In recent years I have become fascinated with the observation that we tend not to make the best decisions when we are angry or fearful. In fact decisions in this state tend to make our lives worse. This is a bit odd because if something is too hot you add cold, too cold add heat. Making bad decisions when you are angry is like adding heat to hot, which does not make much sense. Its as though the anger finds or even creates a like energy to interact with, to feed off of, and our souls get taken along for the ride. To combat this tendency in myself, I have been trying to practice mindfulness, living in the present moment, without much future or past were fear and anger live respectively. And I must say that it does help me make more decisions that seem helpful vs harmful to me and those around me.
After watching the movie “After Earth” with Will Smith, my thoughts about the benefits of present moment living have gone beyond the effects on my own behavior. In this movie was a monster I think called Ursa, a wicked ugly thing that sought to seek out and kill all around it. The interesting thing about this monster, is that it can only see you if you are afraid. If you were mindful, and very present (where fear/anger does not exist), Ursa can’t see you. Ursa also had the strategy that involved putting those killed on display to insight fear in others. This allow Ursa to find (see) those in fear and attack them. To be able to combat this monster, Rangers needed to train and learn to “go Ghost”, a state where the ranger was very present and without fear. In this state they could be right next to Ursa and undetectable, a ghost.
As I reflected on this movie, Ursa seem to represent life itself. I thought of all of the people in the world in various states of fear and anger, looking for someone to interact with, to increase these states of negative energy and feed off of it. For those who are able to go Ghost, they can walk in the midst of those seeking to cause more pain, and be invisible. The opposite of this is the person that seems to have a “black cloud” over them. If something bad is going to happen it usually finds them. Often these individuals have an air of anger, or deep pain about them. The black cloud will always find them, until they address the pain that they carry internally.
I’m not foolish enough to think that living in the present, being calm, and without fear and anger, will keep one from all challenging situations. There are some Goliaths that we are to face. In fact, these Goliaths may have been placed in our paths to make us stronger. But I do think that the practice of mindfulness allows us to be in a place were we can better assess our situations, and apply a truly “authentic” helpful response, rather than one that is associated with more pain and suffering. That is the “power of now”.
So for me…
… I’m “going Ghost”.
Much thanks to the writers of After Earth for this revelation.
be blessed
-james
Presently reading a highly recommended book ‘Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind’ by Shunryu Suzuki. Describes and instructs in the “how” a state of presence is achieved and lived.
Very interesting,
In this movie fear actually caused death, but in some instances fear saves lives. For instance a childs’ fear of fire prevents some from being burned thus causing undue pain. As they get older and learn the purpose of fire they no longer fear it but also no longer get burned. So couldn’t the movie have promoted the rangers to be “aware” and ‘knowledgeable” of what makes Ursa kill thus negating their fear but keeping them mindful of what not to do. Ursa sounds like a great white actually, so many of us fear it based on what it has been projected to be. Those that are educated on great whites actually project no fear due to an understanding of this animal. Thus promoting a respect of the animal, no fear, and actually they blame themselves when they are injured as it was due to a mistake or failure on their part not the great white. Maybe ursa killed and left remains as a defensive mechanism, survival, territory etc. Although I didn’t see the movie it sounds as if the rangers learned Ursa, other than it being a killing machine, they would ultimately be less fearful and have to work less at staying alive. So many times we blame the monster for being a monster, although it does what it was created to do or has to do, but isn’t it true that we create monsters by our lack of knowledge. Ignorance is a monster we all face daily, although I do agree mindfulness can reduce a lot of pain, suffering, and self inflicted crisis, fear in itself is a characteristic of being to mindful but can also save your life from the true monsters of our society. Walking without fear can make you strong, walking without fear and knowledge makes you deadly. Im just saying. Although I have a different opinion on going ghost, anything that makes a person better socially, and more mindful of their actions is always a plus.
We are blessed with Blessman 😉
Wow that was good !!! i have been talking so much about forgiveness because of your talk with us about how we as a people will not forgive each other plays right into going Ghost….Thiis is your time to teach all of us your thoughts on finding a happyer life style…starting with Forgiveness than Going Ghost !!! Wow we r on the same page…. Thank U
Thanks for the feedback:)
Thank you for that insight, Dr Blessman. The idea of “going ghost” or being in the present moment has tremendous potential to revolutionize a person’s life if they internalize what it really means for them. The bible says to die daily (do not worry about what has happened in the past) and to take no thought how you are going to take care of yourself in the future. Throughout the bible, God always brings us back to the present moment, because that is where He is (He is the I Am…always present). Whenever you are in the present moment, you are where the Spirit of God exists. Just take some time and bask in His presence and you will find joy unspeakable and full of glory (even in the midst of trouble).
I think the more we practice “going ghost” to the past (where anger has its stronghold) and to the future (where fear has its stronghold), the more in line we will be to where God wants us to be in our lives.