Story-Telling

You know, don’t you, that I feel it incumbent on myself, from tiime to time, to keep you abreast of the latest news to hit the world of science, as reported in ‘The New Scientist’? If you didn’t know, you do now. I expect no thanks, I regard it as a public service.

A recent issue concerned itself with the topic of reality. More specifically. The length of the present moment. “Easy,” you might have thought, “A moment is a fraction of a second surely? Besides, ” – I think this too – “How can it possibly be measured?”

Turns out, it can. Furthermore, it’s three seconds long. I was, and remain, flabbergasted. Three seconds seems like an age. Think of the implications. You are, to all intents and purposes, never more than three seconds old. Ever.

I am compelled to reveal more! Three seconds is the length of time it takes the sac of neurons we call the brain to construct reality from the mass of sensory data we feed it. Heavens to Betsy! What is going on up there in your head for that three seconds? Evidentiy we’re not ALL floundering about waiting for reality to kick in, so the brain must be doing an amazing job of maintaining an illusion of dynamic continuity, and yes, an illusion it surely is. The brain gives us it’s best guess, and we run with it.

My world turned upside down when I learned that I am more than 99% pure energy. Compress the nuclei of my atoms into a solid, and you get a lump the size of a grain of salt. Practically pure energy can get away with appearing remarkably solid, but there you are, it isn’t, or anyway, not so much. Couple THAT with the three-second reality gap and Bob is no longer your uncle, because:

We are not, it seems, all that we seem, not by a long chalk. We are pretty much pure illusion.

I was going to write about being a Storyteller. I glance up at the title and wonder how I’m going to get back to my topic. Dive straight in must be the best course, bearing in mind that I’ve wasted so much of your time getting here.

Whatever you think about yourself is a construct of reality based on your brain’s best guess with the stuff that might be real enough once it’s processed. You have three seconds every moment to intervene. What are the stories you have constructed to tell about yourself? Keep them, change them … It’s up to you.

Look, I know I shouldn’t be saying this, and please don’t think I’m encouraging you to deceive yourself or others, but if your story doesn’t bring you happiness, you have about three seconds to alter it.

At least give it a go. Reality is a highly questionable commodity, so don’t be satisfied with what you don’t want it to be

Here’s a New Scientist quote:

“Our sense of now can be viewed as a psychological illusion based on the past and a prediction of the near future … And this illusion is calibrated so that it allows us to do amazing things like run, play sports or drive a car.”

(David Melcher University of Trento, Italy) New Scientist January 10th 2015

 

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Pure Gift

I am overcome, right now, this minute, with an urge to write. I wouldn't get too concerned if I were you. Even if concern were your metier, by the time you read this, the Muse will have moved off to torment some other poor soul.

I am reading a book by ( Pause to write in author's name later. Don't forget) called, (Surely not. I HAVE to remember the title!) anyway, it's about discovering my true self, a topic about which, being such a fraud, I am practically obsessed with.

I discover to my amazement that I am not doing all that badly. I say this to encourage you, Dear Readers, because if I'm getting 'B+' in the, 'Knowing Who You Really Are' class, chances are that you are too. There are one ot two tips that I would like to pass on, especially as at least two of you are my daughters, and mothers have an obligation:

1, Remember who you really are. I borrow this piece of advice from the Bhudda, whom I wish I could meet. Religion tells you that you are an eternal and embodied soul, doing time In a wonderful incarnation that isn't actually out to get you, so don't take the tough stuff too personally. Science will have a different take on the same theme: you are part of the cosmos knowing itself. Yes, really, I got that from one of those wonderful physicists on BBC 4, possibly Professor Brian Cox. Either way , you are pretty special. Gloriously, magnificentky, amazingly unique. So. Just SO.

2. Spend a significant part of every day doing something you really want to do. I often find this the most effective kind of prayer.

3. Practise being a better person. You'll know exactly how to do it, because the good stuff is innate.

4. And Finally. ( I pinched this one from Nelson Mandela, whom I would also like to meet one day.) Treat everyone as if THEY are good. This is a great tip, I find it really works.

The Muse has reminded me of something. I shall have to write it down, or I'll have no peace.

Last Spring, I was at Llansor Mill, sort of on retreat except that THAT sounds holier than I mean it to. There's the Camping Field down by the river and I am hanging over the gate. The sun is behind me, and bright, despite the earliness of the hour, and the grass is wet with dew. Yet, for a few amazing minutes, before the world turns, it's not: it's ablaze with diamonds, refracting light of every hue. I stop, I daren't breathe for fear of missing out on an amazing experience – that of knowing that I am the cosmos knowing itself. And in a moment of pure rapture, knowing that THIS creation is mine too, and that it's pure gift, and that I am thankful.

Goodnight, and God Bless!

 

PS: The Book: “Becoming Who You Are: Insights On The True Self From Thomas Merton And Other Saints”

By James Martin SJ

 

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