Curiosity
Curiosity- a strong desire to know or learn something. Interest leading to inquiry, strange, unusual or unexpected. From Latin—careful, inqusitive.
Learning is by nature, curiosity. - Plato.
I was well equipped for learning as I was one of the most curious kids you could ever meet. My mother supported me in this by introducing books into my world. Each trip she made to the library was a mini Christmas. Words were amazing. One day I realized when I learned to write my insights and ideas they would not be lost as I sometimes forgot them. I could recreate them, but I knew some were just gone.
In second grade I recall telling myself I wanted to know everything that happened on the planet before I landed here, and I wanted to know how everything worked. I used those exact words, which I have never forgotten. Towards the end of second grade I started reading our newspaper, the Denver Post. I had to ask my mom for help with some words and ideas.
In school I would do my school work as fast as possible so that I could get to my books. I loved biography, great men across history, explorers, scientists, leaders, inventors, presidents. I also read some fiction but mostly non-fiction. I loved history and science and soaked it up like a sponge. I got reasonable grades but never straight A's, I was too busy learning!
Then there was Cub Scouts, we learned things there also. Then later Boy Scouts, merit badges, camping and other skills. A world to explore. Bikes gave freedom and a way to roam farther and farther. Microscopes, telescopes, chemistry sets, science kits, electronics and radio controlled airplanes.
In 9th grade, my best friend Steve and I would ride our bikes out to Stewart Brand Airport and though we could not drive a car, he took control of his Dad's twin seat Mooney and we were off to sniff the cows over Greeley or land at Centennial Airport and get a coke.
Learning to fly, more wonderful knowledge! Going to three different high schools gave several chances to explore different versions of myself. Actually, the four elementary schools had started the process off rather well, as did the three junior high schools. I went from a very shy, socially inept bucktoothed, skinny, overly smart kid, to being comfortable in many social situations and as I grew and got braces, I fit in and enjoyed myself.
As I improved my integration into my small world, the world at large seemed to become more unhinged. Vietnam was on TV every night, racial unrest, college protests and general insanity increased. I knew I was going to college not to war. It was a time of questioning everything. I was sure Vietnam was a disaster and wrong. I was still trying to make sense of Christianity. When I was younger and had Confirmation classes I had hoped to see some sense in it. No. The wine and wafer did nothing either. I even became an alter boy to see if I could see some hidden knowledge.
No. My best friend's father was the priest of our church. I made an appointment with him to discuss it all. He was late, and when he finally showed up, he looked at his watch and said “I have ten minutes.” I said “never mind.” The part I could never understand was hell. The planet, all life, the stars, the universe, all were created by a warped small minded being that had designed eternal torture for numbers of his creation. I considered all who believed this to be twisted and deluded as well, even though some were quite nice people. I had read about other religions. They made more sense. Reincarnation seemed much more reasonable. I could be a Hindu or a Buddhist. My mom was worried about me because while I did believe in God, I had been telling her for years I did not believe in hell.
It is hard to feel outnumbered. There was a young women I met as a senior at a weekend retreat in Estes Park. It combined fun, social interaction, and religion. We had an amazing time. We thought a lot alike. The priests and even a bishop had difficulty with the questions and viewpoints we purposed. She was attractive and nice and I loved roller skating with her because I was terrible and she had to hold me up the entire time. It was a huge relief to find another who thought like I did! I have always loved smart women.
I finally read Edgar Cayce. At last some sense was made of Christianity. Reincarnation and love and no hell! This lead to my first peak experience and my own view of cosmic consciousness. The golden light! A glimpse of the Magnificent did not provide all the answers, but I knew there were answers. There were so many more questions to answer.
My life was just beginning. Off to Boulder, Colorado and the University of Colorado! It was good to be away from the parents. A whole new world intellectually and socially. There were so many courses you could take! I looked over all the courses with a friend, Phil. We were super excited at all the possibilities! Then they came around with the requirements. Phil was so bummed, he got one elective his first year. I had not picked a major, so I had at least a couple. We finally created our class lists. I haunted the enormous university book store. I could look at all the class titles and then look through the required books. I could not take all the courses, but I could check out what they were learning. In an upper level philosophy course I picked up a book by Ludwig Wittgenstein. I opened a page about the middle of the book and read: Eternity consists not of endless temporal duration, but of the eternal now. WHACK! Just like that I was off the eternal treadmill. A whack on the side of the head with a nicely padded 2X4. Knocked into freedom in the only place you could go, the infinite, eternal NOW! I just stood there, stunned! WOW! Gobsmacked! I will say that was the best moment of discovery ever in the book store!
I decided to end my explorations for the day. I put the book up and started walking out. Ever since my golden light experience I had been experiencing psychic things. For example, I would be driving down the street to rent ski boots for a PE class and suddenly my foot is on the break for no reason at all. Then a car blows right out of the alley going 30 mphs. Whew! That was a good stop! I decided to try an experiment. There was a cashier 30 feet away looking down at something. I decided to tell her to look up. She did. I had tennis shoes on a tile floor so no way could she hear me. I thought maybe she would just look up to see if someone is coming. Outside the bookstore I decided to try again. There was a girl talking to two guys in front of me. They finished the conversation and the two guys came toward me while the girl walked in the same direction I was going about 15 feet in front of me. Turn around, turn around, I said mentally. She turned around and looked in my direction. She was probably just looking back at the two guys. But really how often do we turn and look at the back of people's heads?
I decided to do it again. Turn around, turn around I said mentally. This time was different. She completely stopped walking. Then she turned around and looked directly at me! I had not thought this thing through. I did not say a word. I really missed out on a great way to meet women! You are part of my psychic experiment. We must be on the same wavelength! Oh well.
I had read about psychics and such for years, but when it starts happening to you, it is somewhat disconcerting. It was a great relief to meet Gary. I had a part time job at a 3.2 bar. One night he was there working and as soon as I looked at him I knew he was different too. Within minutes we were talking about philosophy, psychology and metaphysics. He had a girlfriend, Chris and they had had many psychic experiences. If you have ever read Stepphenwolf when Harry meets his people, that is what I felt like meeting Gary and Chris. No longer alone, we all shared the search for deep knowledge, about ourselves, the mystery of the world and consciousness. We called it being turned on, not to drugs, but to finding the mystery. They were the first people to know about my golden light experience.
Your curiosity is your growth point, always. Danielle LaPorte
Curiosity is one of the great secrets of happiness. Bryant McGill