Amani. I hope all is well with you and your tribe. I wanted to explore perfection because its been a theme for me recently, and I think sharing this could help the reader in their process of bettering themselves.
The etymology of the word "perfect" is as follows:
early 15c. classical correction of Middle English parfit "flawless, ideal" (c. 1300), also "complete, full, finished, lacking in no way" (late 14c.), from Old French parfit "finished, completed, ready" (11c.), from Latin perfectus "completed, excellent, accomplished, exquisite," past participle of perficere "accomplish, finish, complete," from per "completely" (see per) + combining form of facere "to make, to do" (from PIE root *dhe- "to set, put").
The etymology of the word "perfection" is as follows:
early 13c., perfeccioun, "consummate state or form, that degree of excellence which leaves nothing to be desired," from Old French perfection "perfection, completeness" (12c.), from Latin perfectionem (nominative perfectio) "a finishing, completing, perfection," noun of action from past-participle stem of perficere "to accomplish, finish, complete" (see perfect (adj.)).
From late 14c. as "flawlessness, correctness, purity," also "act of making perfect," also "state of being complete." The meaning "quality, endowment, or acquirement characterized by excellence or great worth or value" is from 1570s.
So, as we can see, although there are some definitions which hint to the meaning being "without flaws," I wanted to approach from the perspective of the other definitions of being "whole and complete," and "purity."
We know that as we grow older, we pick up habits, thought patterns and ideas from the world around us. We know of organizations whose entire mission is to give us ideas about how to live our lives. But let's think about this for a second. If there are people who want to give you ideas about how to live your life, but we never had these ideas prior to being introduced to them by these people, who are you before these people gave you their ideas? Going a layer deeper, we have a deep love and appreciation for babies because they are so "pure" and innocent. Where does this purity come from? Why do we view them as being so pure, and if I may use the term, perfect? Is it because they have yet to adopt the ideas of this world, and are able to adopt ANY idea that's given? Is it because their value lies in their limitless potential, and not on what they have, do or are to the world we know? Something to consider.
Lets look a little closer at the definition of perfection and this idea of being whole and complete. If I can be frank; if you have food, clothing, and shelter, then in reality all your physical needs are met. If you have a community of people that love and appreciate you, your emotional needs are met. If you have a connection the Creator and some sort of spiritual practice, then your spiritual needs are met. ANY-THING after the aforementioned things is completely add on and ultimately unnecessary. This is a tough pill to swallow, but its the Truth. Cars, jewelry, an abundance of accolades, "owning" property, businesses, money and everything in-between become secondary to the needs mentioned above. You could say that you are COMPLETE in a sense, that you are WHOLE. This does indeed sound like perfection or being being perfect. It can also make you wonder what VALUE really is.
There's one more idea I want to explore here. Everyone is always talking about how "messed up" the world is. About how this world is not "perfect" and that humanity is contradicting itself, and that this is a "world of sin." This concept is why those of the Christian faith say the phrase "in the world, not of the world." But there's a fact that sometimes escapes us when we see the tragedies of the world: GOD, The Creator of the Boundless Universe, made the world and US. This world was made to be exactly the way it is because, as we know, "God makes no mistakes." Look at the organization of Nature, and the body itself, and you should be able to see the precision in their designs. Dis-ease only happens when we disrupt the harmony of the design. So if there is such a precision in the human body and in Nature, things which sustain our very lives, what flaw is there REALLY? Is this a "world of sin" or is this a reality PERFECTLY DESIGNED for you to explore the different aspects of yourself? Humanity is multi-faceted, and the complexity and variety in the way humans act, as well as in the environments inhabited, gives a glimpse into the inner nature of not only humanity, but into The Boundless itself. This is because the world can be likened to a mirror, which reflects back to you what you're thinking about. You must, in a way, see yourself to see Your Self.
These types of ideas could make you wonder about what people are actually striving for in trying to make their lives "perfect" in the socially accepted sense of the word. It can maybe even help you realize that you, and all of us were, in a sense, BORN PERFECT, and that you picked up whatever "flaws" you think you have from the experiences of your life. You may even realize that as you grow, the circumstances you go through were specifically designed for you to grow into.... perfection.
Meditate on these things today. Amani.
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