Riddle of the Sphinx: Symbolic vs. Literal

The "Riddle of the Sphinx" from Greek mythology (not the Egyptian one next to the pyramids) asks a seemingly simple question that has dramatic results, depending on the answer: If the person answers incorrectly, the Sphinx will eat him or her, but if one answers correctly, the Sphinx will destroy itself. Often cited as a requirement for entering the Mystery Schools, the question goes something like this:

"What creature walks on four legs in the morning, two legs during the day, and on three legs in the evening?"

Oedipus and the Sphinx, Gustave Moreau, 1856

Only Oedipus was able to answer correctly (more on the so-called Oedipus Complex and what the story of Oedipus really means in a later post). And the answer is -- Man. Man crawls on all fours as a baby, walks on two legs through adulthood, and hobbles on a cane in old age. The answer to the riddle seems simple enough once you "get" it, but in order to arrive at the answer, one has to look more deeply into the question itself.

There are two things going on in the question and both need to be taken symbolically, as metaphors for something else, to arrive at the answer. First there is the question of the Creature. We know that a frog starts off as a fish (more less) and winds up being able to walk (or at least hop) on terra firma. But this is taking the question literally. As a metaphor, the term "legs" can mean something else, and in this case it refers to the hands and knees as being the four "legs" and the cane being the third "leg."

Next, there's the part about the time frame. Again, this is to be taken symbolically and not literally. We know that a flower can begin the morning as a bud, open up and bloom during the day, and close back into a bud in the evening. But this literal interpretation is part of the deception of the riddle - they're supposed to be tricky, right? So, when we translate a "day" as meaning one's lifespan, we can see that the morning is childhood, afternoon adulthood, and the evening as old age.

So why is this important, why do I need to know this, and how can this solve my current problem?

I'm glad you asked, but you might not like the answer. To really understand, and therefore utilize, the Ancient Wisdom, you must learn the language of symbols and metaphor. We've heard this before as the difference between the "spirit of the law" and the "letter of the law." Dreams speak to us in a language coded with symbolic images that somehow relate to our waking lives. Myths, scriptures, and other wisdom tales use metaphor or allegory - a story about someone else in some other place that, while seemingly a world apart from ours, hits us directly and emotionally and tells us something about a deeper aspect of our own lives. Sometimes the indirect route is the best way to get through.

As you develop this skill further, this "symbolic sight" will give you greater insight and allow you to see underlying patterns and clues to solutions that would otherwise remain obscured with only a literal read of the situation.

Since this is such a vast subject, just focus on the "lifespan in a day" metaphor from the riddle and open it up a bit. Now, what if a person's lifespan took place using the time frame of one year? This person would be born Jan 1st, die Dec. 31, reach physical maturity in the Spring, and begin old age in the Autumn. This is why we call a relationship between a younger woman and an older man a "May - December" relationship. This is the same metaphor, just placed within another time frame. This symbolic analogy shows up in Christian theology, where Easter, which is also a fertility festival, takes place roughly nine months before December 25th, or equal to the gestation period before birth, which in this case is Christmas. And in the lifespan of the Universe (as we thus far think we know it), astronomer Carl Sagan put the 15 or so billion year life of the Cosmos in the period of one year. In this model, starting with the so-called Big Bang, it wouldn't be until December 14th that the dinosaurs showed up, humans started on December 31st, and the last 2,000 years have taken place in the last four seconds of the "year." Again, the same process is used and the recurring patterns of the life and solar cycles are used, just in another context.

So just as the term "feet" can be used to describe other kinds of feet, and that a day or a year can be a metaphor, or a sort of scale model, for describing the lifespan of a human being or of the universe itself. The important thing is to keep seeing these patterns and metaphors to describe something through analogy, or "this is like that." As we do, patterns that are strikingly similar will reveal themselves in a variety of situations, bringing us closer to what the ancient Greek philosopher, Hericlitus, called the "hidden harmony" which underlies all things.

What is Ancient Wisdom?

