LOOK AT THIS ONE AGAIN: An Electrician’s Guide To Our Galaxy–Amazing stuff here-First Hundred Pages (USE CHAPTER 3 and SEVERAL OTHERS!)

An Electrician’s Guide To Our Galaxy–First Two Hundred Pages

Introduction:  Unlocking the Three Stages of Consciousness–A Path to Self-Awareness and Spiritual Growth

What if the true purpose of life isn’t just to exist, but to evolve—to rediscover yourself beyond the roles you play, the memories you cling to, and the fears that bind you?

This question marks the beginning of a profound voyage into consciousness. Across psychology, philosophy, and spirituality, there’s a recurring theme that we as humans operate on a spectrum of awareness. For many, this spectrum can be understood as three stages of consciousness—the unconscious, the aware, and the self-aware. Each stage marks a step forward in the evolution of our mind, body, and spirit. This is the process of widening the band of frequencies we can live our lives on.

However, few dare to approach these boundaries—choosing instead the familiarity of safe harbors over the uncertainty of uncharted seas.

Why risk the discomfort of opening the doors locked tight by our own ego?

Why even seek to transcend the confines of our minds?

The answer is simple yet powerful. Within these stages lie the keys to breaking free from the patterns that limit us, to finding purpose in a chaotic world, and to experiencing the boundless joy of transcendent self-awareness, which is the life lived on infinite bandwidth.

From the moment we open our eyes each morning, most of us unconsciously step into pre-programmed routines. We’re driven by unseen forces—habitual thought patterns, deeply ingrained fears, and emotional instincts rooted in survival. This is the unconscious stage of existence, a life dictated more by reaction than intention.  THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY NARROW  BANDWIDTH

Tied to primal instincts like fight or flight, this stage is governed by what some call the “reptilian brain.” It clings to fear and division, fostering behaviors of isolation, tribalism, and scarcity consciousness. We pursue security but often find ourselves stuck—chained to lives defined by avoidance rather than exploration. At this stage, relationships become battlegrounds of power struggles, personal ambition overshadows collective well-being, and curiosity is a mere whisper drowned out by the noise of insecurity.

Breaking free from the unconscious state requires courage. It demands questioning the assumptions and habits we’ve inherited from family, culture, and society. Are these fears really ours? Or are we simply cycling through inherited emotional patterns? These are uncomfortable questions, but necessary ones for those seeking to ascend further along the spectrum of awareness.

When we begin to break free from unconscious patterns, we take our first steps into the aware state. If the unconscious state is spent standing on the “launch pad” of life, the aware stage is where we start engaging the launch sequence. Here, awareness dawns that there is more to life than mere survival—there is growth, curiosity, and a spark of potential waiting to ignite.

This state is marked by conscious action. We begin to set goals, pursue personal improvement, and seek connection beyond ourselves. Hope and faith transform from passive concepts into tools of intentional growth. We believe in the possibility of change and start making small strides toward transcending limiting beliefs.

But the aware state isn’t free of challenges. Despite progress, we’re often held back by doubt, hubris, or the remnants of deeply rooted habits. A critical element of this phase is the realization that our sense of self—the “me” we guard so fiercely—may not be all there is. It’s here that the boundary between “self” and “other” begins to blur, and we take our first leap into the unknown, powered by curiosity and fueled by the realization that life has more to offer.

At this stage, life shifts from passive existence to a proactive search for meaning. The engine of progress roars, and though we may falter, our sights are set on a horizon of transformation.

The highest stage of this three-tiered model is the self-aware state, where we soar freely from our launch pad into the boundless exploration of consciousness. This stage is all about transcendence—the liberation from the ego’s grip, from fear, and from the illusions that separate us from others and the world itself.

Here, spirituality and psychology converge. Self-awareness becomes an intuitive, heart-centered knowing. The higher self—once a distant concept—becomes a living reality. Relationships evolve into opportunities for mutual growth, and empathy replaces judgment. Tribalism is dismantled by compassion. Personal suffering transforms into a drive to alleviate the struggles of others. The self-aware stage unveils the truth that we are not just individuals with finite lives, but part of an interconnected whole—a hologram of universal consciousness.

From this elevated position, every impulse is driven by love—love for self, for others, and for the totality of existence. The pursuit of personal gain becomes secondary to a deeper purpose of protecting, enhancing, and honoring life everywhere.

Though the stages of consciousness unfold like steps on a ladder, navigating this process is anything but linear. Key challenges include the following:

• Breaking Unconscious Habits: Rewiring thought patterns can feel like swimming against the current. It takes effort to identify unconscious scripts dictating our actions.
• Facing Fear and Scarcity: The ego thrives on fear, convincing us that stepping into the unknown risks losing everything we hold dear. But this fear must be transcended to truly grow.
• Balancing Spiritual and Psychological Growth: True consciousness evolves when spiritual insights harmoniously integrate with psychological understanding. Balance is key.
• Finding Purpose Amid Change: With constant upheaval in the external world, anchoring oneself in internal purpose provides clarity and direction.

These challenges are significant, but they are not insurmountable. Each step forward brings greater clarity, self-compassion, and access to the infinite potential within.

Holistic growth requires that we unify the mind, body, and spirit. Intellectual insights must be grounded in the physical, while spiritual wisdom should guide our emotions and behaviors. Meditation and mindfulness practices can quiet the mind, while reflection on psychological patterns helps us integrate past wounds.

Consider these questions as you evaluate your own progress through the stages of awareness:

• Which habits in your daily life feel unconscious or automatic?
• How often do you intentionally reflect on the origins of your thoughts and emotions?
• Are there areas where fear or scarcity influence your decisions?
• How deeply do you feel connected to others and the earth?

Why undertake this epic journey? Not because it’s easy. Not because someone else expects you to. But because we are designed for this. Humanity was not made to stand idle on the launch pad forever. It is in our very nature to evolve, connect, and awaken.

Reflect on your own current stage of consciousness. What patterns hold you back? What ambitions pull you forward?

There is beauty in the quest for self-awareness. Begin with small steps toward questioning, meditating, and exploring the unknown within. And as you soar into higher levels of consciousness, remember this truth—the skies are infinite for those willing to take flight.

Start now, and profoundly shift the way you perceive yourself,  the world, our galaxy, and the universe..

Where in our infinite universe will your consciousness take you?

Exploring the Galaxy Within and Beyond

If we wish to see the farthest reaches of our galaxy, we rely on telescopes of immense power, or perhaps dream of technological advancements that could one day take us there. Similarly, if we desire to communicate with the distant edges of our galaxy, our tools must be precise, our transmitters and receivers strong.

But what of those seeking the edges of consciousness, perhaps of existence itself? For spiritual seekers, the universe is both a physical and spiritual frontier, a boundless expanse waiting to be discovered—not just with rockets or radio waves, but with the penetrating power of consciousness.

To venture toward universal truth and awareness, our vehicle of consciousness must offer unparalleled vision. It must beam our spiritual intentions into the fabric of the cosmos and remain sensitive enough to receive the faintest of echoes—guidance, wisdom, and insight being reflected back like light from a faraway star. Just as the physical universe requires tools of science, the quest for universal truth calls for tools of the spirit.

Will our consciousness be sharp enough to explore the infinite?

Will our soul be tuned to resonate with the highest possible frequencies of existence?

Welcome, fellow seeker, to a contemplative exploration of these ideas. Together, let us examine how to develop a consciousness vehicle capable of navigating the vast landscape of universal awareness.

Think of consciousness as both an observer and an architect. It is through vision—both literal and spiritual—that we are able to connect with the universe, drawing meaning from its mysteries and glimpses of clarity from its infinite complexity. Vision, here, is not simply the ability to “see” but the capacity to perceive deeply, to imagine beyond the limits of our current awareness, and to project that imaginative force out into unknown realms.

Expanding one’s spiritual vision is akin to enhancing the capabilities of a telescope. The stars themselves do not change, but the clarity with which we behold them does. Similarly, to evolve spiritually, we must refine our inner perception. Meditation, introspection, and sustained focus help to expand not just what we see but how deeply we understand. The vastness of the universe mirrors the vastness of our potential—both invite us to see further, think deeper, and question more fully.

Let us ask ourselves, what blocks our spiritual vision?

Is it fear?

Doubt?

Unacknowledged and unhealed traumatic wounding?

A fixation on trivial, mundane details?

Clearing these roadblocks expands our conscious lens, allowing universal truths to come into focus.

Any dynamic exchange requires two fundamental components—a strong transmitter with high bandwidth and an accurate, distortion free receiver, also with high bandwidth. For seekers of universal truth, transmitting spiritual intention is an act of projecting heartfelt desires, questions, and affirmations into the vastness of existence. Think of this as the spiritual equivalent of sending a signal into deep space—clear, intentional, and purpose-driven. Our intention serves as the frequency, aligning our consciousness to seek those aspects of universal truth we are ready to receive.

But transmission is incomplete without reception. The universe often speaks in subtle whispers, directing its guidance through synchronicities, moments of inspiration, and even experiences of profound silence. Can we sharpen our ability to listen and be receptive, not just to what we expect but to what we need? Practices like journaling, dream interpretation, walks through nature,  and moments of stillness allow us to notice the messages we often overlook.

The universe is not navigated solely by intellect but through the intuitive compass of the heart and soul. The path toward universal truth is vast, non-linear, and often shrouded in uncertainty. It demands a courage that comes from vulnerability—a willingness to step into the unknown rather than cling to what feels safe or familiar.

Exploration requires active participation. Engage with texts, communities, mentors, and experiences. We are not merely a hitchhiker in this vehicle of consciousness. We are its engineer, its pilot, and its fuel.

The universe does not shout; it hums. Its messages might manifest as a persistent thought, an uncanny coincidence, a song that seems written just for us. The act of listening goes beyond mere hearing—it is about tuning our entire consciousness to the subtler frequencies of existence. Faith and patience are essential, as answers may arrive not in moments of instant clarity but through gradual unfolding.

How to hear the whispers of the cosmos:

1. Silence the Noise: Minimize distractions. A noisy environment drowns out soft voices.
2. Be Open to the Unexpected: Not every answer will fit your current worldview; remain adaptable.
3. Practice Gratitude: Expressing thanks for the moments where clarity does arise enhances your connection to the source.
4. Trust Intuition: Logic has its limits. Often, the deepest truths cannot be reasoned—they must be felt.

Just as a rocket ship without adequate thrust remains Earth bound, so too does the universe require your active participation to live optimally on its universal bandwidth.

What lies at the edge of our universe? Perhaps an undiscovered truth. What lies within the core of our being? Perhaps the same truth. To approach universal awareness, one must balance the outward projection of intention with the inward receptiveness to guidance. Each practice of mindfulness, each meditation, each intentional word draws us closer to the infinite possibilities within us.

Now, it’s your turn. What has your spiritual exploration revealed to you? What practices have sharpened your vision, strengthened your transmissions, or opened you to the quiet messages of the universe?

Share your thoughts with those in your spiritual community.

If you’re ready to deepen your practice, join with me on this journey through our cosmos.

Together, we’ll unravel the mysteries of existence, one step further into the unlimited universe.

Energy, Electricians, and the Quest for Enhanced Human Potential

What is energy? Is it a tangible force that lights up a city, or is it the invisible thread linking all living beings in the dance of existence? Energy, at its core, is the ability to do work. It fuels our lives, powers our homes, and drives our personal and spiritual growth.

Electricians, those skilled architects of power networks, harness energy in its most practical forms. Yet, beneath the wires and circuits lies a profound truth about energy—one that connects science, spirituality, and the vast potential of human existence. My belief is that by contemplating energy’s nature we can inspire enhanced human potential and spiritual awakening.

Energy is omnipresent, and it may be either kinetic (flowing) or static (potential). It cannot be created or destroyed, as per the Law of Conservation of Energy, but it can endlessly transform, shifting from one form into another.

Take the serene waters of a reservoir held behind a towering dam. Potential energy lies dormant there, waiting. A single release of water flows through turbines, exchanging its stored potential for kinetic energy. There, amid the rotation of turbines, emerges electricity—a modern miracle, seamlessly fed into homes and industries to power our daily lives.

The transformations of energy are not contained to turbines and conductors. At an atomic level, energy is equivalent to matter multiplied by the square of the speed of light (E=mc²). This profound equation tells us that matter and energy are interchangeable. Physicists describe this as the interplay of the cosmos itself, yet it hints at something even more profound for those seeking wisdom—energy may be the quintessence of existence itself.

The question facing us as individuals is timeless yet urgent. How do we understand and utilize the energies that flow both externally in nature and internally within ourselves?  How big is the spiritual reservoir behind our bodily appearance, awaiting access, transformation,  and utilization?

While energy exists as an indifferent, universal force, as an electrician I served as one of its critical intermediaries. I learned how to turn raw power into something usable, orderly, and beneficial. I helped build the networks that shepherd energy from its vast, untethered sources—like wind, solar, or nuclear reactors—into structured and efficient systems that light lamps and warm families.

As an electrician, I dealt in precision. I understood Ohm’s Law, circuit diagrams, logic, Boolean algebra, thermodynamics, calculus, physics, chemistry, materials science, electrical engineering and the application of transformers and I applied that knowledge to design new circuits, maintain circuit stability, and enhance voltage and current control. But my work was not only technical. It was a manifestation of humanity’s remarkable ability to transform natural forces into tools for collective progress.

Visualize it this way—energy travels across power lines like rivers weaving through civilizations, reaching the duplex outlets in your home, offering you a reservoir of potential. It is both mundane and extraordinary. Electricians don’t just craft lines linking power plants to light fixtures—they create pathways for our shared human energies and aspirations.

Einstein’s famous equation, E=mc², bridges science and philosophy. Energy and matter—two seemingly distinct entities—are, in fact, interchangeable expressions of the same universal truth.

Does this hint at something far grander than thermodynamics? Could this interplay of energy and matter mirror the human condition? Consider this metaphor: energy is life’s potential, vibrating unseen until directed into tangible outcomes. And matter—be it the masses we interact with daily or our own physical forms—is the vessel that molds energy into creation.

The universe whispers that these concepts are not limited to the world of physics. Within us lies energy capable of creation, transformation, and perpetuity. Every decision, every thought is energy—just waiting to manifest itself into action or stillness.

Just as electricians harness physical energy, so too must we harness personal and spiritual energy. Efficient use of energy, both external and internal, shapes not only the material world but also our potential as humans seeking fulfillment and growth.

Energy consumption patterns define how we interact with the environment, offering gentle reminders for mindfulness. Are we stewards of the energy systems we command, or reckless overseers exhausting finite resources?

On a personal level, consider the distribution of your energy. Are you directing it toward pursuits that fulfill your growth and nourish your essence? Or is it scattered across transient distractions, creating resistance in your inner circuitry?

The quest for spirituality magnifies this question. Many ancient traditions—from yogic practices to meditation—encourage the mastery of energy flow within the human body. These methodologies mirror the flows of electrical networks, guiding energy to the spaces where it can shine brightest.

