the result is the effect, not the cause.

Everything in our world starts off formless as energy, thought, potential, in the realm of te kore, then begins to evolves and come together in te pō, then takes form in te ao mārama.

Classic whakapapa. Classic creation process.

In the previous post, we talked darkness and I shared, “how well I navigate the darkness determines how I experience the end result; the light, enlightenment, healing, achieving the goal, ‘success.’ So how do I trust the darkness; unknown, unfamiliar, uncomfortable, confusing etc.? What other option is there?”

Understanding the phases and what can occur in each or how they impact on the next part of the sequence, helps us to make sense of what manifests in our own lives, as well as provide us with a blueprint to understand the world around us. So, if we can appreciate the physical anything is the effect, or the end result of the process, rather than the cause of it..

where would we focus our efforts and energies, to make the most substantial change?

Or to try and seek a deeper understanding?

Would we focus on the result, or on an earlier part of the process that’s caused said result?

It goes both ways, whether the results are desired or not. For instance, if the veggies in my garden grow well and provide kai for my whānau in a few months, it’ll be attributed to the process during the lead up. i.e. choosing a suitable location for the plants, preparing the whenua (soil), planting at the appropriate time etc. If they do not, well.. it’ll be due to the process as well (and my ability to execute it, or that my process was wrong to begin with).

If my skin is playing up, it’s a sign, a result that I’ve been consuming the wrong kai — nutritionally, spiritually, emotionally and/or mentally. The result is the effect, not the cause. Sure, there are factors that may affect us or how things manifest in our lives, that are beyond our control, that are not our fault.

But it’s our responsibility to figure something out, as individuals, and as a community.

So if we see littering and overflowing bins at spots around the country, since drive thru takeaways have opened up, thanks to level 3 isolation conditions.. yes, it’s an eyesore and upsetting, infuriating and all the rest of the feels. But what’s the whakapapa, what’s the process? The rubbish is the result, so even though it’s an issue, it’s still the effect, not the cause.

It’s the symptom of the problem, rather than the cause of it. We could trace it back to values and belief systems, relationship with kai, relationship with the taiao (natural environment), decision making, environmental influences and so much more.

These are just some ways I interpret that classic creation whakapapa mentioned above, what do you reckon?

Tēnā tātou,

Hana.