To answer this we first must ask, what is Wisdom? Wisdom is different than knowledge much in the same way that that knowing (the right thing to do) isn't necessarily the same as doing (the right thing). Psychologists call this the knowing-doing gap, and philosophers talk about one's conviction vs. one's conduct. Or, quite simply, it's the difference between knowing a lot about chocolate - it's origin, manufacturing process, chemical compounds, etc. - and actually eating some chocolate. All the information and knowledge about chocolate does not compare to the experience of chocolate consumption. Same could be said about other things like sex, alcohol, or even (and especially) values or principles, such as the difference between knowing (thinking or believing) that "honesty is the best policy" and actually having the courage to practice honesty as a code of conduct - even if others don't. So, we could say that Wisdom is the experience of knowledge, or as philosopher Manly P. Hall suggests, that Wisdom is Ensouled knowledge.

Hermes Trismegistus

This brings us to the Ancient part. Antiquity is generally considered to be the time before the Current Era (BCE) or roughly 2,000 years ago. But Ancient Wisdom (if it has survived) is actually Timeless Wisdom - if it worked then and ever since, it will work today. Even drawing from a contemporary example such as the New Age, or the New Thought Movement of the early 1900's, we find that these actually have roots that go back to the Enlightenment, the Renaissance before that, the Neoplatonists, back to Plato, and going all the way back to the Egyptian and other Mystery Schools. Even something as cutting edge as Quantum Physics also shares much in common with the mystics and sages of antiquity. (For more on this, read "The Tao of Physics," which highlights some of the uncanny similarities between subatomic physics and Eastern mysticism).

Characteristics of Ancient Wisdom

Multidisciplinary and Holistic approach:

Up until the last couple hundred years or so, disciplines of knowledge and inquiry weren't as specialized and compartmentalized as they are in today's era of specialization. Scientists were also Alchemists, Astronomers were also Astrologers, Priests and Sages were philosophers, artists, poets, inventors, etc. In the history of the U.S., Benjamin Franklin stands out as an example of such a person, as he was a Statesman, Author, Publisher, Inventor, Musician, and, according to most accounts, somewhat of a Ladies' Man. Today we call these people "Renaissance Men (or women)" which even suggests that they are out of touch with modern times.

Actually it is the modern worldview which is out of touch with the Universe. Most things do not exist in a vacuum, separate and independent from everything else. This is particularly true when it comes to matters of health (both physical and mental), as there can be any number of factors that can work together or against each other to produce dis-ease, or to promote health. Our predecessors knew full well that the various areas of inquiry - Science, Religion, the Arts, Philosophy, etc., each have their own strengths, their own limitation, and when approaching a situation or problem, it is better to draw from ALL avenues of knowledge to gain a more complete understanding and arrive at a solution. So, why wouldn't we do the same? Today, our debates are chiseled down to their most opposing elements, and then pitted against another in a duel with no chance of agreement, such as the Science vs. Religion debate or the Evolution vs. Creation conundrum. In an earlier time, these would not be opposing or even in conflict - they would all be considered as possible ways to explain something. In the words of Elbert Hubbard, "A specialist is someone who knows more and more about less and less until he knows all about nothing."

An acceptance of the Mysterious or Supernatural:

The Great Thinkers of the Ages knew the limitations of the human senses and mind, as well as the shortcomings of Science and other ways of understanding. Therefore, a certain respect or regard for the Mystical or Unknowable was always accepted as part of the issue being investigated. Even our modern scientists did this - Newton, while able to predict the orbits of planets quite accurately, was never able to figure out the small anomalies or eccentricities in their orbital paths, which he attributed to God playing a hand in the matter. (It was later discovered that these inconsistencies were caused by the mutual gravitational attraction of the planets upon one another). Einstein also stated that "God does not play dice," when debating Heisenberg's "Uncertainty Principle" of Quantum Physics. The point is, even the most scientific minds know the limits of inquiry and we must remain open to possible explanations that defy or transcend our current abilities.

Using the Language of Symbols and Metaphor:

The scientists of antiquity were limited by their scientific instruments, but were able to hone their own instruments - the instruments of consciousness and intuition - as a tool to work with and a lens through which they viewed the mysteries of the world. Today we are so literal and factual with our understanding of things, that we miss the symbolic nature of things, which cuts us off from deeper meaning and insight. True, that the ancients were more superstitious and used quaint sounding terms to explain phenomena, but now we gone so far the other way that the wonders of the world are reduced to cold hard facts that have lost much of their original meaning.

