For those of you not familiar with this Yiddish expression,here is the Myriam-Webster Dictionary definition:
1: a usually comic or repetitious performance or routine : bit
2 : one’s special trait, interest, or activity : bag
As with many Dictionary definitions,it doesn’t quite capture the modern usage of the term.In the modern sense,it could be rendered as “neurosis” or “peculiarities” or even “orneriness”. In any case,I think the point will be clear as we continue and the best way to apprehend the word is to feel it in its essence,”the thing in itself” as Kant would refer to it as . “Schtick”.Feel it.
All of this emerged from a short dream I had last night:
“I was visiting an old client of mine who I hadn’t seen in a long time.She told me about a long-time friend of hers who had been staying with her.We were both aware that this particular friend was full of”schtick”( quirky ideas and beliefs and behaviours). Then her eyes welled up with tears. “You’re missing her” I stated.And she acknowledged that it was true.
So,very brief dream but it opened up a deep insight about our relationships with other human beings We need to see “beyond the “schtick” and relate to the person beyond the appearance and beyond the personality or the neurosis.Connect with their heart,their souls,their essences.Deep stuff,indeed.A heady brew for sure.That would change everything,wouldn’t it? Think about it!
Then my mind went even deeper!We have to see beyond the “schtick” of the dunniya(this world)- its sufferings and diasppointments and pain- to its essence as a gift to our souls for our learning and development.From the appearances of things to their Essence.What a subject of contemplation for this day-and many days to come !
To see beyond this world we need to sever our connections to it. Our reactions our sentiments and or/our contempt. To paraphrase the Buddha…our equanimity is needed to see through the veils of schtick to the reality behind them. EstfirAllah!