The Sin Within Consciousness

The greatest tree began its journey when, as a seed, perhaps still asleep in a nut, one of many scattered upon the forest floor, it took root in a location that favored growth. The magnificent tree, home to many, grew as it could, but, importantly, it grew as it would.

A tree may have had to adapt to severe weather, or poor soil, or a lightening strike. It grew as it could. Nonetheless, the essence of the tree was preordained. The design of the great tree was within the seed or, as we understand, today, the seed’s DNA. The tree grew as it would. Its nature was defined at birth; its survival depended upon whether that nature was prepared to exist in its environment. Indeed, the seed contained the ideal tree, as Plato would have advised.

When we stand in awe gazing a great tree, we may consider ourselves lucky to have come upon this unique wonder.  However, it is, in the end, the tree is the same stuff within all seeds. We may admire the beauty of the tree, but it is the same beauty as the little sapling off to the side, only time and conditions have not played their great part to influence the sapling. Greatness is merely our judgment placed upon a seed that was lucky. The person in forest is not unlike the tree in an important way.

We are all born with a program up and running, out of the box. We all become what we can, but develop as we would, according to our “seed” and environment.  Tree varieties have different qualities, some are stronger, some bend, but they are what they are. Animals are what they are. There is assessment, not judgment in the jungle or forest. Once a lion has taken a gazelle, the other gazelle stand around, nearby, grazing. They are without anger at the lion. They do not judge the lion - they watch and react.

A chimp may decide it can push around a weaker chimp, but it does not judge the weaker as an inferior being. Group hierarchy is established and life goes on. Yet, our lives are different. We each can see a great divide between our species and that of others. Herein lies important inquiry into our natures as animal with consciousness.

Why do we have a propensity to make “value judgments” of the essence of other humans? What is “hate?” How is it we are immune to information contrary to our beliefs?  Indeed, what are beliefs? Truth?

None of these questions pose a problem once you understand the power of judgment - including the ignored aspect that cripples us. The acceptance of our major flaw, however, requires a profound individual change. The acceptance may be called a spiritual awakening as it encompasses “consciousness,” but the acceptance may be made by the most severe materialist among us. The acceptance of the flaw is nothing less than becoming humble, a task much more difficult for those who pride themselves in their reason.

Humility casts aside pride, the greatest of all sins. Understanding pride is to tame it. Understanding pride takes us back to our “seed” and the consciousness that dwells in our nature. 

Genesis refers to the "fall" of Adam and Eve as that of obtaining knowledge of good an evil. (עֵץ הַדַּעַת טוֹב וָרָע / Etz haDaat tov V'ra ) This knowledge is that of consciousness, which is the nature of God. Genesis reports God saying (to whom?) essentially: "Now, what do we do with them?" The answer is that they had to leave the garden of living without consciousness, a contentment of sorts, and were condemned to living lives of anguish caused by judgment. Perhaps, living in harmony with nature is Eden and, perhaps, we are searching to return; but, that journey is made nearly impossible by our consciousness.

While a beast does not judge, we do. We are both blessed and cursed by the knowledge of good and evil. It is our task to understand the nature of our seed. Only then, can we return to a spiritually contented garden. 

Michelangelo, from the Sistine Chapel: