《The Thousand-Year Whisper: From "Zhuangzi" to "You," That Butterfly, What, Exactly, Is It Asking?》

Two thousand-plus years ago, a, sage named "Zhuangzi," had a dream. In the dream, he, transformed into a butterfly. Wings, were early spring's tender leaves, veins, were early morning's light frost. He, rode the wind, wandered among flowers, entirely, immersed in, that, identity-as-"Butterfly's," light "Joy." "Vividly, not knowing Zhou (himself)." Suddenly, he, awoke. Startled, discovered, himself, was still, that, named "Zhuangzi," tangible, qualitative "Human."

And, just, in, this "Waking" and "Dreaming's," violent "Switch," a, like "ripple"-like "Question," from his "Heart-Lake," quietly, rippled open, and, from then, never, stopped. This question, traversed, two thousand-plus years "of Time," like, a, grain, by, planted into "the Eastern collective unconscious," "Thought-Seed," in, countless "Souls'" "Inner Universes," repeatedly, taking root, sprouting. And, at this moment, it, also, is, toward you, emitting, that, most ancient, and, most gentle "Whisper."

【First Question: Regarding "The World"】

That butterfly, that which, it brought, the most direct "Knocking-Question," points to "the World's" "Reality." "I, just now, that experienced 'Butterfly-Joy,' was it, real? And, I, this moment, that which (I) feel 'Human-Suffering,' again, is it, real? Exactly, which one, is 'Reality'? Which one, again, is 'Illusion-Dream'?"

This, is a, not "lonely" "question." In, almost, the same "historical period," distant "Ancient Greece," another, sage named "Plato," also, constructed, a, famous "Cave Allegory." He, hypothesized, there is a group "of Prisoners," since birth, then, living in "a Cave," they, their whole lives, that which, (they) can, see, are, only, that, by "the bonfire," projected onto "the wall," "Shadows." In their view, "Shadows," are, that, only "Truth." Millennia later, in, a, named "The Matrix" "digital cave," humanity, pillows on "nutrient fluid," in "back-of-head-jacked-in" "dream-state," passing a life, and, similarly, believing it true.

Yes. Doubting "the World's" "Reality," is, human "Philosophical Consciousness'" awakening's, first "Sign." It, is profound, mesmerizing, and, sufficient, to, subvert, all, our "Daily-Life." But, this, is it, that butterfly, that which, (it) hopes, we, contemplate, the "Entirety" "of the Question"? Perhaps, this, is just, the first "Ripple."

【Second Question: Regarding "The Self"】

Let us, change "an Angle," re-, examine, Zhuangzi's "Confusion." Perhaps, Zhuangzi's true focus, was not, in, "discerning," that "External World's" "Truth-or-Falsehood." But rather, in, "exploring," that "Internal Experiencer's" "Identity." The question's "Core," perhaps, is not "Exactly, is 'Human' dreaming, or 'Butterfly' dreaming?" But rather "That, consciousness, which experienced 'Butterfly-Joy,' and, that, consciousness, which experienced 'Human-Suffering,' are they, the, Same 'I'?"

Here, "the World," is just "background." "The Self," is, the true "Protagonist." From this "Cutting-Point" departing, we will, arrive at, a, more "Subversive" "Possibility": "I," am not, a, can be, once-and-for-all "defined" "Noun." It, is more like, a, between, different "Experiences," continuously "Flowing-Changing" "Verb."

"I," am not, that, named "Zhuangzi" "Body," nor am, that, named "Butterfly" "Illusion." "I," am, that, which can, simultaneously, contain "Zhuang (Zhuangzi)" and "Die (Butterfly)" two "Experiences," that, Vaster, more Flowing "Consciousness Itself." The Soul, is not a "Statue." The Soul, is a "River."

【Our Answer: Wearing the Question】

At this moment, when you, with 【Nanhua Butterfly Dream】 (South-China Butterfly Dream) this artifact, encounter. You, perhaps, also, are, expecting, it, can, for you, bring, an "Answer." But, this artifact, its "Existence," is not, for "Answering" this ancient-question. Its "Gnosis," far than "Answer," more "Compassionate," and, more "Wise."

It, invites you, to "Wear" this Question itself. Yes. "Wear" it. To, take this, regarding "Self" and "World," "Sacred Uncertainty," like a "Gemstone," elegantly, place "upon the Self." This, is a "Vow," a, you, with "Your Own Self's" "Inner Agreement." It, symbolizes: You, are willing, from, that, attempting, for "the Self," to find a "Solid Definition's" "Obsession," be liberated. You, are willing, to, admit, "The Self," is "Experience's" "Sum-Total," it, flows, changes, and, is filled with, infinite "Possibility." You, are willing, to, abide in, this "Uncertainty," and, ultimately, from it, obtain, that, highest "Freedom."

【Conclusion: Endless Ripples】

So, that, from, two thousand-plus years ago, then, began "wing-beating" "Butterfly," it, exactly, what is it asking?

At this moment, we, perhaps, can, give an "Answer": It, is not, a, waiting, by "Intellect" to be "Cracked" "Riddle." It, is a, poem, inviting us, using "the Entire Life," to "Resonate" with.

Its "Whisper," is not "Interrogation," but a "Blessing." A, regarding, letting go "of the Solid Self," "Blessing." A, regarding, embracing "the Flowing Life," "Blessing." A, regarding, in "Dream" and "Waking's," all "Experiences," to, discover "Infinite Beauty," most ancient "Blessing."

And this circle, "of Blessing's" "Ripple," to this day, still, continuously, expands. Just as, it, at this moment, with yours, Encounter.