The value of maintaining balance in our Interest and Participation levels has been shown both positively and negatively – by way of animals surviving in nature, and in addiction. One more illustration may be beneficial, as it is an activity common to almost every adult on the planet: driving a car.
What do we see when we drive? The best of drivers does not see much else besides the other cars, street signs, and important landmarks like street signs, buildings, or parks. Good drivers notice the same landmarks every day, because getting the car into the same pathways helps get to the destination, safely.
Habits and routines are good when it comes to driving. If our eyes and thoughts are roving all over the place while we drive, we are more likely to have an accident. In fact, as soon as we drive outside of a familiar route, we are potentially overwhelmed with new information – which distracts us and makes us less safe. While driving, our Interest and Participation Levels should both be in sync with each other. If either level rises or falls without the other, our risk of having an accident increases.
The truth is that even the best of drivers are interested in other things besides driving while driving. Drivers, both good and bad, participate in self-talk, singing, listening, looking, eating, and texting – the list of non-driving activities goes on and on. It is a wonder that there aren’t many more accidents.
The importance of paying attention goes way beyond driving. For millions of years, every species has survived by paying close attention to their landscapes. The landmarks they noticed and the pathways they followed kept them alive. Not to pay attention, to let the mind wander, to stray from habit and routine, invites danger, and even death – just as they do while driving a car.
There is a strong sense of connection between animals and their landscape, and, believe it or not, there is a strong sense of connection between drivers and the road. Whenever Interest and Participation Levels are in balance somewhere in the middle, we may have certain faith that the qualia we need will guide us through the landscape.
There aren’t more car accidents because when our Interest and Participation Levels match one another in the middle, we are generally quite safe. And when this happens we have some consciousness left over to futz with the radio.
Faith is the answer to our clue about why, for all our “mindlessness,” there aren’t even more car accidents than there are. Whenever the Interest and Participation levels are both in balance, faith is present.