This is a transcript for my upcoming YouTube video on perception. I think it pretty much nails the topic and it absolutely felt like I was channeling when I made it. I was exhausted for two days after making this and almost look at this as made by someone else.
My goal is to keep all of my video's below ten minutes. My target audience is for people like my mother who never researched any of this deeply due to a lack of time. This means I have go back and clearly define as many terms as I can. This is a subject that I can write oodles about and it's a term I use often. Enjoy. Perception is a very interesting subject because while appears simple it is not. What is perception and why is it important? The definition of Perception is: 1. The ability to become aware of something through the senses. 2. The state of being or the process of becoming aware of something through the senses. 3. A mental impression. Now, in the Mechanical Universe point of view advocated by science all of our senses come from the body. Traditionally we are taught that there are only five senses. However, neurologists think we have nine senses and some scientists have argued that we have twenty one senses. The basic senses you are taught in school are: 1. Sight 2. Smell 3. Taste 4. Hearing 5. Touch If perception was limited to the body this limited point of view would be logical. Yet, how do we sense the personality of an individual. We can't touch, smell, see hear or taste the specific personality of a person...it's an intangible idea. In fact, most of the human world we perceive consists of intangible ideas. We cannot taste, touch, feel, hear or see the economy but we believe it exists because we seem to see the results in how easy it is to get a job or the price we pay to buy milk at the grocery store. The third definition for Perception, then, is what we really want to look at...that perception is a mental impression. Take a cup of coffee, for example. The cup of coffee is neutral. There is liquid inside a ceramic cup. We can weigh and measure the coffee. We know it's eight fluid ounces. We know it's a result of water going through grounds of the coffee beans we bought at the store. We know there is no cream or sugar added to the cup of coffee. On all of this we can agree. Yet, when I pick up that cup of coffee and take a sip the mental impression that I get from the taste is very different from what my husband will have. I've learned to do coffee tasting. I can identify the level of acidity in the coffee. I can pick up whether the flavor is more earthy or citrus. Sometimes I can even tell the region that the coffee is from. I can also tell if it's a bold, medium or light roast. My husband, if he picks up the same cup of coffee only notes that it is very bitter. He likes coffee with a lot of cream and sugar. Why is my mental impression different from that of my husband's when it comes to this simple cup of coffee? Does the coffee exist in two states...one where it's a simple experience and one where it's more complex? Is one experience right and one experience wrong? The answer to these questions lie in our ability to process information. Both of us are having the same exact experience, both experiences are real and yet completely different. I perceive the cup of coffee as being a satisfying experience and he does not. Where does this difference in perception come from? Why do we process the same experience differently? The answer lies in the concept of our individual consciousness and the personal subjective reality we have created. Scientists have been unable to prove where consciousness, that part of us that perceives ourselves and the physical world, comes from. They believe that it comes from just the right amount of chemicals in our brains. They have been trying to reproduce the effect of human consciousness based on this idea for decades without success. It is clear that our physical brain does not create perception by emitting chemicals. Perception, starts before the physical senses. There exists within us a mental impression of the world and our consciousness interprets that world based on what we expect. Prior to interacting and experiencing the coffee my husband and I have different expectations. I have trained my mind to pick apart the experience into categories while my husband simply determines if it is sweet or bitter. Perception, then, is the mental picture that an individual creates in their mind of themselves and the world. That mental picture is based on a number of ideas or beliefs that they have accepted to be true to them. We learn the majority of these ideas or beliefs from parents, peers, society and education. There is a mystery about perception. The big question, of ancient origin, is if perception does not arise from the sense of the physical body where does it come from?
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(The photo above was taken by me at Vernal Falls Yosemite National Forest in California).
One of the ways that people have been programmed when it comes to life is that they see everything that bars them from what they want as an obstacle. Part of this has to do with the Ego that sees everything as a fight for dominance and wanting to attack anything that opposes it's will. Yet, that's not how it has to be in life. We can see things as opportunities for growth and not obstacles. When you learn to 'know' yourself and that you are One with Source(God) Always...everything else is just water under the bridge. There are temporary eddies and flows in the experience of life while the bridge remains the same. No one gets upset that the water flows below a bridge. We know that the water is constantly changing...but the Bridge, apart from a flood, remains unchanged. Until we build that Bridge to Source with our Mind we are beholden to riding on the eddies and flows...upon the rickety ship of an Untamed Mind. Wants and Needs At a certain point on the spiritual path you discover that are already total abundance and we already have everything we need in the moment. When you realize that it's natural that everything simply flows naturally. That's a way of living where you are at one with your environment and the rest of the world. For now, I don't expect people to have reached that point. Psychology talks about Wants and Needs. Even educating oneself on this topic you can learn a lot of good information. Often people don't even know what the difference is between wants and needs. In the United States we live in a country of abundance where even the 'poor' have smart phones worth hundreds of dollars. Most people want items because of the status that it will give them believing that if they are valued by others they will find value in themselves. In such a society when even minor set backs, such as a broken screen, occurs the people see everything that 'sets them back' as wrong and evil. This is a misuse of will power and perspective. Maslow's hierarchy of Needs is a very good tool. The basic rungs, which many people in other countries can't attain, consists of shelter and safety. While safety can be subjective (a multi-millionaire in a gated community may not feel safe) it is a fundamental need that has to be met before a person can work on an inner path. As long as we are seeking safety not only will we probably not find it but we won't have time to do things such as Yoga or Meditation. Those are luxuries that people who live in a war zone do not have. For most of us who live in the United States when you make an assessment of your life you find that most of your most fundamental needs are met. Maybe the unrealistic goals society has set or the formula that's put forth as the American Dream hasn't been met...but for the most part in the United States we are overwhelmingly abundant. We have everything we need to start the inward journey of hte spiritual path and what more, is there really, that we can want? If we are so busy chasing the 'latest and greatest' trying to obtain some sense of perfection by obtaining something on the outside...then we won't take the time to work on ourselves. The greatest direction of any Spiritual Teaching are the words, "Know Thyself." Work A lot of people would prefer not to have a job. How much easier would life be if you could just stay at home all of the time? Yet, that is not how our society is set up. In fact, people have a plethora of choices when it comes to vocation even if they don't have a degree. There are a lot of jobs out there. The Natural Order is that we work to provide sustenance for our bodies and shelter. From the days of agriculture, through the industrial age and into the technological age that is the way it is naturally. Everyone can contribute and work. Yet, the problem is most people do okay at a job they hate. Most people think that's the natural experience. There are a multitude of reasons that people might hate their job. They may dislike a certain person. They may dislike their schedule. They may just not like going to work every day. Whatever their reason...it's their perception of their job that's the problem not the people that work there, the managers or the job itself. Yet, if people just framed it differently their job could add a lot of value to their life. Work, and being around others is always an Opportunity to learn more about yourself. As I explain in my blog Seeing God In Others (http://bridgetkorns.weebly.com/blog/seeing-god-in-others) every time you interact with another person you learn more about yourself and God/Source. To me it is an excellent opportunity to learn more about myself and humanity. Every interaction is a test, to see who patient, kind and loving I can be to my fellow human beings. The Angry Person We've all seen them. Sometimes you encounter people who are just angry. They seem to come from nowhere, and because your a stranger, they can take their anger out on you. This most often happens when you are working somewhere because people see service workers as robots that are programmed with the mantra, "The Customer Is Always Right" or, "The Customer Is King." I see these people as a challenge and an opportunity to rise to the occasion. No matter how mean or rude they are I treat them as I do everyone else...I ask them how their day is and if they don't say it was good I ask why. Even if people say their day is "okay" or "fine" I comment, "Ah, but not good?" Usually, I can reach through that turtle shell of anger to the softness of a person and offer them some positive energy. I give them a choice to continue to be angry or be a little bit more positive. Sometimes this doesn't work. When it doesn't work I don't beat myself up because I know I tried my best to be of service and help another human being. I know it is entirely them and I don't take on their negative energy. Each time you interact with a person, if they haven't done the work necessary, you are dealing with all of their unresolved past baggage. They are projecting onto you the issues they had with their parents. They are projecting onto you the issue that they are having with their boss. They can't tell their loved ones, boss or coworkers they are mad at them or yell at them because they are afraid they will experience pain. So, they disown that pain and project it on people that can't retaliate. Setbacks We've all faced setbacks...sometimes it's a financial set back and sometimes we just don't get what we want. We go to the store and the particular item that we want is sold out. Yes, we could whine complain and stomp our foot we did not get what we wanted and fate is cruel. Yet, if we think outside of the box we might discover something equally desirable that might fit our needs better then what we went to buy. When my husband and I were looking for houses we saw a really beautiful house. The fence was terrible but we put in an offer for what we thought the house was worth because we would have to repair their fence. We were sad when the owners were insulted by our offer. Then, we found a really awesome house that was much better than the one that we put in an offer for...and it suited our needs far better. While we could have dwelt on the failure of one of our first offer...it turns out that it worked out and the house we bought was a thousand times better. This is what happens most of the time. We set out an intention, we set our eyes on what we think we want...but the universe provides something far superior we might not have considered if our first attempt hadn't failed. When we don't get what we want it often means there is something better for us. When Plans Fail When our best laid plans fail it is often for a reason. While I would never ever want to go through the loss of my Daughter I can see a rhyme and reason. I was knocked off my career path completely...and I returned to my spiritual path to amazing rewards (three years later and after a lot of traumatic struggle). I could have become lost in the fact that the plan to have children had failed. I could choose to never get over that failure and just to throw in the towel on everything else. I could let that failure define my life. Instead, I see now the flaws in that plan and how if it had worked out I might not have found the place of peace in which I mentally now reside. I might not have met all of the wonderful people I now work with and the best friend I've ever had named Jennifer. Often times when our plans fail we don't consider that there is something better just beyond that Dark Night of the Soul...and when you are in the depth of that failure and mourning that failure it is hard to see the forest for the trees. Yet, from a Higher Perspective, there is a rhyme and reason. Letting go of