consciousness

46 posts

Lucky Penny: This Is Not Enlightenment

The quest to reach enlightenment is similar to a 16th century quote. “Oh! What a tangled web we weave.” (Marmion: A Tale of Flodden Field, Walter Scott) And indeed there is still a lot of confusion about living in a state of conscious awareness. Mind conditioning has mostly dominated our existence. Thus, people often consider the search for enlightenment to be a quest. Still more prevalent is our behavior regarding this illumination. Many people compare conscious awakening to finding a shiny lucky penny.

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So what happens when you find a penny? Mind conditioning tells you that it will bring luck. This is a fantastic discovery because the worth of a penny is nothing compared to the luck within it. At least this is what the mind thinks. Thus you hold the penny tight for fear of losing it. And you dream about the wonderful things that are going to happen. People proclaim that everything will be different (better) because of the shiny piece of metal. Continue reading →

Thoughts about Thinking can Hurt You

You think too much. It seems that you are always thinking. Meanwhile the process of conscious awakening as begun. But you still can’t stop thinking. Friends, books, and spiritual teachers tell you to stop thinking. And still the thoughts rattle around in your head. You try to meditate. Enlightenment is your wish. However, trying to stop thinking only causes you to think more. Oh, the misery! These excessive thoughts are dreadful.

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What can you do? How do you stop thinking? The first two conscious steps correlate directly to these questions. First step. Practice “doing” less. Thus, you will automatically do more and be more. Second step. Realize deeply that you can’t stop thinking. No one can stop thoughts. They are the result of a thinking process. The brain is a biological organ. Sadhguru once said that trying to stop thinking is like telling you liver or pancreas to stop working (paraphrase). This is something we can’t and don’t wish to stop. Continue reading →

Look Within, Without, and Beyond

Do you wish to take a closer look at yourself? This is easier than you may think. Look at everything surrounding you. What do you see? Furthermore where you are and what you are doing is of no true importance. You are actually observing yourself. You and the self are in everything. This refers to you as a person. This is the mental, emotional and physical aspects of being. And this refers to the self that is universal. Ultimately both are one and the same.

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We usually experience mind energy resulting from mental, physical or emotional aspects. Additionally there are behavioral factors. Assumptions, beliefs, judgments, fear, and ego are the result of mind conditioning. Thus the mind uses these as reasons for labeling and defining everything. This occurs because we only mentally see something. Continue reading →

Life Is to Be Lived in Unity: Don’t Be Afraid

We often use the word unity in our daily activities; including spirituality. But what is beyond the word?  Stop before you start thinking about unity. This is not something to think about, define, or even assume. At least not if you wish to truly experience it.  The pure essence of the universe is unification. Living is much more than what we can think. Let’s attempt the Star Wars Jedi Knight approach. This suggests feeling the life energy in you and in everything that is around you. Moreover, please realize that you are within everything. What you experience is essentially a reflection of yourself.

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Aware presence will allow you to experience harmony. The body is already flowing harmoniously with life energy. Therefore, it does not need to interpret anything.  Nor does the body need to consider what it does. It simply is. The flow of energy is constant. Your body is a catalyst. Life awareness can and will nurture this flow. A conscious state of awareness opens a portal to the isness of life. You awaken. Thus, this gateway will remain open. Henceforth, we awaken more and more to the isness of life. Furthermore, the alliance between everything becomes very clear. Thoughts and feelings of separation will still appear. But they will have no manipulative power of you. Continue reading →

Two Were Once One: What Is Beyond Dualism?

This is a discussion about the mind and consciousness. Were they one and the same?  Did something happen after we became self-conscious? Did one become two? This is, at least, what the mind has convinced us is true. Likewise, it is this conditioned believing and thinking that causes dualism. But, the apparent separation is strictly mind-made. Thus, it is ultimately not real, Hence, an illusion.

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Almost every person will have a different interpretation about this topic. We often use science or religion in an attempt to understanding mind and consciousness. But, your present level of awakened object consciousness is very beneficial.  Let’s consider both from a state of non-attachment to either. Still, many will insist that the one (universal consciousness) cannot be without the other (object consciousness). What is your response to this idea? Please notice that I asked about your response and not your reaction. A mind reaction will not benefit us. Furthermore, this type of duality thinking will actually impair our experience of universal intelligence within the flow of life. Whereas, responding to something is based on synchronicity with consciousness.

Mind and Consciousness Are Two that Are One

The brain is a biological organ that considers itself to be a separate entity from everything. At least, this is what the mind wants us to belief. Then, there is consciousness. It has a frequency of suchness/ presence (Tathātā) about it. Consciousness is a source of perpetual possibilities for any life-form that has awakened to it. The partnership (if any) between object consciousness and the mind is not important for our discussion.

