Transcendence is what we call
growth in the
human spirit, and is similar
to the process of maturing. When we are infants and new to the world, we
become upset over the smallest thing. Hunger causes
anguish and anger,
and we scream and kick, throwing a
tantrum until we are fed.
As we grow older, we gain what are called
coping skills. These skills
allow us to take the bumps of life in stride, to be able to understand the
ways of the world, and
accept life as it happens, or to change our world
in a
responsible way. If we find find ourselves hungry, we summon the will to
supress anger at the
unfairness of life, and expend the energy to fix
dinner (or for those of us with less well-developed coping skills, pour
ourselves a bowl of
Lucky Charms).
Transcendence allows us move on in spite of
emotions, to rise above the
twisting
tyranny of
human nature. Transcendence is a beautiful
ideal, for
it is this that allows us forgive.
You've been hurt by someone, been dealt a stunning emotional blow. Our
first instinct as humans is to react with anger and self-pity. Self-pity
is an amazing thing, and it is self-propagating. It allows us to feel
like a
martyr. And who doesn't want to be a martyr? You are perfect, an
innocent, the one who's been wronged against. All your feelings are
righteous, and all your problems can be blamed on someone else. Who would
give this up?
And yet, people who have been wronged in terrible ways find it in
themselves to let go of anger, to let go of self-pity, of
hate, and allow
themselves to forgive. They have transcended this set of human nature.
If you can do this, you can understand the beauty of transcendence.
For anyone who has ever received
advice along these lines, you know how
difficult it is to follow. Most of the time I can see the wisdom behind
such advice, and can understand the benefits of letting go and moving up.
But it can be so painful. I'll do it, yes yes. Just give me some more
time.
Can't I be a child for a little longer?