expectations when you make plans is a very hard skill to learn. That intention that you set might be your will but it has to be delivered through divine timing....and sometimes you receive something better than you can imagine in a way you never would have imagined. The problem is that it involves a very deep Trust of God/Source/All-That-IS to bring what will serve you best into your life. A lot of people don't have that trust. Either they think they are some how responsible for creating it or they hold a belief on a core level that is out of alignment with receiving what they want. Often, that core belief is one of unworthiness. I thought that it was a major setback when I accepted my current job. I was no longer in management and I was extremely humbled. Yet, in many facets it was the perfect job for me in the moment to find healing. Devils Advocate We all know that person who likes to play the Devil's Advocate in our life. We just don't like them and for all intents and purposes they are playing the role of an enemy in our life. Devils Advocates, the people we find most challenging can be our greatest teachers about ourselves. When the lesson is complete they should leave our lives. They also represent the best opportunity to hone our interpersonal skills. If you go by the idea that we are all reflections of the divine they are just as divine as you and I. They might not be aware of it but that's usually because they are suffering. Those who are not joyful are those who have yet to learn or accept the Oneness of Life and so are in a state of suffering. Yet, how else are we truly tested? If we cannot find a place in our heart to love even those who think of themselves as our enemy we will never understand them. We need to understand them because they are a faucet of the divine and are also an aspect of ourselves. What we hate in others is what we hate in ourselves. The only reason we despise others is because we disown whatever they represent to us. I know someone who is extremely undependable at work. I know that I am undependable in social settings...with most friends...so, we have that in common. She disappoints co-workers and lets down her team...I let down people that are friends who want to share their life with me. At present, I have not learned how to heal this particular aspect of myself but I know what her presence represents and she is an opportunity to learn how to better flow within unpredictable situations and interruptions to my normal routine (a recent theme in my waking life). By working with these people we can learn to overcome our shortcomings that they reflect. When they are judgmental, hateful, condemning or nosy we can see that we prefer not to behave that way. Then we can start applying what we've learned in day to day life...when the opportunity arises where we could pronounce judgement on someone we refrain. Just as Jesus said, "He that hath not sinned cast the first stone," (John 8:7) we cannot pass judgement on the people who represent obstacles in our life because at some time or another we have done the same. These people can be our greatest teachers and often they have a soul contract with us to play the role as a catalyst. We also know that, "You reap what you sow," so on some level at some time they will pay for the experience they are creating. They will, one day, be the victim of the same evil that they use against us...it might take a while to get back to them but energy always find it's way back to it's source. If we can manage to be the better human being...more honest in our communication with them, as patient with them as we would be an unruly toddler, and more understanding of the reasons for their failures...then we know that we truly have overcome the vindictive and spiteful nature that seems to be inherent to the Ego and the human condition. Every time we are able to turn the cheek in understanding of the suffering of the person who incorrectly uses their will power upon us...we show that we are deserving of the same compassion and understanding when we do stumble. With the law of karma, what we do unto others will be done unto us and usually magnified as warranted by our act...because energy always returns to it's source. Any time someone uses their will power upon us they are sending an amount of energy. The only time that effects us is if we accept that energy. There is a old story about a samurai master that was floating around the internet a while back. In it a young man went to the dojo where the samurai was teaching. He went to the Master and wanted to fight him. When the master declined he called him names hoping to incite his anger so that he would fight. The master ignored him. Eventually the many left but the samurai master's students were upset. One asked him why he did not fight. He explained that Anger was a gift that the man was trying to give. He chose not to receive that anger and so the anger remained with the man. We all have the choice to receive negative energy or intent from others. We can choose to be patient and loving instead. They then keep their energy that they were trying to project. Taking on other people's energy is taking on their burden and it is a misapplication of Will Power. Our reward for being tolerant, compassionate and loving with even those who choose to be spiritually ugly aspects of humanity is a testimony to our relationship with Source/God/All-That-Is. Every person we meet offers the opportunity to know the Divine a little bit more. Sometimes, they are not connected to Source and they manifest something terrible but then we can see it as a lesson on suffering. Conclusion Seeing Opportunities for growth as opposed to Obstacles can be a bit tough. This requires a great deal of spiritual and emotional maturity. As long as we haven't deal with our own baggage that other person might trigger us. Once we have worked through our beliefs and emotional baggage we can really see the person. That person is usually suffering Double Mindedness and suffering. Insane people never know that they are insane or illogical. This also requires Trust in the Natural Order and God/Source/All-That-IS. Yet, once we train our mind to see set backs, failed plans, angry people...and all the seemingly random bad things in a more positive framework the entire experience changes. We then find all of those things that we would label as 'bad' and that we would say made us a 'victim' were opportunities for self-improvement and self-knoweldge in disguise. These opportunities include a chance to demonstrate our patience, our good will towards others, our love for our fellow human beings, our compassion and our understanding. We may forgive the individual for being the way that they are because it is common in our world. Yet, we can still judge them by their actions and choose if we 'take them home with us.' Mostly, when we encounter negativity in others, such as an angry person, it's best not to take on that energy. We acknowledge it, we work with them trying to shine a more positive light into their day, but we let it go once they walk away. Yes, their actions might have been wronged but, having been there ourselves at some point in life, we know that it's just a product of their immense suffering.
I remember hearing this song in the nineties. Back then I was more of a purely dogmatic Christian frame of mind. I would envision encountering Jesus on a bus for example. To me it was a novelty and extension of the entire "What would Jesus do?" mindset. I think I still have one of those bracelets somewhere.
I have clearly stated before that I don't believe the Pope in Rome has no more authority then we do to reach out to God/Source in communication. In fact, most of us are communicating with God every day but we don't see it that way. We have a chance every day to change the way that God/Source experiences itself....through others. I will say that Recovering Catholics have an edge on some people in grasping what I am writing because it is a very inclusive perspective on Christianity (which is why the Christian church moved away from that ideology when it splintered). This idea, now that I look back, was completely misinformed and missed the mark. I guess when you get so focused on the idea that only select people are worthy of knowing god, that the rest of us are meant to be followers...it is easy to view God as embodied in the flesh outside of oneself. The idea that there is some sort of elite special hierarchical group never made sense to me. All of creation is equal in God's eyes. Whether you're a rocket scientist or a junkie...God loves each equally. What I've come to understand, as I attempted to explain in my Multidimensional Oneness blog, is that each person is the embodiment of an individual aspect of God. When you think of an eternal being how else would it discover itself? Yet, do we treat all of the people we meet in life as thought they are God? Most of us have spent so much time hating people that...we don't really see the authentic them. I had a woman tell me she hates people. She hates customer service. She can't see how I can have such a positive attitude. That hurts to hear, I remember how that feels. This week so many people said they wish they could have my positive loving upbeat personality. My heart breaks because I know they can. Does this mean that we should let other people do whatever they want with us? No. Let's go deeper into a meditation on this subject. Lofty Expectations We have such lofty expectations of what someone working with Spirit should act or behave. We have lifted the people who seemed to embody source to such lofty levels we don't feel we can achieve them. Yet, we are naturally embodying God...usually we just push all of it to the subconscious and our soul operates from that level. In order to really embrace the paradigm I currently have (I do not claim to be right) it is important to let go of those expectations. Saintly behavior is not human. It's a fictional bedtime story we created for ourselves to justify not being able to unite with God/All-That-Is in our every day lives. Being a saint is just too much work. Therefore it must be a God-Given characteristic that people are simply born with just like those pesky kids who seem to be born knowing how to paint like a master or write orchestras. Yet, the real work is in our every day interactions. Our moment to moment decisions in the now. This is how we find God in every person that we meet from the person on the bus stop to the person preaching in Church. Each is a divine spark of the One/Source/God and as such they carry the seed of God within them. Interacting With God "Hello, welcome to Fast Food Central. My name is Amanda, can I take your order?" What do you think when you hear this at your local fast food restaurant? You are probably judging the person by their job. Obviously, to have this job they must not have a degree. They are a failure of some sort that they have a minimum wage job serving fast food to people. Even a robot could do their job. They don't deserve a decent wage because only college kids should have that job. Adults shouldn't work at a Fast Food Restaurant. Just think of all of the judgement you just passed in a few moments. You probably even treat them like a robot. You hand over your money without words and without making eye contact. You collect your food from the next window and drive off without ever making any human contact. Yet, you just interacted with many aspects of God just and judged a part of God unworthy of your time. You ignored them...perhaps even of existing. God/Source decided to make that individual. Who are you to question their worthiness of existence? You skipped over any lesson they might have given you. You missed the opportunity to learn more about yourself. You missed the opportunity to make their day a little bit brighter...to restore their faith in humanity. Learning More About Yourself How do you work with knowing that everyone is a part of you? Every person you meet, every perspective you consider, you learn a little bit more about All-That-Is...or God. They are your mirrors. If they trigger you...you know that's something YOU need to work on. Not them. You have the ability to interact with God every day. You have the ability to breath, to blow, on that little spark within other people...so that they too can experience the light of beauty, truth and love through growth. That aspect of God you are interacting with might be completely asleep to the fact that it is a part of God. If they are they are probably experiencing deep loneliness, isolation and suffering even if they are surrounded by other people. They are wounded individuals. They might as well have their heads wrapped in bandages. You have the opportunity to give them a taste of the divine in full knowledge of itself...an opportunity to show them a different path that they can take. We all slip and fall in this journey. If we have incredibly un-human like expectations of what God is in this material reality we will surely be disappointed if we go looking for it out in this world. I'm sure if you met Buddha, Jesus or Mohammad you would not immediately know they were channels of the divine. Every social interaction is like going to school. You have the opportunity to learn more about yourself by those you meet. The way the divine matrix of collective thought works causes people you need to come to you. Each brings you the gift of opportunity, knowledge of God and the opportunity to grow. If you are closed down to social interaction you might not even realize the opportunity. Every person has a unique perspective, but their journey always has aspects that you