This is very apparent in the realm of religions interpretation. Much of the debate now centers around whether the figures and events of the Bible actually happened as stated in an historical account. Maybe things happened as written, maybe not. But the essential point that gets thrown by the wayside is whether or not these passages still have meaning today in our lives, that they are living principles that can guide us toward living a better life. Myths, too, are wisdom stories that, whether or not they actually happened in real life, can be applied again and again, providing us with the insight and means to solve our difficulties and make it through the passages of life without too much despair. Here, the point is clear, don't let the "facts" get in the way of their usefulness. Taken literally, all the great parables, allegories and symbols lose their power and effectiveness; taken as symbolic metaphors that actually point to something much larger and deeper, these "myths" bring us to a Truth that is eternal and universal.

In summary, Ancient Wisdom is as timeless and modern as it is old; it has stood the test of time as we know it. Wisdom has to be experienced directly as a living fact and not just an intellectual concept. Wisdom is a multidisciplinary approach to things, taking in all factors such as mind/body or mind/body/spirit; looking at things as being both Nature and Nurture and not pitting the two against each other. The limitations on what is known have to be broken down so we can accept what is unknown, and be OK with that. Each new discovery only leads toward greater mystery. And, with wisdom, we must train our faculties to see beyond appearances and get realize deeper truths than we are able to immediately see with our senses. But, don't take my word for any of this...for I cannot (nor can anyone) impart wisdom upon another. I can only suggest ways to look at yourself and the world, so that you try them out for yourself in your own experience, and then the theoretical knowledge becomes ensouled wisdom.

© Chris Sheridan

2009.10.08

Wonder Woman Wisdom

The modern comic book superhero, Wonder Woman (circa ~1942), may not seem like Ancient Wisdom at first glance, but a closer look will reveal timeless concepts and ideals which surround this fictional character. Often times, what appears to be contemporary fictional characters, are actually modern re-tellings of mythological figures and the Archetypes they represent. (Archetypes are universal patterns of personality types and character traits that can be played out in an infinite variety of ways, yet still retaining their original theme or idea. Much more will be made of Archetypes in future posts). So even wrapped in a modern cloak, these universal elements still remain and, once they are properly revealed, can be a source of wisdom for solving difficulties that arise in one's experience.

There is much mythology inserted in the Wonder Woman character, such as her Amazonian origin, etc., but for this essay, we will just focus on on the relation between disguise and true identity.

Wonder Woman © Adam Hughes - used without permission:)

Coming up with a disguise and concealing one's true identity is a hallmark of just about all the comic book superheroes. Peter Parker puts on a leotard and spandex hood to become Spiderman; Bruce Wayne dons a mask and wings to become Batman. Both conceal their true human identity through their disguises. Others go through some sort of physiological transformation to become the Werewolf, or the Hulk, usually after some incident triggers the event. But, Wonder Woman - and Superman - stand alone as being fundamentally different when it comes to their true identity. For them, Diana Prince and Clark Kent are actually disguises to conceal their true identity, which is their superhero self, not the human one. Diana Prince is the impostor, and to "become" Wonder Woman, she actually strips away her street clothes by spinning around Dervish-like, for it's what's underneath that counts. To sum it up, Batman is actually Bruce Wayne in disguise, and, conversely, Diana Prince is actually Wonder Woman in disguise.

Why is this important and how is this useful for me? The distinction is a vital one, and examples from art and religion can provide further insight. A sculptor does not chisel a sculpture into being, rather, she chips away at the pieces of marble that are NOT the sculpture, which already "existed" in the rock in the first place. From Buddhism, we learn that our true Buddha-nature is already inside us, we just need to strip away the attachments to desire and "clinging to self" that get in the way of experiencing this illumined existence. Christianity too reminds us that "It is the Father within me that doeth the works," and, "...this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." Psychology makes the distinction between the "small-s self" and the "capital-S Self," that there is a higher Self that we can become once we strip away our persona (which means "mask") and let our true nature shine.

