The fractured mind
Saturday, February 28th, 2009When one is disconnected from physical reality, it can sometimes frighten people within the collective society. Think, for example, of how someone with a loose grip on reality, appearing to be on drugs in public, may alarm the group.
This is because the public is uncertain whether basic social tenets will be observed by this individual. Specifically where this individual’s mind exists is not important: simply suffice it to say that their outlook is fractured, or separated from the agreed-upon norms. They could be aware of another reality, or be viewing this reality within a larger context of possibilities. Or, they may be ill. The individual’s psyche may have been cast out into an uncharted, unboundaried domain of sanity, leaving him or her unstable.
In any case, it is this question of whether the individual will observe the codes of society, upon which we have agreed, that the group may question when they encounter this individual. This can be interpreted as dangerous or frightening. Will this person respect my life, my physical well-being- will they hurt me? Does the ‘eerie’ hold of another reality upon this person trump the rules of this domain? Will this motherfucker kill my ass, right here on the goddamned subway platform? I have definitely wondered sometimes…
But what about ourselves, the pioneers of consciousness and spirit, as we maintain conscious existence within this reality and others simultaneously? Some visions of reality we inhabit may seem very contrary to social norms and expectations.
As we venture into other realities, seeking to pioneer and incorporate new vision here, it is in an effort to illuminate and broaden the spectrum of conscious experience. It must be done with compassion and understanding of the beliefs and limitations of others, even if we choose not to observe their limitations within our own conceptual experiences.
“To help, or at least to do no harm” - Hippocrates
Beyond this, we must abandon all fear and shame. We must not let our own inhibitions impede upon the progress of consciosness, spirit, or art. Love the land that feeds, and then break all restrictive bounds upon exploration.