can relate to...and through understanding how someone related differently with a particular obstacle you can learn more about yourself. This requires a certain authenticity on your part- the ability to shine a light on your shadow side that you might not like. Inevitably, in these other people you will be shown your shadow side and weaknesses. These will be your trials and until you deal with the aspect in you that is like them...these types of people will continue to enter your life until you learnt he lesson. Once you learn the lesson their ability to affect you is greatly diminished...and their attempts at unsettling you might be laughable. In fact, more then likely they will become uncomfortable around you and decide to take their leave for a more...compatible environment. This is where you start looking at situations as opportunities to measure your creativity and patience. You go home and you meditate on the social interaction that upset you. (Again, meditation is just placing your mind on a subject). You explore why it hurt, did it bring up memories from your past (possibly even past life memories)? Identify the pain, lean into it and explore it and you will learn far more than any IQ or Personality Test can ever teach you. Every Interaction Is A Test Every person is a test, a test to see if you really get the concept that they are One with God with you...that you are the same being. Did you treat that person with Hate? Then you must hate yourself on some level. Did you treat that person who was so mean to you with love, patience and compassion? Then you have learned to have those with yourself. Here we also find, "You reap what you sow," to be a great example of how this works. If you hate yourself you will only find people who hate you. If you love yourself you will find your tribe...what ever inner state you carry will be reflected by those people you meet. What about when you're having a blissful day and you find someone who is just striking out in anger because they've had a terrible day? Learn how to listen to them. By listening you will diffuse the time bomb that they are carrying on the inside. Sometimes they won't open up. Sometimes they will explode even startling themselves. At the very least, you held out a hand to let them know you cared...and that moment of compassion can completely change them. You never know if they were suicidal and you just saved their life. That was an opportunity and a test where the universe questions, "Do you really understand? Do you really see this as a part of you...the part that once had a bad day like this...to redeem it by acting as you wished someone had acted towards you? Don't Carry Other Peoples Burdens If you are like me and really love people you might feel tempted to carry other persons burdens. You hear where they are in life and you try to 'fix' the situation. This is a huge disservice to others. After all Jesus said, "Take my yoke upon you, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light." He never said he's taking your burden from you. He never said he'd take the yoke you created from your shoulders. (You can see my previous blog regarding the yoke/burden/work here: http://bridgetkorns.weebly.com/blog/april-03rd-2017). NO, he says to take his yoke..his paradigm (perspective) upon yourself...and set aside that which you have created throughout this life and perhaps prior lives. We do not take the burdens from or take the yoke from others...because then they will never learn their lessons. This is why it is such an unnatural idea that the State should provide everything for it's citizens. This is why God doesn't provide all of the answers to us if we do not seek them through our own persnoal inner work...because we never learn through application if someone does the work for us. This is why taking on another's burdens is the greatest travesty...it is a disservice to you and a disservice to them. When you do your child's homework for them do they learn? No. So stop misusing your willpower and trying to change everyone else in your life...stop trying to make the mirror smile. Take their unique individual expression at this moment into consideration. Thank the universe you got to see the way God/Source is expressed through them...and move on if it carries no discernible message for you in your life. Care A long time ago, as I have explained before, I decided the buck stops here. So often, we isolate ourselves from others and say their troubles are not ours. We don't stop to help someone up from the ground if they fall...because they might sue us. Such is the convoluted paradoxical world of projection we live in... Yet, so many people are craving someone to care. The other day there was a woman in the store where I was working coughing. I heard her cough. I knew that cough from my own experience. She needed water. She was on the phone and going around in confused circles. She wasn't going anywhere, unable to meet her own needs because she needed water but she didn't know what to do about it. I filled up a glass of water and took it to her. "I see that you need this," I told her in a whisper because I knew she was on the phone. She drank the water and stopped walking in circles. Later she stood by the door of my department with tears in her eyes, "I wanted to give you this," she said offering me a dollar bill. I put the dollar bill in my communal tip box after saying thank you. Then I gave her a big hug and said I was happy I could help her. That little bit of compassion had impacted her day tremendously. I didn't expect anything in exchange. The truth is when people encounter true compassion they naturally want to offer something in return. The difference I have made that have created an abundance is my life...is the choice to take that responsibility. The choice I have made that when I see another human suffering- another spark of the divine- I respond to that suffering. I say, "I see you, I am here to be of service if I may. You are not alone." Sometimes, the simple words, "I understand," to validate another persons feelings or emotions can also shift their entire perspective of the universe. Conclusion We have the opportunity to interact with God/Source every day. That's one of the reasons the song song, "What if God was one of us?" became so popular. On a deep subconscious level we know that he is and that we are all God. How we treat even the most nominal person in our society is how we treat ourselves and, in essence, God. Yet, we have to practice discernment because there are people who will give off the image of falsely being poor or destitute in the desire to benefit themselves. That's where knowing not to carry another's burden comes into play. You are not obligated to give the person who looks like a poor pan handler money out of your pocket...and it doesn't make you a good person to give to those who appear obviously destitute. Jesus rebuked those who made a big deal about giving to charity in his time...because if you do it just to earn praise it is not genuine compassion. Further, many people manipulate people to give them money. The real test is all of the subtle social interactions. Every morning we interact with our spouse or children. We interact with the Mother Earth even if we don't go out and interact with other human beings. Do you sing to your plants? Do you love them as you water them? These too are emanations of the Source/God...he took time to create them too. Either way, you have a choice in every interaction. Even when they don't come to you and you see them suffering you have a choice. Most people in our society do not know how to ask for help. Do you choose to be the one that makes that difference? Sometimes it can be an ungrateful position. People will take your kindness for granted. Yet, every attempt is worth it because on rare occasions you might save or alter someones life. I have given advice that led to someone getting into a college they never considered. I responded to a man who had a seizure and his life was saved. I can go to sleep assured I have done the work to make this world a better place for all of us to the best of my ability at the moment given the resources I have. Choose to be the difference. Choose compassion. Choose love. Choose paitience...practice it with every single person you meet. That way next time you hear, "Hello welcome to Latte Heaven, my name is Lilith, what can I get started for you today?" You realize God just offered to make you the best drink you've had in your life. Think of every person you meet as a flower...you can choose to water that flower. The flower might be parched near death and not give a sign of appreciation...if it is healthier it will respond by blooming with a beautiful smile. You might be surprised how often that person returns to you simply to experience what they do not have. The choice is yours in every interaction. May you see and Honor God/Source in each person you meet. I apologize that I did not post as I usually do on Friday. I had the opportunity to visit the Learning Light Center for their Easter Psychic Fair. I experienced a wonderful healing, bought a Lapis Lazuli pendant and some organic honey. I'm posting this a day early and this week will start posting Book Reviews on Wednesdays. My backlog of already written posts are growing so large that I've been neglecting that aspect of my blog. This is one of the most complex and abstract subjects that I have come across. I credit Laird Scranton's books on the Dogon and Daryl Anka's Channeling of Bashar for helping me to conceive of this concept. Once I was able to wrap my mind around this concept a lot of metaphysical teachings became very clear. How is it possible that we are one with God yet an individuality? I have come to accept this concept on a deep level as the Rabbit Dream that I explained back in January indicates (http://bridgetkorns.weebly.com/blog/bunny-dream-interpertation). There is Only One There is only one being here. There is only Source/ All-That-IS. That we are separate is an illusion created by Time and Space. We all exist within a collective of thought. The reason Earth is so special is that we can so quickly create and explore our own individuality on this planet. By not being in direct contact with Collective Thought (Source) we are able to experience and develop our own individual energetic pattern. Then we can retain this when we are on the other side of the veil. Character's In A Book Metaphor To best understand this we can think of God as the greatest Author ever. Think of your favorite fantasy book or movie. Let's look at Star Wars...Luke, Leia, Han, Darth Vader and Chewie are all aspects of George Lucas. Are these the multiple personalities of George? Is he really split into all of these different characters? Yet, through his movies he explored the human condition through these characters...like little avatars in his personal universe. You can apply this to any author and any author will tell you that yes...these character's we create start off as a reflection of ourselves. We experience life through them, we gaze through their eyes based on their unique circumstances and experiences...and then at some point they become reflexive characters that we can tune into but have their own individual personality that is so much more than than what we originally assigned. Just look at Anne Rice and how she talks about the character Lestat, that he breathes in her ear and is very much alive for her...yet, one with her. This is, from my limited perspective, is what God/Source/All-That-IS is doing with us on Earth. We start off as aspects or abstract concepts. Leia started off as just a Princess who's world is destroyed but by the time we come to episode eight she is a multidimensional character that is so much than that first description George Lucas wrote and even evolved so that other people wrote about her. Imagine creating your own world and then realizing that it actually exists. If I were to magically walk through a door and appear in Merosis it would be amazing because I would know all of them are aspects of myself, yet, separate and compete individuals. To me that would be just as amazing as walking into the Star Wars universe. This is how there can be One but Many at the same time. Shards of the Same Mirror This metaphor comes straight from Daryl Anka channeling a being named Willa. He explained that her book was named, "Shards of a Broken Mirror." Meditating on that is when I really understood the metaphor. Think of God/Source as being on one side of the mirror contemplating his own reflection. The reflection is completely shattered showing different fragments of the divine's image. Some are parts of this chin, some are parts of his ankle...etc. Each individual is a broken shard of that mirror. We each reflect back a different aspect of Source/God. Yet, are the reflections of the shards in the mirror really separate from God/Source? No, they are but reflections and perspectives of the Whole but they are inherently one and they are all reflections of the One Source. Different Aspects of God Interacting When working with my dream's, after reading Kevin Todeschi's Book (Dream Interpenetration Made Easy) I realized every character that I interacted with represented an aspect of myself that I needed to work on...then I had a huge epiphany. They say every person that enters your life presents a lesson. I realized that this is how it works dreams. Every character you encounter in those dreams are a part of yourself. I realized that this meant that all of the people I'm interacting with in the waking world are aspects of the Divine. They work in a perfect harmony and unison so I am