Our bodies, like all the material world, are an embodiment of energy. Managing and maintaining our personal energy can provide profound benefits. Follow these principles to harness your internal power effectively:

1. Protect Energy Leaks – Just as electricians insulate conductors, identify stress-inducing habits that drain your vitality. Replace them with restorative practices.
2. Prioritize Recharge – Batteries are useless if depleted. Schedule time to rest deeply—whether through sleep, meditation, or reflective solitude.
3. Direct Energy with Purpose – Light is only useful when focused. Identify what drives your deepest sense of meaning and channel your energy toward aligned actions.
4. Observe Balance – Our lives benefit from balance, much like balanced circuits in electrical systems. Alternate periods of intense exertion with calm reflection.

Energy is the thread stitching the fabric of existence. Electricians may be seen as builders of the scaffolding that powers human societies, yet their work reflects a universal truth—energy must be tended to, guided, and appreciated to reach its highest potential.

For spiritual and human potential advocates, the lessons gleaned from energy’s role in physics can apply to personal growth and balance. Every spark, transformation, and manifestation is a reminder of life’s stunning interconnectedness. Energy flows within the circuitry of the universe, and it flows within us.

Hold this knowledge in your hands like a bright, buzzing sphere of potential. Know it for what it is—a force capable of illuminating the path forward. Align with its rhythm. Allow all actions to echo its purposeful transformations.

Energy does not discriminate where it resides, but we hold the power to decide where we direct it next.

An Electrician’s Guide to Our Galaxy:  Life, Love, and Death on Universal Bandwidth

Introduction (or Chapter One)

In this book I explore how to spiritually perceive our galaxy and our potential to access its universal bandwidth.  I am a retired electrician by trade, yet it was through the eyes of an electrician that I first began unravelling the mystical parallels between the circuits we assemble and the cosmic network we exist within.  The derived insights carried me far, but only to enlightenment’s launching pad. Once I “slipped the surly bonds of Earth”, I began to access material from beyond the electrician’s perspective, skirting the infinite boundaries of cosmic consciousness itself. This book is my presentation of what I have found, so far.

Have you ever stopped to think how much the craft of an electrician mirrors the harmony of the universe itself?

Probably not, eh?

At first glance, they may seem unrelated—a profession grounded in wires and circuits and an expansive cosmos teeming with mysteries. Yet, as we explore the circuitry that powers our homes, businesses, and entire societies, we find ourselves tracing patterns of energy that align seamlessly with the self-organizing principles of our bodies and minds, the movements of the stars above, and the entirety of the universe.

Electricians might not often compare their craft to the divine orchestration of galaxies or see their work in parallel with profound metaphysical currents. But what if I told you that their role mirrors the very principles that govern the universe? To wire a building is to balance order, flow, and resistance; it is to transform potential into action—and in doing so, to bring light where there was darkness. Here’s the poetic truth at the heart of this reflection: the universe operates like a vast living circuit, and we, too, are some of its active components.

To understand the core of this alignment, consider the National Electrical Code (NEC). Stretching over 900 meticulously detailed pages, the NEC is a manual of both precision and protection. It is an electrician’s reference for not only technical mastery but for safeguarding life itself. Each article within its text speaks to safe energy utilization and proper current flow—principles without exception.

To put its scale into perspective, the NEC is almost as thick as the average Bible, which spans around 1,200 pages, though their purposes and contents differ profoundly. Yet, there is an almost poetic similarity between the two texts. The Bible offers a framework to guide humanity’s intentions and beliefs through narratives on spirituality, morality, and faith, giving guidance to access and utilize spiritual energy while living in our earth-bound physical world.  The  NEC offers practical mechanisms for the safe access and connection to and utilization of the electrical energy available to us in our earth-bound physical world.

Faithful application of the NEC protects against devastating injuries, electrical fires, and critical system failures, much as devout engagement with biblical principles aims to keep humanity in resonance with “God’s will” and hopefully to spiritual enlightenment, communal harmony, and moral clarity (despite innumerable historical missteps in interpreting its stories). Notably, where the NEC never sanctions exceptions to its “golden rules” of safety, history has shown that countless actions—both inspiring and destructive—have been attributed to interpretations of the Bible’s teachings. Both texts, however, speak to humans as creators—shapers of their environments with tools, choices, and consequences.

This book will also speak to humans as creators, though I will present a few less pages than these exceptional books. My intention was never to create a Galactic Electrical Code, or the New Universal Version of the Bible, but goals in life have a tendency to change as we evolve as human beings, and I am no exception.  Consciousness is infinite, and is theorized to be omniscient and omnipresent, so the upper limit I set to the size of this book seems reasonable to me.  My hope is that the reader will feel the same way.

For electricians, their work resonates deeply with the metaphorical significance of light described in the opening of Genesis:

“And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. And God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness.” (Genesis 1:3-5)

Here, Light transcends mere photons. Light signifies much more than mere illumination; it symbolizes the ordering of chaos, the awakening of consciousness, the unveiling of creative power, and the experience of true humility that gives perspective and, often, an accompanying sense of humor.  The biblical declaration of light serves as an archetype for human creativity—our ability to imagine, innovate, inspire, educate, and transform, while keeping our love engines engaged.

 This aligns seamlessly with the work of electricians, whose tasks begin in darkness—empty spaces, dormant potential—and culminate in illumination that brings life to lifeless structures. There is profound satisfaction in flipping the switch for the first time in a newly wired building, an act that echoes the genesis of creation—turning darkness into order and brilliance.

The interconnection between divine creativity and human craftsmanship becomes clearer in this contemplation. If the Bible speaks of divine illumination guiding hearts with truth, then electricians embody this narrative in the physical world, channeling light through ordered circuits to dispel darkness and empower civilization..

Light—spiritual or material—is a shared language between the divine and the ordinary, connecting creation’s metaphysical and tangible dimensions. Through the act of bringing light, electricians participate in this universal flow, bridging ancient spiritual insights with modern innovation.

With light comes humility, and humor.  When we ponder the vastness of our galaxy, or accessing the infinite universal bandwidth, we immediately see that our own light, though important, is infinitesimally small compared to the cosmic grandeur. If we are, as galaxies, energy in motion—a symphony of luminous circuits and deep shadow—then cultivating lightness is vital. It reminds us not to take ourselves too seriously, even amid the cosmos’ immense gravity. Humor lightens not just the load but also the spirit, transforming electrical intricacies into experiences that illuminate a life well-lived.

Humor is the sudden flicker of a mischievous bulb, a flash of insight, or the warm glow that connects us across the grid of human experience.  Just as you would laugh at the thought that one of your brain cells thinks that it’s role in your life is more important than a lung cell, so does the universe metaphorically smile when we think ourselves more important than other species of life, or that a member of our species is more important than the other. To be light-hearted is to be connected to the universe’s universal wit—a natural reminder of how energy can ebb, flow, and play, and even laugh at itself without shame or friction.

Every connection we make—whether to a person, a purpose, or the infinite universe—has a current. There must be a difference in potential for this exchange or movement of energy to occur.  Then it flows, builds, and returns, creating a circuit of energy in and out of our lives. Each thought, loving word, or intention we send outward amplifies this energy, constructing pathways for signals to find their way back to us. We are, at our core, transmitters, receivers, and transformers in life’s vast energetic network.

At the heart of this theory of energy lies the understated yet profound force of intention. Just as wires are designed with a specific purpose—to illuminate, to power, to connect—so is the universe. Each star burns with a resolute intention to shine. Every black hole seems to compress unimaginable possibility. Every switch in a circuit offers a choice to ignite, to bridge, or to signal meaning. Our lives, like those circuits, harbor immense potential to light up the spaces around us when we align with purpose.

Living in resonance with the universe and its unlimited bandwidth allows us to reflect on two critical questions:

• Are we harmonizing our energy with existence—a force contributing to growth, to connection, to the evolution beyond even the limits we thought we could not exceed?
• Or are we like a disconnected wire, sparking aimlessly, ungrounded and dissipating energy into the ether?

This task is not only mechanical or practical but profoundly spiritual. It requires illuminating every corner of our existence with clarity, facing resistance with courage, and keeping energy flowing in service of others. To live aligned with this universal bandwidth is to see life’s circuits as multidimensional, a delicate interplay of persistence and resistance. It is to view challenges not as barriers but as dormant wires waiting to be soldered into brilliance or as switches ready to illuminate unknown possibilities.

What if the wires we twist together, the currents we measure, and the circuits we build mirrored the fabric of existence itself? What if the principles that govern electricity also held the keys to understanding our universe—and our place within it? For electricians like myself, the unseen harmony of energy flows isn’t just a technical marvel; it can be a profound metaphor for existence. 

Now, juxtapose that with how creation itself organizes energy. From Genesis to the stars beyond, energy flows in mathematically perfect patterns. Gravity distributes influence like a transformer regulates voltage, ensuring balance. Grounding wires stabilize circuits just as mindfulness grounds humanity, preventing overreactions and chaos. Light—whether physical or spiritual—becomes the common thread that bans darkness and disorder in favor of clarity and connection.

The NEC and the universe agree on one truth above all else—energy either flows efficiently, or unexpected disorder or disaster awaits. Whether it’s a short circuit in a panel or entropy among celestial bodies, imbalance has consequences. But when these principles hum to the same tune of harmony, the result is breathtaking beauty—be it lit rooms, communication over vast distances, thriving cities, or a galaxy awash in starlight.

Energy doesn’t just govern household currents or celestial patterns; it pulses through us too. From the neurons firing in the brain to acts of kindness communicated in invisible networks of meaning, humans are living circuits constantly exchanging metaphysical charges. Ideas, dreams, emotions—all act like currents transmitting forward momentum and, critically, demanding balance.

Modern life, however, often short-circuits us. Endless demands drain our energy unevenly, leaving us disconnected from ourselves and others. What may appear as chaos on the surface is nothing but energy that urgently needs redistribution. Pause and account for your “load demands,” just as electricians do when wiring circuits. Which commitments sustain you? Which zap you with little return? Learning when to redirect energy—toward balanced and harmonious flow—allows us to thrive.

The galaxy’s circuit doesn’t just show how energy flows; it teaches us the value of connection. At every level, from individual to universal, every current has a source and target, completing a loop for renewed exchange. Communication behaves similarly; every conversation or shared moment sparks the flow of meaning and understanding, extending threads of connection into the cosmic web.

Bandwidth, as a concept, takes on rich metaphorical power here. Mechanically, it measures a network’s capacity for data transmission. Metaphysically, it describes the potential for meaningful relationships—an expansive spectrum of love, collaboration, and mutual insight. To exist within universal bandwidth means to tune yourself into life’s wider frequency, accessing deeper purpose and shared energy.

Are we connected within this invisible grid? Are we amplifying signals of empathy and creativity, or are we functioning like an ungrounded wire, sparking redundantly in isolation? These questions reveal whether our lives resonate with universal bandwidth or remain disconnected.

Electricians understand that grounding is essential—providing balance and safety to systems. Humans, too, must ground themselves, lest we lose stability amid chaos. Reflection, service, and mindfulness tether us, acting as a circuit’s ground wire against the surges of modern chaos.

be, right here within and around us. We are as much the architects of our separateness as we can be the builders of our reconnection with the infinite.

It is time that we choose the latter, to evolve not apart from, but within, the grand, immeasurable tapestry of existence.

Later in this book I will be spending much more time with the reader about the most important subject of time.

Chapter 3:  Harnessing Electrical Theory to Illuminate the Enigma of Consciousness

The human mind, an intricate tapestry of thoughts, emotions, and experiences, remains one of the greatest enigmas at the heart of our very existence. Consciousness, the intimate sense of self-awareness that characterizes our every waking moment, cannot be palpated, quantified, or dissected, yet it’s as real as the air we breathe.

Many have embarked on the Herculean task of demystifying consciousness, wielding an armory of theories from the abstract to the scientifically tangible. Within this quest, I see the integration of electrical theory as a helpful and formidable lens through which we can examine the kaleidoscopic nature of consciousness.

Drawing parallels between the human mind and electrical constructs is more than a mere intellectual exercise; it’s an acknowledgment of the underlying and overlapping principles that govern both realms.  Remember the statement of vision I presented earlier, all that we see or perceive are extensions of ourselves.

The brain’s neural pathways echo the intricate wiring of a circuit board, with billions of neurons firing in patterned sequences much like currents coursing through a predefined circuit. Synapses, akin to electric connections, function as conduits of information, empowering the mind to perform feats that far surpass a supercomputer’s prowess, with an elegance and efficiency that technology strives to emulate.

Electrical theory offers a referential understanding that resonates with our empirical observations of the world. It speaks a language that is familiar to us, a narrative steeped in energy, flow, resistance, capacitance, and potential. And who better to expound upon these correlations than me, with an electrical background where these concepts are not abstract, but rather elemental to my very thinking?

There’s an alluring symmetry in how we discuss ideas and electricity using metaphors. We talk about the ‘spark’ of inspiration, the ‘current’ of thoughts, or the ‘shock’ of realization. These are not merely poetic flourishes; they are testaments to how the behavior of electricity mirrors our cognitive processes. Just as electricity requires a conducive medium to propagate, so too does consciousness thrive on the rich substrate of our minds, channeling through dendritic networks to give birth to innovation and insight.

Furthermore, consider how we use resistors within electrical circuits to moderate and control the flow of current, preventing damage and allowing for precise operation. Similarly, our brains employ neurotransmitters as regulators of synaptic activity, modulating thought and reaction, insulating against the overabundance of stimuli and modulating the noise that bombard us incessantly.

Admittedly, consciousness cannot be fully encapsulated within the framework of electrical theory, for it encompasses a spectrum far wider than what such a comparison allows. And yet, this does not diminish the value of exploration through this window. Much like alternating currents, perspectives on consciousness oscillate between disciplines, each offering its own rhythm and wavelength to our understanding. The polarity of viewpoints—scientific and philosophical, empirical and intuitive—serves not to confound but to enrich our comprehension.

Far from being a reductive approach, the application of electrical theory illuminates new facets, challenges preconceived limits, and sparks innovation in thought.  The exploration of consciousness is an iterative process, an evolving circuit of inquiry that grows more profound with each addition to the body of knowledge. Electrical theories contribute to this growth, providing not only structural analogies but also fostering a deeper, systemic understanding of how consciousness may emerge from the ceaseless interplay between energy and matter, signal and response.

It is through the synthesis of diverse perspectives that we inch closer to the core of this great enigma. The circuitry of the mind beckons—and with each theoretical and metaphorical connection we draw, the brighter the light of comprehension shines on the shadowy realm of consciousness.

And remember, as far as we now see, or will ever see, unto eternity, is ourselves. As we witness electrical theory in action, we witness aspects of the workings of our minds and their self-concepts as they play against the background of our infinite universe..  This same principle extends from electrical all the way to quantum theory, where we see not only how capable we are now, but also how amazing we can become in the future..

Electricity as a Metaphor for the Foundational Forces of Life

Electricity is a powerful metaphor for the fundamental phenomena that shape our existence. Like language or our connection to Mother Earth, electricity is extraordinarily empowering and inherently dangerous if misunderstood or misapplied. It does not demand belief to function. It simply requires understanding—the recognition of its laws that govern potential and flow.

Similarly, the art of measurement relies on understanding rather than faith, whether applied to physical systems or the abstract nature of consciousness; much like electricity, it is a tool—neutral in essence, yet capable of profound impact depending on how it is harnessed. Used mindfully, it empowers us to uncover hidden truths and push the boundaries of what we perceive possible. Used irresponsibly or left untapped, it risks chaos, harm, or stagnation.

The comparison between the control systems I studied in 1992 and the inner dynamics of the human mind raises significant questions about the potential for consciousness. What could we achieve if we learned to understand and measure our thoughts and actions with the same precision we apply to electrical currents or mechanical systems?  Is this internal inquiry where the process of mindfulness finds its origin?

Feedback and feedforward, critical process control aspects provide a fascinating lens. Feedback helps correct errors, ensuring balance and stability. Feedforward anticipates disruptions, allowing systems to adapt proactively. These mechanisms are not just theoretical constructs but are deeply embedded in how we think, make decisions, and pursue goals. Recognizing this reality empowers us to align our internal processes better, creating a life that is not only balanced but also purpose-driven.

Yet, accessing this hidden knowledge of how our minds work—and how it connects to the broader systems of reality—requires effort. It demands that we step beyond the surface-level functionality of our lives and explore the more profound principles that govern our existence. In these explorations, we discover the essence of our consciousness—the understanding that everything, from the flow of electricity to the structure of language to the rhythms of nature, is interconnected and governed by underlying laws, and they operate perfectly whether we understand them or not.

Ultimately, consciousness is directed by the  choices we make. It is about the decision to remain passive or actively engage with our reality’s deeper workings. The tools are there, waiting for us to pick them up—no secret societies or exclusive memberships. All it takes is curiosity, observation, and a willingness to learn.

The art of measurement, whether applied to external systems or the depths of our consciousness, is less about numbers and data and more about gaining clarity. It is about understanding how the seen and unseen forces of life—like electricity, language, the movement of time, our connection to nature, or so-called God consciousness—can either empower us or harm us, depending on our awareness of the laws that govern them.

This is the invitation I offer to those who read these words. Step beyond your current understanding. Look deeper into the systems and patterns that surround you. Whether through science, enlightened religion, spirituality, philosophy, or introspection, the path to foundational consciousness is open. You simply have to walk through the door.

Simple Human Circuits: An Electrician’s Guide to Our Galaxy —Living Life on the Widest Frequency

What if the mysteries of human consciousness and spirituality could be understood through the lens of electrical circuits? Could the way energy flows through wires and resistors mirror the way our thoughts, emotions, and connections manifest in the world? These questions form the foundation of an unexpected and profound truth—the human experience and the fundamental principles of electricity may not be as different as we think.

Both systems, whether powered by electrons or by the energy of thought and consciousness, rely on balance, flow, and connection. By understanding these parallels and adopting a “systems thinking” approach, we can better grasp our place in the universe, address lingering disconnections within ourselves and society, and realign with the ultimate ground—Mother Earth.

The Electric Circuit of Consciousness

At its core, the simplest electrical circuit is an elegant metaphor for human consciousness. Consider this:

• An electron flows through a circuit when there is a difference in potential energy, or voltage, between two points.
• Energy from a source moves through a load, enabling work to be done (lighting a bulb, powering a motor) before returning to its source—completing the circuit.
• The system relies on grounding—a stable reference point, often connected to the Earth, to prevent chaos or instability.

Our consciousness operates much the same way.

• Thoughts can be likened to electrons, moving from our conceptual “self” (the voltage source) to the “known” (an observation, insight, or new understanding).
• The work occurs in the exchange of energy—assigning meaning, emotion, and perspective to the things we perceive.
• But without proper grounding—a connection to something universal, like nature, truth, or the collective human experience—our systems may devolve into chaos and imbalance.

Ohm’s Law, which states that in a closed circuit, the sum of voltages must equal zero, is reflected in the human process of perception and understanding. By naming, categorizing, and ultimately making sense of what we observe, the knower (self) and the known (object/experience) harmonize in a completed energetic exchange.

Humans are unique in how they use words to bridge the gap between self-awareness and the world around them. Words, much like electrons, carry potential energy. When used with intent, they become kinetic—an energy of movement that reshapes perceptions, builds understanding, and fosters connection.

When we communicate, we create completed “circuits” between ourselves and others. Each word becomes a “load”—a piece of meaning or knowledge shared and transformed. A healthy exchange requires grounding, shared reference points, and—like in electrical systems—a minimum of resistance for efficient operation.

However, the human circuit is often overloaded in today’s hyper-stimulated society. Information ricochets without grounding, causing disconnection, anxiety, and other systemic “short circuits.” Society forces upon us dependence on a very strong ego, which can become a source of great resistance to new ideas and the capacity for loving friction-free communication.  Restoring equilibrium and reducing resistance requires mindful practices, much like repairing an unstable electrical system.

Grounding is essential in electrical systems to maintain stability. For humans, Mother Earth serves as a spiritual and physical ground—a reference potential that connects us to a shared origin and truth. Yet, in modern life, we’ve severed much of this connection.

Our buildings insulate us from the Earth. Our constant distractions—smartphones, media, relentless schedules—keep us detached from natural rhythms. This disconnection leaves us “ungrounded,” amplifying frequencies that disturb our bodies, relationships, and societies.

• Miscommunication and failed relationships, as differing frames of reference clash instead of harmonizing.
• Chronic stress and anxiety, as unchecked inputs, overwhelm our “circuits.”
• Environmental degradation, as humanity forgets its responsibility to the planet that sustains it.

The convergence of ancient spiritual practices and modern electrical theory offers a roadmap for healing. Just as electricians use grounding and bonding techniques to integrate new systems safely, humans must revisit their connection to natural and spiritual truths to integrate modern advancements.

1. Meditation with Intention

Like in meditative practices, where focusing on a mantra completes an internal circuit, grounding begins with an inward focus. We must first stabilize our inner energy to connect meaningfully with the outside world.

2. Connection with Nature

Walking barefoot on soil, planting a garden, or spending uninterrupted time outdoors can realign your personal “frequency” with Mother Earth.

3. Cultivating Shared Understanding

As societies, we need common grounds—whether through universal truths, shared wisdom, or ethical frameworks. Just as a constant reference point stabilizes an electrical system, a shared moral ground fosters harmony.

4. Building Resilience in Communication

Ask yourself if your “circuit” with others is open and balanced. Are your words constructive or loaded with unchecked charges? Seek clarity and intent in all exchanges.

The greatest spiritual and philosophical challenge we face today is not technological innovation—it’s the lack of balance between progress and grounding principles. Technology evolves rapidly, yet the systems that sustain our humanity—our connection to nature, shared values, and personal awareness—struggle to catch up.

Without deep grounding, societal circuits begin to break. The dissonance from hyper-consumerism, exploitive practices, or divisive ideologies generates friction that could ultimately burn out the system.

But if we adopt mindful practices—ground ourselves in patience, humility, and reverence for interconnected life—we stand a chance to not only repair what is broken but to build something extraordinary. Like a team of master electricians troubleshooting a system, we can learn to stabilize and elevate humanity’s “frequency.”

