Experience is the best teacher. Learning is the activity that should immediately follow the phenomenon of experience, while remembering transcends time and space (i.e., it "is" despite the presence or absence of a physical vessel within which to reside). In addition, it matters not the form, because the memories are constantly present. This is what is humbly offered as the "Trinity of Life."

Life, as defined in Merriam Webster's Dictionary, is "spiritual existence transcending physical death."

If we accept the proposition that "Life" is more than a physical finite manifestation, then the "Trinity of Life" concept is applicable to our existence.

When we experience something, it is just that, an experience. It should not be looked upon as either "good" or "bad" for they are neither and both simultaneously. The terms are mere "extremes" on the same continuum of "Experience." (examine the principle of polarity.)

In addition, "learning" is the cognitive portion that allows one to not only be aware of the process, but to comprehend it accordingly. Thereby providing the framework for remembering.

The ability to "remember" is one of great importance, in that if one cannot recall what has been learned through experience, they then fall into the abyss of repetition, which is devoid of the opportunity to experience and learn new lessons.

For instance, in the case of the caterpillar who becomes a beautiful pink and yellow butterfly, does it not remember when it could not fly? In the case of the trees that bloom in spring, do their leaves not remember to exist as green foliage as a result of the chlorophyll contained therein? Even simpler, do you not remember to. . .you get the picture.

In the big scheme of things, we are physically present for but a short time. Given this, should we not examine our experiences to learn from them, so that we may be able to remember them when we need the lessons the most? After all, isn't this an opportunity to experience, learn, and remember?

As one immerses oneself in the "Trinity of Life," it matters not what happens to you, but what matters is how you react to that which happens to you. Remember, everything that happens is not just, but nothing just happens.

Example: A young girl accuses a monk of impregnating her. The young girl's parents confront the monk and require him to raise their daughter's child. Although he is not the child's father, the monk agrees without question. Years later, the parents return to the monk after having learned that the monk was not the father of the child he had raised these many years. They request that their grandchild be returned to them. Again, the monk complies without question.

Question: If you were faced with this dilemma, are you spiritually cultivated enough to recognize the importance of the child*s well-being, as opposed to the other possible responses? This is not a rhetorical question.

Understanding that there are those who are indeed cultivated sufficiently enough to assist in leading the way, the responsibility rests with them to observe, and serve as a source of information. In the case of the monk, he recognized that, although he was not the father, he served as the child's only hope of maturing into an adult; so he accepted the responsibility of rearing the child.

Ayi Kwei Armah, author of Two Thousand Seasons, states "You who yearn to be hearers, you who would see, you the utterers of the future, this is not the season for contempt. Look upon those in whose nature is to wait upon death to create in them a need to know life. Look upon them. . . " In looking upon those who "wait upon death to create a need to know life," you, the hearers, seers and utterers--as in the case of the monk-- should assist in their search to understand the larger picture as it pertains to experiencing, learning, and remembering phenomena.

Such a position should not be taken lightly. For once you accept the responsibility granted, you should see it through to its conclusion - whatever that may be. Nature is organized in both an ordered and orderly fashion. Just as the caterpillar evolved into a beautiful pink and yellow butterfly with the memories of its existence as a caterpillar, so too does and will humankind evolve into various forms and images with the ability to experience, learn, and yes--even in the new form, remember.

Consider this: If you experience, learn, and remember all that you encounter, in to what will you evolve? Perhaps, a loving, caring, and more intuitive being. One can only hope. Peace.

Column originally published in Signal (Georgia State University's student newspaper) 18 February 1997