The Parable of the Nugget of Truth

 

Back When Tigers Used To Smoke...


A man was walking in the woods when he came upon a nugget of truth. Pristine, illuminated, and quartz-crystal limpid, he bent his weary knees to pick it up. Once held in his hands, he became mesmerised by its sheer immaculate beauty. Eternity is what he could perceive as he gazes into the gem. But also a certain innate innocence. The man kept contemplating it for months — some say even years — till it became part of his inner truth. He owned it just as much as it owned him. 



When he finally re-emerged from the woods he happened to meet an old friend who, seeing the nugget glowing and shining, glimmering and shimmering through the man’s hand, got curious and inquired about it. The man hesitated and paused for moment. 

He then proceeded to tell his friend the story of how he came about the nugget. But then he realised that the more he tries to explain, describe, or conceptualise his experience, the more the nugget in his hands seemed to lose its eternal light and begin to flicker faintly like a twinkling star, and the more certain parts of his story seemed almost impossible to put into actual coherent words. 



By the time the man had awoken from this deep realisation, it was getting darker. He did not utter another word to his friend, about the nugget or otherwise, only nodded his head as if to say Adiós before they parted ways. 



Bewildered by what transpired, the man sought to understand. So he headed to the top of a nearby mountain and asked the Moon. 



“O’, you found the nugget and tried to share it, but couldn’t, did you? Well, my Brother, some truths are simply too deep for intellect or language. 

The words that attempt to mimic, explain, or describe the experience are just symbols, not the experience itself. They are not even yours; they were all one day made up by someone. Without trying to define it, if you objectively look through impartial eyes without judgement, evaluation, calculation, justification, expectation or conceptualisation, you’ll see your truth as if for the first time.” 

Gazing upward, the man questioned the Moon: “You mean there is no way to truly convey the sheer everlasting beauty of the nugget?”



“Why would you want to do that?, the Moon cuts him off rather abruptly. “Let every man and woman find their own selves and undergo their own transformation. This is YOUR truth to be found, discovered, realised, owned.”


“But what if they don’t?”, wondered the man out loud.  

“Then that is that. Don’t concern yourself with others, even if out of love. Let them be while allowing your intuition to be your silent guide. For it is the real Guru in the equation who will help you see things for what they essentially are — behind your human mask, the persona, the cloak, the veil and its intellect and rationality.”  

 

Taking a reflective pause, the Moon finally murmured into the man’s inner ears, almost in a sarcastic tone: “But also never forget: This is only a nugget.” 

Partially convinced, yet still replaying the conversation in his mind, the man descended from the mountain. Some say he then went back to the woods. Others say that he was never heard of again — as if vanished from the face and body of the Earth. 




Following their meeting, the friend remained fascinated by the man’s find. He could not get the mere sight of it out of his mind. Now, every time he met someone on the road, he would ask if they wanted to know about the nugget of truth. But because it was not his own nugget, since it wasn’t him who found it, the story told remained his own version — merely a regurgitated second-hand replica, in which explanations, descriptions, and interpretations of the original man’s experience with the nugget of truth were unknowingly added. 

Nevertheless, many of those who listened ended up likewise being mesmerised by his version, believing it original and authentic. 

In turn, those very people began telling the story of the nugget of truth to whomever would listen. Naturally, each would recount their own version, a pale imitation of the original, based on their own level of consciousness — of understanding. And since the followers dispersed throughout the world, each had their own language and dialect. So communicating the story then became even more subjective, personalised, and impressionistic, hence whimsically arbitrary. This process kept self-ramifying ad infinitum. 


Many moons ahead, in a different epoch with different ethos, after our original man had passed on, followed by his friend, one of the many-hand storytellers of our nugget of truth decided that since the versions became numberless, they needed to get organised. “I will compile all the versions of this great story of how the original man came upon the nugget of truth in the woods into one story in one book in order to save humanity from itself,” he proudly uttered before his companions. “For there is only one nugget of truth, which ‘WE’ found.” 



Once the plan was set in motion, the storyteller sent far and wide to all four corners of the globe, looking for all raconteurs of the story. When he finally thought he had gathered them all, he began writing and compiling and editing and re-editing. Naturally, since it wasn’t him who initially found the nugget of truth nor owned it, what came to be inscribed in the book is still his own embellished, vicarious version of the story, heavily influenced by the various storytellers’ interpretations, opinions, and poetic imagery. After all, this one was perhaps a mere 17-hand author who had never even had a quick glimpse of the gem. Such Téléphone Cassé system made his followers, followers of followers, of followers.



While some parts of the story remain more factual, original, authentic than others — as they are directly and/or indirectly linked to the original finder of the nugget — the essence of the book turned out to be made up of a selected collection of metaphorical fables and parables full of poetic allegories, analogies, and image-making about our nugget of truth, first found by the original man aeons ago. In other words, it contained metaphorical truth rather than literal truth, meaning the implications of the story may be accurate whether or not the details had actually transpired. A way to teach a lesson… despite the lack of direct, first-hand experience.




But then, since every human being has a unique level of consciousness, understanding through their own language and dialect, some cannot see the book for what it essentially is. They blindly believe that it depicts actual historical figures, true events, and real happenings, as well as miracles, mythical entities, and cosmic, far-reaching poetic fancies and phantasmagorias.  

In subsequent ages, long after the compiler had passed on, some of the other storytellers began to quarrel; each claiming to be the sole raconteur of the nugget of truth story — to possess the authentic narrative.

Few even claimed they had an ancestral link to the original finder, as an attempt to compensate for their own doubts in the authentic truthfulness of the story while adding legitimacy to their own versions. 