The practical application of this concept can have a profound impact on various areas of our lives, particularly concerning Self Image, Health and Spiritual Enlightenment. Many today are experiencing a sort of identity crisis, both as an individual and as a nation. So much time and effort is spent on bringing in adornments from the outside, rather than releasing attributes from within. An honest assessment of ourselves will quickly show that we are not "all that," and that we are not all that bad either. Again with the popularity of the "law of attraction," our focus tends to be on what (or who) we can bring into our lives that we don't have already. We are seeking, looking here, looking there - everywhere but within. It may be the case that in reality, we need to get rid of old ideas, beliefs, wounds, fears and other forms of psychic clutter before we can bring in new ones. And if we take inspiration from Buddha or Wonder Woman, we realize that we don't really need to bring anything in, rather, we need to let something out, so that WE bring something to the world. We probably were much closer to our true selves when we were children, and since then we've been bound by societal norms, cultural expectations and personal self-censure, which have distracted us and covered up our true being. So, on the subject of personal identity, we need make and honest assessment of ourselves and determine which aspects of our personality are our true self, and which ones are disguises that we put on because we "feel we should," for whatever reason. In the words of Joseph Campbell, "Follow your bliss." This is sage advice, since your bliss emanates from your true self.

In the realm of health and healing, Wonder Woman can be useful as well. If we consider HEALTH to be a natural state, the rule and not the exception, then we see dis-ease as being something unnatural and a distraction or diversion from our true healthy self. Most of todays ills are a result of putting the wrong things in our bodies, on our skin, the wrong images and thoughts in our minds, the wrong words in our ears and coming out of our mouths, and an array of emotional anxieties, doubts, fears and betrayals which have poisoned our otherwise healthy being. Seen this way, our ailments are our disguise, tricking us into thinking and feeling that we are something other than healthy. Like the Christ within or our buried Buddha-nature, this healed self is already there - pre existing and continuous - and what we need to do, instead of bringing health into our lives, is to strip away the unhealthy behaviors, attitudes and situations so that we can release the healthy being within.

Finally, in regards to Spiritual Enlightenment, as the afore mentioned Christ Consciousness and Buddha-Nature examples have shown, from a Wonder Woman perspective, enlightenment is not so much that the Light from above shines down upon you and enters your interior darkness, filling you with peace and security. Actually, the word Illumination is perhaps a better term, in that there is already the Light within, and that we need to remove the darkness heaped upon it that obscures its radiance, and return it to it's original luminous nature so that we can shine our Light and bring peace and security into the dark and discouraging world around us, and to help others - by demonstration of our own example - to let their own light shine.

So, we can draw Ancient and Timeless Wisdom from contemporary figures, whether they be real life people or fictional characters. And, like all wisdom, this releasing our Higher Self is not something to just talk about or "understand" on an intellectual level, rather, it has to be EXPERIENCED first hand, so that it is a living fact. Therefore, you can use the archetypal image of Wonder Woman (or Superman) as a touchstone that reminds you that your true self, your healed state, and spiritual enlightenment ALL exist within, complete and lacking nothing additional from the outside. Just strip away all that is not YOU, and you will find yourself comfortable and confident in your own skin, healed from a myriad of ailment and deeply connected to the Universe and Life itself.

2005.10.07

Art and Symbolism: "The Creation of Adam" part 1

Michelangelo painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel (1509-1512) with iconic religious images highlighting events such as Creation, The Fall from Paradise, Noah's Flood, and so on. Many believe that within these images, the artist also concealed symbolic meanings and messages that go far beyond their face value. One panel, perhaps one of the most recognizable of all times is the so-called "Creation of Adam." The scene depicted in the fresco shows God reaching out toward Adam, with the index fingers of their outstretched hands almost touching. After creating Adam out of clay, God then breathes life into His creation.

However, a closer inspection reveals some interesting details that show a deeper, symbolic meaning beyond the first impression:

Look at the image in full and note their body language. On the right, God appears to be reaching out with all his might (which is a lot because after all, he is the almighty), as if struggling against a force or a stiff wind. Notice how his legs, and those of the people surrounding him, are going in the opposite direction. Clearly, this is someone with a strong desire to reach out and make a connection with His creation.

