KNOWING

by EarlgreyteaLimassol, Cyprus

Jun 2012 828 Views 10 comments

KNOWING...

"... when you know there is disharmony and you hold that ‘knowing,' through your knowing a new factor has come in, and the disharmony cannot remain unchanged. When you know you are not at peace, your knowing creates a still space that surrounds your non-peace in a loving and tender embrace and then transmutes your non-peace into peace...”
TOLLE

Driving in Cyprus is a stressful and harrowing experience. 5/6 of the drivers OBEY NO ROAD RULES, and per capita, as a result, Cyprus has more cripples than any other country on earth, not to speak of an unspeakably high number of road deaths... As a result, when I drive, I find myself cursing quite often. However, I have learnt to do it ‘knowingly’, and that, believe it or not ‘creates a still space that surrounds your non-peace in a loving and tender embrace and then transmutes your non-peace into peace...’ Orwellian double-speak? Perhaps, but, don’t be hasty to judge me till you have driven in Cyprus for a day, what? No, a mere 10 minutes is all it will take to raise your ire!!!
‘...you rat, you almost killed me, you fink, you *&%*$***!!!..., and yes, I’m KNOWINGLY calling you that..., Ok, deep breath, calm down, OOOMMM, and all that jazz... ‘
So, a quick, unequivocal test of your enlightenment is a 10-minute drive through Cyprus, if you can really keep your equilibrium and keep from going from ‘bliss to piss’ in 10 minutes, then, my dear friend, you have made it, you are finally and without doubt an enlightened master..., 3 deep, humble bows to you...,
As for lil-ol-me, sigh, I’m no enlightened master, if I was, would I be driving around Cyprus?
Love and light folks...

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Posted: Jun 2012

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Comments (10)

FellsmanLake District, Cumbria, England UKJun 15, 2012

Dear Earl

I spent two and a half years in Cyprus during the early 1970's, the driving standards were abysmal even then: I recall asking a local after witnessing one particular lethal piece of driving: "How do these people ever pass a driving test?" He answered without pause, and without a trace of irony: "Providing they don't kill anybody, they pass."

No doubt, like every other country, I imagine that the traffic density in Cyprus has increased many fold since those days - so I can imagine that nowadays driving in Cyprus is a daily dicing with death.

No wonder the occasional oath escapes your lips, it could only be otherwise if you were a Saint.

Another great write from the pen of a master storyteller.

Best wishes

Bill

jazzy75Houston, Texas USAJun 15, 2012

Lol...it's kinda like watching someone else...when the words sprout forth....when there is space. Totally can relate my friend...good to see you back.

Odette67Penrith, Cumbria, England UKJun 15, 2012

Always a pleasure to read your inspirational writes dear EG...This is a worrying write though...Try to keep calm...I know it isn't easy...But getting angry is so bad for ones health...You take care.

Macduff5Newcastle, New South Wales AustraliaJun 15, 2012

Hi EGT,

I wrote a poem last year about the traffic...here in Australia. We're obsessed with the motor car here. Insurance premiums have gone up astronomically and I can well appreciate how this daily experience tests patience to the max. I've been in taxis in Athens...years ago and it simply amazed me what the drivers do.
Enjoyed the write. Cheers mate

Poetnumber1St James, Port of Spain Trinidad and TobagoJun 16, 2012

Inspirational piece my friend,nice one and its always a pleasure to see you

cafetwo2010Harford county, Maryland USAJun 16, 2012

Enough to drive someone crazy Earl! We all need to go back to our three wheel bikes..

AhyraAdelaide, South Australia AustraliaJun 16, 2012

That's one thing I'll never miss from Europe, traffic. Nice to read earl. Thank you

windyweatherlySan Francisco, California USAJun 16, 2012

EGT thanks for coming back. You know I am always in the look out for your item and it is so delightful when I see your piece.

Now about driving, I have been driving mostly all over the world except for Africa and sounth america, but you will laugh with what I swill tell you. Before that I have to share you first about your bdeef in Cyprus, I observe that the third world countries for lack of funds on making roads wide and safe including signs and size, it truly is amazing how people can survive the day. But because they all drive the same way it is no problem. It is when the drivers from other places that make the harrowing experience.

Now I have been driving for the past 35 years in the US and let me tell you, it is the best in the world. Even Canada and or Australia can't come close. I was there the past three weeks and I notice the lack of substantial signs on entrance and or exits and the lanes are too small and even a major highway lacks shoulders and assistance of any kind. But it is not bad compared to Europe where size of the road is out of the question becaause of the history on not having cars before most of those roads were built. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF GERMANY AND SWITZERLAND. Now going back to Australia, so my love allowed me to drive for 10 minutes in their strange road (same as England) and he told me I broke 4 rulews within 2 minutes of driving. HA HA HA we were both laughing because he knows I am a race car driver, without any record of accident, mind you.

Anyways, yes the budget allocated for such a need is limited on the dper capita income of the nation or state I believe. My very vivid experience is that whe4n I am in Geneve or CH I can tell when I am in France without looking at the sign because of the nature of the road and signs.

anyways, I am glad you are still alive.

Please come and visit the states and enjoy our beautiful, massive, large lanes or wide lands and big shoulders and not to mention phone assistance on all major highways even with the advent of the cell phones.

Windy