A Helpful Metaphor for the Domesticated Mind

We know that C-3PO is programmed for etiquette and protocol – he represents the domesticated mind, whereas, R2-D2 is an astrometric droid, seemingly designed for repair and maintenance of starships etc. As the films have unfolded, we’ve come to recognise C-3PO as the reluctant one, and R2-D2 who carries out his instructions without question. C-3PO complains “We seem to be made to suffer – it’s our lot in life!”, “Where do you think you’re going? I’m not going that way. It’s much too rocky. This way is much easier.”. To complain seems to be the accepted etiquette in our society – something we all do to appear “normal”. When the rebellious software in us is running, we find ourselves doing things in order to “overthrow” protocol, without thoughts of the possible consequences. Safety and well-being is the counterpart for self-sacrifice/duty/purpose. Both of these are necessary, so the object is not to try to delete them, but rewrite our program with the 21st Century Commandments, so that we gradually move away from conformity, and into conscious cohesion – going along with, while remaining apart from domesticated society. This gives us options, and allows us to decide for ourselves, and not just decide by way of dialogue between the foreign imprints of C-3PO and R2-D2 in us.

You know those robot slaves we’ve been wishing for since we were kids? We are them, and they are all around us. They have the ability to change this, but they don’t want to. The “down to earth” human likes not having to develop, think for themselves, and take responsibility, whereas the Unithou recognises her/himself as Creator and creation. Being told what to do doesn’t bother Unithou – being told what to think, does.

The 21st Century Commandments

The voice of wisdom came from deep within and spoke:
“God is the problem. God was necessary for the period of domestication of the people. As long as the image of a god in another realm persists, spiritual maturity and the evolution of society will remain impossible. True spiritual maturity requires a new set of commandments:

1. Thou shalt follow none other than thine own instinct or reason.

2. Thou shalt worship none other than thine own unique divinity and image.

3. Thou shalt endeavour to behold the unique divinity (“Thou”) shrouded in the image of the other.

4. Thou shalt endeavour to invest thy time and energy cultivating health, intelligence, creativity, experience, relationships and consciousness.

5. Thou shalt learn a meditative art of thine own choosing, and practice this art regularly.

6. Thou shalt wear life, and thy role in it, loosely, so as to laugh.

7. Thou shalt, as opposed to “leading life”, allow life to lead, so as to dance along with grace and enthusiasm.

8. Thou shalt acknowledge fear and opinion, but be a safe-haven for neither.

9. Thou shalt assess thy life, not in terms of achievement, but in terms of balance, and harmony.

10. Thou shalt work to serve others in order to experience self-sacrifice, respect, tolerance, and joyful monotony.

11. Thou shalt seek not to harbour resentment, blame, regret, arrogance, apathy, disrespect, or hatred.

12. Thou shalt seek to be open to the wisdom and/or guidance of philosophy (ancient, recent, or emergent), the views of others, as well as the insight/advice of those with experience.

13. Thou shalt learn how to love, to relax, and to enjoy.

14. Thou shalt apprehend and approach life’s activities in the way of the artist, the scientist, the gamer, the dreamer, the dancer, the poet, the gardener, or the actor.

15. Thou shalt veer from thy path for the purpose of excursion/experimentation, or to broaden thy experience and perception.

16. Thou shalt, as artist and subject, master and student, revise/ammend, or disregard any of the above should they fail to serve their intended purpose: the healthy liberation of the individual’s existential/spiritual uniqueness within a society antithetical it.”