However, the originator lived such a long time ago, that he then came to exist in a different time-space realm, making any unconfirmed claim to the existence of a link highly questionable. 

As such, throughout the coming eras countless fiery, devastating wars and epic battles were fought between the various factions, each followed by the readers of their own version. With some believing, while others deluding themselves into believing, that they owned, the “nugget of truth” itself, rather than just a version of the tale.

And then, the original man slowly opens his eyes to find his friend sitting beside him around a campfire. He thought he heard the echo of a voice somewhat repeating itself yet could not tell what it said the first time. “So, will you tell me about it, the nugget of truth you are holding in the palm of your hand?” 

The man smiled then got up and left without uttering a word, disappearing into the misty woods. He has seen enough in his heart to know better.



*Article inspired by a two-liner anecdote I once heard: God and the Devil were walking when they stumbled upon a nugget of truth. While God picked it up, the Devil instantly said: “Let us go organise it.”
 

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Opiated Then Hatin’ It

 

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Things I Got Rid Of To Become Happier

 

 

 

From Hebrew ‘Tzedakah’ to Arabic ‘Sadaqah’: A Linguistic Tale of Origin of Charity and Righteous Giving in Judaism and Islam

I happened to be watching an easy-going movie called Wish I Was Here. At some point, the lead character who’s also the director, Zach Braff, mentioned the Hebrew or “Judaic” word: Tzedakah. The word instantly rang a bell and sounded highly familiar. Like the Arabic or “Muslim” word ‘Sadakah’ (صدقة), meaning righteousness as well as charity and benevolence; from the three-letter root ‘Sedk’ ( صدق ), honesty. The same root gives us ‘sadeek’ ( صديق ), friend. 

 


Before going further into the comparative languages and linguistics as well as comparative religion aspect, the context began making even more sense. So in the movie, the struggling actor’s father gets ill and cannot pay for his grandchildren’s school as he had been doing, so his son begins to wonder if he could convince the Rabbi to keep his kids in school as an act of Tzedakah. Aha. It began to seem that they are almost the same word, even concept, in both Hebrew and Arabic as in Judaism and Islam.

Tzedakah (n.) [/tsɛˈdɒka/] on one hand means charitable giving among Jewish people, typically seen as a moral obligation. One common form of tzedakah was to allocate a portion of the harvest for the poor.

On the other hand, the Arabic Sadaqah in the modern context has come to signify “voluntary charity”. According to the Quran, the word means voluntary offering, whose amount is at the will of the ‘benefactor’.


Taken from an article titled Tzedakah 101: The Jewish Law of Philanthropy:

‘Tzedakah’ (pronounced suh-dack-uh) is the Hebrew word for ‘righteousness’ or ‘justice’ — also “fairness”. The word relates to ‘tzaddik’,” the name for a righteous Chasidic spiritual leader. Both words come from the Hebrew root word ‘tzedek’, meaning justice. Tzedakah is an ethical obligation that the Torah mandates, also known as a ‘mitzvah’ or law. Many Jews give tzedakah before Shabbat (the sabbath) and festivals such as Purim and Shavuot. Its intention is to show the Jewish people’s determination to improve the world.

Though many Jews typically perform tzedakah by giving money, many do volunteer work to pay their dues. Examples include volunteering at a soup kitchen, participating as a school field trip chaperone or visiting the elderly or sick. The Jewish sages of the Mishnah taught that every Jew has something to contribute, whether it be money, time, or attention.

Perhaps Mr. Tzaddik was a great friend. 

 

In actual fact, Tzadik (צַדִּיק) [tsaˈdik], as in “righteous or holy one” — also zadik, ṣaddîq or sadiq — is a title in Judaism, rather than name, given to people considered righteous, such as biblical figures and later spiritual masters. The root of the word ṣadiq, is ṣ-d-q (צדק tsedek), which means ‘justice’ or ‘righteousness’. When applied to a righteous woman, the term is inflected as tzadeikes/tzaddeket.

A Tzadik/Sadik is equally defined as a servant of God and of other people as well as someone who loves people, as explained in this 6-minute YouTube video titled TZADIK - Secrets of the Hebrew Letters, kindly sent by a reader.

Parallelly, ‘Sadaqah’ in Arabic literally means ‘righteousness’ and refers to the voluntary giving of alms or charity. In Islamic terminology, sadaqah has been defined as an act of “Giving something without seeking a substitute in return and with the intention of pleasing Allah”. Meanwhile, according to Ar-Rageeb al-Asfahaani, sadaqah is what the person gives from what he possesses, like Zakah, hoping to get closer to Allah.

Just as Tzedakah is not solely about giving money, Sadaqah also can include other acts such as administering justice between two people, removing harm from a road/removing thorns, bones and stones from paths. A good word. Guiding the blind. Supporting the weak with the strength of your arms. Cooking for and even smiling at others.


The following is taken from Wikipedia:

 

“The term 'sadaqah' stems from the Arabic root word ‘sidq’ (s-d-q) ص د ق, meaning honesty, truthfulness, and sincerity and it is considered as a sign of sincere faith. The three-letter root of this word, S-D-Q, also means, “to speak the truth”, “to be sincere”, and “to fullfill one's promise”. All of these aspects of honourable behaviour indicate the links between generosity and a healthy society. Some modern researchers also try to etymologically link the word sadaqah to the Hebrew צדקה‎ sedāḳā (almsgiving). Some experts hence conclude that sadaqah is a loanword.”


Aha. Knowing that charity and giving is spread throughout most religions and even philosophies, perhaps the very concept has been borrowed as well and not just the word.

 

 

Taken from the Quran

 

By then throughout my search, another Arabic “Muslim” word came into play: ‘Zakah/Zakat’ (زكاة). 

