Unpacking Consciousness: Beyond Materialism to Authentic Growth
Tapping into the True Potential of Your Mind in Today's World
Within every person resides a blueprint—a subtle nudge—that gestures toward opportunities that transcend the superficial aspects of our personality. These are avenues that hold promises grander than what our habitual traits and tendencies allow us to perceive. Yet, it is within the bounds of this very personality that we encounter profound pain and enduring suffering, a realm where distress seems relentless and ever-present.
In the face of this, we launch into a voyage, a meticulous search for answers, a journey that, surprisingly, even the spiritually adept can misconstrue. This happens when we overlook the intrinsic riddle of consciousness, a puzzle that is woven into the very fabric of our thoughts and emotions. It is an underlying yet concealed aspect of our being, a vital core that potentially holds the secrets to unravelling the magnificence of our existence.
However, in this phase of human evolution, our vision is often clouded by materialistic paradigms that dictate our perception of reality. These perspectives inadvertently barricade the routes leading to a world brimming with wonder, depth, and mystical experiences, realms far beyond the grasp of our present imaginations.
To truly access the transcendent potentials hinted at in the subtle design etched within us, we must dare to navigate beyond the established norms. We must brave the exploration of consciousness, a journey that promises not just self-discovery, but a chance to glimpse realms untold, to live experiences beyond our wildest dreams, to touch the truly magical and awe-inspiring potentials that lie latent within us all.
Materialism is Natural in the Physical world, But…
Instead, let us endeavor to perceive the vast expanse of consciousness unfettered by materialistic chains. Imagine a realm where the perspectives are infinite, where growth is not just possible but boundless. A reality that cannot be simply defined by the number of experiences one accrues in space-time—a dimension intrinsic to the materialistic view. Here, we touch upon a deeper principle, the very fabric of Infinite truths interwoven with the quintessence of values. It is in this space where life unfolds as a dance of energy, where the essence of values propels us forward, rather than mere achievements. This perspective is potent and transformative.
Yet, it's crucial to acknowledge that such a perspective might seem alien, for materialism is the world we're born into, the very reality we recognize. However, this same materialism, now teetering on the edge, fails to honor and nurture life—not just our own or our communities, but the life-giving spirit of the world that cradles us.
It's time for a paradigm shift. This philosophy does not merely offer abstract thought but a tangible approach to engage with life more holistically. It suggests a mode rooted in values over material gains. And foundational to this is the essence of those values we cherish and express. It's not about labeling them as 'right' or 'wrong' but appreciating the genuine force that radiates from within, from the heart. Herein lies our vast potential. This is our chance to truly evolve, to blossom and leverage the distinctive opportunities this era of human evolution has laid before us.
Let’s Engage This Idea…
Building on this perspective and integrating some insights from Michael A. Singer’s book "The Untethered Soul," we can venture deeper into understanding the twin pillars of our consciousness by exploring our personality and our soul.
Our personality, much like Singer’s notion of the Self, is the tangible, worldly entity, the persona we display, influenced by our upbringing, experiences, and societal norms. It is the voice that speaks in our head, that reacts to situations, that feels the weight of emotions and past traumas. On the other hand, our soul, akin to Singer's Inner-Self, is the silent observer, the eternal essence untouched by the ebbs and flows of life. It is the profound, unchanging space that observes the drama played out by the personality.
Side Note: An important distinction to grasp: the observer within us discerns the ceaseless chatter of our inner voice. This observer, a sentinel of our consciousness, is distinct from that voice. The observer serves as a compass, guiding where our attention dwells. Though we often lend credence to this internal dialogue, assuming its words carry weight, in the grand tapestry of existence, much of its commentary is fleeting and inconsequential.
Recognizing and distinguishing between these two aspects can be transformative. Here's how one might engage with this recognition using activities inspired by Michael Singer’s teachings:
Observation Meditation: Set aside quiet moments in your day to simply observe your thoughts. As thoughts arise, don't judge or engage. Let them flow, knowing they stem from your personality. Recognize the silent observer behind these thoughts – that's the soul. Over time, you'll become more aware of this quiet presence, the soul, which remains untouched by the chatter of the personality.
Release Negative Emotions: When negative feelings surface, instead of suppressing them, let them pass through you. Feel their intensity without judgment. Imagine these feelings as energy blocks. As you acknowledge them, you allow your personality to process and release them. This process, while guided by the personality, is observed by the soul, and over time helps create a harmony between the two.
Open-Heartedness: Regularly practice opening your heart to whatever comes your way, be it joy, sorrow, challenges, or victories. This practice allows the personality to experience life fully without resistance. Meanwhile, the soul, in its eternal wisdom, knows that these experiences are transient.
As we become more attuned to these dual aspects within us, a profound balance emerges. Our actions and reactions, driven by the personality, begin to reflect the wisdom and equanimity of the soul. Through such awareness and engagement, we not only transcend the limitations of materialistic views but also harmonize our worldly experiences with the timeless wisdom of the soul.
Personal Reflection
A Personal Perspective as it relates to the content of this post - please feel free to share your personal reflections in the comments below!
For a long time, consciousness remained an enigma, largely untouched by the probing minds of science. Many factors contributed to this oversight, but predominantly, it was because the very act of examining our thoughts confronted the core of our consciousness. Such introspection can spark cognitive dissonance, forcing us to reevaluate our very identities—a task many find daunting. This hesitance is understandable; our sense of self is meticulously crafted from a myriad of experiences, tailored to navigate a predominantly materialistic world where survival is the dominant driver.
However, when we begin to perceive consciousness as a duality—consisting of both the personality and the soul—a transformative revelation awaits. This understanding beckons a profound awakening of our hearts and minds. Numerous esteemed works, some mentioned here, and others outlined below, delve into this subject. All it requires is a flicker of curiosity to break free from entrenched beliefs that are etched into our hearts and minds when we are born into and raised by the confines of the limiting belief systems that surround us. However, the vast potential that lies just beyond these confines is always there, waiting to be uncovered by the soft touch of our awareness to open it up into the shaping of our life’s experience.
Try This On
Activities for engaging the ideas in this post!
This particular post already contains three action items for engaging the ideas herein. They are:
Observation Meditation
Release Negative Emotions
Open-Heartedness
Check out the post above that describes steps to engaging each of these.
Enjoy!
BOOK SUGGESTION
This topic has so many different ways to approach it. I am going to change up the Reading Levels here with a description after each one describing how the book suggested addresses this topic:
Loving What Is: Four Questions That Can Change Your Life by Byron Katie — Reading Level: this book is amazing as it covers the topic we are discussing, but without the distinction of the personality and the soul - however, it provides an extremely practical guide to working with the kinds of bottled-up experiences that limit our experience of life.
The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond by Michael A. Singer — Reading Level: this book is medium to advanced, but addresses the topic in practical ways, using ideas and examples that are easier to relate to than some of the more advanced psychological and/or spiritual writings on this topic.
The Religion of Tomorrow: A Vision for the Future of the Great Traditions - More Inclusive, More Comprehensive, More Complete by Ken Wilber — Reading Level: this book is extremely advanced - it delves into both spiritual and psychological aspects of today’s worldviews, and the potential that is before us for new perspectives that open doorways to new potential that today’s humanity seems more than ready for!
Note: I am an Amazon Affiliate - Disclosure Here
Reading Levels
Basic - Concepts and Ideas readily consumed by any reader
Intermediate - Concepts and Ideas that are more advanced for the topic arena and will stretch the ideas of readers in the early stages of exploring this type of content
Advanced - Concepts and Ideas that are advanced and typically require that the reader is familiar with the topic arena.
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