faced with different lessons I need to learn. Sometimes, I'm faced with something in myself that I don't like so I try to reject the other person. In other cases, I'm just present to show some very lost beings a different way of living. Maybe they take it to heart and start living that way or maybe they don't. Yet, if I do not role model proper behavior (as all natural leaders do...there is never a do as I say but not as I do in a genuine leader) they might never have the possibility of waking up to the idea that they have another way they could live...and they could make better choices. Through this perspective I realized that every time I interact with a human being I am interacting with a part of God/Source. Each is their own unique aspect of the Creator but they are just as valid expressions as I am This and That This is another concept taught by Bashar channeled by Daryl Anka. How can we be individuals and yet one with God? We can be both because this realm is just a reflection of Spirit. We were given Free Will so we could become companions to God/Source, which was lonely. I think we can all relate to that in some way. Yet, nothing can exist outside of Source/God. That is a bit of a paradox but it does make sense that when we cross over (a.k.a. die) we actually return to that energy and that collective mind. We only really experience that sense of separation when we are in the flesh. Some go through some terrible side effects because the sense separation and lonesome is painful. Yet, that's how we develop our own distinguishable individuality. That's why we build here, in this physical realm, our individuality by exploring what we consist of and measuring ourselves against obstacles. We learn more about ourselves in the realm of opposites and separation because we learn what we do and don't like. We test ourselves. Hall of Mirrors The people you draw into your life reflect you. The people you drew into your life five years ago or even a year ago might have been totally different from you today. That's why there is usually a constant cycle of friends leaving and friends arriving in your life. Life is fluid. Nothing is meant to be stagnant and remain the same and a lot of people are like stones unwilling to budge. The few people who are fluid and flexible enough to remain a friend as you develop are worth their weight in gold If you absolutely hate everyone that is around you...there should be alarm bells ringing in your head...because this shows that you hate yourself. We are working within a hall of mirrors...there is only one person here. Every person we meet is our self reflected back to ourselves. Let's go back to my author metaphor for God. To George Lucas, Han was his rebellious side. Luke was his more sensitive caring aspect. We know those characters come from the same person...the same Author...and we know they need each other. We see Han being taught by Luke that there is more to the Universe...that the Force exists. We watch as Luke grows into manhood because of Han's influence. This is how two aspects of the same being can learn from each other. I will go more deeply into my blog titled 'Seeing God In Others.' Conclusion This is a simple and sweet concept yet it is so fundamental. In Egyptian Mysticisim John Van Auken explains in Ancient Egyptian Mysticisim, "Before the creation the Egyptian God Nun (or nu) was all there was...the God Atum was self-created and began the creation within himself...Also, in the book of the Dead the "self created" God is asked, "Who is this?" and she answers: 'It is Ra who created names for his members and these came into being in the form of the God's who are in the following of Ra.' This is the reference to the beginning of Soul-Groups, each following in or reflecting the first cause or impulse that brought them into being. Those conceived int he following of Ra are of the same soul group and would have similar goals and perspectives on life... From out of the un-manifested God came God the Creator (Self-created). God the Creator conceived co-creators, or the godlings. From out of them came "the Millions." The Original Great Creator then gave souls to "the millions. The plan is very simple: Whoever magnifies the Creator's qualities, the creator magnifies them. Its an interrelated network of Oneness and Manyness, of Wholeness in which separateness may coexist. The ultimate gold is to subdue one's sense of separateness by magnifying the Creator's wholeness, thereby becoming one with the Whole whole knowing oneself to be oneself. " Just today, Laird Scranton shared a post on Facebook explaining one of the concepts he's studying, "In Buddhism, Purusa is the name given to masculine energy that comes together with feminine energy, Prakriti, to catalyze material creation. Adrian Snodgrass describes the Buddhist personification of the concept of Purusa as "the first form of the supreme Brahman" who "knows divisions and thinks himself composed of parts." A likely ancient Egyptian counterpart to the term is given by Budge as the word pursh, meaning "to separate". [see Budge, p. 235a]" Another poster explained that the same concept of Pakriti and Purusha. Again, we find the unmanifested unchanging feminine Goddess (Parkriti) and the manifesting God (Purusha). Here is an article on the Buddhist concept (http://www.hinduwebsite.com/hinduism/essays/the-true-meaning-of-prakriti.asp). My point here is that we find this in every tradition. We find the same concept in Adam and Eve...first there was just God and then he created Adam and Eve in spirit. As John Van Auken points out there are two points where Adam are Eve are created. First, they were created in Spirit and then they were created in flesh. For me, when I see the same story told over and over in many different religions it becomes apparent this teaching is from the Original Religion that so many claim was given to us from supernatural sources. While I am not in any place to say what that source was I think a valid argument has been created that it exists. This is the story of our souls.
Who am I? Why am I alive? Where did I come from? Where am I going? What is my purpose? These are some of the most fundamental questions that people have. Each person might have a different answer to these fundamental questions at certain times in their Spiritual Development. A lot of people don't walk down the Spiritual Path. They don't know why they have a Spiritual Practice or desire belief...they just know that it brings enrichment to their life. They don't seek to know God/Source in any way shape or form on the conscious level but they are driven by a desire for Source by their Soul. Many atheists and people who do not believe there is anything beyond this life and our experience in the Cosmos think that belief is the result of indoctrination and a desire for certainty in an uncertain world. Based on my research into the major religions and down different alternative spiritual avenues I just don't see this as the case. Overwhelmingly, there is a sense of loss and a desire to recover what has been lost. I used to view being a Seeker as a hobby. I'm not out for personal gain or any desire to have power over another. I would love to show people new paradigms, to challenge their thinking and help them find Wholeness on a deep level of their being. For some reason, I wasn't born with the separation most people have because I can tune into the Oneness at will. I lost that ability for a time but I've discovered that is all some people hope to attain in this lifetime. I'm also rare in that I don't just study one Religion...I'm not someone who chooses teams religiously or politically. Nor do I dismiss any religion because of personal bias. Every point of view is just as sacred and as justifiable as those that predated them. Sometimes the teachings have been misunderstood, yet, that is part of the system. Yeshua taught parables to the people because he knew they weren't ready or prepared to handle the full truth. The reason you don't cast pearls before swine is because they trample it...they misunderstand it and they distort it. The right people will come to the information when they need it and the right people will understand that information. I'm on the Human Soul Team. That means I came here to serve every one of you. From the lowliest beggar to the most filthy rich man on this planet (who is probably the most spiritual destitute). I don't care the color of your skin, your supposed disabilities, your diseases, your hangups, the way you identify yourself...none of that has ever mattered to me. I have had my own obstacles and stumbling blocks. People have labeled me and treated me as they thought my label warranted. Yet, I am undefinable by the human language. Just as the essence of each of you who are reading this is undefinable. I have sought answers with a dedicated heart through studying every major religion and many alternative sources I feel are just as valid because they carry the same message. The system I have discovered is fluid and dynamic...much like the trickster character in many spiritual faiths. Every time you try to grasp on to some fundamental truth it seems to slip out of your hands or morph just enough. Overwhelmingly, the information you are about to read are from all sources. A good deal of it does come from John Van Auken's work from the Edgar Cacye A.R.E. but a great deal of it came from 'visions' that I have had. Most of these visions happened in dreams as that is my preferred method of communicating with my Higher Self. I will examine those dreams in future blogs but this is the story that has emerged and that has been validated by my research. So not only do I have my individual experience but I hear it echoed or stated plainly throughout many religions or psychic/mediums. Experience A lot of the material that used to come out about Who we are (on a soul level) and Why we are here (as souls) seemed cryptic to me. There were hints and little asides here and there. There was almost a conflict of information. At first, I couldn't make sens of it but with time, practice and intention my mind expanded to understand it. That's the best way to explain it...something clicked and it went from being mumbo jumbo to the same story reiterated time and time again. Sure, this could be some form of projection based on my own bias but often times I'm puzzled and down right delighted when I find other people validating the information I've received/perceived in their own unique way. In a previous blog I stated the purpose that we had come to this world as souls was for the Experience. I didn't know what that experience was or why specifically but I knew that we were here to learn about ourselves. That the soul doesn't care if we have good experiences or bad experiences as long as we are not stagnant. That is what much of life is about...we try something, we fail, we try again...and through the experience of measuring ourselves against obstacles we learn more about ourselves. If the obstacles were to be removed we would never really learn our true depths or the depth of the human experience. The story that has emerged more recently, and from older sources that have been out for a while, is that experience is just a small sliver of the story. The answer, that we came here to have experiences, was from a multi-religious and multi-source perspective. The following is the same...from Ancient Egypt, to the Celts, to the Hopi, from Hindu, to Buddhist, Christian, Muslims, and Sikhisim. You find the same story of the soul. Here is what I can perceive from my limited point of view in this point in time: The Story Of The Soul I've been following threads through different spiritual practices for a long time now. I can say that they run through all of the major religions and spiritual practices. There different emphasis on different parts. Some religions focus on certain a parts of the story but it's universal. I'm not going to give examples where I discovered different portions of it or quote all of the different religions/spiritual practices/teachings in this post. The basic story is the most important and if it resonates with you all the better. That would be exhausting and probably wouldn't convince anyone of anything. Some are from John Van Auken and some from Laird Scranton. I see a tapestry where other people have pointed to threads. You can see all of this as a fantasy tale as well because I can't prove anything. Creation Story The universal story when it comes to the Creation Story is that there was at first a dark ocean. In that dark ocean (often given a feminine quality and described as 'pregnant'). This ocean was the potentiality of creation yet it was unrealized creation. There came the light of self-awareness and self-perception (depicted as a reed in Egyptian hieroglyphics and described as male). Here Source realized that it existed, it was aware of it's dark ocean counterpart and it began to create. In this story we can see the concept of Yin and Yang. This Light of Self-Perception is the active force of Source. (Atman in the Hindu tradition). This is the part that is always active, changing and learning during the process. The Dark Ocean is the non-active part of the Source (Brahman in the Hindu Tradition). This will be the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. This latent part of Source is what composes the entire Cosmos...it consists of the smallest particles that make creation but does not appear to have 'self perception' or 'consciousness' as we know it. Until a consciousness interacts with this part of creation it remains in a neutral state. Creating Companions This is the part where the Active aspect of Creation (Atman) begins to create. Any of the Creative Forces we call Angels were created at this time. Yet, what the Active Aspect of Creation found was that there was a hive mind. All of the Angles were aware of it's thoughts...and acted as he willed...as one mind. These were not truly companions...they were merely extension of the Active part of God's thoughts. As such, Source remained alone. The active part of Source then created souls that had Free Will. These little sparks of life, made in the same form as the Source...that which we call our souls. These had a consciousness and will of their own that did not have to be in accordance with Source. The intention was that with their own will they would choose to develop and be companions of the creator. They would have awareness of themselves...instead of sharing an awareness with Source. This change caused what was perceived by those souls as a Fall from an idyllic condition. Each soul needed to create their own individual personality, much as the active force of Source had done, and their own self-perception. What happened is that when those souls were given free will and individuality they felt that they were unworthy (naked) and they traveled far from Source because they were unable to bear what they had become. Source then created Time and Space which exist at the very outer limits of creation in the outer limits of it's light. Individualization I didn't realize that one of the most important things that Edgar Cacye said was that, "We are to recognize that we are an individual, yet one with God." The best metaphor or story to really understand this concept comes from Star Trek Voyager of all things. In it, the charterer 7 of 9 is taken from the Borg Collective. Yes, I'm saying that when we are in Spirit it's ab it like being in the Borg. We can't really shield our consciousness from others and we share a 'hive mind.' When 7 leaves the Borg she is left disoriented. After she is disconnected from the Hive mind and millions of voices she was used to hearing...she felt alone and abandoned. To discover her own individuality she had to try new things. She had to discover what she did and did not like. She had to develop relationships with other individuals so that she might learn more about herself. She had to develop hobbies and interests so she could discover her talents. At a certain point in our development, during our teenage years, we learn how to disengage and no identify ourselves with our parents. A natural part of this is to rebel and to choose music or interests that are not in alignment with our parents. When the individualization process started with souls this same thing occurred. Separation Being separated from the Active Force of Source is not easy. Over and over you find this theme throughout the different religions and stated by people throughout the world. I feel incomplete. I feel empty. I feel alone. I feel isolated. In fact, in our modern world this feeling of isolation and loss of community is felt more sharply then ever before. We attribute this to technology but it is an ancient feeling. All of us chose to leave the Collective Mind of the Active Force of Source...to experience individualization. We knew the risk was great. We knew that it is a very tough school and that without the loving reassuring presence of Source within our mind that it would be rough. We knew that we could become Entrapped. Many souls, upon being disconnected feel unworthy of seeking God again and wish for self-destruction. Being separated in mind from the presence of Source feels unnatural. This lead to all sorts of dis-ease. People might seek connection through relationships, sexual acts, alcohol, group activities...any way to not feel the pain of that isolation from Source. Yet, we chose the separation. We knew the risks but we knew the rewards as well...to know ourselves as an individual...yet, still One with Source. This is the only way we could be proper companions to Source and form our own individual personalities. Earth is a very fast way of accomplishing individualization because of the Veil of Seperation. This is a risky experiment but our souls. We knew, as souls, we could never leave that Latent part of Source (Brahman). Though we might be disconnected from the Active part of Source (Atman)...we would always be in contact with the Latent Ocean of Potentiality...the waves of particles that form the entire cosmos. We are never ever truly separate from Source. Entrapment A lot of religious belief and Fear has surrounded this part of our experience. With Separation came Fear. When we came to this world we we tried to make our souls solid. We became in love with the physical sensation. We tried to become perfect little human beings in what we thought would be the perfection of ourselves. We forgot that the goal was to know and develop ourselves as individuals to be Companions to God. We became absorbed in trying to create the perfect human life. Again and again, we came back trying to create the most perfect performance of human life ever seen. Drawn again and again to the desire to eat, to go surfing, to be in relationships and scores of human activities through which people find meaning. Sometimes as an Artist, sometimes as the cook.. The pursuit of buying a home, having a children and raising them. All of these are worldly concerns. There is a phrase that resonates throughout Buddhsim, Christianity, and Islam. To be in this world but not of it...I covered this in the last blog. Yet, the meaning is the same. Don't become too in love with the material world. If you do you will be trapped. Destined to return again and again until you realize that the purpose isn't to achieve the perfect human life. In Journey of Souls by Michael Newton a case study covers a soul that would be considered a Ghost. That person was so attached to their physical life they recreated it...until they finally became bored. Then a soul that was trained specifically in retrieving these lost souls asked if he was done and ready continue. This is much how it is for most of us on Earth...we are allowed to return over and over again until we realize the true purpose isn't found on Earth but can only be learned on Earth where we perceive we are separate from Source. Now, in our days, many people are aware of some sort of entrapment. They blame evil alien entities and external forces of Darkness. The Truth is that it is all us...we are entrapping ourselves. Until we get bored of the experience of trying to create the most perfect human existence we will continue to return. Source exists on a level that is beyond good and evil...we just experience duality on this level existence but Source does not. Masters of all sorts and even Angels have come to try and break us of our self-created bonds to the material world where we think that this is all that exists...but only we can set ourselves free. There are several 'how-to' guides written over millennia but each road is as individual as the soul that the Active part of Source created in its image. Some will take hundreds of lives and some a handful. All of it depends on the individual. The part of us that is of the Material Realm- The Ego, the four lower chakras (the four beasts of Revelation) and often represented as a snake...is the part of us that 'knows good and evil' but it not something to be disowned or destroyed. That is the part of our Soul that is individual. Misuse of Willpower Also, a part of becoming a individual is that we have the opportunity to misuse our will power. This was what the Blog Stop Arguing With God was all about...we try to force our will on to others, on to creation, on to our animals...we reshape nature in our own image. Instead of letting the Source flow through us we often work against the Natural Order. We have the option of wanting to create on our own and that which we want to create may not be in alignment with Source. We see this in our world all of the time. People trying to change the Natural Order of this world as though it's not good enough. We call people who have respect for this Natural Order Savages. The result of us reshaping the world in our own image has been the death of countless species. The truth is no Order created by Humanity has ever reached the balanced perfection of Nature. Look at our cities...how it strangles life in so many ways instead of letting it flow. One of the lessons we are learning on Earth along with Individualization is the necessity to submit to the Will of that Latent part of Source. That portion is what organizes all of the cosmos...in a reflexive way that is orderly and balanced. We tend to argue, "I can do it better!" Yet, has that ever proven to be true? How did nuclear power work out? Even fossil fuels didn't quite work out. I've learned by submitting to the Natural Order I see the rhyme and reason behind it all which is completely perfect. The timing is perfect. When I feel a resistance, when things don't seem to arrive when I want them...I realize it is not my time schedule. Then when things do work out...it is absolutely stunning. Until we can go with the flow on Earth, accepting that it is a place of cycles of rebirth and work with Source allowing it to flow through us...our will won't be tamed and we won't be prove that we can work as a team with Source. The Embrace We can operate on the Worldly level all we want. That is the most common path. We are born and forget our Soul-self. That Soul-Self...that spark of the divine that is our Essence is there waiting to be acknowledged. The Worldly self must embrace and learn to work with the Soul self in this life...on Earth. Let's call the Soul-Self the Higher Self. In a Spiritual practice we can become aware of that Higher Self. We can start to work with the language of dreams. We learn lessons and we are given perspective on the current lessons we are going through in our worldly life. Yet, at the point I have reached there has been a blending of the Higher Self with the Earthly-Self. The separation I experienced between the two is now gone. I know the Higher Self to be me and I am bringing more and more of that energy into my own life. The overwhelming sense of peace even in traumatic situations and being a nexus of energy is nothing short of stunning continuing to amaze me at every turn of the path. This was is the result of seeking the Higher Self. The first thing I had to do was learn to trust my Higher Self. When the blending occurs it is like reclaiming a part of yourself and it creates a sense of Wholeness. We might say we are Self-Actualized beings (that we have achieved all of the levels of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs) but until we reach this state of Wholeness and oneness with our Higher Self...it's not really possible. Still, I think there are even more expansion available as I put my beliefs into work. As I acknowledge each person, as I seem them as part of the Whole, a reflection of myself, a shard of myself...but that is a much deeper blog. I won't say how to do it...but merely to seek for that and you will achieve it in your own way. For me it just developed naturally as a result of Seeking Truth and Source for over twenty years. When working in tune with the Higher Self you are naturally working with Source and doing the will of Source. There are little indications (mostly in dreams and intuitions) when you are walking down an unintended path. Yet, it is a small intuitive feeling or voice that you perceive...not some all encompassing demand. Self-Perception This at the point where a circle seems to be formed. We were pulled from the latent ocean of possibility of Source by the Active self-perceiving part of Source. We were like a reed removed from that ocean (part of a Creation Myth of a few Native American and African tribes). We experienced separation and developed ourselves as individuals. Now, after being caught up in the cycle of rebirth...we realize that we never left the ocean. We were just moved to a different part of the ocean. That by going within we can get in touch with that constant form of Source...with that latent ocean of energy of which we are composed. That we can develop a relationship, learn to understand the language and much like that first act of perception flow with the Natural Order of Source. Our bodies become a vehicle to bring that energy into the life of others on Earth, uplifting them and nourishing them in ways they can't do for themselves in the hope...maybe, just maybe, they will week up and seek the Source of our Strength for themselves. Then we learn that we can perceive that latent part of Source and we can work with it...a sort of dance of perception. The process is similar to what the Active Principal must have perceived as it first came into self-awareness. Now, we have the chance to tap into and have a relationship with a part of Source that...as mere copies of the Active Principal of Source...we were not fully aware. In a way, coming out this far into the 'darkness' we were able to re-create that first act of self-perception. Making us worthy companions to the Active principal of Source. The ultimate destination is to return to Source, retain our individuality, and help Source create in ways that our unique to us...adding to Creation in ways that Source would not if we were not Source's companion. Knowing that through the latent aspect of Source we are all One. Conclusion That's as far as I've gotten. This is imperfect and incomplete. There are little side notes that I could include. There are ideas I could fully explore and detail. I'll do that in further blogs. I just wanted to share the basic story. Whether you think this is the start of a wonderful Fantasy Series or you place the world 'plausible' on it...I hope it motivates you to Seek Source. Of course, this is a linear frame for all of this and it is a bit more fluid and not as direct as I have described for all of us. Yet, this is the basic gist of the situation. Whether you feel your Soul came from an incarnation on Sirius or another dimension...the goal and what can be accomplished very quickly on Earth is the same. From what I have studied all Souls will reach this point of union with Source eventually but not as fast. This is also why I flat out reject the idea of Unity Mind but I've written about that in a past blog. There is no place for "unity mind" to develop in humanity. We have it in Spirit so I really doubt that's the next stage of our development and I'm not sure where that idea came from. I've heard numerous people speak about it but I have yet to find the origin of that idea. I believe that we will start to sense our connection. Perhaps the Fifth Root Race (I've written about that before) which is supposed to appear brighter will happen. I'm not sure, I doubt that if it does happen that it will be dramatic. The process will probably be gradual (as Bashar describes) and in the end doesn't change the experience that much. Probably, it will mean that we will end the cycle of killing each other in the name of anything. I hope that it will lead to peaceful co-habitation where everyone will be free to express themselves in the way they choose as long as it harms no one else physically. (Most mental harm comes from perception and can be healed by a readjustment of perception). To me it's a beautiful story of experience, trial, and victory. All of it takes place within the consciousness of the soul. This is the story I see underlying every major religion and spiritual message ever conveyed to us. From the most cryptic to the most allegorical story...it is written there just below the surface. Whether we are looking at fariy tales like Beauty and the Beast (over coming our beastly natures to reconnect with our Beautiful Soul)...or stories of creation this is the story humanity tells itself over and over again. This is the original Hero Story and each one of us are our own Hero's and Heroines writing and discovering our own plot. Yet it all lay written and waiting for existence within that latent part of Source...so yes, it was foretold, known from the start and will be known at the end. The various threads I have followed and tugged are what compose this tapestry. I will go through and explain those threads over future blogs. You already saw one in my last blog about detachment. Next, I will cover how that idea has been distorted over the years as those who did not quite understand it tried to achieve detachment. If this doesn't resonate with you, that is fine, you are on your own path with your own timing. This is just my truth as it stands right now in this moment. I hope you enjoyed peering through creation from a different set of paradigm goggles! There was a period where everything was about awakening. Songs were about awakening. There was the name Force Awakens for the last Star Wars movie. Bashar tells us to, "Wake up, wake up..."
I found myself asking, "Why is this recent fascination with Awakinging? What are we waking up to?" I think I've found my answer and all of the different takes on it really confused the heck out of the message from the Collective Unconscious of humanity. Because people who weren't tuned it were perverting the meaning of the word. "Awakening' just seemed a hip thing to say...from waking up to the reality of how the United States is Propagandized to a entire host of other things...the message has been botched. Yet, it's there, in the subtle layers of our reality. Here is a quote from Facebook page called Parallel Realities/ Laws of Vibration administrator Fawn Wails: "The reason why We created this group is so that you acknowledge that we live in a holographic universe, full of energy, frequencies and vibrations. Reality shifts are occurring continuously! There is nothing negative about it or having to do with the end of the world. Major thinkers such as Nikola Tesla, Andrew Carnegie, Napolean Hill, all new that this was true, and our thoughts create our own reality." What Is It? Perhaps, all that really happening is that we are awakening to our spiritual nature..to the role we play in our own lives. The little changes to the timeline are winks from the cosmic universe telling us that this is just a dream...a dream of our souls which are one with the infinite creator and, in truth, mini-creators that have chosen to forget their nature for a short duration of time. Edgar Cacye talks about the Fall as souls coming into the material reality. This wasn't really meant to happen, not in that way, and wasn't the intention. The souls became so infatuated with the material world that we became more like animals forgetting completely the normal status of our core selves. Bashar suggests that we experienced this before and we destroyed ourselves. Just imagine limiltless pure infinite beings waking up to the reality that they have, in a sort of illusion, committed atrocious crimes against themselves. Perhaps there would be a will for self destruction instead of 'owning' that painful realization. Perhaps, that is what happened to Atlantis. How to Spot Fake Awakenings Anyone who has really awakened to their spiritual nature won't be as judgmental of others. How can you be judgmental when you own that in past lives you were all of the bad things that people are taught to hate? Anyone who has really awakened won't call themselves superior to others. Jesus said that he was the servant of all. He never elevated himself to the Prince of Peace...that happened hundreds of years later by the Church who then murdered those who disagreed with them in his name. Anyone who has spiritually awakened won't say one religion is better than another or one race is disadvantaged compared to another. The realization is that all is one, that each is a valuable individual that contains grains of truth. Conclusion The awakening is a realization about ourselves. We are waking up to our divine multi-dimensional nature. We are deciding where we go as the Prisim or two different paths separate from one another. This is a gradual process that may have started in 1998 or 2012 depending on perspective and may continue all the way through 2050. For the most part people will really begin to see a very different world emerging during the 2020's which is only four years away. Right now, we haven't quite chosen which future we want to exist in. However, the idea is that with our thoughts we choose which one we want. If we want doom, gloom and apocalypse we will go to a timeline that will experience that....if we think positively and start pursuing that which brings us the greatest joy we will experience a far more positive experience. If we are convinced we are destroying our world we might experience that reality. Could this be the harvest spoken of in the bible? I think it is very possible and as Spirit is always subtle, as to not shock people into psychological experiences, it was chosen that this transition would be gradual but even Jesus said that it would pass quickly...hence why time seems to be passing so quickly now. There are a lot of things that I am grateful for and Thanksgiving, to me, represents that spirit to me. There are detractors of the Holiday (as there are for every holiday in our country) but to me Thanksgiving represents taking time to show gratitude, being thankful for the abundance we experience during the current year and spending time with the people we love.
I know that spiritually I hit a plateau....and I was integrating a lot of information. The way I view life has been changed dramatically over the course of the last two years. I wasn't really sure of these points of views or the spiritual epiphanies I had experienced until I heard them validated by various people recently. Gratitude First, I want to look at the concept of Gratitude which is something that I see reflected by fewer people. To me, this means that I need to start highlighting what I'm grateful and experiencing more gratitude for what I have. I find it easy to live in the future and be absorbed in the next achievement that I have set my focus on. Focusing on the next ting we want, the next job we might have, the next college course, the next book we intend to read, the next decoration we intend to buy or the next task we meant to complete...is interesting but it is also living in the future. For me, I have been very focused on having kids, everything that I have done in the last year has been primarily with the focus on trying to have a child. That it's taking so long is disheartening, that I've had so many set backs has been disheartening and that it requires me to have another hospital visit at the start of the year (which has been a trend since 2014) which is discouraging as well because it feels like I'm stuck in a looping pattern. I tend to do that or look back with longing even if the moment I'm missing didn't seem the greatest when I was in it. When I'm doing this I'm living in the past wishing I had things that I didn't appreciate in that moment now. The real trick to cultivating gratitude is to focus on the Now. What do I have now that makes my life pleasurable? What is it in my life that is going right and that is really good? I personally, have a lot to be thankful for in the Now. I have a husband that deeply loves me and enjoys spending time with me. I have a best friend that I message constantly throughout the day who is tremendously supportive of me and a network of friends that are there whenever I need them. I have two dogs who are fantastic companions (even if one is going blind) and two cats that are wonderful companions so I really can't fee lonely. I have a beautiful big home, which few people my age can claim, and I have a reliable vehicle. I am always fixing wonderful food that is delicious. I have a job I enjoy. I've reached a place from a spiritual and psychological point of view that is very healthy. The mixture is a bit potent of knowing that I cannot judge others, as I have been in their shoes at times, and at the same time knowing that I need to make the right decisions for me. There is a sense of understanding, of not trying to hard...but allowing things to come to me. Previously, I would push a lot a way for various reasons including a sense of being unworthy. I have accomplished a lot of inner personal work that has given me a great deal of peace and freedom to experience joy. I am even thankful for the experiences I have that were negative. The reason why is because it has given me some perspective and insight that I would not have had if I had experienced an easy shallow life. By diving deep into the darkest moments a person can experience and having to strive for things that come easily to others and others take for granted...and coming up eventually I have learned a lot about myself and other people. Life is really good at the moment. That's why I'm constantly telling people I'm fantastic and can't complain. I really can't complain with what my life is right NOW...because it's so much better than what most other people have. Abundance That word, when I hear it, evokes the idea of a cornucopia overflowing with fruits and vegetables. An extravagant feast featuring the products that we have labored over and brought to fruition over the year. (Note, I did not mention looking at someone else's table for comparison and thinking you wish what they had). Part of what makes it so satisfying is knowing that all that you have came from you and is the product of your own work or sacrifice. Yet, my favorite description of Abundance comes from Daryle Anka and Bashar. They describe Abundance as being able to do what you want when you want to do it. If there is only the eternal "Now" then all that matters at the moment is that you have what you want to do what you want to do...it's a very simple concept that causes you to be thankful for what you do have as opposed to what you don't. I have experienced a lot of synchronicity in my life that has caused me to see how I can achieve abundance then I did before. Previously, I thought to have abundance you had to work really hard at a goal and then you had to achieve that goal. For example, if you want to have a plant in every room you need to research plants to find out what you want to get for each room, find out how much the plants cost, save up the money for the plants and then go buy them. Strangely, I have found this year that it doesn't have to be that way. This took a bit of redefinition of the process. I learned to set a goal, or you might call it an expectation, and let it go completely trusting the universe will work out the details better than I can. Basically, releasing that expectation to a higher power. I didn't sit and do research and tell myself, "I will only settle for these plants." Instead, I thought, it would be nice to have a plant for every room. Then the opportunity came up, the florist at work offered for me to buy a cart of mixed plants, for an absurdly low amount of money. If I was going from the old approach I might have turned that down...instead, I saw it as an opportunity. Sure, some of the plants might not make it, some of them I might not like...but even for the few that did that price was so absurdly low how could I say no? Now I have a plant in every room. They are beautiful and the opportunity simply flowed to me. I have experienced this in other situations as well. When I set and expectation without