From time to time, the universe sends a strange message that I have to investigate. Recently, it was banana.
First, I was at a thrift store and found a copy of Banana Yoshimoto’s wonderful book Kitchen, which I haven’t read since college. I was so excited that I dug in the very same evening, even though I seldom find time for fiction anymore. There is a scene in the story in which the protagonist is given a cup with a banana pattern on it, making it clear that the story is autobiographical. For some reason, this completely messed with my head. There was something so surreal about it, like when I was little and would lay on the lawn looking at the sky, thinking about how it went on forever. My brain would explode into the strangest flowers of wonder, trying to imagine forever. I can’t quite put it into words, but it was a similar sensation to the one I get when I start imagining that the world is a simulation, and there is a whole other world where the beings that created the simulation exist. You get the idea, like an MC Escher drawing, containing worlds within worlds within worlds. The banana cup gave me pause.
The next morning, the news on every one of the current events daily round-up was the Art Basel banana nonsense.
It might seem like I am just looking for signs, and I am. Nonetheless, I had to find out more about the banana.
Let me start by saying that I don’t like bananas. When I was a Kate-Moss-skinny high school student, my grandmother would try to convince me to eat breakfast, “just have a banana,” she’d urge. I could feel myself gagging involuntarily at the suggestion. I knew they were good for me, but it’s always been a matter of stuffing them down. I’ve never really enjoyed eating a banana.
Years later, when I’d become much more aware of the importance of diet, I discovered a Daniel Vitalis video about bananas and how they were originally not sweet, with huge dark seeds, but gradually, we’d sweetened and made them sterile. That was all I needed to know. It gave me an excuse to avoid bananas forever. Later still, I dated a very strange man who pretty much lived on bananas. To the extent that, when I saw a discarded banana peel somewhere in the world, I instantly thought it was his. You know the way that common objects found in the wild always seem familiar, consider how you feel recognition when you see a bobby pin or hair elastic on the sidewalk and you’ll get my meaning.
After pondering all of the significant banana occurrences in my life, I started reading about the banana online. Apparently, they are one of the most nutritious foods, possibly the first cultivated fruit on earth, and also, bananas are berries! All fascinating, but none of it was ringing my bell. I read about the magickal properties and uses of bananas and the origin of the name. I looked up the scientific names for banana varieties. I could not for the life of me figure out the message I was receiving. While interesting, nothing about the banana was resonating with me.
Then it hit me. If you choose any random concept or object, you can build a mental net based on the touchpoints in your life. As I had done with my memories of my grandmother and the first time I read Kitchen. I built a sweet little net of jewels with these memories and tidbits of information. It occurred to me that likewise, one could build a similar web of connections from anything.
What’s the value of the exercise? Just that. Exercise. It is a beautiful exercise in recognizing the magical in the mundane. It trains you to follow hints and listen to your intuition. Even if it’s unclear precisely what’s to be done with the insight, by following your curiosity, you work that muscle and let your intuition know you are listening. This opens the door to more nudges and hints. You NEVER KNOW what you’ll find when you build a net of memory.
- Building memory and experience nets can help you find meaning in the mundane, every day. It can also open you to:
- Receive guidance (what you focus on blooms), when you welcome guidance, you receive more of the same
- Develop intuition
- Interpret your own symbolic language
- Develop curiosity & learn new things
Paying attention to the guidance and hints you receive by shining a spotlight or turning a magnifying glass to them can enrich and enlighten. Give it a try; let your curiosity guide you!