Dear Ones,
This evening, I was reflecting on what brings or creates meaning in our lives.
Connecting, both inner and outer, is certainly an important element that allows us to infuse meaning wherever and whenever we wish—we are all, more or less, social animals.
I worked with children of various ages these past three days, as an observing substitute teacher.
On Wednesday, I took care of a class of bright and lively 5th graders. Energy was in the air and I connected well with most students. Helping them complete an assignment went a long way, not to mention letting them play soccer in the classroom while waiting for the buses.
On Thursday, I worked with two small groups of 1st graders and kindergarteners. While the 5-years old were engaged during their assignment, they didn’t seem to connect beyond class time. They saw me in the cafeteria and yet didn’t express any emotion or remembrance. I crossed paths with the first graders a few minutes after my coaching and it was all giggles and smiles. A seed had been planted.
Friday felt very different, working with mentally challenged students in a section of a high school’s special education. Many could not express themselves with words and yet there was a light in their eyes during some small activities. These were not always successful, despite their simplicity, and something wasn’t apparently wired in their brain. Could it be that outer consciousness, as most of us experience it, was shut down?
I had lunch in the cafeteria and sat across one of those students, a beautiful young woman who had difficulty eating, yet was on her own. There was a gentle stream of communication between us, all nonverbal.
After she finished her snacks, I picked up the empty bags and threw them in the garbage bin. A few seconds later, she was able to let me know that she no longer needed her jar of applesauce and I discarded it.
Later in the afternoon, while walking in the hallway, I saw her in a room where I had worked in the morning. I looked her in the eyes and waved, yet there was no acknowledgment.
Could it be that consciousness only ‘function’ in the present moment for these teenage children? Similarly, that is, to that of the kindergarteners.
It was a blessed experience in connecting and yes, an experience in exploring meaning as well.
I am not sure what it taught me about consciousness, that I would describe as a light switched on. Switched on within as well, for a few of us.
When I think about the ‘absence of inner consciousness’ in the self-glorifying masses, I can’t help relate to what I observed with these teenage students.
A light that remains unlit.
Topic: Meaning and the absence of consciousness
Time: Oct 7 @ 4:00 pm Eastern Time
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