Are We A Society of Zombies?
“High above in the Lord’s mansion ringeth the transcendental music. But alas, the unlucky hear Him not; they are in deep slumber”. Guru Nanak, a 16th century Sikh guru.
If I were to ask a group of Yogis if the vast majority of us are cute little caterpillars who one day might one day evolve into a beautiful butterfly, many would say yes. If I asked the same group of Yogis if we were asleep and might one day awaken, many would say yes. No anxiety would arise, no fear, no defensiveness. But what if I ask the question in a slightly different manner? What if I ask, “Are we a society full of zombies and a few are being cured of this ailment?” In my experience, the reaction, and boy is it a reaction, is vastly different. “Ridiculous, absurd, egotistical, judgmental” and the list goes on. Yet in the end, I am describing the same thing with different words. But are we undead zombies? Literally, no. Figuratively, in my reality, yes. As I researched the term zombie I was greeted with this statement at wikipedia.org, “In philosophy of mind, zombies are hypothetical persons who lack full consciousness but have the biology or behavior of a normal human being; thought experiments involving them are often used as arguments against the identity of the mind and the brain.”
Albert Einstein, who I feel in my heart was an enlightened being, is said to have stated, “The fear of death is the most unjustified of all fears, for there’s no risk of accident for someone who’s dead.” Do you fear death? If so, according to Einstein, you’re already dead.
When we live in fear, when we lack presence, when we aren’t whole, when we aren’t conscious, are we really living? Until somewhat recently, I wouldn’t have known the answer to that question. I have now experienced living. I now know what it is like to TRULY be alive. I now know what it feels like to NOT be a zombie. And good god is it bliss. I do not want to be a zombie anymore. And that’s why I use the term, “zombie”, it works for me. Feel this for a minute…
Caterpillars are somewhat cute little worms we don’t picture in a negative light. Sleeping feels good and is necessary; it’s something we’re used to. Therefore, when we’re compared to caterpillars or told we’re asleep, it doesn’t jostle the ego. But if we’re suddenly compared to zombies, the ego rears its head and gets defensive. Who wants to be compared to an aggressive, angry, hateful, suffering, food (brains) addicted organism that’s not really alive?
Many of us who are on this path have had a, “Dark Night of the Soul”. Things had to get REALLY dark before we began to see the light. While the idea of us being zombies is dark, I will continue to utilize the terminology in the hope that some might see that glimmer of light. Now if you’ll pardon me, I’m hungry for brrrraaaaaiiiiinnnnnnnnsssssss.
***Added June 1st 2008***
I now realize that we are not a society full of zombies. We are a world full of enlightened beings.
April 6th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
David,
Your analogy of the zombie and the zombie-society are like pure truth in my mind.
I have been walking around with these glasses on for a few years and it surely makes one feel shivery! (my 2 year trip around the world also made me realize that there are areas where the zombie percentage is lower than in others).
Unfortunately it looks like more and more fear is being pumped into, what is referred to as, our minds and the zombie index will spike.
Keep yours alive and buzzing my friend !
It was great to meet you.
Avonewtons ahoi.
Caspar