Metaphor For Western Civilization

When I was in Tucson, I saw a bus station whose design I believe to be metaphorical of the Western civilization.

At the bottom are four cylindrical pillars. Above them is a netted horizontal cross. At the top of the cross is a large rectangle. And the structure is surrounded by palm trees.

The pillars appear to be symbolic of the femine, or the intuitive; the cross, of Christianity; the rectangle, of the masculine, or the rational; and the palms, of nature.

From the position of the pillar, at the top is the cross. From the position of the pillar the rectangle is invisible. It is thought that the structure that one is holding up is the cross, and that it is the cross that is the organ of oppression.

From the position of the rectangle, at the bottom is the cross. From the position of the rectangle the pillars are invisible. It is thought that it is the cross that is supporting oneself.

From the position of the palms it becomes possible to see the whole thing.

Many spiritually-minded people therefore think that the load upon them is imposed by the cross. Now the pillars do in fact hold up the cross; but the rectangle is a much greater load. Once again, from their position, neither the pillars nor the rectangle see one another and believe that what they are dealing with is the cross. And while there is certainly value to the cross, it is important nevertheless that both the pillars and the rectangle know of one another and of what is their role in the civilization.

When one goes to nature, one sees the entire edifice. And then it becomes possible to correctly see who is actually doing what.

I think that it is important that more people have that perspective and properly credit the pillars for what they do.