Involved

Being involved is being open to the current, specific and unique situation. It’s acting based on and the experiencing of the now, the current moment. This contrary to acting based on previously formed generic concepts and ideas. An example:

A man was walking on a narrow path near the edge of a ravine. Suddenly a big bird flew up from the bushes close to him. This scared the man in such a way that he slipped and fell into the ravine. Luckily he wasn’t hurt to badly but still he was quite upset by the whole thing. That didn’t change for the better when he realized the position he was in. The ravine’s walls were very steep and he couldn’t see a way out.

Luckily just at that moment a vicar came walking down the path. Help! Help! Yelled the man. Help me! I’ve fallen into this ravine and can’t get out. The vicar looked carefully down the ravine. Here! He said while throwing down a bible and prayerbook. Read this and pray every day. God will give you peace and strength no matter how difficult your situation. Then he walked on to prepare for the weekly service leaving the man behind searching for a way out.

But fortunately there came another person down the path. Help! Help! Help me! Yelled the man again. I’m stuck and can’t get out! Carefully the man walked to the edge. How did this happen, he asked. Well I slipped and fell down this ravine our man answered. This shouldn’t have happened! Said the other man. It’s seriously neglecting of the road manager that a fence is omitted. But luckily for you I’m a lawyer and will sue them. I will get every penny out of them for you! Quickly he walked on to bring this case to court and sue the road manager. Leaving the man behind, shocked and still searching for a way out.

A little later. Once again someone came down the path. Our man, now really panicking, starts yelling again. Help! Help! Help me! I can’t get out! Help me! Please! It’s getting dark and I can get out! The new man also walks carefully to the edge. What’s the matter, he asks. Help! Help! Help me! Yells our man again. I don’t know what to do! I’ll never get out of here! Help me. Please! Hmmm, says the man on the road. Difficult situation. How do you feel? What do you think? I’m out of my mind of fear, the man says. I want out, out, out! Helplessly he starts running into the ravine wall. Lucky you, the man above him says will throwing down a handful of pills. I’m a psych and these are medicine for anxiety and panic attacks. Take these and then, next week, during our next appointment we’ll see if the dose needs to be adjusted. Quickly he moves on. The amount of time specified for this kind of treatment had passed and the protocol was correctly followed.

Our man is now completely at the end of his rope. But, it’s a miracle, for the fourth time someone comes walking down the path. Relaxed and calmly strolling down the path. Help! Help! Our man once again yells on his last breath. Help me, I can’t get out… The man doesn’t hesitate a moment, he takes a leap and jumps right into the ravine! Suddenly both men are standing next to each other. What are you doing! The first man says. Now we’re both stuck in here! I know the other man says, but that won’t stay that way. I’m now in the same position as you so I can tell you we will get out of here. I don’t know how, yet, but we will. Where did you check already? There? And there? And so they go on. Looking, searching, stumbling, trying, slowly moving on. It's not easy and takes a while, giving them both some scratches but finally they succeed. They are standing trembling, tired and sweaty, back on the safety of the road.