Self-Realization and Other Awakenings

Draw a circle of compassionate action around
yourself, as big or small as you care to make it, and
within that circle, create a kinder world.
Consciousness is like an unimaginably huge
symphony orchestra, playing all the notes, all the
time, all at once. Mind is like a composer/conductor
who comes along and chooses various notes and puts
them together in a linear fashion so they can be
experienced and appreciated as a song or melody. Is
that song going to be harmonious or discordant? Will it
be a happy or melancholy tune? Bach or ZZ Top?
It's entirely up to you. I don’t think the whole of
consciousness knows or cares what’s being done with
all the vibrations at all the frequencies it is radiating.
But that doesn’t mean that we as apparently separate
minds should not care. In fact, maybe the truth is that
we are the way consciousness can care, and thereby
we make something meaningful out of that apparently
meaningless radiation.
I hope that if and when the time comes for each of
us, we will be willing and brave and selfless enough to
make that Bodhisattva vow. In the meantime you can
keep feeding the cats, because it makes you and them
happy. You can give the five bucks to the homeless
woman on the corner, because this is how a more
peaceful and happy world is built.