Spirituality: Session Nine B
Session Summary - on Emerson's "Circles"
Because the imagery of circles itself conjures up many associations we spent the first part of the evening throwing these connections into the collective pot. From this we realized that circles seem to be a part of our very being, world view/perception, part of our language. Images of circles carry great weight as we try to understand our reality symbolically. Here are a few of the circular images we came up with: wheel of life, circle of healing, "what goes around, comes around", circles of authority or influence, "circle of friends", even songs from our memory use this common theme - "for every season, turn, turn turn".Our first impression of the "circle" is often one which is literal. We approach this symbol of universal oneness through the basic laws of geometry - it is what we first attempt to learn when we learn the basics of drawing. Yet if we stay a little longer, stare a little harder, trust our imaginations a little more we begin to see the very simple shape of the Circle as significant for our consciousness. Swirling, spiraling, completeness, oneness and organizing center begin to describe the true meaning of history, karma, metaphysics and Reality. With each turn of events and understanding we make an ascent into consciousness. From Emerson's point of view, our personal growth assumes we spiral upwards into a new level. It's a new rung on the helix-like ladder; yet the newness looks familiar.
Linda commented that there are intricate levels to these circles we live in and so the higher our consciousness reaches, the higher our limitations also reach and new yet old lessons are learned.
In keeping with the symbolic nature of the circle, we are given tools to live by and these help to keep our imaginations alive. Astrological charts, mandelas, Tarot cards are some examples that have a circular theme.
Circles are not only significant for personal growth. The basic geometric design is also imprinted into our architecture and the basic elements of the universe as structure. We talked about finding an organizing center in which to live by. The image of the wheel was used to describe this principal - the spokes and the rim are all connected to the center hub which is what ultimately creates the movement and momentum.
Eldon asked what does it mean to have an organizing center if we spend most of our life living on the rim/periphery. The external events is what often captures our focus and energy and yet underneath the frenzy and activity is a force or motive that drives our actions. The hub could be a number of things - could be daemon or could be deity.
Paul mentioned Richard Niebuhr, who explored the idea of the polytheist/monotheist dichotomy. Niebuhr believes that most people are polytheist - we make many things our gods. This is neither positive or negative but just the nature of our characters.
After this preliminary discussion, Paul read part of his essay on "Circles". He once again evoked Emerson's philosophy through imagal description. He talked about the physical sensation of tumbling, twirling, our childhood memories of amusement park rides. Using these metaphors Paul talked about feeling "dizzy" when we move through the different swirls and circles in our life.
The very form of Emerson's essay take on the circular theme. He takes the reader on a spiral of interpretation, always coming to new meanings, endless seeking - endless meaning. What he's saying is an illusion that takes us one step up to a deeper truth. One minute you understand, the next minute there is a shift in perception. To some of us this can feel frustrating but he invites us to let go of all desire to control, to nail down and to enter a realm where understanding comes with freedom and exploration.
To give up our rigid ways is to learn or perhaps relearn how to "hear". Our inner ear is evoked and we begin to hear in ripples. The sound of meaning is never succinct according to Emerson. When we move our glance from the page of his essay to the pages of our lives we see the contexts we find ourselves in can be seen as circular - there is nothing static or fixed. To move from a linear understanding to the cyclical can, of course, feel threatening when flaws and limitations break our hard and fast rules. Yet to let this happen is also to invite freedom into our lives. Thoughts, ideas and impressions mix as in alchemy. Opposites begin to come together to complete another circle - the past merges into the present and begin to mold the future. In reference to this thought, Paul mentioned the opposites of fundamentalism and liberalism and that ultimately Christianity is much larger than these two extremes. To let one end of the spectrum define life is to squelch the power of the form and true faith is lost.
Paul went on to say that the moments we really understand what our hub is are the moments of trouble or crisis. Where or what do we turn to, what comes to our minds when we are up against the wall. We go through all the false securities until we get to the real "bedrock".
Cal asked the question of whether returning to our faith of origin when crisis meets us is regression or a "homecoming". He used the example of using prayer at times of strife.
When we make our circles of steel and cast judgment on our life experiences we don't give the experience of loss and death a chance to deepen our consciousness. Circles, like the ripples in a stream, need to be fluid in order to allow the ambiguity of life to carve our characters.
In this same essay, Emerson mentions the "circle of friends". Emerson speaks in harsh tones of limitations. "Men cease to interest us when we know their limitations". At first glance, it feels as though Emerson is saying that friends are somewhat of a "commodity", they are used and can then be thrown out. From here, we began to discuss community and what it means to grow together and remain connected. To stay with a friend there needs to be some commitment to moving forward, individually as well as collectively. Let your memory fill in the rest. It will be most interesting to hear the upcoming session on "Friendships".
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