A SPIRIT MOVING THROUGH TIME

The answer to "who are you ?"

 

A SPIRIT MOVING THROUGH TIME

 

Don`t rush off---you are one of those spirits.

 

Everybody has been faced with that question at

some time, "who are you?"

 

Like myself, most people are tempted to answer

with what they do.   "I`m a secretary", or "I`m

a nuclear physicist", or "I`m Doctor Jones".

 

We are inclined to identify with those who are

famous, or in power.  I recall when John F. Kennedy

was President of the United States, I felt kindred

to him.  He had such great personality, it seemed

that he touched every life.

 

I recall sitting in the waiting room of a large

hospital talking to one of the most famous of

American Band Leaders.   This guy had been

married many times to movie stars and other

famous women.  He was great!

After we had talked for about an hour we felt

sort of "friendly".   He said, "John, I don`t know

what`s going to happen to me, my life is a mess."

 

A few days ago a cute lady made an appearance

on the inter net.   She is obviously well off, world

wise and locked in a box.   With the voice of a tourist

she told me about a recent trip half way around

the world.   She should have stayed home and

looked at the National Geographic---that was her

identity from the trip.  She is a person who was at

a certain place and she spoke to certain persons.

 

Don`t it just fry your eggs ?   You ask some guy

who he is and he says, "Oh, I am purchasing agent

for Diablo systems (made up name), or some such

identity.   The first thing you think, I wonder what

this guy knows, who does he know, how does he

think, where did he go to school and on and on.

In other words, once somebody tells you who he is

you then start to search your mind for his identity.

 

Websters was very little help with the word

identity.   Basically, Websters touches on Psychiatry

as a basis for identity, then wanders through various

forms of terminology, none of which bring us any

closer to truth.

 

Some time ago, having written a lengthy poem, it

was called, 'A Cowboy`s Travels in Ireland'.

See, I had to tell who I was to give people something

to tie to.  I became ,"a Cowboy".

The poem touched on my ancestors, places the Irish

would be interested in, even how I got, partially,

the way I am.

 

Some authority on writing once indicated that we

should rarely write about our selves, instead go

to and examine ideas, ideals,  perspectives, etc.

I agree with that theory to a large extent.  Why ?

Because the minute you identify yourself with a

trade, profession, or the arts, you lose all the rest

of your potential readers.

 

A few years ago when on an oral board, testing

applicants for police jobs, I asked an applicant ,

"who are you".   It was a careless question and I

suppose I expected the usual, "student", or

"biologist", whatever.   Instead of the usual answer

one applicant became very agitated, was dismissed,

but came in to my office the following day saying.

"Mr. Crowley, I think I know who I am."

 

That little incident is just mentioned for it`s humor

value and to indicate just how some people are

isolated from any knowledge of 'self'.

 

Did you ever notice ?  Somebody says ," yes I have a

Master`s degree".  The usual retort from the other is,

what is your master`s in ?  Maybe, where did you get

your master`s ?

No matter what the answer, you will be putting that

person in a box.   You will tend to think of them in

terms of the school they attended, or the discipline in

which they studied.

 

We do know that we are a moving being, we observe,

and we relate to others and their ideas.  We don`t

just move and relate in a room, while running  or

at work on plumbing.  

 

We relate to others in a continuum of time.

"When we were children we thought of children`s

things and when grown we put away the things of

childhood and took up the things of men and women".

 

We are the spirit that moves us through life.

 

Any thoughts on this?   Ever have trouble with someone

you like a lot, but you have to give up close

association with that person because they just live

in a box ?   Try to get your friends out of the box,

try to get that spirit moving out in to the world----

even checking out a tropical island.  ; -)

 

----John Crowley

 

Reviews

[Renée]

Boy I could write a book with chapters in response to your story..but I won't...I think this is my favorite writing of yours... makes me think in so many areas...
Who am I ? Aw the possibilities are endless... Great thoughts you captured and I am glad you did !