getting specific about what I want...it just flows to me naturally without any work on my part. Going With The Flow Here is the epiphany I've had recently that I've been trying to wrap my mind around regarding how this abundance occurs. Because it goes against what I have been conditioned to believe by so many in society and what the majority of humanity thinks it's been a little bit difficult to process how to describe it in a way others may understand. The idea I see in my minds eye is standing in the flow of energy and that which I need is simply brought to me effortlessly as I learn how to float within the energy. This reminds me of a scuba class I took. We were required to "tread water" for an absurdly long amount of time. I know it was over thirty minutes and I think it was two hours. There were kids who were dog paddling the entire time. They were working up a sweat and tiring themselves out just trying to keep their heads above water. I asked the teacher if I could float and he said yes. I laid back and just enjoyed floating on top of the water. Effortless, easy, and so much more comfortable then those people who were dog paddling. This is how I see the two ways we can interact with the world. We are in an energetic spiritual matrix that wants to flow to us all that we want. Yet, because of conditioning and beliefs that other people taught us so many people believe that have to work really hard just to get the smallest reward. When we could be floating effortlessly. The beauty is that we have the freedom of choice. When we see someone suffering as they work, work and work at what they want...we can't judge them. They just haven't learned how to float. We can trust that they will at some point...maybe not in this life but maybe the next. There is no reason to feel guilty for having an easier life and you owe no one for a life that is effortlessly abundant. Appreciating Loved Ones There are so many people who have touched my life over the years helping to make me a better person. Showing love to those who appreciate us and support us is much like showing love for oneself. Much like a warm bed on a cold night it's needed for comfort and rest to simply celebrate important moments in our life this way. Love is an effortless thing when it is real and mutual. That's why it's so renewing to our spirit when we take time to have those moments instead of forcing them with people we hardly know or who don't appreciate us. There is no reason to force affection that doesn't come naturally or is not mutual. Conclusion I love the Thanksgiving holiday for what it represents to me in the Now and not the history or the traditions. That is all that matters in the moment and I love the Holiday for what it represents to me. There is so much to be Thankful for and so many reasons to take out time in our busy lives to be thankful for the Abundance that we do experience in so many faucets of our lives. Simply learning to appreciate what we have right now in this moment, to enjoy the comfort of the seat beneath our bottom, the warmth of a jacket when we are cold or the the pleasure of good company is more valuable then gold. Mostly, this year I'm grateful for the perspective that I have gained. I know that it is not all inclusive and that I have many more lessons ahead. I know that I have struggled against myself, mostly, and letting go of that need to struggle has been hard. Learning not to struggle and to go with the flow isn't a process I have completed but I think the gains I have made are worthy of celebration. I hope that one day soon more of the people I know will experience the peace of this process.
This is by far one of my more ambitious blogs. I hope you enjoy this concept and it brings a little bit of illumination.
Now, we know the meaning of life is to experience. We know that we are learning to create on a minute level. We understand the role of the Dark and Light experiences (positive or negative) giving depth to those creations. Can we know learn anymore about the purpose of this life journey? The Hero's Journey is the story that humanity keeps retelling itself. Now, I believe that each of us are living our own story and our soul is the narrator just as we are the characters in the story. This is why when we go back to a painful experience in our past we can redefine it and see how it led us to new knowledge. The Hero's Journey is the story of the soul. The soul starts off in the Spirit Realm, it hears the call to adventure...and off to Earth we go to play the Game of Life. To better understand this ride we have chosen let's look closely at the Hero's Journey... The Hero's Journey In 1949 Joseph Campbell shared a revolutionary concept in a book titled The Hero With A Thousand Faces. He studied the myths and stories of many cultures. He discovered that humanity seemed to resonate and repeat one story with many different characters. He dubbed this story the Hero's Journey. From The Hobbit to Star Wars we can discover that this Hero's Journey applies to them all. I believe it is important to note that Joseph Campbell had a direct influence on Star Wars. We can easily sum the Hero's Journey up by dividing it up into four sections. Those sections are Departure, Initiation, Crisis and Return. However, Campbell has three sections consisting of seventeen parts. The hero departs from the world that they know into the world of the unknown. In that unknown world there is usually an initiation (sometimes with a mentor), then there is a Crisis the hero must overcome and then they Return to the life they formerly knew with some sort of boon they share with others. Campbell's Seventeen Elements The above four steps are an abbreviation of Campbell's version of the hero's journey. Here are the seventeen stages that appear in most stories. Part One, Departure, Contains Five Elements: 1. There is the call to Adventure. We see Gandalf visiting the Shire and talking to Bilbo about a great adventure or in the case of Luke Skywalker the two mysterious droids appear. 2. There is a refusal to the call. The hero fails to heed the call because of some duty, obligation, fear or insecurity. Bilbo states that Hobbits don't approve of adventures and Luke states that his Uncle Owen needs him to stay on the farm. Campbell described this as, "...the subject loses the power of the significant affirmative action and becomes a victim to be saved." 3. For those who don't refuse the call the first encounter is with a protective figure that will offer them teachings or talismans they will later use in their adventure. Campbell says, "...such a figure represents the benign, protecting power of destiny." 4. Crossing the threshold, is where the character cross into the unknown realm. "The usual person is more than content, he is even proud, to remain within the indicated bounds...the adventure is always and everywhere a passage beyond the veil...for anyone with competence and courage the danger fades." 5. Belly of the Whale: This is where the hero goes into a situation where there is a rebirth. This can be symbolically represented literally by the belly of the Whale (as in Pinocchio or Jonah). Campbell says, "The idea of the passage of the magical threshold is a transit into the sphere of rebirth...the interior of the temple." Part Two, Initiation, Contains Six Parts 6. The Road of Trials. The road consists of a series of tests, often in threes, that the person must undergo during their transformation. "The hero is covertly aided by the advice, amulets or secret agents of the mentor or he discovers here...for the first time...a benign power everywhere supporting him in his superhuman passage." 7. Meeting The Goddess. This is the point where the person experiences a love that has power and significance of the unconditional love an infant experiences with it's mother. According to Campbell, "The ultimate adventure, when all the barriers and ogres have been overcome is represented by a mystical marriage of triumphant hero-soul with the Queen Goddess of the world and if the adventurer be a maid, she is the one who, by her qualities, her beauty, her yearning, is fit to become consort of an immortal. The heavenly husband descends to her...if she has shunned him the scales fall from her eyes or if she sought him her desire finds peace." 8. Woman as Temptress. The hero faces temptations of a physical or pleasurable nature, that may lead him or her to abandon or stray from their quest. "The crux of the curious difficulty lies in the fact that our conscious views of what life ought to be seldom correspond to what life really is..the seeker of life beyond life must press beyond (the woman), surpass the temptations of her call, and soar to the immaculate ether beyond." 9. Atonement with the Father. The person must confront and be initiated by whatever holds the ultimate power in his or her life. In many myths and stories this is the father, or a father figure who has life and death power. Everything in this story leads to this moment and away from it. "Atonement consists of no more than the abandonment of that self-generated double monster- the dragon tho to be god (superego) and the dragon thought to be Sin (repressed Id). This requires an abandonment of the attachment to ego itself, and that is what is difficult. It is in this ordeal that the hero may derive hope and assurance from the female figure, by who's magic he is protected from the father's ego-shattering initiation...only to find that the father and mother reflect each other and are in essence the same." 10. Apotheosis. When someone dies a physical death or dies to the self to live in spirit, he or she moves beyond the pairs of opposites to a state of divine knowledge, love, compassion and bliss. "Those who know, not only that the Everlasting lies in them, but that what they, and all things, really are is the Everlasting, dwell in the groves of the wish fulfilling trees, drink the brew of immortality, and listen everywhere to the unheard music of eternal concord." 11. The Ultimate Boon. The achievement of the goal of the quest. All the previous steps serve to prepare and purify the person for this step, since in many myths the boon is something transcendent like the elixir of life itself or a plant that supplies immortality or the holy grail. "The gods and goddesses then are to be understood as embodiment's and custodians of the elixir of Imperishable Being but not themselves the Ultimate in it's primary state...it's guardians dare release it only to the duly proven." Part Three, The Return, Has Six Elements 12. Refusal to Return. Having found bliss and enlightenment in the other world, the hero may not want to return to the ordinary world to bestow this boon onto his fellow man. "The hero must return with his life-transmuting trophy but this has been frequently refused. Even Gautama Buddha, after his triumph, doubted whether the message of realization could be communicated and saints are reported to have died while in supernal ecstasy." 13. The Magic Flight. Sometimes the hero has to escape with the boon. This can be adventurous and dangerous. 14. Rescue From Without. Sometimes the hero has powerful guides and rescuers to bring them back with their boon especially if the person has been wounded or weakened by the experience. 15. The Crossing of the Return Threshold. The biggest trick is to integrate the wisdom learned during the journey back into normal life. Trying to share the wisdom with the rest of the world. 16. Master of Two Worlds. This is usually represented by transcendental heroes such as Jesus or Gautama Buddha. For the human hero it is a balance between the material and spiritual. 17. Freedom to Live. Mastery leads to freedom from the fear of death, which in turn is the freedom to live. Campbell, "The hero is the champion of things becoming, not of things become, because he is." Conclusion I could, perhaps, write a blog on each level of the seventeen steps that Joseph Campbell shows. I may do that one day. However, right now we are like rocks skipping over the surface of the information I want to penetrate deeply into so that I may get to that which is occupying my mind currently. I have been familiar with and have adored the Hero's Journey for twenty years. I apologize if this is almost a callous treatment of this subject and I will develop this further. However, upon embarking on investigating the two oldest Hero's Journey's that I know I came across a startling idea that has currently shocked me into wanting to discuss that subject. For now, I will say meditate on the idea that the Hero's Journey is not just a pattern writers plot device that can be used to really speak to the masses. Instead, think of it as the story of the human soul. Each of us hear the call of this world, we turn to it and decide to descend because the wisdom we gain is worth the toil. While here, we hear the call of our immortal soul and we have the choice to depart on the Spiritual Journey. Some ignore the call and become victims. We are seeing this separation of people into those who consider themselves victims and those who seek to rise above this mortal coil for the bigger picture on a global scale right now. The Spiritual Journey then, is laid out in this template that mankind has been reinforcing to itself for years in the form of stories. Anyone can follow it once they see it for what it is and understand that it is ultimately a journey within oneself. Not too long ago I was resting at the top of the pyramid, Self-Actualization. While I was in that state I met the love of my life, moved down to the city and started pursuing the American Dream...a house and kids. I was very satisfied with life and very happy.