Apart from their similarities as words [just visually remove the middle ‘da’], ‘Zakah’ is likewise one of the cornerstone foundations of Islam as well as an ethical obligation — one of its five pillars, actually. 

 

Then I was left with a mix and match between these three uncannily similar words: ‘Tzedakah’, ‘Sadaqah’, and ‘Zakah/Zakat’. 




Zakah (Arabic: زكاة zakāh translates as “that which purifies”. There is a more specific form that is Zakat al-mal ( زكاة المال ), “Zakah on wealth/money”, is a form of almsgiving treated in Islam as a religious obligation or tax, which, by Quranic ranking, is next after prayer (salat) in importance. As the second of the five pillars of Islam, zakah is a religious duty for all Muslims who meet the necessary criteria of wealth. It is a mandatory charitable contribution, often considered to be a tax.

You see, charitable gifts or givings to relieve the poor is common with the teachings of most other faiths and more particularly the biblical traditions, the Quran repeatedly emphasises the moral value of giving. While the term ‘almsgiving’ may suggest a somewhat simple and unfocused act of charity directed at the poor and needy, the Quran articulates through a variety of terms, especially Sadaqah and Zakah.

Wooden tzedakah box from Amazon and sadaqah/zakah jar

 

Personally, however, as a human being, I’ve always regarded Zakah as The number one priority. Ever since our school at Les Jésuites in Cairo used to teach us through Cours de Vie/Cours Spirituelles to habitually give to the poor, to the sick and elderly we used to visit at nearby hospitals or hospices, or to the leprosy populations. It made more sense to my developing mind as it does today three decades later. Simply because the act of sharing goes beyond the me-trip encapsulated in praying — namely the number one pillar in Islam — or even meditating, to actually doing something constructive and useful for others; be it on a personal level, or on the level of the community, or society, or humanity as a whole. Beyond the wishful “Thoughts & Prayers”. You feel you really are making a difference. In fact, I would argue that giving to someone who can probably never pay you back is the best source of fulfilment and gratitude. There is also a spiritual empathetic angle in the equation. 

While born Muslim in a liberal family, at some point during my early life I fortunately freed myself from the musts and the rules and the dogmas. You can read more about my spiritual experience in My Journey Towards Self-Transcendence.

But giving to others remained with me to this very day. Be it money, food, clothes donations, even organising free Full Lunacy drum circles part of the One Lucky Soul community, of which goers vary between 8 and 92 years old. Giving becomes a way of life. Giving, I might add, without expecting anything in return, neither blessings nor damnations. Because let us be honest, if one is doing it because they’re expecting to be rewarded or due to fears from some deistic retribution — or simply to be seen — then their ego is just trying to make a deal to benefit itself. This is actually the case of countless number of religulous folks, for whom fear becomes the name of the game. In Islam, however, this behaviour has a name, Reyaa ( رياء ), which is worshipping just so that people see them. It is, in fact, one way to ruin any Sadaqah or Zakah one gives.

Fear, as you know, breeds hate, fanaticism, xenophobia among many other ailments of our times. Thanks, but no thanks. If your religion is teaching you fear and absolute submission, well, good luck trying to decondition yourself from such a mindset. Some spend years and years trying to unshackle themselves.   

While religion tends to be fear-based, spirituality tends to be love-based. One of the most liberating experiences one can go through in life is unlearning the fear and embracing the love — as a driving force. You see, we are not responsible for the conditioning we were exposed to during our childhood. But as adults, we are fully responsible for fixing it. Truly, confusing religion with spirituality is like confusing education with intelligence.

Echoing with Leo Buscaglia’s piercing words: “The fact that I can plant a seed and it becomes a flower, share a bit of knowledge and it becomes another’s, smile at someone and receive a smile in return, are to me continual spiritual exercises.”

From Italian restaurant take out in Venice Beach which I use to leave on a
bench at the Washington Blvd bus stop.

Linguistically, Arabic and Hebrew both belong to the Semitic language family, making them similar languages. Both found under the tree of the BiDi “Bidirectional“ languages, written from right to left. Words, pronunciations, and sentence structures resemble one another. Being language cousins — like Romance languages such as French, Italian, and Spanish — both share a variety of similarities, including words, words that sound similar like numbers, some common grammatical concepts, alphabets that look reminiscent, and similar vocalisations, such as the tendency to utter ‘kh’ ‘خ’.

They also both rely on systems of three-letter consonant roots; groups of “triliteral roots”, which are the foundations of verb and noun forms. Remember ‘S-d-k’


. Despite the similarities, however, both languages are not mutually comprehensible.

 

So yes, it is not really a surprise. But it was certainly a delightful educational Aha-Moment regarding Comparative Languages and Linguistics as well as Comparative Religion. When you come to think about it, learning multiple languages allows us the opportunity to understand how language influences people’s sense of reality while bridging some gaps.

 Mayhap more importantly, it reminds us that we’re all essentially One. 



The movie turned out to be pretty decent, too.

Similarities between Hebrew and Spoken Arabic by Discover Discomfort

 

After finalising the article I decided to Google ‘Tzedakah’ and ‘Sadaqah’ together, just to see what had been written before, perhaps if any. Man, am I happy I hadn’t done it at the beginning, because probably I wouldn’t have written any of this. Here they are for additional information on the topic.

The first is a link titled Tzedakah-Sadaqah: A Series of Intercultural Service Projects by the Faith and Spirituality Centre of the University of Calgary. This only includes a broad definition of both terms.

The second is an article, Tzedakah and Sadaqah: Charity tradition gets Jews and Muslims together by Medill Reports Chicago - Northwestern University.

Then finally an actual comparison in Tzedakah and Sadaqah… the laws of charity in Islam and Judaism by Judaism-Islam.com.

