stage 1: when you do as you are told
The stage marked with obedience, because you doint know better. You dont know the universe you are in. You dont know the other people you are with. More importantly, you dont know yourself. Don’t know what is safe and what is not; don’t know whether the consequences of non compliance are. So it makes sense to just go along
stage 2: when you question what you are told
The stage when the wold as it seems clearer, and some things dont quite make sense. Or perhaps, te whys and the wherefores are not very clear. That’s when you think, and wonder. That’s when you question. Some of the questions are answered without any fuss, and make a lot of sense. Some answers are still not clear, and seem time locked. Apparently, the answers will reveal themselves at some point in the future. Some questions are deemed dangerous. The question is met with a frown, and a sharp rebuke that such questions are not welcome. Any more questions, and there will be consequences.
And some questions have no answers. And no aplogies either
stage 3: when you protest against what you are told
By this time, one is a bit more aware of the universe. One is more aware of oneself. Some of the mystries of the universe have been revealed. Some of your own sttrengths have been tested. You ahve pushed against the universe, and in some places, the universe yeilded. In some, it pushed back. But now, you are no longer satisfied with merely asking questions and gettin no answers. And some answers you get are unpalatable. Some things about the universe are wrong. And you say it out so. You protest. You contest. The universe frowns back; but you knew it would
stage 4: when you rebel
When you believe that you can push the universe so hard, that the universe will yeild. When you believe that you are stronger than the universe; or atleast, will outlast the universe in hand to hand combat. And you believe that what needs doing, needs doing, damn the consequences.
Of course, the consequences are quite damning, but it gives you a sense of fulfilment. You think you have proven your strength against the universe. You feel strong. And you feel the need to proclaim your victory with drum beats and flags.
The feeling of strength could just go to your head. And you get stuck on a treadmill for more and more power. Unfortunately, one also makes the mistake of assuming that what works today will work forever. But the universe is not static. It changes, and suddenly, you are the one that is yeilding. Its when you learn to learn, or lose. Some people just lose small change like money or jobs or position. Some lose their lives; and some lose whole kingdoms that the world assumed would be theirs to rule forever
stage 5: when you reach stability
Having proven your strength, having asked all the questions and discoverd most of the answers, you realise that the universe is just as it is because it cannot helpp being itself. The universe, which seemed to have a mind of its own, actually reveals its shackles and its fears. And you know your own constraints and your own fears. And you have realised that there are some battles you dont want to fight; because you dont care for the stakes, or you dont dare lose the stakes. And the universe is not the suffocating enemy you thought it was. You see where the universe needs your help, and you put in your effort into it. Some places, you see where you can bend the universe to your will, to serve you, and that you do. Somewhere, the univers has to be broken before it can be rebuilt with imporvements. Inspite of being a long and hard process, you do it. The lessons learnt from being a rebel are put to use. Coaxing the universe, willing it, destroying it and rebuilding it. In some ways, you feel stronger than the universe. And you settle into a pattern. You grow in the ways you want to grow, and just keep at growing. The war has turned into a journey
Sometimes, you are caught unawares, and you lose a battle, and a lot more. This is the test of where you stand. You either manage to grow back, or you just retreat, never to recover.
So where do you stand?
