Dear friends of modern allegorical drawing!
In the age of the dinosaurs (Ancient Greek: ‘terrible lizards’), a small, shrew-like creature lived in complete seclusion; according to the latest research (2022/2023), it was the first known mammal.
This small creature, measuring approximately 12–20 cm in length and bearing the Latin name
‘Brasilodon quadrangularis’, lived in underground burrows. It only went hunting for insects at night, when the large lizards above it were asleep.
Thanks to its great adaptability, it was able to survive in a thoroughly hostile environment; indeed, it was not even affected by the extinction of the dinosaurs and continued to evolve.
All other mammals are descended from it, and so, ultimately – via many intermediate stages – humans too.Three cheers for this master of survival!It seems we could learn a thing or two from it about how to thrive in a world of oversized, seemingly all-powerful giants.
The Big and the Small
Original 250 x 165 mm
One can go through life fighting.
But one can also do what one feels called to do with a sense of ‘inner peace’ – regardless of external events – and trust in a benevolent fate.
Most likely, the ‘truth’ lies somewhere in between, and one attitude does not preclude the other.
Personally, I tend to favour the second approach: withdrawing, ‘turning inwards’, connecting with the realm of ideas, and influencing the world from there.
That reminds me of a saying from the Bhagavad Gita, the sacred text of the Hindus.
Krishna, the god, says to Arjuna, the warrior who is facing a decisive (inner!) battle:
“Fight! I have already defeated your enemies for you!”
Well then …
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