Now here is a fun note to end this article with: As a kid I had no idea what a bar mitzvah is. Slowly I began to get a clearer understanding of what it might be: When a teenager has finally become a man, so his family takes him out to a bar for celebration. Yep. I kid you not. It’s not too far out, though. Thank Djod for education. Of course, Thank You, Internet as well. Actual bar mitzvah is Hebrew for “son of commandment”; and it is a coming of age ritual for boys, whereas bat mitzvah is the equivalent for girls.

All this Tzedakah/Sadaqah-Tzadik/Sadik business discussed herein made me remember Tzatziki (cacık), the dip, soup, or sauce found in the cuisines of Southeast Europe and the Middle East; it is made of salted strained yogurt or diluted yoghurt mixed with cucumbers, garlic, salt, olive oil, sometimes with vinegar or lemon juice, and herbs such as dill, mint, parsley and thyme. And how the first time I ever heard the word at a shawerma shop in Toronto, I thought the guy behind the counter was asking me if I was his sadiqi, or friend. Or that I was ordering the sandwich to my sadiqi. Bwahaha. The more language we know, the more these peculiarities increase in numbers.


I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I did researching and writing it. Learning can be intrinsically fun when we're not forced or coerced to do it. Knowledge is free — and it frees you rather than freezes you.


Salam and Shalom, consanguineous Brothers and Sisters. Now spread the Love.

Sources:

Tzedakah 101: The Jewish Law of Philanthropy, Borgenproject.org
Tzedakah, Wikipedia

Sadaqah, Wikipedia

What similarities are there between Hebrew and Arabic?, Quora
Similarities between Hebrew and Spoken Arabic, Discover Discomfort 

TZADIK - Secrets of the Hebrew Letters, YouTube

 

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A Dialectic With Myself: Practical Yin Yang Approach to Coincidentia Oppositorum

Theory of Mind: Thinking About Thinking and the Benefits of Observing the Observer

 

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A Dialectic With Myself: Practical Yin Yang Approach to Coincidentia Oppositorum

 

Following a long outdoorsy day on the Red Sea it was time for a nice hot — then cold — shower. Upon entering the bathroom, I caught myself in the middle of a mental chatter that turned out to be quite illuminating, let alone entertaining. By the end of those five minutes, which felt like aeons, the workings of my psychonautic mind became crystal clear. I was offered a glimpse into the very fabric of our world and the true [enough] nature of reality. 


• Coincidentia Oppositorum
• Yin Yang
• The Trap of Black-and-White Thinking



This isn’t the first time a mundane act inspired a deep dive. My earlier piece, Theory of Mind: Thinking About Thinking and the Benefits of Observing the Observer was triggered by trimming my nails. 

Now, let us entertain the novel perspective together — whether you take it as philosophy, logic, or just a simple story.





The Bath Mat Dialectic



As I stepped out of my flip-flops, I found myself sidestepping the blue towel I used as a bath mat. I had placed it there because it was softer than the rough rug (left in the below photo), yet I was actively avoiding it.


Why? Because my feet were sandy, dusty, and blackish from a day spent barefoot on the beach. After all, I do reside on the beach.  


At that moment, a sarcastic voice erupted in my head: “Uhm, pretty sure this is not how bath mats work! The whole point is to step on it while barefoot.”


Then, the second voice — using the Sandwich Method — responded: 
“I see what you’re saying. However, if we step on it now with unclean feet, it won’t be clean when we come out of the shower. We’d be rendering our newly-cleaned feet unclean. Aha!”





The Infinite Loop


The first voice doubled down on the “sandwiching”:

“True. Though this is precisely what mats are for: We use them, then we wash them. Use. Clean. Repeat. Ad infinitum — until the mat deteriorates in 37 years and becomes a rag. It’s a constant process. Use. Clean. Repeat — mats as well as feet. Teet Teet!”  





The dialectic spiralled deeper:


• Voice A: “You don’t even step on it with slippers nor flip-flops. I see you taking them off. I was there. We were there.”


• Voice B: “Because the soles are dusty from outside!”


• Voice A: “Ridiculous. Mats and rugs are made to be stepped on and get dirty.”


• Voice B: “Fine. But if we can postpone the dirtiness with a quirky antic, why not? Less laundry. More convenience.”



The Conclusion:


“Fine. Agree to disagree and disagree to agree.”
“Likewise, agree to agree and disagree to disagree.”


Dialectically yours.

 

Bath rug left and bath mat right

The Aha-Moment: A Googillion Suns



While standing there naked-ready, staring at the floor, it suddenly dawned on me with the force of a googillion suns: This is Coincidentia Oppositorum in action. Or, more simply: Unity of Opposites in motion.


Literally translating as “dark-bright” or “negative-positive,” the ancient Chinese concept of Yin Yang describes how seemingly contrary forces are actually complementary and interdependent.

The poles are different, yet never separate. They are like quantumly entangled particles in a cosmic dance — interacting, vibrating in unison, and remaining connected even if a whole universe separates them. In this equation, everything is in constant while the interaction is always metamorphosing.


• Dark and Light
• Sinner and Saint
• Hot and Cold
• Theory and Practice


From Abstract to Applied


While the concept might seem like high-level abstraction, our bathroom story is purely practical. It deals with decision-making and our fundamental perception of reality.


As with all philosophy, if we don’t learn how to integrate the knowledge into our daily lives, it remains mere “information”.

Theory is abstracted practice, just as practice is applied theory.


It is the experience of application that catalyses true wisdom—that glimmer of light within the darkness. This is the cornerstone of the mystical experience and the heart of mindfulness.


