recognize all that is alive around us, we will be able to appreciate the intimate relationship we all share. Our arrogance toward the supposed inanimate world will be replaced by an openness to learning, our fear and trepidation by mutual giving and receiving. This goes far beyond care for the earth. It is more a living with and among all that is in the universe.