INKBLOTS & DOTS

By Michael C. Andrade
METANOIA: A REVOLUTION FROM WITHIN As above, so below; as within, so without... -The Emerald Tablet (300 BC) The above-quoted aphorism is known to the sages of old as the hermetic principle of correspondence the application of which has led them to discover and unlock mysteries of the self and of the universe. For to them, the self is but a miniature universe or a microcosmos. Traces of this concept can be found from Platos Republic (wherein the State/society for that matter corresponds to the human individual) to Jesus prayer The Our Father (wherein he taught his disciples to pray for the advent of Gods Kingdom and ask that His Most Holy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven --- elsewhere in the gospels, we find that heaven is within each one of us.). But whats the point, why do I bother to introduce to you this eerie and cryptic saying leafed out from the arid sands of the ages? Why do I bother to trouble your perplexed and restless minds with this strange axiom or enigmatic koan? Because I feel and know that there is something in it which we can apply to our present times and needs. In past ages, humanity has envisioned and dreamed for a perfect society. Sages, philosophers, educators, men and women of science and of faith have imagined, searched, and worked out independently or collectively for the advent of a utopia--- a society where there is peace, freedom, and happiness for each individual; where the whole of humankind are citizens of the world and where each one is a brother or a sister of one another--- reminds me of John Lennons Imagine. Their efforts werent in vain despite the fact that the envisioned society has not yet been realized. The span of the ages and the pages of history reveal the steps and leaps we have been through in our path towards our envisioned destiny. Yet, records show that our journey was not that smooth. Many times over, we lose track of our goal. There were times when we stumbled and fell short of what has been expected of us. Maybe it is because, sometimes, we need to learn things the hard way. We have tarried long enough along the way. At times our stars and suns of hope were covered by mists and clouds of confusion. Then, despair set in. We turn to our leaders whether secular or religious for light, guidance, and answers. Some of them have been true to their trusts, but most of the others have failed us. Some of us seek refuge in money, power, and prestige motivated by the greed and lust of the material world while most of us suffer in poverty. Humanity has been through countless battles and has endured the rise and fall of empires, kingdoms, and nations. In a

local scale, the Philippines had been through the upheavals of armed and non violent revolutions. We have been through different types of governments. We have been witnesses of the several turns-over from one administration to the next. Yet, despite some changes and some progress and developments brought about by what we have been through, it cannot be denied that we have not done enough; there is still so much left to be done to keep us back on track towards the attainment of our goal. We need to pray more and we need to work even harder for the realization of our dreams--- the advent of our utopia, the coming of Gods Kingdom, the reign of the Divine in us. For indeed, we have been told that heaven is within us. Therefore, we must realize that and manifest it in our day to day lives. This is what is truly meant by the Greek word metanoia. In English, it means a change of heart or in religious terms, it is what we call true conversion. Revolutions, changing from one form of government to another, and the regular changing of leaders and administrations would be in vain unless and until we have become the personifications of that change we have ardently hoped, longed, and prayed for. Society is just the reflection of each individual. If we want to change the world, let us start the change within ourselves because true revolution begins from within. Thus, we have unraveled and grasped a spark of the otherwise cryptic quotation above. I take it as my mission in life to set the world on fire. Would you dare to join me? Let me end this column with my new piece of poetry.

unmanifest manifesto
a rebel poets credo by Michael C. Andrade what do you stand for when all beliefs are shaken and all ideals broken; what do you fight for when nothing seems worth the effort and nobodys there to take the risk to even shake your hand under the cloak of darkness? for nothing other than myself ---thats what i stand for; in nothing else than my true worth... ---thats what i believe in; my ideal: FREEDOM!!! a war i wage, ---the war to say, to name, to call black, black; white, white!--not only without but more so within. alone but unafraid, amidst the dark of night, i march unto

the battlefield, the arena, ---the body, the mind, the soul, and the heart--to confront the archenemy humanity has ever known ---the self! in the wake of dawn when this war is over and the guerdon gained, when the self is conquered and victory attained, i know, i will have won the world over not by guns, or bombs, or swords but rather, by faith, and deeds, and words! oh no, no, no! dont put on me that crown of laurel or of gold, for, in truth, im not the real victor i am just the voice of every person struggling silently to renew the world! ignis natura renovatur integra!

P.S.: You may send in your comments, suggestions, and sentiments regarding this column through my email address: www.meesha8@gmail.com