The functions of the stored image
of the goal

 

 

Accessing (i.e. recalling) the (‘read only’ image of) goal of the pilgrimage, i.e. the sanctuary, firmly orients the pilgrim, i.e. keeps her on track. In short, the goal of the pilgrimage, displayed but actually experienced in the brain as ‘as if’, functions as Guide System, the latter often being anthropomorphised as ‘My genie’, the ‘Madonna’, the ‘Holy Spirit’ and so on.

 

Accessing (therefore activating) the ‘as if’ image of the goal (hence experiencing the goal as nano reality)  is vital (i.e. necessary for survival) if and when the pilgrim gets lost (i.e. confused) or is sidetracked. She can be sidetracked, i.e. disoriented by her core pilgrimage, by both the inner and the internal pilgrimages, hence by herself, or during the external pilgrimage, therefore by others.

 

Re-accessing (or recalling or remembering) the image of the ‘as if’ goal, and which adds the access route, functioning as a mass, not only makes it more real (because of greater mass), it also powers it up empowers, i.e. fires or pumps it up. Added energy (i.e. mass) increases the goal’s drawing power, i.e. its gravitation.

 

Re-accessing (more or less vividly) the image, hence generating a more or less powerful ‘as if’ experience, fires up, enthuses the pilgrim. This is especially important in times of stress resulting from danger, disorientation, exhaustion (read: depression) or lassitude (Greek: accidie) and when moments of happiness (supporting confidence), resulting from the release of energy (as a minor surge) are needed to tide her over. The smart (i.e. wholly dedicated) pilgrim will recall and power up the goal and herself artificially. She does that either by diverting (i.e. divesting) energy from alternate, internally stored goals or from her day-to-day of step-by-step (contact) survival goals. Shutting down (i.e. withdrawal from) alternate (internal) ‘as if’ goals (to wit, stored data) or day-to-day survival goals in order to divert their energy to power up the true ‘as if’ goal of the (primary, all or nothing) pilgrimage is called ascesis.

 

The pilgrim never ever forgets (the image of) her goal. If she does she is lost. Ostensibly, she carries the (image of the) goal either in her heart (i.e. as feeling), or in her mind, visually (as a picture) or verbally (i.e. she holds the verbal description of her goal under her tongue at-the-ready), or she experiences her goal as a ‘presence’ (i.e. as an urge or yearning). At the beginning of her trip she recalls (hence reactivates) her goal (or, it intrudes her consciousness) from time to time and with effort, thereafter effortlessly and continuously.

The fully dedicated (read: professional) pilgrim who eventually bets smart (or fails) hands over (read: submits) her goal (i.e. continuous accessing, hence energising) to her genie (that is to say, to her Inner Pilgrimage function) and whose job it is to prepare her goal (via both the Internal and External pilgrimages) for perfect realization.

 

Submitting goal achievement to her genie (i.e. to the (anthropomorphised) Inner Pilgrimage function), thereby hiding it from everyday consciousness, is highly efficient, though not without risk (as the ‘Sorcerer’s Apprentice’ and Dr Fautus learnt to their cost). Continuous conscious recalling of (i.e. reflection or contemplation on) the image of her goal (within the narrow band of consciousness) is detrimental to the pilgrim’s daily, in the world functions, that is to say, to her inner, internal and external pilgrimages operating as support functions.

By submitting goal achievement to her Inner Pilgrimage function, she ‘sinks’ the image of her goal as whole visual, verbal or sensory display or as icon (hence short-cut means) to just below everyday consciousness. Sub-liminally, the goal (i.e. sanctuary) is always ready to be accessed (i.e. to be fired) for intentional powering up or reality testing. If she cannot access (the image of) her goal (i.e. her sanctuary as refuge or island) instantly, at any time and in any situation, she may (indeed, will) miss the oportunity to make her goal real (in short, ‘she is not ready when the guru appears’, and who appears @random). Or she may lose orientation and come to grief unless, that is, she is protected by others (for instance, in a family, by her loved ones, in a cloister, school or place of work, in a word, by her external Guide System, i.e. the external genie).

In this regard see: The Buddhist refuges

 

The smart pilgrim introduces a routine that forces her to recall the image (or icon) of her goal at regular, even irregular instances. Since the pilgrim is attempting to develop a one track mind, i.e. a mind (or heart), then a body oriented to one goal only, a frequent access routine is of the greatest value.

 

Accessing the stored goal

 

When best to recall the goal