For aeons mankind has been asking the fundamental metaphysical question "Who
am I?" Isn't it safe to say that after thousands of years of inquiry little
progress as to an essential understanding of ourselves has been made?
From my own study of the man and woman relationship, I now think some headway
can be made. It is my hope that after reading this, you, the reader, will
have a greater sense of "who you are" and certainly something substantial
to think about.
1. That male and female are primordial to nature.-- On the surface, this
statement seems innocent enough.. But to the contrary, it's dynamic; the
implication being that nature is composed of two forces, male and female.
Historically, our grasp has been of a ONE force theoory of nature. Religiously,
we speak of God creation. In seeking the essence of ourselves, "Who am I?"
we have heretofore thought that any answer would be inclusive to us all.
Who would have thought that there could be two distinct answers? But let
us consider this thought, the conception of an 'I' only has reference or
meaning in relation to something else that is not an 'I'. Nothing exists
of itself, alone; things or ideas exist only in relation to other things
or ideas. Given that, we can see that there cannot be a one inclusive answer
to the question "Who am I?" or a singularforce to creation. (A force singular
could not manifest power.) There must be a relationship involved, a duality
of 'You' and 'I', or more specifically of male and female.
2. That we, male and female, bring forth creation through our interaction
together. -- This statement suggests that the interaction between male and
female is creation itself. From their primordial relationship they interact
together manifesting creation. Two questions arise here; what is the nature
of their interaction and why are those two forces male and female, necessary
for creation to occur?
The interaction of any duality of opposites is simply one of dividion and
unification. From their separation, male and female join together uniting
as one. And from this unity, they again divide into their distinct sexualities.
here we see the fundamental nature of process, such as breathing, which
is inherent in any relationship. A relationship is not static but dynamic,
always interacting, dividing and uniting. A RELATIONSHIP IN PROCESS is an
eternal continuum.
Our inquiry takes us right to the heart of the question "Who am I?" Since
'one' is not without 'the other', the more accurate question is "What is
male?" as to "What is female?" Why are male and female necessary and fundamental
to creation? What follows is a definition of male and female that I find
increases in meaning and feeling the more receptive I am.
Male, being that force which seeks to individualize a form separate and apart
from the unity of male-female.
Female, being that force which seeks to unify separate forms together from
the division of male and female.
From this definition we can see the distinct but complimentary aspects of
male and female, each needed to manifest the whole of their own uniting-dividing-
creative continuum. With this understanding we can now answer the question
"Who am I?"
'I' am a male in relationship to a female --
'I' am a female in relationship to a male --
whichever sexuality 'I' happen to be, 'You' being the xexual opposite of
me.
In this day of seeking out who we are, hunting for the 'pure experience'
or 'transcendent moment,' it may be worthwile to consider that all that we
are or all that we need in our lives can be found in the man and woman relationship,
whether that is meaning, growth, ecstasy, transcendence, or whatever one
may conceive. Along this line a most positive meditation is to go within
yourself and experience your own sexual force, male or female, and at the
same time experience the force of your sexual opposite around you.
3. That each of us exist in the state of everlasting love with our own other
half. -- Given the primordial nature of sexual relationship, that each of
us is embedded in a one dividing-uniting interaction with our sexual opposite,
and that this interaction is creative, calls forth only one word, and that
is love. We may simply say that love is the act of creation. It is that
which a man and a woman actually engage in in their interaction. What can
be more immanent to life than the expression of the love of one to another?
In conclusion, I can now say that 'I' am a male in relationship to a female
or 'I' am a female in relationship to a male -- whichever sexuality 'I' happen
to be, 'You' being the sexual opposite of me. That is exactly why I am here...to
express my sexuality and fulfill one aspect of the sexually creative relationship
of 'You' and 'I'. I am not here to "balance my karma" and release my being
from the "cycle of rebirth," or to be a "channel of higher teaching" so we
may somehow find our "higher selves," or even to serve humanigy," although
I may do these things. I am here simply to create life itself with my sexual
other. 'I' am here with 'You' to create our lives together in the everlasting
love of our own present moment. Truth, life, and love are now expressed continuously
in the one touch between 'You' and 'I.'
Christopher A. Anderson is a writer/philosopher exploring the metaphysics
of the man and woman relationship.