Describing that which Cannot be Described

Monday, January 21, 2008 at 12:58pm by David Askaripour in Philosophy

How does one describe that which cannot be described? When Alan Watts calls words “clumsy,” that is to say that words will never suffice to describe anything in life — to really describe.

Words are merely clever tools that we have nearly arranged to help us communicate “things.” I draw attention to “things,” because it denotes a separation or distinction between me and the world (but we’ll use it for now). Words are really — here it comes… — inert. Funny that I should say that, being a writer n’ all (but I, too, can play this game).

All in all, words don’t measure up and are poor means of brining forth true understanding. What do we say when we meet a new girl/boy that we’re totally diggin’? Perhaps someone we met over a cup of tea and later on that day embraced, followed with steamy, wet, and enchanting kiss.

What is it that you feel, now walking back to your car… grinning ear to ear? Some would say, “I have butterflies in my stomach.” But what are these butterflies in your stomach? What does this really mean? Others would describe it as “a buzzing sensation throughout the body producing side-effects of uncontrollable smiling, increased heart-rate, sweating, and an insatiable desire to think about said person over and over. But what is this buzzing sensation, I ask?

For that matter, what is the meaning of life? Why are we here? How are we growing? Amusing questions, no doubt. Such questions have lead to endless debates and grueling discussions of “I’m right and you’re wrong!” Discussions that go on ad infinitum, ad absurdum.

It’s amusing because no matter how hard we try, words will never be able to satisfy these questions. The plant IS life. The blastocyst in the mother’s uterus IS growth. Your purpose for being here is absolutely — and beautifully — purposelessness.

Words just won’t do, only “That” will suffice. That is to say, when you are “That” which you are attempting to describe, you suddenly realize that you no longer need to wage this futile war with words. Because you have become (or better, figured out that you are), That which danced on the tip of your tongue but just couldn’t seem to roll off.

There is no need to verbally express the inexpressible, because when you are That your mere existence IS the expression. And, to contradict myself, every word that comes out of your mouth, every touch, sight, and thought, is now that expression as well.

In this realm duality ceases to exist and logic is useless. No words from others can ever break your resolve. You are One. And One is not exclusive, it’s all-inclusive.

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