The Angel in the Marble

The Angel in the Marble

It is futile to do with more what can be done with fewer. — William of Ockham, medieval philosopher

Nowadays the expression, Ockham’s Razor, refers to a complex problem that can be explained by an easy and obvious solution. The main principle or central theme of Ockham's Razor is simplicity. Simplicity is the adherence to plain truths, one of which is that I can live more fully through self-remembering and being present to my life despite its complexity.

A simple way I understand my own weaknesses and the foibles of humanity is to characterize such inexplicable human behavior to the second state of consciousness or waking sleep. Sleep is a plain truth. Although not everyone may have verified this, one of the reasons I am attracted to this explanation is that my conception of sleep is not connected to judgement. I do not associate negative connotations with the word sleep. Sleep is sleep. The question is do I want to awaken?

Much of my Work in the Fourth Way system has been about removing stumbling blocks that keep me asleep. For example, P.D. Ouspensky lists six main obstacles: lying, the expression of negative emotions, imagination, identification, unnecessary talk and considering.

I saw the angel in the marble and I carved until I set him free. — Michelangelo

There is something about Michelangelo’s approach to revealing the angel within that is utterly simple: to remove what is unnecessary. Although Michelangelo was speaking about carving away stone, I see it as chipping away internal obstacles and unnecessary clutter until I free the divine spirit within. We must stop hoarding our habits of sleep.

Two ideas are instrumental in giving me a sense of freedom from sleep. The first is the realization that the many ‘I’s are the many lies. They are not real, and I do not have to act on them. I can advocate for myself and populate my inner world with what brings me closer to awakening. Thousands of ‘I’s go through my head every day and now – when I am more awake – I am empowered to watch them with detachment and choose silence or choose those thoughts that inspire me toward presence.

There is a huge silence inside each of us that beckons us into itself, and the recovery of our own silence can begin to teach us the language of heaven. — Meister Eckhart

The second liberating idea – which is related to the many ‘I’s and lying – is the non-expression of negative emotions. I see that the way I interact and become negative is an imitation of others I learned in childhood. By carving away this sleep-inducing habit, I free myself from imitation and from habitual reactions that steal precious higher energy and put me back to sleep. I can be my own advocate and ornament my inner world with simple attitudes that bring me closer to awakening.

It all comes down to conscious presence and simplicity. — The Teacher

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Half Figure of an Angel, North Italian, ca. 1430–35