Shadows of Imperfection

          Our imperfections cast a shadow from the light of perfection.  We can choose to look at the shadow, identify with it and even become it.  Very much like what happens in the Allegory of Plato's Cave.  Although the problem with this is that the shadow is nothing.  So by focusing on the shadow we are focusing on nothing.  Any imperfections we have seem very real to us if we focus on them.  Such as pride, bitterness, hate, jealousy and so on.  These things have been referred to as the 'sins of the flesh' or could be seen as sins of focusing on the shadows cast in a temporal world. The trick is to turn around and focus on the light of perfection itself and all shadows now seem pointless and they lose power.
            Only when we go back to the shadow, after knowing how things really are, can we become in danger of actually becoming the shadow itself and ultimately becoming nothing.  This I believe would take great effort considering how strong, abundant and real the light of perfection is.  Now facing the light one still has imperfections that cast shadows behind them but they are of no concern now.
          This also relates to ones identity. If I identify myself as my gender, nation, career, body, race, appearance, accomplishments and so on, then I will suffer once any of these temporal things fade.  I must focus on my true identity in the the light cast from perfection.  It is interesting that when one asks who God is the only reply is, "I Am, that I Am."  No other tangent of identification is given, it is simply, "I Am."  Once I realize that I am only what I am cast by the light of God then I have no attachment or value placed in any other identity. My entire world could fall apart yet I would remain free, as long as I see It all as temporal wisps of shadows.  Truly the only thing worth focusing on is eternal reality.  It is quite exciting to face this challenge. It feels like an adventure that is not draining but rather lively.  Thank You.

Interaction

              Genuine human interaction is so important. When we are in the presence of another person we are challenged to face who we really are.  We can choose to communicate our honest thoughts or put on a mask to protect who we truly are.  Either way when we interact with others it pushes us to break free from any false thoughts that we create about the outside world or even about ourselves.  Interaction with others also wakes us up from any distraction we may be asleep in.
              I would challenge that most peoples best memories or any kind of real memory has to do with interacting with other people in a genuine way.  I would also challenge that if questioned, "What would you do if you found out you had only one year to live?"  Most people would say that they would want to spend it interacting with those they love.  So if we know that the only thing worth 'doing' is 'being' with other people in a. real way why do we waste so much time not being with others.  I think it might be that in order to genuinely be with another person we must first genuinely face our selves.  This might be too scary for a lot of us so we put on a mask in order to be around others with out facing who we truly are.  We all know how draining it is to keep a mask on around others.  We hit a breaking point and excuse our selves from the group in order to be safe and alone in our own false beliefs about reality.  This seems like a very strange cycle we choose to live in.  For those of us with deep hurts it is not so strange.  But I'm convinced the more we put our selves around others and push through those first few hard times it will get easier.  After a while the cycle will transform into a craving to be around people in an honest way.  One will start to notice that others reflect who we genuinely are back to ourselves and we do the same for them.
                A true danger is being alone to long with our own thoughts.  They can turn reality into false perceptions of others and ourselves.  What will give us the freedom and strength to step out into the light to see who we are?  Please know that true discovery of oneself and others is hard but it is the greatest adventure we will experience.