The Soul of the Story


Why tell a story about a bath mat? Because the easy way out is to sit on a mountaintop with eyes closed, staring at the void. But the real work is the integration— making ourselves better versions of our “selves” through the quality of our thoughts.


I use storytelling because stories help us make sense of the chaos. They provide coherence through:





• Metaphors & Analogies
• Allegories & Similes
• The dance between the general and the specific


Stories have the power to either warm our hearts or shatter our brains — often both. As a species, we are wired to think in narratives; we don’t just tell them, we become them.


Remember: Everyone has a story if we are willing to listen. Never judge the book by its look.





Throughout the ages, the art of storytelling has been our most trusted and inspiring endeavour to present our ideas out there for the world to see. Yet, when dealing particularly with philosophical or metaphysical matters — as we are doing herein — the step of telling a good, entertaining, and educational story may only be achieved after knowing the topic inside and out, which means first grasping the conceptual theoretical. That said, here is the excerpt taken right out of the book… before going back to the non-blather chatter-patter.

Here are two other articles mainly about storytelling, For The Love Of Storytelling, and Connecting the Dots — a Storyteller Way of Seeing the Big Picture.

The Healing Powers of Storytelling: A Personal Experience (2026) is a later manifesto. 

 


To the untrained eye the principle of Yin Yang may seem like duality on the surface. Once, however, one gets a clearer understanding, the notion of oneness beneath the non-duality becomes apparent. The listener and the speaker within your head are one and the same. But to come to terms with this insight, you need to rise above both and become the observer of the observer.

When this step is achieved you will notice that you’ll often be able to hold two opposite ideas in your mind simultaneously. This is the concept of Coincidentia Oppositorum, which is Latin for Coincidence of Opposites or Unity of Opposites. Those two components — the poles — are not antithetical, incompatible, or incongruent, but they are in fact complementary. One is needed to provide contrast for the other. Both are necessary to the balance of the ‘system’. For the road up and the road down are the same road.

The concept was first suggested by the pre-Socratic Greek philosopher Heraclitus. Then in the 15th C. German polymath, Nicholas of Cusa, coined the neoplatonic term Coincidentia Oppositorum. In On the Vision of God, Cusa described the concept as “The wall of paradise, beyond which is God”.

In modern philosophy, the Coincidentia Oppositorum doctrine is sometimes regarded as a metaphysical concept, a philosophical concept, or a scientific concept. However, the interpenetration, interdependence, and unification of opposites is considered as one of the fundamentals of mystical thought rather than philosophical thought. 



 

Unity of Opposites is equally the central category of dialectics. Also known as the dialectical method, it is basically a discourse between two or more people holding different points of view about a subject yet wishing to establish the truth through reasoned methods of argumentation. In philosophy, it is the art of investigating or discussing the truth of opinions; as it is an inquiry into metaphysical contradictions and their solutions.

The Western dialectical forms include Classical Philosophy — Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle — Medieval Philosophy — Boethius and Thomas Aquinas — and Modern Philosophy — Hegel and Karl Marx. There are also Theological dialectical forms as in the Baháʼí Faith, which advocates a form of dialectical science and religion. 

With that, there is also the conceptual triad: Thesis, Antithesis, and Synthesis. The thesis (a proposition) is challenged by an antithesis (a contradiction or negation), leading to resolving the conflict through a synthesis, which forms a novel and more complete proposition by reconciling the truths contained in both poles.

Having just mentioned Hegel’s dialectic, the man however used a different language when developing a dynamic process of development described as a progression from an abstract idea (thesis) through its contradiction (antithesis) to a more concrete, unified concept (synthesis). A process known as Aufhebung or “sublation” involves preserving the truth of a concept while overcoming its limitations, leading to a higher and more complex cognisance.

 

From a psychological perspective, the union of opposites was one of Carl Jung’s fundamental principles for understanding the psyche and maturing into wholeness and reconciliation. He held that reaching this state has philosophical as well as religious implications, which eventually leads to psychology if one wants to understand the psyche dynamic behind it. 

Jung called the cooperation of conscious reasoning with the data of the unconscious Transcendental Function. “It is a process and a method at the same time. The production of unconscious compensations is a spontaneous process; the conscious realisation is a method. The function is called ‘transcendent’ because it facilitates the transition from one psychic condition to another by means of the mutual confrontation of opposites.”


From a human perspective, fathoming said polarity and coming to terms with it is how we understand things. For our language is dualistic in nature. This is therefore how our minds have learned to reason, to justify our own conclusions, and to classify and conceptualise situations: through consciously holding opposing choices, ideas, and concepts, and comparing between them. In fact, our species have been conditioned to perceive the world through binary lenses. We therefore also learn by means of opposites. This ability to see through contradictory elements can lead to true — or true enough — and often complex knowledge. As Terence McKenna succinctly put it: “If you don’t at least occasionally contradict yourself your position isn’t nearly complex enough.” 



Plenty of other mammoth souls throughout the ages entertained the concept and philosophy — be it mystics, visionaries, scientists, or authors. Among them is American novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald who in 1936 noted: 

“The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.” 

 

This quote was kindly shared by a reader commenting on the excerpt, which happened to have been shared hundreds of times on Facebook — mainly through a Terence McKenna page as well as a “Psychedelics and Philosophy” one. 

 

 

Now back to our bathroom conversation and the nature of reality...

What may first appear like duality on the surface may not really be that polar. Rather than plus vs minus or with vs. without, it is plus and minus as it is with and without. Rarely is it an either or situation. Both coexisting sides are, in fact, complementary. Both are needed to define each other while none is ever absolute. Instead of reactively choosing one side over the other, as winner and loser, one can come to recognise then accept the validity and legitimacy of both seemingly conflicting, contradictory views. As such, we end with a more wholesome, balanced, bigger, and fuller picture to suit the agathokakological universe in which we live.

