Art of Depth / Religion and Spirituality

On and On and On: Jack White on Identity, Awareness, and Responsibility

Posted by

In this song Jack White is singing about the human challenge of growing in identity, awareness, and responsibility. Sometimes this challenge can be experienced as a vulture on the shoulder. Have a listen:

There have been times in my life when I have wished that I was a tree, even longed to be a tree. All a tree does is grow and stretch for the sun. A tree has such a simple life. It has no worry, it feels no fear. It doesn’t have to contend with self-reflection or self-awareness. It’s not caught up in the psychological tension and challenge of growing in self-awareness. It does not have to form its own ideas of the world. It simply grows, free of complication.

A tree grows in its own remarkable and unique way. No two trees are ever quite the same. It listens to no suggestions or commands on how to grow. It suffers no confusion. It does not struggle with its own identity and life direction as we can do.

A tree feels no unnecessary shame or guilt. Its growth is not limited by the actions and abuse of others – unless of course storm, animal, or human cause it harm. Even in the face of this harm no pain, no angst, is felt.

It does seem that a tree lives a life unfettered by the things that can cause us so much complication and pain.

But can it love? Can it be aware of love?

It is said that us humans are Planet Earth become aware of itself. I like this. In a real way then, we are the awareness of trees (of all life on Earth).

This awareness is a gift, a gift we can experience as burden. This gift means that we can grow in the earthly experience and expression of a self-aware compassion and love. Christian spirituality maintains that a God of love can help us grow in this self-aware love, a love that is unique to each one of us.

A practice like Christian Meditation can help this growth. Faithful attention to the mantra brings our attention into the awareness of our being in Love, in God, at the centre of all Creation. In time our restless, distracted, perhaps even disordered minds are transformed by this Love. We grow in the freedom given to all Creation. The experience of responsibility and growth becomes exciting.

Growing in love means experiencing the unity we have with trees, with all of creation. Growing in love also means daring to experience the unity we share with each other. As this happens we come together to support each other on our journey into human life and responsibility.

21 comments

  2. It’s awesome to pay a quick visit this web page and reading
    the views of all colleagues concerning this article, while I am also eager of getting know-how.

  3. First off I want to say terrific blog! I had a quick question which
    I’d like to ask if you do not mind. I was curious to know how you center
    yourself and clear your thoughts prior to writing. I’ve had trouble clearing my
    mind in getting my ideas out. I truly do take pleasure in writing however it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes tend to be lost just trying to figure out how to begin. Any suggestions or tips?
    Thank you!

    1. Hi Osvaldo.
      Glad to hear that you like the blog – thank you. I guess, for me, writing is always happening. Part of the process is putting words to a screen, paper. When I come to sit down in front of the computer I already have an idea what I will write. Ideas tend to grow in me when I am living (more or less) contemplatively – that is at a natural pace with time for meditation. Currently I have the time, space, and the people around me to do this. Because of this, my ‘output’ has increased. I would say: slow down (if you can), read into your interests, and commit to your contemplative practice. Mine is Christian meditation, it can be anything that centers you into that still point within you, that place of deep peace and silence.
      I hope some of this helps you…good luck with it all.
      Andrew

  4. What’s up everybody, here every one is sharing these kinds of know-how,
    so it’s pleasant to read this blog, and I used to visit this blog
    everyday.

  5. I was very happy to discover this page. I wanted to thank
    you for ones ime for this fantastic read!! I definitely liked every little bit of it and I have you book marked to see new things in your blog.

  6. Hi, I do believe this is an excellent site.
    I stumbledupon it 😉 I am going to come back yet again since I book-marked it.
    Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be
    rihh and continue to help others.

  7. What’s Going down i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It positively helpful and it has aided me out loads.
    I’m hoping to give a contribution & aid different customers like its
    helped me. Great job.

  8. I think the admin of this web page is really working hard for his web page,
    for the reason that here every material is quality based information.

Comments are closed.