In eastern wisdom traditions, one way to reach higher states of consciousness is to understand that the most fundamental condition of life and existence is paradox, contradiction, and
ambiguity.
When we look at nature, we see the forces of creativity and destruction co-existing
simultaneously. Creativity is the evolutionary impulse of the Universe. Destruction is the
inertia of the Universe. If the universe were pure evolution and creativity, it would rapidly
expand and evolve so fast that it would disappear immediately.
On the other hand if there were only inertia and destruction, the universe would implode.
It would disappear into a black hole before I could even complete this sentence. The play
of the universe is the simultaneity of opposites - of creation and destruction.
Life feeds upon life and life comes from life. As life forms evolve - from reptiles to mammals
- they learn to play. All mammals bond emotionally through play, singing, touching, cooing, cuddling,
affection, tenderness, and love.
But mammals are also part of the food chain and while a lot of them feed on grass and
berries, and other plants, a lot of them are also predators. Insects are of course critical
to balancing the ecosystem. In fact, if all insects disappeared from our planet, the world
would come to a standstill, and extinction would be at hand. It is also claimed that
if Humans disappeared from our planet today, life would flourish, and the earth would become
once again a pristine Garden of Eden. This of course means that from Nature's point
of view, insects are more critical than you and me. Inherent in nature is the intelligence
to keep it in balance.
Without ambiguity, contradiction, paradox and the play of opposites, there would be
no life at all.