Oftentimes, after accepting the existence of both supposedly conflicting ideas and weighing the available options, the observer of the observer then integrates and reconciles by deciding to side with one pole over the other. That’s how decision making is accomplished. Some close cases even to the extent of having 51 percent from one side and 49 percent from the other. 

Most of times, however, it may be around 40-60 or 30-70 depending on how much of the equation or of the Big Picture you get to essentially “see”. 

Something to remember whenever feeling ambivalent, inconclusive, stuck in a quandary, or torn between certain choices or courses of action. As Jung would suggest, do not choose yet... until a third more agreeable option appears. That is by keeping both truths and the tension they represent in your awareness long enough for the deeper self to work on it. 

 

This work is oftentimes accompanied by either mere fortune or through what seems like a cosmic Orphic intervention. We can then find ourselves walking along the Path Of The Razor’s Edge — the periphery. This psychospiritual state entails seeing the full picture, both sides of the coin, including the little good in the bad as well as the little bad in the good. Exemplified in the black dot in the white and the white dot in the black of the Yin Yang symbol, there exists a balance between the two opposite poles; by having a portion of the opposite element in both sections. 

 

Baltering, faltering, coddiwompling, and skedaddling freely along that circular periphery one gets to simultaneously perceive the light and the darkness, the black and the white, the in and the out. Then, the sage and the lunatic and the ongoing dialogue between them are transcended by the one who rises above, revealing a deeper, fuller truth. Illumination at last! Enlightenment. Awakening. Soul Liberation. Nirvana. Satori. The Source of Being. The Kingdom of Heaven. Eternal Bliss. The Quintessence.

 

This razor’s edge is what I anticipate Cusa had called “The wall of paradise, beyond which is God” when describing Coincidentia Oppositorum.
 There truly is no greatest poetry than being nothing and everything at the same time.

 

A different example I use in the book is taken from none other than nature. Let us consider a cheetah mother killing an impala to feed herself and her young one. This situation is good for the cheetah and her cub while bad for the impala and her fawn. Or is it?

In reality, this hunter/hunted situation is neither good nor bad. It is simply what it is: Neutral. It is actually part of the circle of life. That is how nature functions. We are nature; hence this is how we function. The scenario could be what we choose to look at. It is solely a matter of perception. Now, what if the fawn was infected with some deadly disease and was about to transmit it to its mother, who, in turn, was going to transmit it to the whole herd causing them to all die at the end? So when the mother antelope is killed, the fawn won’t be able to survive which will save the herd. Who knows, really. We humans are not omniscient like that; we don’t possess this capacity to know all or to see the much larger picture all the time. So judging by labelling people, situations, and things good or bad remains but a subjective experience — the easy way out. Good and bad for whom exactly? The cheetah or the impala? The cub or the fawn? The herd of antelopes or the cheetah population? What about for you, the observer?   

In Taoist metaphysics, distinctions between good and bad shown in Yin Yang, along with other dichotomous moral judgements, are considered perceptual rather than real; hence the duality remains an indivisible whole leading to true oneness... of the circle. 

 

The problem with black-and-white thinking is that you never get to see the rainbow.

Now, when further contemplating the matter we realise that while in the bathroom example we’re dealing with what seems like two choices, in reality there are usually more than just two options, as it is rarely ever limited to two absolute extremes. Consider in politics when they slyly corner you with a box-choice by offering “The lesser of two evils”, like it is some kind of absolute necessity to vote. In truth, though, not choosing is clearly a third option. Echoing with Jean-Paul Sartre’s choisir, c’est encore choisir; not choosing is still choosing, you see. That is transcending the apparent duality. 

In actuality, when people think in such a binary way they fail to simultaneously incorporate both positive and negative qualities of themselves and of others in order to form a realistic whole. This tends to lead them to think in terms of extremes — widening the dichotomy in-between both poles while making it more rigid and harder to bridge. It becomes: With or against me, us vs. them. Extremism is a suicidal attitude to have in life, which brings upon fear, hatred, and lack of empathy among other detrimental qualities. As such, neither reconciliation nor wholeness can be accomplished.

 

In psychology, Black-and-White thinking is called “Splitting”, which is a common defence mechanism some people use.

 



In logic, Black-and-White thinking is also a fallacy called “False Dilemma”. It occurs when something is falsely claimed to be an “either/or” situation, limiting the number of alternatives available when in fact there is at least one additional option. At least. Certainly a not-deep-enough way to perceive reality.

Once, then, we are to able see the oneness beneath the dance, the marriage — reaching the balanced “Yin-Yang” insight — one can entertain this dialogue between both opposites, learn from them while rising above what misleadingly appears like absolute duality. This is achieved through the mystical experience; by becoming the observer of the observer and embracing the Oneness beneath the polar juxtaposition. This is where we find truth, yet rarely ever it would be absolute. Mayhap truth finds us just as well.

Then other times in life Coincidentia Oppositorum as well as Yin Yang become practical in reflection and contemplation without the need to make any choice. Like the case of the cheetah and the impala. Mere observation suffices. Along with experimentalism, observation can be the best of teachers. Remember that the observer of the observer is the one with the vantage perspective. 

 

 

Whether you look for the good in others or the bad you will find it.

Balance

As we have seen, Coincidentia Oppositorum deals with the possibility of achieving balance by having the apabicity to perceive both sides of the same coin. Showing how not only is it fine to be able to hold two opposites ideas in our minds at the same time, but also how it actually seems like the wisest of approaches. Apabicity, by the way, is one of 176 words and their definitions which I have come up with, conveniently defined as: The state of having the ability, capability, and capacity all at once. Uhu. 
 

