Resonate in Triumph

While comforting, the phrase seems to ring hollow. 

Some suggest that, ‘You are perfect right now as you are, so relax and enjoy the ride.’  Both this and the ancient wisdom calling for the superior man to steel himself to ceaseless activity have long troubled me. Which is it oh wise ones? Is it the entry or exit? Are we coming or going? 

If I am perfect right now are you telling me that there is no need to even try to improve? Further, if I am supposed to stay in a perpetual sate of activity, where is the balance between work and rest? We know from experience that the battery left on will eventually run down and be of little value when truly needed. Think of that flashlight in your kitchen junk drawer. Think back to the last power outage that so conveniently left you (and yours) in the cold and dark. Like the flashlight, a guy needs time to rest and recharge. And I will argue the point until I my final breath that we can all, every one, find something in our cache of skills, that could be improved upon. 

Maybe it’s a koan, puzzle or an inside joke. Perhaps the whole idea, the thinking behind, is like the idea of karma. Karma is not simply about tit for tat, eye for eye or mindlessly suggesting that what goes around comes around. Karma implies intent. It is what you think, what your plan, what you plot, collude to or obstruct. This is why, incidentally, that the solder following orders is not subjected to these laws while the politician scheming for preemptive strikes on innocent civilians who happen to live in corrupt countries with resource abundance, are guilty as hell on multiple counts of karma crimes. They are felonies, punishable by the death of the soul, without a trial of their peers or legal counsel. This is the Universe talking perp. 

Same with perfection. It also implies intent. It means acceptance. If you, I or anyone else fully accepts their place in time, warts and all, mistakes, failures, missteps and misdeeds as well as their counter parts, that is perfect acceptance of the transitory nature of our being. If we can learn to forgive, ourselves first, and then others, seeing the imperfections for what they are, the experience of living and learning, we are perfectly positioned to advance. We can let go of the past and look at every misdemeanor as time served. It’s over. You are free. Bail has been posted. Go about your quest with renewed vigor and a light spirit. The albatross has flown. You are perfect the moment of your acceptance of this universal fact. 

It does come with strings attached. Sorry. You are now obligated to see the imperfection of your perfection and move towards patching those chinks in the armor of your soul. Your alter-ego page needs to step into play and polish that suit of armor till it shines. This so others can plainly see and emulate your understanding, wisdom, leadership and compassion. 

That's the ceaseless activity recommended by the ancients. They knew about the battle, the hardships and the relentless struggle. 

We do not have a day to lose, continue your practice, move with grace and elan, fight the good fight, hone your intentions till razor sharp and accept the challenge with gratitude. 

The ring, no longer hollow, resonates a triumphant chime.