Take a moment to meditate upon the power of perception and our connection—with fellow humans and the Earth itself. What would it mean to live thoroughly grounded, resonating at the fullest frequency of life?

Just as an ungrounded electrical circuit can spark instability, an ungrounded society risks falling apart. Realigning with nature, truth, and universal principles isn’t merely a comforting concept—it’s essential “reference potential” for lasting harmony.

We invite you to explore this grounding process further. Sit with a word today—a mantra, perhaps, or a symbol that reflects your values—and observe its energy within you. Reflect on its potential and kinetic manifestations in your thoughts and actions.

For in grounding ourselves, individually and collectively, we harness our most sacred energy as creators of balance, wisdom, and connection. Like wires conducting electricity, our lives are circuits connecting the seen and unseen, the known and mysterious, the self and the infinite.

Find your ground, and together, we just might transform the entire system.

Resistance and Resonance: Lessons from Electrical Circuits to Human Growth

Human Resonance and Electrical Circuits (integrate with next section Un

The essence of resonance lies in connection, be it in electrical systems or human experiences. By examining electrical circuits through the lens of human qualities, we uncover profound parallels between the physical and the spiritual, the logical and the emotional.

Resistance is a core attribute in any electrical circuit—it limits current flow, dissipates energy, and prevents overloads. Electrically, it stabilizes the circuit, ensuring the system doesn’t become overwhelmed by an influx of energy. Biologically, humanity mirrors this concept with our immune systems. Antibodies act as “resistors,” safeguarding us against harmful changes, like a virus invading our cells.

On a broader level, resistance is mirrored in human consciousness. Think of how we resist false ideologies or harmful narratives—racism, misogyny, or ignorance. Much like an electrical resistor protects a circuit by moderating energy, humans create societal “anti-bodies,” challenging and halting the spread of destructive philosophies, ensuring the collective consciousness remains untainted.

Capacitance relates to a circuit’s ability to store and release energy when needed. A capacitor doesn’t act hastily; instead, it absorbs and holds energy, releasing it when the circuit demands it. This characteristic resonates with the human ability for contemplation and potential. Within each of us lies capacity—a reservoir of thoughts, ideas, and emotions waiting for the right moment to manifest.

Just as a capacitor must balance charge and discharge to maintain functionality, humans must harmonize introspection and action. Without this balance—a measured accumulation and release—we risk stagnation or burnout. Our minds, like circuits, thrive on this rhythm of pause and expression.

Inductors in a circuit rely on magnetic fields to regulate the flow of energy, producing opposition to changes in current. They create a dynamic resistance to instability, mirroring human influence and adaptability. When faced with external forces or fluctuating circumstances, our choices and behaviors “induce” meaningful shifts in the world around us. Inductance embodies the human ability to shape outcomes, crafting energy into tangible action while anchoring it to stability.

Think of collective movements—a protest, a community rallying to solve crises, or even the melodic rise and fall of a shared song. These moments channel individual emotions into collective purpose, creating lasting ripples across societal networks. This human resonance enriches the interconnected web of existence.

When resistance, capacitance, and inductance work harmoniously in an RLC circuit, resonance emerges. This is the point when the system absorbs and utilizes energy with optimal efficiency, creating conditions for unimpeded vibration. Resonance amplifies signals, enabling clearer communication and purpose within the system.

Humans, too, have the capacity for resonance—moments when alignment of thought, emotion, and action achieves collective harmony. Whether it’s a shared cause fueling protests against injustice, or an inspiring speech that stirs the hearts of thousands, resonance occurs when individuals connect through shared frequencies of purpose.

Yet, achieving human resonance requires a common ground, or a reference point—a shared foundation that aligns diverse individuals while preventing chaotic instability. Without this equilibrium, resonance may devolve into disharmony, as seen in destructive mobs acting without unified intent.

Electrical circuits can be tuned to select specific frequencies, such as in radio receivers or television sets. Humans, too, can create a “tuned circuit” of consciousness. Our knowledge, language, and cultural narratives act as carriers of energy within the circuitry of collective human awareness. But our systems need recalibration—a deep tune-up—to align with the greater purpose of humanity.

This tuning requires more than intellectual pursuit; it calls for a spiritual realignment with the “ground of creation.” Across millennia, this changeless reference point has been known by countless names. It is accessible only through the suspension of egocentric thoughts—the silencing of the self-centered narrative that dominates our consciousness. Finding this silence allows us to attune to the profound frequencies of life and creation itself.

When we transcend narratives rooted in individualism, we begin to hear the larger symphony. We feel the Earth’s plea, recognize the interconnectedness of all beings, and act in alignment with the sacred balance of existence. Resonance becomes not just a state of flow within systems, but a way of life—an amplification of humanity’s potential to create abundance, harmony, and enlightenment.

The parallels between electrical resonance and human consciousness invite us to explore life itself through physics’ lens. Resistance teaches defiance and protection; capacitance mirrors stillness and potential; inductance reveals influence and growth. Together, they create resonance—energy and action aligned to achieve clarity and purpose.

By tuning our human circuits with precision and care, we can craft a resonance that ensures our survival as a species, while deepening our connection to the sacred grounds of being.

Stop

Resistance, overload, and resonance can teach us much about navigating life’s complexities. What do these seemingly technical concepts have to do with us?

Much more than meets the eye.

Resistance is one of the fundamental principles in electrical circuits. It serves to temper the current, preventing catastrophic surges that could damage delicate components. Electricity flows through circuits, bringing life to our devices, much like emotions and energy flow through us, fueling our thoughts and actions. Yet, too much current can overload and fry a circuit, just as overwhelm can emotionally burn us out.

Resistance, often a perceived obstacle, isn’t always bad.  Far from being an enemy, when properly engineered it shapes and stabilizes electrical systems by becoming a regulator and safeguard to optimal current flow. When resistance is properly paired with capacitance, which stores energy, and inductance, which regulates the current flow through dampening the potentially damaging effects of fast current changes, the elements together create balance and usable energy within the circuit..

Similarly, in human life, resistance often arrives disguised as struggle or challenge but can serve as a guiding force for intentional growth.  Resistance can focus energy into meaningful growth if we calibrate our responses intentionally.  Resistance in our lives emerges as obstacles, stress, or inner conflict. It’s the frustration of an unplanned setback, the discomfort of stepping outside our comfort zone, the challenge of moving forward when the path ahead seems unclear, or the aversion to new understanding or information that threatens our perceived stability and balance,.

Over time, resistance can build into entropy—a natural tendency toward decay if not managed. Here lies the electrician’s greatest metaphor for life itself. Circuits require periodic inspections and recalibration. Resistance must be evaluated, and balance restored to flow harmoniously again.

Take a moment to inspect your own inner currents. Pause and ask yourself two questions:

1. Where am I experiencing resistance that serves as a guide to meaningful growth?
2. Where is resistance blocking energy flow instead of shaping it positively?

 Have you experienced a time when resistance blocked your way, only to later realize it shaped you profoundly? For example, facing rejection at work may feel like a hard stop. Yet, it often redirects your energies to areas that truly matter. Athletes encounter physical resistance—gravity, muscle fatigue—and through it, they develop strength and resilience. What about that therapist who may have overwhelmed you with information about the lifelong effects of a childhood trauma you never wanted to look at again?  These aren’t barriers to avoid but forces to engage with intentionally, just as a well-designed circuit integrates resistance within its system for optimal functioning.

If resistance is inevitable, perhaps the real question is how we respond to it. What if, instead of resisting resistance, we gain insight into to, and reengage with it more consciously?  Resistance an important component to our ability to grow and to connect with each other spiritually, properly expressed.

