RICK OGDEN Challenges Jacob Ghitis on THE TWO
* Two is but an echo seen *
Jacob, read the exercise. Focus seriously, be scientific, conduct the experiment,
and ask yourself the follow-up questions. Discover your subtle workings and,
with a new self trust, find your life being based on a refreshing inner
authority based on a deeper comfort with and a new understanding of your
psychological dynamics.
Take two identical objects, place them before you, and have them in
physical contact with each other. Two paper clips, two pencils, two
whatever, but they should be small. Innocence helps here, so do the
exercise before you look at the follow-up questions.
Now, while looking at the "pair", say these words mentally several times,
"Two pencils" (Substitute with another name for the objects if you do not
use pencils.)
Now, move them about a hand's width apart from each other, and again
mentally repeat the same phrase several times.
Separate them to two hands' width, and repeat again mentally several times.
Separate them to a shoulder's width, and repeat again mentally several
times. Do not "move back" to see them both comfortably, and instead move
ONLY your eyes (not head) so that you scan from one to the other as you are
mentally repeating.
Separate them about as far apart as your outstretched arms (but do not
remain in contact with them with your hands), and repeat again mentally
several times. Again, do not move back, and this time, move your head
(mostly) so that you scan from one to the other as you are mentally
repeating.
Finally, move the objects to as far apart as the room's width, and repeat
the phrase while you move your head (mostly), so that you scan from one to
the other as you are mentally repeating.
If you have the motivation, move them to a "much greater" distance apart
than the room's width. Have one of the objects in your view but the other
one out of sight. If this is "too much to ask" then put one of the objects
out of sight (in a drawer perhaps), and this time just stare at the visible
object while you mentally repeat the phrase.
Ask yourself, Jacob:
What is "two" for me? What is "space" for me?
How do I use space to define values? How did the concept of "two-ness"
change for me as the space between the objects increased?
How does the "volume of space" that "contains a distance" change my
opinions? If I take a "quick peek" through an open doorway into an
otherwise empty room and see two persons who are on opposite sides of the
room, would I probably assume they are "together"? How does this "opinion"
change if I imagine them the same distance apart in the middle of a desert?
When I saw the two objects together, did the concept of "a set" or "a pair"
dominate the experience, and then a more abstract definition of "two" became
operative as the distance increased? Did they ever stop being "two" for me?
What does the distance have to be between myself and someone before I feel
we are a "couple", "a pair", or are "relating with each other" in the eyes
of others who may view us at a party? How do I adjust such spaces as a way
of communication to others about my relationship with my partner?
How close emotionally do I have to be, before I and my loved one are a
"couple" in my own eyes? What do I mean by "close emotionally"? How big is
the "emotional space" that I have us in? How big do I want it to be?
Are my relationships in "rooms" or "outdoors in the wide open spaces"?
How do I feel when I become one of a twosome? Do the unifying aspects that
define our "set" "overcome" my individuality, or is my definition of myself
expanded by the unity?
How far do I feel from my inner spirit? Are we a twosome?
**********
Rick, what a complicated exercise. Where do yo get from that I can answer all those questions? What's the unifying thread? The TWO, as contrasted with the ONE. Even a supposed God was unable to do with just himself! Tell me, when he decided to create cows for the use of man, how many did he calculate were needed to feed Adam? But just Adam was not enough! He had to make a second human being. Well, Rick, it is actually a simple matter of the CREATIVE URGE. Everything is a result of that BASIC PRINCIPLE.
Still, the first entity is ONE. In Evolution, we must think that there was the first living organism, and that the second was an offshoot. That is another reason to imagine that the first sexual creature was hermaphroditic, that is, one, which then separated in two. Even the Torah writes that at the beginning man was made male and female in one.
Two of anything, pencils or whatever, are just extensions of the same principle. You invent the first, and then the others pop up. Two people of whatever sex, who feel like staying together, are a 'couple,' meaning 'joined' together; when they 'copulate' they become 'sexually joined.' What you call "inner spirit" is the self, which is a whole one, unless severely affected, giving rise to manifestations called schizophrenia, from the word "division."
In geometry, which is part of mathematics, and therefore, an integral part of the laws of physics, the number 3 is very significant too, because three sides are needed to create the first planar figure. From such intrinsic component of everything that exists, derive the trinities, so transcendental in religions. But in the very laws of physics the number 3 is basic. Consider the photon, which is made of two antithetical "twins" that unite to make the whole pair. Or two molecules of hydrogen fusing to create helium, thus initiating the stars which eventually resulted in the evolution to life, you and I included.
