We preface this writing with another of our numerous references to the venerable 18th-century -English Philosopher John Locke. It was Locke, who famously declared that man is born with a “tabula rasa” (a clean slate) and that the (exclusive) source of his knowledge is his empirical experience.
The thoughtful, contemplative individual developmentally acquires a reservoir of reference from his anecdotal experiences. In such a manner, he advances in understanding and perception towards the universal aspiration for wisdom.
THE SEED.
Man’s capacity for rational understanding has its observable advent at birth; consisting of the infantile experiences and reactions to stimuli referable to light, touch, and temperature. The compendium of learned experience increases in kind and complexity with the natural progress of his physical and cognitive maturity.
We have eternally maintained, that the awareness of Man’s “self” or “self-image” is the developmental result of his recollected accumulation of personal responses to previously presenting stimuli, eventuating in the dynamic consciousness or our eternally described,”lifetime conversation with oneself.” The effect is the formation of one’s attributable personality and perception.
THE SPROUTED PLANT.
The opportunities for experiential learning increase with the temporal growth of the individual, as a toddler, viz., the warmth and reliability of family contact, and developmentally later, the interactive roles and hierarchy of the family, then to the ability to communicate his personal will. Early school experiences introduce him to the existence of non-parental adult authority, ever wider social experience with peers, inclusive of members of the opposite sex. Personal motivation is significantly inclusive of peer acceptance and demonstrated capability.
EMERGING GREEN STALKS.
The growth progress continues to young adulthood, accompanied by increasing experiential complexity and an ever-increasing growth of perceptive capability. This is the stage of development in which the individual possesses the combination of great physical prowess, counterbalanced by the storm and stress (termed, “Sturm un drang”) in classical psychology; self-consciousness, personal insecurity as to worth and place, sexual awareness, and the impenetrable fog of his unknown future. Assuming a state of good health, the individual, often awkwardly, but progressively, attains a functional acceptance of his life, relative to the ambiance of his personal existence.
FRUIT BEARING MATURITY.
Still, at the zenith of his physical prowess, the individual, develops a comfortable and relatable sense of personal identity, complemented by the assurance of ubiquitously demonstrated capability, is now in a position to marry, bear fruit (children), and, importantly, beneficially interact with society. His thoughts have coalesced into stable principles developed from his perception of many years of experiential learning. To the extent that he has led a life of contemplation and introspective understanding, he will have acquired a responsible and mature perception of himself and, as relevant and necessary, the world around him. He has developed inner feelings of accomplishment regarding mature social responsibilities, a comfortable sense of worth, and a mature perception. At such a point in his development, the individual is most successful. productive, self-assured, and, for decades to follow, physically capable.
THE LATE HARVEST..
Long after the bearing of fruit, the superannuated plant shows signs of ever-increasing withering and loss of its historical vitality. The remaining entity is possessed by disease and diminution of function. In our analogical reference to agriculture, the beneficial and meaningful period of vital existence and production has empirically passed.
In the somewhat analogous but potentially enriching life process of the planet’s inventory of mature contemplative humankind, the ultimate rewards of the (personal) harvest, in contrast, beneficially occur at the superannuated age. The same may evince joint pain, disability, the mandatory use of “walkers” or other peripatetic assistance, and the decline of physical prowess and capability. Yet, for those who have led a contemplative life of personal growth and advancement through elective engagement in reading and/or other personally advancing activities, a bumper crop of invaluable harvest is produced, concomitant with the extant discomfort and disability, consisting of an ultimate understanding of oneself and others. This is the ultimate harvest of “fulfillment,” the cognitive gold medal of a successful fulfillment of the life of the individual and all humankind.
-p.
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