The significance lies in the knowledge that there is the brain (mind). And, there is also consciousness. The mind; whether in a more consciously awakened life-form or not, exists. Consciousness and mind exist equally in the totality. This is plausible and is not based on duality. They are within the one. Thus, are one. And, are two that are equally one. Does that make sense? The mind will say “no”. However, consciousness will remain silent without the need to respond.

Furthermore, the two are within the totality. This is true. Regardless, of an objects level of consciousness or intelligence.  A butterfly is not mentally aware of consciousness.  Still, it is flying in a vast frequency of universal energy. This energy dimension has the potential to equally become aware as the butterfly consciously awakens. But, the mind interprets this as two. Thus, as separate entities. But, ultimately, they are one. This is true for everything. Isn’t it? Practice non-attachment to thoughts and feelings.  

Wishing you a wonderful day!

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Bobbing for Apples and Conscious Living

Yes, what I wish to share with you today is related to bobbing for apples. But, not in the customary manner that many people are familiar. I was running today as part of my ongoing physical therapy. This is bodily painful but mentally and spiritually beneficial because I have always loved to jog. So, there I was jogging away. The sun was shining and the birds where singing. Well, maybe the bird song was only in my heart. 😊

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I was very active in marathon running years ago. The runner’s high that people often talk about is possible and can be very beneficial to object consciousness development. You (the mind) may still be pondering on the relationship between bobbing for apples and conscious awareness. I will get to this shortly. But, first we should discuss and reflect on a few things. The reason for mentioning the runner’s high is because it is a portal to living more consciously. Not only this but, it is possible to experience without running everywhere you go. 😊 Moreover, I wish to share an exercise that can be beneficial in the conscious awakening process. Continue reading →

Unity of Life: Come Join the Party

We mostly remain unconscious to the bond that connects all things. This unity is based on life. Moreover, it is energy. What if each individual could catch a true glimpse of this oneness? Does object consciousness readily expand after the initial awakening? Definitely! Uncertainty, judgement and suffering would likely fade away. Likewise, we would acknowledge the person and divine presence as one being. Additionally, we would actually live as the unbounded life energy that engulfs us.

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But, there is something to consider. Mind conditioning often influences the flow and manifestation of life. Thus, we unconsciously exist in repetitious patterns. Every new generation unknowingly inherits this behavior. Hence, thoughts manifest a conditioned and egoistical world. Therefore, egoism and isolation overshadow our unity with life. So much so that, conditioning has become a way of living. Thoughts overwhelm us. Thus, we accept mind-generated falsities and illusions as true. Continue reading →

Laugh, Cry and Please Share the Togetherness

We are 7.7 billion worldwide. You would think that it would be possible to learn how to come together as one race. Yet, this is not true. We are becoming more isolated because of this large number. This trend is increasing. Yes, there are caring and loving people. But, these individuals often choose to remain reclusive. Still, we do mingle. Moreover, we sometimes laugh and cry when we are together. But, sharing often remains on a superficial level. Especially, upon first meeting someone.

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There are always the formalities. We are usually willing to tell someone our name, how old we are, where we work, etc. Naturally, this is fine. It is part of the human experience. On the other hand, this and other factors have kept us in a repetitive cycle. The mind (ego, conditioning) thrive in these surroundings. However, to the contrary, awareness to and expansion of object consciousness withers. Thus, the mind dominates. It reminds of us of previous situations when we experienced suffering. Continue reading →

Articles too Lengthy, too Short or Just Right

I wish to thank everyone for the messages and emails that I receive. I smile from time to time because occasionally someone asks why my articles are so lengthy. But, I don’t smile because I am making fun of this person. The smile results from the sensation of object consciousness as it expands and flows through him or her and me.

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It is a process that we each experience. Furthermore, it is unavoidable during the transition from mind to conscious awareness. Whether you consider my articles to be short, lengthy or just right mostly depends on the answer to the following question. Do you read the articles from the mind or consciousness? Continue reading →

Bird Song and the Mockery of Time

Worldwide there are 10,000 bird species. Similarly, there are an estimated 100 to 400 billion on the Earth. It is astonishing. Now imagine all of them singing in the same moment. That would surely produce quite a sound.

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Still, let’s consider one single bird. It happily sings its song. This opportunity presented itself to me last week. I was reflecting on a few text changes in my third book manuscript. It was around dusk. I could hear one bird in particular singing its song. Then there was a pause. Followed by a random sequence of chirping. Once again, there was a pause. Then it would sing its song once again. The experience was very pleasurable. It was quite soothing. I then felt myself uniting with the moment that was unfolding. We can call this a conscious assimilation between objects. It is a wonderful experience. The portal to consciousness opens and invites you to enter. Continue reading →