The great and rare mystics of the past . . . were, in fact, ahead of their time, and are still ahead of ours. In other words, they most definitely are not figures of the past. They are figures of the future.
Ken WilberRead
Each band or level, being a particular manifestation of the spectrum, is what it is only by virtue of the other bands. The color blue is no less beautiful because it exists along side the other colors of a rainbow, and "blueness" itself depends upon the existence of the other colors, for if there were no color but blue, we would never be able to see it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote illustrates that our understanding and appreciation of something is deeply connected to the existence of other contrasting elements.
Ken Wilber emphasizes the interconnectedness of existence in this quote, suggesting that the beauty and significance of any single aspect, such as the color blue, can only be truly appreciated when viewed in relation to other elements. Our perceptions and values are shaped by contrast, highlighting that every component of a spectrum relies on its counterparts for definition and meaning.
Themes
InterconnectednessContrastPerceptionBeautySpectrum
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a discussion about how different experiences enrich our understanding of life.
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So it is a good idea to start simple, I think, and be very careful. There is a spiritual opening in the Kosmos. Let us be careful of how we fill it. The simplest is: Spirit or Emptiness is unqualifiable, but it is not inert and unyielding, for it gives rise to manifestation itself: new forms emerge, and that creativity is ultimate. Emptiness, creativity, holons.
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It is flat-out strange that something-that anything-is happening at all. There was nothing then a Big Bang, then here we all are. This is extremely weird.
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