Wisdom aside, we still find that many people are only able to process reality in a binary way, as in “with me” or “without me”. “This or That”. “Fight or Flight”. No Rainbow.
 No various colours or shades. No full spectrum. No big, full picture. No different hues or distinct angles. No nuances, degrees, spices or flavours. No subtlety nor even sensibility nor sensitivity. Not even grey. Just black, and white.

 

Beside helping us in our decision-making, this balance can also be applied when dealing with the outside world. Consider those times when you are exposed to that which goes against a certain belief or conviction you hold and it triggers an emotional reaction. Acknowledging both sides of the spectrum offers you a chance to re-examine the belief. It does not matter if you may or not not agree with the novel or different view at the end. But do take the chance to explore the novelty and the difference. Because you will likely end up learning something or two from the experience. It would either strengthen your argument or offer you a whole different perspective. Perhaps a bit of both if you are lucky. 



 

As follows, fear not to understand things, or to entertain ideas, that clash with your own beliefs, traditions, and privileges.

In our case here, after reasonably observing the dialogue between the inner voices and the two different courses of action they propose, I eventually chose to carry on not stepping on the bath mat with unclean feet, but on the floor instead before jumping into the shower. Smoothing hot water then 20 seconds of significantly cold water until I moaned out a loud and invigorating “Ahhhhh”. The instant shock makes you feel like being electrocuted and your brain lightens up in flashes. How refreshing hot and cold showers are. Both: Synthesis. 

Then once all cleansed, it was time to step on the still-clean bath mat. Yes, in a few days it will need washing; because that’s how towels work and that’s what shall happen.


 

The hot-and-cold shower appears to have reset something up and in there as I was struck with yet another epiphanic moment: The inherently pristine, immaculate beauty of this Oneness we’re speaking of; of the essence of being able to look at things, with impartial eyes, and wholesomely see them for what they really are; not as we want them to be or think they should be. Opening the Doors of Perceptions and entering... without conceptualisation, condemnation, expectation, or prior prejudice or judgement. O’ the Reconciliation. The Union. Yoga. The Mental Peace. The Soul Dance.

 

The final verdict was to keep the bath mat for when barefoot before and after showers, as this time, while removing the bath rug completely. For any other use of the bathroom, especially when wearing something I use outside the house, the actual floor works fine. Sounds good to us. And that, Ladies and Gentlemen, is how it’s done. That is how we fundamentally deal with that which appears different, whether inside our heads or in the outside world.

 


At the very end, it seems safe to ascertain that if one is capable of integrating their inner polarity, by rising above it and hopefully reaching a certain degree of reconciliation, they will also be equipped to deal with anything different residing outside of them. Calmly, wisely, and with the quintessence of equanimity.

 

À la prochaine conversation with myself. I hope you enjoyed the tour as much as we did. Salute to your Souls. 

 

Et Voilà. The End (Thank you, Seif)

ALSO VIEW:

 

 

Theory of Mind: Thinking About Thinking and the Benefits of Observing the Observer

 

Who Are We? 

My Journey Towards Self-Transcendence

The Intertwining of Genius and Insanity

The Intertwining of Music and Sexuality ― A Djembefola’s Tale 

The Intertwining of Pain and Pleasure

 

Connecting the Dots — a Storyteller Way of Seeing the Big Picture

The Parable Of The Cow: You Are Not Your Thoughts

Why We Should Not Fear Death

Change Is The Only Constant

Why I Share Stuff

For The Love Of Storytelling

 

20 Things Learned From a 48-Minute Terence McKenna Talk on Hermeticism and Alchemy

The Significance of Letting Go

Unfollow the Crowd

The Art of Approaching Women

Why I Choose to Remain a Non-Dad for Now — Reflections on Being Childless

When Selective Men Reject Women

 

Connecting the Dots — a Storyteller Way of Seeing the Big Picture

“The best way to convince someone is by making him realize that
what you speak came from his own mind.”
— Alan Watts

Like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, sometimes a wide array of seemingly random dots connect and organise themselves in certain ways to form the cornerstone structure of a story. The process of seeing a bigger picture could take hours or it could take years. For a storyteller psychonaut, this completion, this closure is nothing but la créme de la créme of the art of writing. That is, if one is fortunate enough to go through such experiences during their lifetime.

You see, some people rarely ever connect the dots in life. Others do connect them but end up being overwhelmed by the amount of information. Then there are those who simultaneously connect the dots and are able to make sense, and use, out of them. For the latter group, patterns become the real guru, which help them understand the relationship between different ideas and experiences. Hence perceive the Big Picture while enjoying the more broad, overall view it offers us. 

The more knowledge, the more points to possibly connect. Since everything is interconnected, keen awareness remains all that is needed.

One example is the following introspective, Theory-Of-Mind type of Post I’ve recently written about the essence of being a storyteller; about how I use my stories in a way that could — hopefully — inspire others. Wittily, mind you, or so I like to think. Yet, without sounding preachy, authoritative, or like a know-it-all pretentious dude; as also without forcing my way of seeing things unto others. Why? Well, keep reading. 

To be able to write said words I had to dig down deep inside my mind and soul. I had to take a step further away from my autonomic existence, a leap more likely, just to be able to “catch myself in the act” before analysing the findings. This is when altered states of consciousness come in handy. And to a significant degree this time I had been successful. Truth is, frequently playing Observing the Observer, one gets better with time. The result are the below words shared along an image with the John Lennon quote: 

“My role in society, or any artist’s or poet’s role, is to try and express what we all feel. Not to tell people how to feel. Not as a preacher, not as a leader, but as a reflection of us all.”

