Restless cacophony, you say? Is that just a failed attempt
at poetic phrasing, or does it have a point? I have an attempt at a point. I
think we are universally cacophonous together, and we move hastily in different
directions, culturally clashing and creating an appearance of constant restlessness.
So really, this restless cacophony is how I think aliens view
us from space: individuals without many common goals, buzzing about, creating a
hive of busy noise and clamor to achieve something in this world.
Synonyms of cacophony: discordant, dissonant, harsh-sounding,
inharmonious.
The dissonance is so beautiful, right? We are all so
different. We live in such a culturally rich world. It’s complex and intricate
and multi-faceted. Just when we think we are getting the hang of it, we learn
another layer. But all creatures and life and nature are connected too.
What I’m saying is this: I would argue that this cacophony
has a melody, a cohesion that makes sense, even if it is hard to find. Most of
these whirring individuals, creatures, and elements spin in an attempt to
survive and thrive. And most people desire happiness, to make the surviving and
thriving more enjoyable.
Is there a way to create universal happiness? Well, no. But
there is a way to celebrate the happiness in others while pursuing one’s own.
Jack Kornfield calls it spacious clarity. “In spaciousness and clarity, we can
understand that every one of us participates in the loss and suffering of life,
as well as its marvels and beauty. This awakens our compassion instead of
judgment and denial.”
So this blog is going to be an exploration of that spacious clarity,
that hidden melody, those pieces of happy that comprise our cacophonous world,
with all its beautiful intricacy and dissonance. Enjoy!