Now look at Adam on the left. Is this a person with a similar desire? Is he reaching out with all his might? It doesn't appear to be the case. Actually, Adam is reclining with most of his body weight centered away from God. He is resting on his opposite elbow (his right) and he even needs his knee to support his left arm. Adam is reaching out a little, though. We can see his head leaning toward God and his left hand is pointing there as well, but it doesn't look like he's really putting much effort into it. The desire seems to be there, but it's not backed up by strength, yet.

Now look at a close up of the hands. God, on the right, cannot reach out any more, as his index finger is fully extended. Adam's hand is a little limp and his index finger could be extended more. Actually, from this image, all Adam has to do (literally and figuratively) is to lift a finger, and he will make the connection with his creator.

Now go back to the full picture again. God is reaching out with all his might, and Adam just has to lift a finger. Why is this and what does it mean? Perhaps it suggests that God wants us to come to Him. Being God, of course he should be able to reach out and embrace his creation, but that's not the point. He wants Adam to want Him - at least want Him enough to lift a finger! It's like the old saying, "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink." And, maybe God's so-called chosen people are not the people God chose, but rather, the people who choose God, consciously and out of desire for that union with the Divine Presence.

OK, that's interesting, but you may ask (and I'm glad you did), "So what, what does this mean to me in my life right now?" Well, in a spiritual context, we are reminded by many of the world's religions that it is up to us to make the conscious choice toward God. Or, in a more everyday sense, if we want something, we have to be willing to move toward it and not expect it to fall in our lap. And because in the image, God is right there, fully available and eager to connect, maybe our dreams and goals are also right there waiting for us to reach out toward them.

Even in everyday experience, the lesson holds true. If there's a girl you want to meet, don't just look at her and expect her to read your mind and come to you. Maybe she's old fashioned or just wants some confirmation from you that tells her you are willing to make the effort, take the risk of rejection and introduce yourself. Otherwise, if you aren't willing to do that, how could she trust you to take the initiative in any other situation?

So is Adam just lazy? Maybe so, or maybe he's afraid, but he is curious and if he does lift that finger he will make the connection. In prayer and meditation, we are to make conscious contact with the Divine. This is also one of the 12 Steps of recovery - to improve our conscious contact with God.

Use this beautiful painting as a tool. Remember the image and remind yourself to lift that finger, to reach out to God, your dream or the girl at the end of the bar. Reach out to your troubled teen or a person in pain. Show them your desire to connect. Chances are, the person or Deity on the other side wants the connection just as much as you - perhaps even more - but that it is on YOU to make the connection. So stop looking for a key to unlock the door to your higher self. The door is unlocked; it's wide open, in fact. There is a hand of the other side of the threshold wanting so much to pull you in, but it's not going to grab you against your will. This simple act of will - the will to connect - can bring you the spiritual, human and physical treasures of your heart. Do it now. Lift that finger.

2009.10.06

Welcome

Welcome to the Ancient Wisdom for Modern Problems blog, which is about just that - Ancient Wisdom, or really, timeless wisdom, which can be applied in a practical manner to approach and solve our so-called "modern" problems. Actually, most all of todays issues and difficulties are the problems of mankind, throughout history and across all cultures. And, for thousands of years, the world's Great Thinkers - artists, philosophers, kings, sages, theologians, scientists, writers and teachers - have all considered these problems and have left behind ways in which we can move toward solution.

Many of these strategies and solutions are locked in archaic languages or have become unrecognizable from centuries of misunderstanding and superstition. Others are clear, but difficult to understand - especially in regards to how they can be used today, such as the ancient art of Alchemy. Many Eastern approaches to the human experience are also difficult to translate, as they don't naturally fit in the the Western paradigm of individualism over unity. And, quite frankly, most of us don't have the luxury of taking the time necessary to modernize ancient philosophies so that they may be useful today.

Therefore, the point of this blog, and all the related podcasts, essays, videos, etc., is to share a boiled-down version and modern translation of the timeless wisdom - just the essentials - and provide a practical pathway toward integrating these universal truths into our personal lives.

2009.10.05 Chris Sheridan