Spontaneity, Procrastination & Deliberation- 8th August 1992

THE first and true measure of spontaneity was of course, the act of Creation and all of her designs, having popped up and out and into existence. What marvelous spontaneity, with all the verve and go that one assumes that word to carry! For it is neither more nor less – it is not only typical of new action, but new action abruptly decided and delivered; and one should add, it should be delivered extremely well to be effectual.

What makes for spontaneity? Is it merely a question of time perception or timing itself? True spontaneity comes from an inner response as to knowing correct action, and so acting upon that realization. A madman who is unpredictable and haphazard is not viewed as a largely 'spontaneous' individual. One does not remark that the child in all of her unqualified examinations or outbursts is being spontaneous. But rather, it necessitates that one has prior comprehension as to varied avenues of behavior, and swiftly identifies the preferable and acts on it without hesitation, without reserve. Therefore spontaneity is not characteristically mindless or senseless, even though it may appear as such for all of those who have not been as prepared as he who they have witnessed.

When viewing evolution in the light of this determination one may wonder at the conjecture which suggests that life is spawned in various spontaneous outbursts, all of which belong to the 'mad' category- that Nature herself is given to fits and seizures of complete deviation - divinity is not realized, beauty of pure form unaccounted for. And so the divisions are placed: that it is one thing entirely to suggest that nature may be, by our standards, unpredictable and with uncertain outcome, but another matter to fault the over-prevailing ego which of itself shall be decisive, albeit, quickly.

What of the ego, of she who is this planet so embodied? She who trembles on the outer skin, is pricked and prodded, and ravaged by men. She submits with forbearance, with determined fortitude, as she dances the skies with continued precision.

Alike to the Queen of the fairies with all of her attendants, the many marvels which enhance Creation are constantly renewing, resurfacing or even recreating, in a myriad of composition.

Spontaneity is tireless!

• It is a leap into existence.
• It drives the shoot up into open air;
• It changes a man, who, caught within the shadow of anger upon his face, suddenly turns to a smile;
• It gives the final moment of birth as the canal is negotiated and there is no turning back;
• It gives the corn its color, yellow;
• It gives an improviser a sure hand, a confident flourish.
• It is neither erratic nor misplaced.

Love is truly spontaneous by nature: it springs forth without reserve, for love is not challenged by doubt or by indecision. He who loves knows how quickly and swiftly the associated actions outcome, and the responses, which are not guarded. It comes most naturally, profoundly arising upon an impulse which exceeds all lower impulses.

We may be moved to many activities, and for those in which we are spontaneously inspired to respond to the higher impulses, definite, enlightened and swift action does ensue. Of course, there is a time for deep consideration - the solemn face of understanding, the quiet repose, the unadventured response. Hesitation has its place. Many an oracle has been consulted, many a seer has been pleaded and queried. How to decide, or make choice, if not with spontaneity, but only with sure hand and mind? Even when one has all the knowledge gathered in, one may still be unsure of said choice - procrastination being the opposite to spontaneity. Procrastination of course is a form of action, albeit to the negative.

How often one acknowledges that a conscience ignored is a conscience sorely thwarted - that we may pass up those opportunities to make good or make correct the ills which we know continue. And with heavy heart we may neglect such callings. We procrastinate, even though we are moved within as strongly as ever before. It is as though we are seized by a confusion which binds all ability, and that which would have come spontaneously is inhibited - the real man not forthcoming.

We are drawn in piecemeal to many obligations; obligations with unequal importance. There are two views on this: that one's greatest obligation is that which is of the moment, or conversely, it is the obligation which is as yet unfulfilled and awaiting. Whichever way, the inner man is not only restricted by a sense of pressing obligations (such as obliging the lower man, obliging all lower men, obliging that which he has committed to, etc.); but also he has disadvantaged his own judgment by making many mistakes in the past, by which he has suffered. The disconcertion which arises from this predicament is also procrastination. The imbecile hearkens not to failure, and rarely procrastinates - or hesitates, for that matter. But remember, one may hesitate with due caution or procrastinate unduly, and deter oneself from the chosen activity otherwise set in place.

Hiccups are procrastination.

Next we come to deliberation - that we have considered wisely and moved with deliberate intent. We have wrestled our procrastination, we have weighed all mighty arguments, and decided to be assertive in the particular. This is good. It is good that a man exercise his ability to deliberate and make action on it; that he decides for himself and becomes strong in this self-command. 

Too often, unfortunately, men are ill-prepared to find self-direction and to take responsibility for the ensuing challenges which decision making requires. One will find usually that a man has either too few or too many such decisions which require his deliberation - and better to be practiced, than caught in the sea of uncertainty. Men actually need to make positive affirmations. It is not so much the trial or the substance, but that they assert actively out from themselves, and exercise this from self and awareness of self.

The painter deliberately places each brushstroke to his satisfaction - perhaps with spontaneity, perhaps with careful precision - but all the while has also the sense of self, because of such intent carried through with. The expression is important to the man. This is why it is essential for the workplace that all men be given constant opportunity to assert themselves and their expertise, under their own governance, their own directions, because if weakened by an overriding set of directives laid down and made inarguable, the man shall suffer sickness (physical sickness) by repression of his own expression. Not to say that one makes ten men captain, but simply put, it is imperative for all men to make and qualify decisions daily. Often as not they endure repetitive habit which does not confront the exercise of will or judgment. From morning to evening they develop a 'sameness' in the day, which shies away from confronting deliberation. In this way habit-activities may be mistaken for spontaneity, insomuch as the individual is not required to 'hold back' from that which he jumps into. However, the same morning-tea is not spontaneity, although often exclaimed as though it were a new thought: "I think I'll have a donut today!"

Certain routines make good servants to men, and should not be interrupted for the sake of 'new expression'. It is via the rhythm of routine in which a man may go further and be better equipped to enhance his overall ability.

So we must look to correctness in all forms of response, that spontaneity be positive at all times and true to the inner knowledge of correct behavior, that procrastination will not dissuade us from such course as identified as correct and proper, but that if need be, careful deliberation accompany those doubts which are warranted, and the best action ensues accordingly.