   
This is the original:

When we care about people we naturally feel inclined to help them through any troubles they may face. Some, however, are not ready to be helped, and their reasons vary.

Through the years, the Messiah Complex I’m plagued by has developed indirect ways to be of assistance in such situations. To convey the message said folks are not ready to receive I create a story out of it; in which I incorporate the message in a story form that is easier to digest. This way avoiding any defensive reactions which may arise if they were to sense that you are addressing or “lecturing” them directly. Obviously I have been there enough times to be able to establish a pattern. 

Now, by incepting the thought on the go in such a way you play the role of the facilitator, allowing them to connect the dots by themselves and figure it out. Simply by playing a little game of suggestion. This is a more efficient and convincing way to reach a solution or truth than for it to be revealed or taught by someone else. It is also more empowering; hence the terminology The Power of Suggestion. Because the discovery becomes part of their own inner truth — while in many cases remaining oblivious to the fact that the thought was initially planted in their minds by someone else.

In psychology, suggestion is the process by which one person guides the thoughts, feelings, or behaviour of another. The idea was incepted in the 1800s along with hypnotism and trance. 

Oftentimes, the subject of the story is myself. Simply because I found out that it is easier, let alone much more genuine. So let’s say the person I’m trying to reach has a drinking problem: I open up about how I was hooked on heroin for years and how I overcame it. Also how the experience has been the most enlightening of my life; since “You overcome yourself and [hence] become fearless”. And that is that. This is all the empathy and hopefully inspiration I offer the troubled, without haranguing or telling them how to live their own lives.

While I acknowledge their willpower and ability to make the right choices — when their time comes — I treat them as such; as free, capable individuals. I also do not use “You need to, you must or should” among other authoritative ways of communicating. Rather, I seek connecting with them on a more intimate, empathetic level. Through showing them that I relate to their sufferings because I, too, have suffered; that essentially we are all each other’s reflections. From then on, how they may or may not decipher the story along the suggested message it contains depends on them alone.

Period. A few Instagram hashtags followed the words, including artist, poet, inception, storytelling, psychology, philosophy, Theory Of Mind and published it was. And that was it, right until... last night.

Check this recent exposé if you are interested in delving more into the topic: Theory of Mind: Thinking About Thinking and the Benefits of Observing the Observer.

Another piece to the puzzle

As previously shared, I indulge in occasional sleepless productive all-nighters which leave me looking like a Picasso the next morning. Several months after said post I was enjoying the quietude of one such nights, working on editing my book and surfing the net looking for novelty and inspiration and downright ridiculously weird things. Then, Lo and Behold, I see the featured caricature of none other than one of the wisest cats on the block whom I deeply cherish, Alan Watts, dropping that additional piece of the puzzle like freakin’ Salt Bae. I had to rub my eyes and reread the sentence to make sure my sleepless mind wasn’t playing some kind of subconscious confirmation-bias trick.

“The best way to convince someone is by making him realize that what you speak came from his own mind.”

Wait! So Alan Watts thinks the same thing I had already deducted on my own? I may not be that full lunatic after all, huh. Now take that, society. This was certainly a sobering reminder that all ideas are indeed second-hand — as Mark Twain wrote in 1903 to his amiga Helen Keller when she was accused of plagiarism.

The following puzzle piece came from the mouth of wily Jiddu Krishnamurti, who said: “When it becomes necessary for humanity to receive in a new form the ancient wisdom, someone whose duty it is to repeat these truths is incarnated.” Well Aha!

Speaking of, do you have an idea that Jiddu ( جدو ) means grandfather in Arabic? As you can see, one must remain careful not to follow too many dots all over the place. Because some of us can keep going ad infinitum. Then when too many branches are drifting out of the frame like they are trying to escape your mad mind, it’s not a story anymore, mon cher ami. But rather, it starts to appear and sound like the ravings, rantings, and ramblings of a non compos mentis who has too many browser tabs open. Focus, therefore, remains key.

 

The natural consequence of having the jigsaw puzzle extended just out of the blue was to create another fuller, richer story, which will incorporate the latest nugget of truth piece from the Zen Head himself. In addition to few other pieces that happened to free-associate themselves into this body of writing.

Subsequently, just as I finalised the piece you’re reading herein, another dot just materialised out of thin air right there in the midst of my mind’s eye. This time, a reflection of mine which conveniently came at the right time, brilliantly fitting the narrative:

If you are doing your best while not seeking approval or validation, affirmation will still come to you in different forms. Oftentimes when you least expect it.

When Alan Watts expresses that which you already — somewhat ‘originally’ — had in mind, you know your philosophical thinking as well as logical reasoning are doing alright. For me, there is nothing more fulfilling than this type of affirmation. 


To more dot-connecting, pattern-decyphering, and the ability to always see the bigger, fuller picture for all of us. There is always one. At least.

ALSO VIEW:

Theory of Mind: Thinking About Thinking and the Benefits of Observing the Observer

Who Are We?

For The Love Of Storytelling

My Journey Towards Self-Transcendence

The Intertwining of Genius and Insanity

The Intertwining of Music and Sexuality ― A Djembefola’s Tale 

The Intertwining of Pain and Pleasure

Different Shades of Passion

How Do We Know We Are Good at Something?

Why I Share Stuff

From English as a Third Language to Author — How I Expanded My Vocabulary
 
Selective Hearing Among Men and Women

What The Heck are Vocal Fry and Upspeak?  

Artists Between Mindset and Motivation

The Writing Process and the Creative Block

On Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing

The LSD Experiments of the 1950s and 60s [Videos & Documentaries]

Out-of-Body Experience and Ego Death on a “Heroic Dose” of Mushrooms

Surviving the Madness of Sakarana — Hyoscyamus muticus