Wednesday, May 16, 2018

FABRIC OF LIFE ~ GOOD AND EVIL


Expressions and analysis of good and evil are as old as humanity itself—evident in history, mythology, literature, philosophy, theology and the arts, yet the relationship and nature of these opposites remain a mystery. My consideration of that relationship is subjective, based on nothing other than imagining "what it is like," and a life-long wish to understand how and why the terror and horror of evil continues to exist in the world with such frequency, severity and magnitude.
    While good and evil are usually thought of as opposites, I have come to feel they are fundamentally and forever woven together into the fabric of life. Thinking about evil and good in that way, it was a natural progression to picture a loom as a foundation for the relationship of good and evil. Warp and weft are the components used in weaving to turn thread or yarn into a fabric. The lengthwise or longitudinal warp threads are held stationary in tension on the loom, while the transverse weft threads are drawn through over and under the warp, creating a pattern by filling in the gaps as they intertwine.
    The warp threads are stable strands held in place by the loom. I imagine them representing the good: understanding, empathy, peace, compassion, kindness, charity, generosity, love—in short, any and all qualities and actions fostering and supporting humanity and life. The weft threads represent evil in this analogy--all that is deceptive, unjust, opportunistic, insidious, violent, destructive, exploitive, perverse, vengeful, hateful, obscene--all that threatens humanity and life. The pattern created, for our purposes, should be thought of as structural, rather than visual. The weave itself represents the fabric of life wherein good and evil are inseparable.
    Of course, life and living often require compromise to mitigate harm and/or bring about the "best of all possible worlds." Still, whether or not we individually experience the severity of evil I have described as terror and horror, we know that it (as well as good) exists at every moment somewhere in the world, both near and far.
    For me, the Holocaust stands as a pure evil, staining and straining the fabric of life, affirming both the effects and the depth and scope of humanity's capacity for evil. The fact that it is denied by many is an evil in itself. That it and other genocides have, still do and will happen can never be comprehended (or forgotten). All evil or harm is woven in and around what perpetrators see as some kind of threat or benefit to themselves, or, inexplicably for the perverse pleasure of it!      From time immemorial and ongoingly, we know of barbarian invasions in the early centuries (currently Russia's attack on soverign Ukraine), the Cusades, the Inquisition, the pograms, slavery, sex trafficking, lynchings, gang and mob violence, school and other mass shootings. Also, currently America is enduring the corruption of a powerful few to deceieve the many, to incite violence, encourage belief in conspiracies, discrimination and demonizaiton of "the other." It is sad to hear some in our own government perpetrate the what such and refuse to stand for truth, justice and human rights for all Americans.
    The motivations for good or evil, and the ways they are expressed are many, sometimes unintentional and/or mysterious, but each has the ability to affect our lives positively or negatively. All instances mentioned have been forever with us-- and there is war--always war. Still, the fabric of life also contains the good, the beautiful and the true--those ideals and values to be cherished and lived. We can strive for such through adherence to a spirutal practice, the rule of law, and by supporting the work of individuals, organizations, agencies, etc. (some well-known, others not so) who have, do and will risk life and limb to protest injustice, heal, advocate for freedom and human rights in large and small deeds of service, sacrifice, kindness for betterment of our country, communities or in our own  families and friendships.
    We, as human beings are the only entities on Earth, possibly in the entire cosmos that are able to develop a higher consciousness and conscience through reflection and to seek self-and world-knowledge which may help us idenetify and determine higher values to live by. Through our intentions, creativity and work we are able to communicate and serve those values for the common good. It is not likely that evil will ever be eliminated, but we can can aspire help diminish it by our own thoughts words and actions. There are those who dream of a Utopia, or at least a more perfect world, as well as those who are determined to create and live in a Dystopian one.
     It is interesting to consider, aside from the loom analgoy, the often what we intend or perceive as good may result, if not in pure evil, than in negative effects on ourselves and others. Conversely, our missteps, bad decisions and judgements may result in positive effects for others and ourselves. For example, remorse for our transgressions may lead to a better understanding of ourselves and others with forgiveness and reconciliation.
    Though there are and have been attempts at reconciliation and compensation from individual to individual, and on a global scale, such as the Nuremberg Trials and the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the lessons have not been well-learned, as the cycle of evil continues on the world loom.
    My rather simple, imaginative picture here focuses on the inter-connectedness of good and evil, but does not attempt to address the many reasons for the "why" of evil, but my sense is that it has to do with what we value (or not), and how freedom is thought about for ourselves, but it is often pursued at the expense and rights of others--therein lies the rub! So we live in this fabric of life, and must endure evils, or if we are able, to do whatever is possible to address and/or mitigate its harm to ourselves and others.
    The value of the weaving analogy in imagining the relationship of good and evil, the reader can judge, and not too harshly I would hope.