I had cause to think about separation and grace when my fiancé and I recently took a road trip to Canberra. We visited the Captain Cook exhibition at the National Museum of Australia. We learned all about the famous explorer’s arrival in Australia 250 years ago. What struck me, was Cook’s observations on the indigenous people’s little want for material possessions. He saw that even in their lack they were completely content with life.
‘From what I have said of the natives of New-Holland (Australia) they may appear to some to be the most wretched people upon Earth, but in reality they are far more happier than we Europeans; being wholy unacquainted not only with the superfluous but the necessary conveniences so much sought after in Europe, they are happy in not knowing the use of them.
They live in Tranquility which is not disturbed by the inequality of condition. The earth and sea of their own accord furnishes them with all things necessary for life; they covet not Magnificent houses, they live in a warm and fine climate and enjoy very wholesome air, so that they have very little need of clothing…..’
– James Cook 23 August 1770
Reflecting on this passage it made me think of how the earth sustains us. Not only in abundance but also in beauty. Does a bird need to sing so beautifully in order to attract a mate? Or a flower have so many colours just to attract a bee? Life seems to go above and beyond what it needs to merely sustain us. Similarly, humans feel compelled to outpour their gifts into the world, rather than simply exist.
Now I’ll elaborate on some different thoughts that have prevented much of humanity from living simply and joyfully. I encourage you to read the work of Charles Eisenstein if you enjoy reading the rest of this post.
The Story of Separation
Every culture has it’s own ‘Story of the World’. These are constructed with myths, narratives, words, symbols, and agreements that together define the world. This story tells us how to be in the world. It defines what is important, sacred and what is humanity’s purpose is on the earth.
The dominant culture today has its own story, this is the story of Separation. This story holds us separate from each other and separate from nature. Giving does not come naturally in this world view. In fact the story tells us that our default nature is selfish. Under the separate, individualized mindset, less for you is more for me.
In this story of separation, the world is a scary place of us against them. We feel driven to fight against or control our experiences and other people. We live in oneness with the idea of “survival of the fittest”, which accepts that progress is dependent on conflict.
In the Separation story, nature is random and there is no intelligence or purpose outside of ourselves. So therefore we must insulate ourselves from it, exploit it to our own desires and control it, whatever the cost.
At the moment, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, we seem to have reached the height of separation. Self-isolation, social distancing and travel bans prevent us from being with family, friends and colleagues. Never before have we been so disconnected and afraid. It’s hard to see life as an unconditional gift when we feel attacked by nature itself.
A New Story is Emerging
Underneath the surface of this apparent disorder and separation, a new story is coming to life. For one, science is finding evidence for connection, in genetics, physics and biology. In ecology we understand that the well being of one is inseparable from the well being of all. In complexity theory we understand that order can emerge spontaneously out of chaos without an external organising force.
The story that is emerging, is an ancient story the indigenous people of Australia knew very well. This is the story of connection, where life and everything in the world is a gift. It is not through our effort that the sun shines, or the rain makes the plants grow. Our hearts beat and our organs function completely on their own. On the flipside, you may argue ‘I earned my well-paid career or beach body’ – but where did the capacity for hard work, strength, intelligence or creativity come from?
Today we have many crisis that concern us, such as climate change, habitat destruction and global inequality. We are starting to see the structures we used to rely on, crumble before our very eyes. In the midst of the Covid-19 crisis, everything we thought we knew has been stripped away. Many people are asking themselves what else is there? What is meaningful to me? What do I really want from life?
Remembering Our Purpose
Gratitude comes from knowing we have received and the desire to give in return. Sometimes, it takes the stripping back of the things that clutter our lives to realise this simple truth, a deconstruction before we can re-build. Nowadays, society seems to have forgotten that it is a primal desire of all beings to pour their gifts and energies into something they care about. Life can be filled with an aching unease when our abilities are not valued. Whether we’re aware of it or not, something in us wants to escape that job/career/relationship in order to contribute in service of something meaningful.
With the gifts of nature and the unique gifts that each and everyone of us possesses, we should be living in a world of joyful abundance. But instead we live in a society of scarcity, where many live in insecurity, anxiety and poverty. The wealthy are not immune to feelings of scarcity. Loss of property and possessions in a universal fear that has prompted many wars.
In the developed west, it could be argued that it is easier than ever to realize our potential. In the past, relatively few people would have been able to pursue the development and use of their gifts. Nowadays, we have so many opportunities. However, without the right conditions, our gifts can often be stunted, suppressed, or misused. Think of the child actor who later becomes a drug addict and has a mental breakdown. Or the countless geniuses who have become alcoholics?
If we don’t have a deeper understanding of where our gifts come from, then the danger is, that as our gifts grow, so does our ego and our shadow. If we are not anchored in the humility of grace – of goodness freely given without condition – then our gifts may not be used wisely and can even become dangerous.
Breaking Away From the Separation Myth
In my own life, I have recently made a big change. I decided to quit my ‘career’ and follow my intuition to use my gifts in the service of something I care about. It has been both exciting and scary, leaving an established career path to pursue writing/art/illustration – without any certainty of ‘succeeding’.
When I have tried to work everything out logically, like how I’ll make a living etc, it’s easy to fall back into the scarcity mindset and give up. Something happens when I put aside the striving and planning. I enter a state of flow where I am completely absorbed by what I’m doing in the present moment. This tends to be when I make the best art, or come up with the best ideas. This is not something that I orchestrate, but it is something which happens to me, when the conditions are right. It is as if an energy is working through me, where I am simply the vessel.
Breaking away from the myth of separation requires many changes. Entering into a new era of Connection based on seeing the world as a gracious gift, requires new economic, ideologic and spiritual thoughts. On an individual level, one of the most important things for maturation and releasing our innate gifts to the world, is community.
Community is as essential to personal growth as food and water is to physical growth. Without this connection we often lack purpose or direction. Support from being connected to like-minded people creates a structure to flourish in. Mentoring and accountability, helps us to mature into our true selves. Receiving this generosity creates the message that it’s safe to give unconditionally, and we become generous givers ourselves. Whether it’s family, community, work or recreation, these relationships create accountability.
You Don’t Need Anything to be Happy
When we enter into this flow of gratefully receiving and giving back, we are much more fulfilled. The energy of using our gifts generously is infectious. More people will become awakened to their purpose as more people live with purpose. I believe that this will bring a positive change in the world towards connection.
What I am writing about is nothing new. I hope that soon we can see what the indigenous people of Australia saw. They didn’t have anything, and yet they were happy. Might it be that modern society – and all the clutter it brings into our lives has obscured a simple truth? Life and the world we live in is an abundant gift. We have received this unconditionally. This also tells us something about the Source of this Grace – It is Loving.
