Memorycemetery

When I was a little kid, perhaps around 4, my family came into possession of a huge cardboard box. Naturally, much fun was had with it in the basement, as my friends and I would hide in and play with it. One day, it was gone. I asked my parents where it was, and they said they’d thrown it away. I went out to the garage and found it lying on the floor, flattened and sad and wet. I cried. For years after, when friends would be telling stories about their childhood that were supposed to be embarrassing or innocent, I told them about the time I cried over a cardboard box.

Now allow me to transcribe a passage from Dr. David Hawkins’ I: Reality and Subjectivity:

When seen correctly, garbage cans are not only lovable but beautiful and perfect. All blocks to love surface to be removed. The mind has to be trained so that it realizes that the only reason it sees the old garbage can as repulsive is because of its innate programming.

As one meditates on the garbage can, one will realize that in Reality, there is no such thing as ‘garbage.’ Instead, one sees that there is a watermelon rind, and while it was on the table, it was called food. Now, when exposed there in the garbage can, it has suddenly, mysteriously, somehow changed its name to “garbage.” Actually, it is still just a watermelon rind. Next to the innocent watermelon rind is a broken egg shell. No matter what you call it, it is still merely an innocent, broken eggshell. Next to it is a nice plastic wrapper that has been subsequently ripped open and crumpled, but innately, it is still just a nice, handy piece if plastic. Now if they are all grouped together and placed in a can, suddenly they are rejected with the epithet of being ‘just garbage.’

If the inner intention is to see the lovability of all things, it then emerges that all that exists has its own integrity and identity and that all equally deserve to be honored… We learn that the letting go of positionalities allows us to see the value of all that exists and its lovability in all its expressions. Whether the mouse that runs up the side of the garbage can is viewed as adorable or repulsive depends on the observer.

If you don’t see what I’m getting at, it’s that as children perhaps our extra sensitivity to the love and “feelings” of inanimate objects are not qualities to be suppressed and ridiculed, but embraced and developed. Hawkins repeatedly uses the word “innocent” in that passage, and I think it’s perfect for conveying the undeniable sinlessness and sweetness of objects.

A few years ago, I was walking along a beach with my dad and brother and we came across a dead jellyfish in the sand. I had never seen one, so I poked at it with my shoe and smooshed it a little. My dad said, “Don’t do that. Have some respect.” This may have been some of the wisest advice he’s ever given me. I immediately felt guilty and sad as hell. I may have even whispered “I’m sorry” to the jellyfish and blown a kiss at it over my shoulder when nobody was looking. It wouldn’t have been the first time.

You can find this and my other posts here.

Mike

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