[Eagle Cruagh]

Yup ! You said it, well partly------ if you had continued, you would have made my story,
you see where we are in this life is where we find others------ you nearly told me where
you are, who you are and how to know you. Well, that was just one year ago, so there
may still be hope, hope that we can escape the box and live..........
------ John Crowley (Eagle Cruagh)

[Renée]

Ah but Mr. Crowley…. I am like you… a soul… so there are no limitations only puzzles

[Eagle Cruagh]

If we keep this up it will only be another year or two until
we communicate--- Really !
---- Eagle

[Renée]

chuckling ! You think that long?

[Eagle Cruagh]

We are showing progress !

[I am that I am]

I think that the question; Who am I?; is the most important question one should ever ponder. It is the root message of every religion; and the root of existence itself. When we say, I am; we seem to be referring to our awareness of our own existence; but who is it that is aware of this existence, and can the knower of the knower of existence be known? Are there in fact two selves; the one who knows the self and the self to be known? I think you would really enjoy Ramana Maharshi's discourses on the; "I am" self enquiry. They are a direct pondering of this question; as to find a definite answer, and to find if there is truly an answer. Even the Bible has reference to the question;

"And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you."
Exodus 3:14

Thanks for sharing this, Eagle.

[Eagle Cruagh]

The pen moves accross the page and having writ moves on,
so moves our little life.
Since the above was written, my beloved wife died and most of
my friends passed on to greener pastures.
The other day I saw a nice 4=wheel drive car, it started me to
thinking of my childhood, to a place that is nearly unpopulated,
lonely and wild. I could go there. All I need is that car, drive it
a couple thousand miles and I would be back---- back where, that is
a place. Who could I take with me , a friend ? The friend would probably
be more at home in her/his own childhood place, or life.

I won`t go--- the stories are all here and in my head, sure someone might enjoy
hearing the stories, but it would be more suitable if I were to hear theirs----
yours---- about the lives that make my life meaningful, fun, a story..............

[patricia]

If I had reviewed this one first i wouldnt have mentioned harmonicas in the last review! I absolutely loved this you get across to us a great thought that i already knew but needed to hear expressed. I like this stream of consciousness idea.

[Sunni Davis]

This is so insightful. Some of the questions you've raised are things I've never thought of, others are ones I've asked myself many times. Usually when someone asks me who I am, I just answer with my name. But so many people answer with their occupation. Ive also observed people replying with their family as in, "I'm Robert's daughter" Its definitely something worth musing over.

[Tony]

Well, though this may not have been 'well thought out' as you say....
I really must say that as a reader of people more than writing, I like this type of writing the best.
What strikes me ... like a bolt... is how that this short somewhat scattered thought articulates very well a feeling, an awareness that is permeating the organism at this time.
One can clearly see, Mr.Crowley here.... is being hit by the same beam that has struck me and godonlyknows how many others.
In particular you give the jist that we should be very careful about how we weigh 'things' in our lives.
The 'accepted' way of just accepting the opinions of 'authorities' and going on blindly.

You are speaking like a warrior in a wasteland, my friend.
Andele!

[Kat Collins]

Labels - sometimes a necessary evil. We define ourselves by WHAT we are, not WHO we are. People seem to need the defining piece of label to put you in place. It gives them a spot in their world for you. Black? White? Indian? Chinese? Gay? Lesbian? Straight? Jock? Nerd? Accountant? Artist? Lover? Hater? Woman? Man? Every line brings an immediate thought, an "idea" of what that person should be like. Not necessarily who they really are. Their essence is undefined - it is bigger than the box, the label. Our boxes need to open and expand, the sides fall away and the top be stripped bare. I am WHO I am...not WHAT I am...

[Norma M Sutton]

In re-reading this I realize that my best friend and I have been pushing each other out of our boxes all our lives. In many ways we are polar opposites, but somehow we have managed to hold onto a friendship we forged at age 6 . . . some 40 years ago :).

[Eagle Cruagh]

A musing.....
This was not written with anyone in mind.
It was (obviously) not organized or well
thought out.
I have a pretty good idea who I am. It would be
a great pleasure if a lot more people gave thought
to the question---- Who are you ?
----- Eagle Cruagh