Chapter One: Asking Questions

[Excerpt Be and Become, © ProCreative, Sydney 2000]

Key Concepts: 

1. To what degree can we accept responsibility for our lives?
2. We appear to be distinctly “separate" from the world around us. The physical world and natural phenomena - atoms, viruses, storms - seem to have their own agenda and machinery, independent of our beliefs, plans or expectations.
3. Even our own bodies can become old, diseased or disabled, despite strong desire to live a healthy, vibrant lives.
4. We accept that many who suffer death, disease, robbery, physical assault and murder do so without wishing it upon themselves - that they are genuinely victim to crime, disease or misfortune.
5. Despite the world appearing to go its own way independent of our wishes or desires we do gain responsibility (and effectiveness) as we gain greater awareness, skill and maturity.
6. As children we are 'innocent' and vulnerable, with scant responsibility or authority. As we enter adulthood, we greatly increase our ability to fulfil our expectations, desires and dreams. Indeed, we are told by many self-development gurus that we can take "full responsibility" for our lives and that we can have whatever we want. We are told, “There are no victims. There are no coincidences. You create your reality.”
7. But what is the actual limit of our control over our lives?
8. How much can we know?
9. How much can we accomplish?
10. How well can we know ourselves?
11. If we were to take "full responsibility" for our lives, wouldn't that require an ability to pre-know the future, so that we could avoid unpleasant situations, disease and misfortune?
12. If we able to take full responsibility, how can we explain the world that we live in? Why would people choose to experience horrendous acts against them, or commit them against others?
13. And what about animals and disabled adults—do they have full responsibility for their lives and, if not, at what exact I.Q. and functionality can we say “reality-creating sentient life”?