Chapter 36

Day 36

As I walk the labyrinth today my participation in a Christmas choir performance comes to mind. One of the songs involves four-part harmony and as it turns out I am the only tenor voice in the group. As we have been rehearsing and I am learning my part, I am aware of the challenges of holding to my melodic line. I notice how easy it is to get drawn into what the others are singing around me. Now if the objective were to sing in unison it would sound fine, all would join in on the same melody. However the intention is to achieve the vocal tapestry of the blend of the four parts that creates something greater than it’s individual parts. Which means each subgroup (and in my case – me) must hold to their own line for the harmony to be produced.

The point of this story is what I recognize as I consider elements of the analogy in my own life. All this introspection and self-discovery are great to a point but only if what is uncovered is then brought forward into the world to make a difference in my life and the lives of others. There are parallels to the choir story. There can be a great deal of pressure (from within and without) to be like everyone else – in other words, to all sing the same melody. I believe what is intended is that each discover their own part (and then begin by living in harmony with that) and then continue to hold one’s own melodic line (path) even when subject to the influence of the distinctly different lines of those around you. I think the key (pun intended) for me is my line might be dissonant (which doesn’t mean it’s wrong) still I seek to dance in relative harmony – there is no need to clobber those around me with my drumstick – rather I continue to focus to my own beat.

The choir of humanity has been created with a wide range of diversity – does it really make any sense that this diversity should be reduced to uniformity?  I believe the diverse voices combined would produce a divine harmony –by maximizing the power and strength of the diversity, not eliminating it. The tenors don’t look at the sopranos and say “either you sing like us or get out – no, it is critical that each know their own part and stand in it – but, no one part, is more important than the whole!

 

Day 36 Questions

(Harmony)

(intended as guides for possible introspection)

1) How far should “each to their own” be allowed to go?

2) Is there a need to impose limitations on diversity?

3) Do you see the beauty of diversity or see it as threat?

4) Do you think “others” should be more like “us?”

5) Is conformity necessary for harmony?

6) If you are conforming to the environment outside you – what effect does this have on your inner harmony?

7) Does your inner harmony matter?

8) When traveling do you seek experiences unique to the area or do you look for a resort or chain franchise with “home cooking?”

9) “Globalization” what has it’s impact been around the world?

10) Are your unique gifts and talents being realized and appreciated in your life?

11) Do you appreciate the unique gifts and talents of others?

12) How does an over emphasis on competition impact cooperation/collaboration?

13) What is being “won” if doing so is at others expense?

14) Is it necessary to have someone lose – what of solutions that benefit everyone?

15)What challenges present to you when following your path?

16)Can you hold to your intention when others disagree with you?

17)Can you stay true to yourself with out behaving in a disagreeable manner toward others?

18)Do you look for a place where diversity can find harmony or focus entirely on the differences?

19)Was humanity created with so many differences only to become homogenized?

20)Do you need to give up your truth in order to harmonize with someone else?

Sample Answers (Author’s experience)

Well I can certainly attest to being aware of the challenges of being myself, in a world that seems to be intent on defining what that would look like. Certainly I’m not alone in this, nor is this something that I can address once and for all.  After all, it evolves a lifetime of discovering who I am and determining at any given time, to which of my values, will I give priority focus and attention.

Many variables influence and impact the choices I make and how I present myself. Certainly how I feel about myself figures very prominently in how I go about carrying myself in the world. There would also seem to be very little value in comparing myself to others – being more like someone else cannot result in the inner harmony I speak of. Which is not to say that for example if I desire a similar lifestyle as someone else I couldn’t attain that – I would though, want to go about achieving that in alignment with who I am, not necessarily try and follow their footsteps.

I really do value inclusion – might be as a result of feeling excluded and disconnected at previous times in my life. I have also had to examine my own judgment and criticisms and discover that I was exclusionary in my attitudes toward various groups of people, for example wealthy people and politicians. A closer look revealed I was envious of those with wealth, they had something I wanted and believing at some level that it was unattainable for me – I made them wrong and money wrong and myself out to be more virtuous for not having or wanting wealth. I might add that this line of thinking made me highly successful at repelling money (doubtful I’ll ever hit the talk show circuit speaking on that subject). As for politicians, if I disagreed with their policies, well then they were vilified, pretty simply, my way or the highway. In truth it was more about my feeling powerless to bring the sorts of things into my life, into the world that I value. I might add I wasn’t doing much about making this happen in even the smallest way – so what better target for my angst (and not a very imaginative one at that) I made the political system my scapegoat.

So I speak of inclusion while I practice exclusion. I harp about principles, all the while exercising rationalizations and justifications that only serve to reinforce my current actions and inactions. Does this seem in anyway a path to harmony?

The discovery of it, most certainly has been a vital part of coming to know more my authentic self, which I realize now, is a more assured path to harmony, provided I live it. As long as I continued to live from falsity, harmony will continue to be elusive as I would continually be out of alignment with myself.

I have come to discover the sacredness of my own heart and path, through the walking of the labyrinth – the heart and journey of others is no less sacred. The challenge for me is to create the consciousness that can hold space for both. One that seeks understanding in the face of differences, that neither surrenders my truth but also doesn’t demand of others, that they relinquish theirs.

I know this is possible I have seen it work in my day-to-day relating. Perhaps this could be said to be on a world scale, benign and insignificant. I submit that in a life that was exemplified by disconnection and disharmony, the realization of inclusion, connection and harmony is a profound shift. The ripple effect of this alone will have widespread implications and is therefore highly significant.

I can assure you that the world continually changes as I change my view of myself and not just myself on it, but myself as part of it.