Beginning the Journey: Unraveling the Essence with "What"

 In our exploration of life, we often start with a basic but essential question: "What?" Before we dive into the details of why, how, where, and when, it's crucial to first understand what we're dealing with.

The significance of the "What" question lies in its ability to set the stage for deeper questions. Without knowing what something is, figuring out its purpose, function, or importance becomes like navigating a maze blindfolded.

Think about a microscope. To understand its role in revealing the microscopic world, we must also grasp how it works—using principles like light, wavelength, and focus. The "how" and the "what" are closely connected, enriching our understanding.

Similarly, the "when" of a football match or the "where" of a building's location adds to our understanding, but they all stem from the foundational "What." These other questions help reveal different aspects of the main "What."

However, we must recognize that our quest for understanding, carried out through questions and answers, is a product of the human mind. Questions are part of a symbolic system called language. While language is fantastic for communication, it has limits.

A juicer can't wash clothes, and the mind, with its questions and answers, also has limits. Language is symbolic—it points and categorizes but leaves a gap between the symbol and the actual experience.

This brings us to the realization that questions, answers, and language are patterns in our minds. Philosophers like Alan Watts and practices like Zen and silent contemplation by figures like Ramana Maharshi remind us of the limits of words.

Questions aren't universal truths but are part of a game our minds play with symbols. Language helps us name and communicate, but there's a vast difference between the word "walking" and the act of walking.

In choosing to ask "What," we're making a deliberate decision. We acknowledge the gap between expressing the ineffable and the limitations of symbols.

This essay marks the beginning of a journey into understanding, urging us to question not only the world but also the very nature of questioning itself. As we embark on this adventure, we tread carefully, aiming to unveil the mysteries beneath the surface of language and perception.