This idea echoes ancient spiritual teachings and psychological frameworks. Buddhist philosophies, for example, teach that suffering—akin to resistance—arises from attachment or aversion. By intentionally meeting resistance with mindfulness and curiosity, we can transform it. Carl Jung’s work on shadow integration also resonates here; psychological resistance often points to our repressed emotions or unexamined fears. By leaning into this resistance, we uncover deeper truths and grow.

Resistance sharpens intention. Imagine a river encountering rocks in its path. Instead of halting entirely, it changes direction, carving new paths in the landscape. Similarly, in our lives, resistance urges us to pause, recalibrate, and purposefully channel our energy. Struggles at work might sharpen your focus on a side passion. Personal loss might bring clarity to priorities.

But intention is key. Without intentionality, resistance overwhelms, leaving us stagnant. Compare this to a simple electrical system where resistance left unchecked results in overheating and failures. Human growth lies in acknowledging resistance, tempering it with intentional action, and transforming the raw tension into clarity.

Ignoring resistance—whether in circuits or life—comes at a cost. Just as overloading an electrical circuit leads imbalances and burnout, overwhelming ourselves without resetting can lead to emotional and physical breakdowns. Many mental health professionals today see burnout not as a personal failing but as a systemic fault. Too much input, too fast, without pause to restore balance. To manage resistance effectively, we will need some practical strategies, and I will cover them in depth later in the book.

Resistance, however, is only part of the equation. Resistance coupled intentionally with capacitance and inductance creates resonance, a quality of energy that connects components, physically separated circuits (does AM or FM radio ring a bell?), or even people together.  When resistance is fine-tuned with capacitance and inductance into resonance, we achieve a sublime state of coherence and balance. This resonance not only connects components in divine symmetry but also offers profound lessons for human experience. 

How can we cultivate resonance in our lives?  If we practice personal balance, harmonious relationships, communal connections, and creative expression, resonance becomes a natural experience of those accessing the universal bandwidth.

The next time you feel resistance—be it frustration, challenge, or discomfort—pause. Rather than viewing resistance as an adversary to overcome, see it as an energy to harness, a teacher pointing you toward growth. Balance it with intentional action, and seek ways to harmonize it within the larger context of spiritual capacitance and human inductance.

Like electrical circuits, the sum of our lives is not just about managing individual elements. It’s about tuning them so that they work together in divine resonance, amplifying purpose and connection. Resistance, capacitance, and inductance when embraced, can light up the circuitry of your personal and collective growth.

The galaxy exists as a vast and dynamic circuit where stars emit light, black holes redistribute mass, and planets exchange gravitational energy. Though this expanse seems impossibly large, the energy principles governing it also animate the human experience. Just as the NEC commands an electrician to balance and direct energy safely and intentionally, so too does life call for conscious alignment with universal bandwidth.

Commit to tuning into meaningful frequencies—the moments of clarity and connection that amplify your sense of purpose. Allow resistance to refine your character, shaping your path rather than obstructing it completely. Remember that grounding doesn’t limit ambition; it gives you the stability to sustain it long-term.

Above all, contribute your light to existence. Flip your internal switch. Illuminate your surroundings with the clarity of purpose and the radiance of connection.

Energy, at its core, isn’t static—it always moves, transforms, and creates new possibilities. The universe mirrors this infinite dynamism with each breath of stardust and wave of light.

The task ahead isn’t simply to channel energy but to direct it with intention—to spark meaningful connections, illuminate deeper understanding, and refine how we balance resistance. Living in sync with life’s universal bandwidth creates a life of not only productivity but profound fulfillment.

The greatest electricians aren’t those who adhere to rules as mere rote knowledge—they are those who understand how circuits work holistically, innovating to expand their system’s reach and efficiency. Similarly, the greatest human lives are those that harmonize metaphysical and physical currents, amplifying their light toward others while resonating with the larger interconnected web around them.

What will you illuminate in your time? Will you connect, radiate, and contribute to the infinite bandwidth of existence?

Together, we’ll uncover how light—not just electric, but metaphorical and spiritual—guides not only electrons in wires but humanity itself.

Let’s get wired together!

Chapter 2:  Consciousness and the Art of Measurement

What does it mean to truly measure reality and peer into the intricacies of consciousness?

Are the tools we use for both such endeavors qualified for use in the search for the truth of ourselves and our relationship with the Milky Way Galaxy, and the Universe that contains and sustains it?

These questions have long fascinated me, and through my experiences, I have come to view the act of measurement as more than a scientific or procedural practice—it is a deeply human endeavor intertwined with our understanding of existence. Unlocking this understanding of the fundamental attribute of consciousness offers insight into the workings of reality and reveals knowledge that, while often hidden, is accessible to those willing to seek it.

I encountered the mutual influence between human consciousness and the art of measurement in an university physics class, where I was exposed to quantum theory and the observer effect.  This was my first exposure to the perplexing truth that the very act of observation of a process influences it on a fundamental level.  A corollary truth was that the act of measurement also changes that which is being measured, which, at first glance, is counterintuitive.

The second time I was exposed to the relationship between the inner workings of the mind and objective processes was in a process control theory class in 1992, when I was an apprentice electrician. The course introduced me to feedback and feedforward control systems designed to maintain order, achieve goals, and correct disruptions. I was struck by their resemblance to the inner workings of the human mind. Our thoughts and actions follow similar principles, constantly adjusting to maintain balance, predict outcomes, achieve ambitions, readjust direction as needed, and respond to life’s uncertainties.

When I shared this observation with the instructor, he was receptive and praised the insight. He explained that while many of us rely on the practical applications of concepts like electrical theory in our daily lives, only a few take the time to explore its more esoteric principles. This conversation left a lasting impression on me. It reinforced an important truth: the profound knowledge of reality’s systems is often hidden in plain sight, not because it is purposefully obscured, but because most of us do not pause to look beneath the surface.

And here’s the key takeaway—no secret handshake is required to access this knowledge. The doors are open to anyone willing to observe, reflect, and seek understanding. Yet, as I learned from that teacher’s humor-filled advice, in Oregon, you need an electrical license to legally make money from its utilization.

The Observer Effect and the Art of Measurement: Bridging Science and Consciousness

The interplay between human consciousness and the processes we observe has intrigued thinkers for centuries. From spiritual seekers to physicists, this fundamental idea—the observer effect—challenges our understanding of reality. It suggests that the very act of observation can influence and alter the phenomena being studied. With its roots in quantum theory, this concept bridges the seemingly disparate worlds of science, the study of consciousness, psychology, and self-improvement.

But what does this mean for us as individuals? How do these principles shape the way we perceive the world, influence our actions, and pursue personal growth? In this section I will briefly explore the profound relationship between the observer effect, feedback mechanisms, and human consciousness, offering insights into how these scientific truths reflect the inner workings of the mind—and how they can guide us toward self-mastery.  In future sections I will drill down to some of the most profound truths known to mankind on this subject matter.

At its core, the observer effect highlights a curious truth about reality: the act of observing a process inherently changes it. This idea gained prominence with the advent of quantum mechanics, where scientists discovered that particles behave differently when being measured. Take, for example, the famous double-slit experiment. When electrons are observed, they instead behave as particles, but without observation, they act like waves. This paradox stirs an essential question—how much of reality is shaped by our perception of it?

While rooted in physics, the observer effect has greater implications beyond the submicroscopic world. It invites the spiritual seeker to reflect on the nature of existence and self-awareness. If observing a system changes its behavior, might observing our own thoughts and actions spark transformation within us? Conscious attention may, in fact, be the first step toward growth.  One of the great spiritual teachers of the 20th century, Jiddu Krishnamurti, stated that through the direct seeing of our minds and its chaos, we can find the path to liberation. 12 Step practitioners call this taking personal inventory, and, when wrong, admit our faults to ourselves and others.