In a way, all of us are pursuing the top of Maslow's Pyramid but for some reason only a very small percentage actually reach that point. I do not believe that there has been a large study on this phenomenon to accurately say how many people obtain Self-Actualization. However, Maslow believed it to be rare...at about 1 in 100. However, if an individual gets stuck on the lower levels of the pyramid it's hard to find self-actualization. When tragedy struck I fell straight to the bottom of the Pyramid and I've been stuck on the need for Safety and Security. I want to compare and contrast the two positions. ** First, let's go over the different levels of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. At the bottom of the pyramid is physiological needs. Breathing, Food, Shelter, Clothing and Sleep. The next level is Safety and Security: Employment, Health, Property, Family, and Social Stability. Third is Love and Belonging: Friendship, Family, Intimacy, Sense of Connection. Fourth is Self Esteem: Confidence, Achievement, Respect of Others At the top at fifth is Self-Actualization: morality, creativity, spontaneity, and acceptance. ** As the article I'm linking points out, losing a job can cause someone to fluctuate on the lower levels of the pyramid. Feeling threatened by a life event we drop to the lower levels where the need for whatever is missing seems to grow. When I had hit the point where I reached Self-Actualization I had found my groove, where I felt empowered, and strong enough to take on any obstacle. I was secure in every aspect of my life. I had very little need or desire for things because I felt fulfilled. Things occurred naturally and seemed to flow in my life effortless. I didn't feel the need to exert my willpower upon anything or to really 'try' I just took action as the need arose. I gave up watching the news because I realized that listening to nothing but negativity for a long time only led me to feel in less control. Secure in the knowledge that all of my basic needs were met at the moment I lived without fear. There was no pressure to perform up to someone else's expectations or make anyone happy. I was free to do what I wanted to do when I wanted to do it. Looking back I know that it wasn't really the circumstances or the situation that gave rise to that feeling of security and clarity. Instead, it was a state of mind. I had no desire to be famous or rich. I was perfectly content with where I was in life. The descent was a myriad of events that I won't go into...but it's a terrible experience to not feel safe. To wonder day-to-day if all that you achieved might be taken away. To not be certain of your safety or security. I also know that both the achievement and the feeling of safety and security are illusions...both are creations within our minds. At any time someone can violate my space by breaking into my car or into my house...there are people out there that do not behave by society's rules and have no consideration, compassion or empathy for their victims. Achievements are also an illusion because what might be considered an achievement by me not be of anything value to someone else. So, in both of these cases, I know that which I worry over is nothing substantial but there seems to be a barrier within my mind that I cannot seem to cross over...as my mind refuses to process the full scope of what I endured. As I indicated before when it comes to our careers...we spend most of our childhood preparing to have a career. People in our society define themselves and their self-worth based on their career. We judge ourselves and our value as human beings by how much money we make and the nature of our jobs. I think it is very easy to fall into the trap of not feeling safe until a "career" in an acceptable form tailored to the individual preferences is achieved. Again, because of the stigma on lower paying jobs and the condemnation of people on unemployment, welfare or food stamps...it's very hard for people to pull themselves out of the lower level of Safety and Security once they drop to that level of meager existence. Instead it becomes this huge gnawing hunger while society says that you're not a good citizen based on what little you do have. Yet, because it is a state of mind, not just a state of living, poverty and being poor is not something that will be 'fixed' by society. Only the individual partaking in their unique experience can choose to either remain where they are or extend effort to rise. I was happiest when I was making the smallest income. I felt as though I was contributing to society even if it was just by the smallest of acts. I was the most miserable when I was making the most money because my quality of life was so atrocious as my job consumed my life. When given the choice I would prefer a simple life of the poor to driving myself crazy barreling through life burning both ends of the candle in the pursuit of money. Further, the more that we seem to obtain, the more things that we attach to...the more we attach ourselves to that stuff the more suffering. Nothing lasts forever, things break, impermanence is a natural state of humanity. Yet, as we try to keep things the same, to freeze time for one reason or another, or to hold on to objects...the less we are fulfilled. Objects cannot bring happiness. Instead, they bring more burden as we seek to maintain those objects or improve them...which can lead to suffering. The interesting thing is how life seems to react to the state that you're in...and how people react to you differently. When you are in a state of self-actualization people are naturally attracted to you. They feel a sense of security just being in your presence and want what you have. People want that confidence, peacefulness and knowingness that comes with Self-Actualization. However, when you feel insecure it seems to deter people. Strangers are less likely to take you seriously, they look at you twice and seem to think you're unpredictable. Inside there is a feeling of being off balance of not quite being able to rest because you're constantly looking to the horizon in fear of more bad news. Since you're constantly on the look out for that trouble it's hard to relax and it becomes a Self-Fulfilling Prophecy . Generally speaking it seems that Psychology has defined living on that constant edge triggered by an event as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Once you hit that point it's easy to end up right back there again when a major traumatic life event occurs. I know that it can happen, I've climbed out of the lower level of Maslow's Pyramid before to Self-Actualization before so it's not unachievable but it is hard to get back into the groove of life again and to find balance in life. Further, even if influence and wealth are achieved it doesn't guarantee Self-Actualization. In fact, trying to hold onto wealth and influence might actually drop someone down into the Safety and Security level of the Pyramid. Things break, the milk is spilled, and systems break down unexpectedly. That's just part of life. Self-Actualization is the realization that you have all of your needs met. As long as a person feels as though they are lacking in some area of their life that cannot occur. In my case, it's having a job, because there is always an emphasis on having a career I don't feel complete without it and I derive most of my social interaction through the workplace...so it's an important aspect of my life. My favorite job, working at Starbucks, was because I met so many wonderful people...a network of support that does not exist at other jobs. When people are not fulfilled, when they are struggling to find something to fill that need...success, influence, money...that's when people act out on some level. Often times the people perceive that someone else has what they want...including Self-Actualization...and they decide they want to take it by force instead of creating it for themselves. Riots happen. Revolutions happen. War happens. Governments have toppled when a vast group of citizens felt that their needs were not being met. The event that triggers that response can vary greatly. Two people who experience the same event can have two dramatically different responses...one might have a strong foundation and sense of self, while another might crumble and still another might strike out violently. One of the major problems I see in society being so focused on influence and money is that society doesn't agree on how much is enough. How much influence does a person really need? How many objects does a person really 'deserve'? How much money does it take until someone is satisfied? We know from the failure of communism that depending on the state for subsistence does not aid a society in obtaining Self-Actualization. When something is given to a person and not necessarily earned its value to the individual is lessened. Motivation that spurs invention is also greatly lessened causing the society to stagnant. Yet, people seem to love hating their jobs. I've been to places where even though the business itself was extremely successful and profitable the people hated being there. They didn't like showing up to work, they spoke about how hard it was and the overall tone of the employees was negative. Such an environment leads to a lack of safety and represents being stuck on the third level of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs of Belonging and Love. Because they don't feel as though they belong in the job they perpetuate an environment of misery. Unfortunately, this is much too common in many of the businesses that I visit and has to do with the perception of corporations. Notice how neither money or influence is listed in the Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Since Self-Actualization is a state of mind money and influence are not needed. Money and influence only affect the Hierarchy of Needs when we compare what we have to someone else leading us to focus on one of the lower levels of the period- whether that is Safety or belonging or Self-Esteem. At some point, on an individual level, I think we need to be happy where we are at but that must be decided on an individual level. Each of us exist within our mind and we determine the state of that mind. We are influenced by our culture, society, family and environment but it is usually through the process of interaction. We interpret every interaction that we have with outside stimulus and decide, "Is this is ok or not ok?" When something negative happens or we experience a chain of tragedies it's easy to stay stuck in a negative, "I can't" point of view. Limited by our own lack of imagination or conception it's hard to break free from the downward spiral in which such negativity takes root. By limiting what we perceive as good and acceptable conditions we can create the negative environment that prevents ascending the pyramid to reach self-actualization. Interestingly, faith is one of the elements that can help fill the needs of safety, love and belonging, and self-esteem. McLeod, Saul. (2007). Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. http://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html |
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Brave Soul! May Your Journey On The Path Of The Seeker Bring You Joy and Peace! I'm currently posting every Saturday. With a new addition the family I have pre-scheduled most posts through December 2022. Full Moon Posts will contain up-to-date content when I can get to them. Thank you so much for your support and understanding! This is a place where you can encounter new spiritual ideas that have helped me develop as an Individual On The Path of the Seeker. Take or Leave this information as you see fit. Archives
April 2024
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