Quantum theory offers some of the most mind-bending concepts in science, often skirting the boundary between the measurable and the metaphysical. The core question emerging from quantum experiments is this—does reality exist independent of observation, or does our awareness bring it into being? 

Consider this in relation to human consciousness. Just as a quantum system collapses into a particle state when observed, our awareness may collapse infinite potentialities into a tangible reality. Every decision we make, every thought we focus on, is like observing a possibility and bringing it into form. This concept resonates deeply with spiritual teachings on mindfulness and intention—the idea that where your attention goes, energy flows.

But is consciousness merely a passive observer, or is it an active influencer in shaping the fabric of reality? This conundrum invites an exhilarating exploration, where science meets the human spirit.

Stepping outside quantum physics, a second layer of understanding emerges through feedback theory. Feedback control systems are fundamental in engineering, designed to achieve stability and accuracy by continuously adjusting output based on input. If the system deviates from its desired state, it self-corrects. One example is a thermostat, which adjusts heat based on current and target temperatures.

The human mind works in much the same way. Our thoughts, decisions, and actions create feedback loops, helping us maintain balance amid life’s uncertainties. Our mind tracks its goals and adjusts accordingly—thinking critically when something feels “off” and refocusing on objectives when distractions arise.

This overlap between machine feedback systems and mental processes reveals something profound about human cognition. Just as machines are programmed for precision, our minds unknowingly follow principles of correction and recalibration.

Understanding the parallels between feedback systems and mental processes unlocks a new way to approach self-improvement. If feedback loops govern both machines and the mind, we can consciously manipulate these mechanisms to drive positive change in our lives.

1. Goal Setting and Adjustment: Just like a thermostat recalibrates to maintain a steady temperature, we can set specific goals and adjust our actions to stay aligned with them. Regular reflection acts as a “measurement” to track progress.
2. Mindfulness and Emotional Regulation: Observing your thoughts—much like observing particle behavior—helps shift them. Mindfulness empowers you to notice intrusive or unhelpful thinking patterns and redirect your focus.
3. Resilience and Adaptability: Feedback systems thrive on learning from disruption. Similarly, setbacks in life offer valuable information, allowing you to adjust and grow stronger over time.
4. Creating Intentional Reality: If the observer effect influences outcomes at a quantum level, then paying conscious attention to specific goals or qualities in life can shape situations in your favor—whether through refined focus, openness to opportunities, or deeper clarity.

The observer effect doesn’t merely raise scientific curiosity—it stirs up rich philosophical debate. If the very act of observing reality alters its course, what does this suggest about free will? Are we, as conscious beings, active architects of our lives, or are we mere players in a deterministic universe where observation and change are inevitable?

To accept the observer effect also means grappling with the fluidity of reality—it’s an acknowledgment that nothing is fixed, not even ourselves. Our choices are not linear but instead a dance with infinite alternatives continually collapsing into the next moment. The deterministic view asserts that while natural laws govern outcomes, our conscious observations inject an unpredictable streak of agency into the cascade, blurring the dichotomy between preordained paths and autonomous control. This philosophical interplay fuels a dynamic dialogue between science, spirituality, and psychology.

Rather than existing as isolated fields, physics, psychology, and self-improvement can converge to illuminate a unified framework for understanding human potential. Quantum theory suggests that our thoughts influence reality, feedback systems teach us how to measure and correct our processes, and psychological principles show the capacity for awareness to foster growth.

Imagine applying this integrated model within daily life. When we align the discipline of physics with the introspection of psychology and the intentionality of self-improvement, we open the door to profound transformation—not through external change alone but by harmonizing inner and outer realities. The observer becomes the creator.

The intersection of quantum mechanics, feedback theory, and human consciousness reminds us that science and the human experience are not opponents—they are dance partners, intertwined in their exploration of galactic truths. Science provides the tools to measure and observe reality, while philosophy and spirituality interpret a reality that feels both wondrous and bewildering.

By uncovering how observation shapes outcomes, how feedback guides improvement, and how our conscious awareness opens portals to greater potential, we stand at the threshold of profound self-discovery. The systems around us—the atoms, the circuits, the machines, even our galaxy—mirror the systems within us. Both offer an invitation to reshape, recalibrate, and refine our lives with purpose.

And so, the question remains for you to ponder: in this grand interplay of science and consciousness within our Milky Way galaxy,

What reality will you choose to observe, measure, and create?

What can truly be measured?

What is left in the unmeasurable shadow of our tools and methods?

These questions might appear to belong in a philosophy or quantum theory class rather than a book about spirituality, yet they form the bedrock upon which all systems of understanding are built. Measurement, an act often regarded as mechanical and impartial, carries profound implications for how we define reality itself. Beneath its precision and utility lies a question too often sidelined in favor of practicality—what is the nature of that consciousness which observes, measures, and interprets?  And most importantly, what is the nature of and how do we measure that which measures so that we may recalibrate our tools, if necessary?

To examine measurement is to untangle a web of assumptions about objectivity, perception, and existence. It brings us to a critical juncture—understanding its relationship with what some might call “foundational consciousness,” the substrate of awareness from which our capacity to know springs.

By its very act, measurement represents an attempt to impose boundaries upon the boundless. Consider the act of measuring time through the ticking hands of a clock—a sequence of discrete moments boxed and delivered as “minutes” or “hours.” Yet time itself, as lived and felt, is anything but discrete. It bends, swells, and contracts under the weight of perception—a dinner with loved ones feels fleeting, while an hour of dull labor stretches endlessly.

Herein lies the paradox. To measure is to collapse the infinite into the finite—to reduce the shimmering complexity of experience into useful, comprehensible units. It is a necessary artifice, but an artifice nonetheless. Measurement is not truth; it is merely an approximation, a scaffold upon which we attempt to hoist the elusive threads of reality.

And at the heart of that process is the observer. The human mind, the consciousness that creates the instrument, defines its purpose and interprets its results, cannot be removed from the equation. Foundational consciousness—the inner repository of awareness that recognizes and interacts with the outer world—is therefore woven into every “objective” act of measurement.

Quantum physics invites us into this space of philosophical wonder, challenging the presumed objectivity of measuring tools. Enter the previously mentioned observer effect, where particles behave differently under observation. The act of measurement collapses probabilities into singularities; possibilities into perceived realities. What was a range of potentials becomes, under the watchful eye of the observer, a defined “this” or “that.”

Is it not poetic that the universe itself seems to respond to consciousness? What we examine, we alter. What we neglect, we leave undefined—vague and free, as though awaiting the touch of awareness to take form.

This phenomenon reminds us of the fluid dance between subject and object, between seer and seen. Measurement, in this sense, is not an analytical process alone. Instead, it is a co-creative act, a conversation where reality and perception weave together into something tangible.

Might this insight not apply far beyond the subatomic? Could it suggest that every social system, every relationship, every word we form to measure the world, and every self-reflection, undergoes a similar effect? Does measurement, whether of time, progress, character, concept creation, or success inevitably reflect the conscious or unconscious frameworks of those who perform it?

If observation informs reality, then what is the state of the observer’s consciousness? This question transports us to a spiritual inquiry—into the nature of foundational consciousness itself. Can we measure that which measures?

Imagine consciousness as a mirror.  Consider this potentially transformative thought:  all that we see are projections of our intentions to see upon as yet undiscovered or undefined parts of ourselves.

Measuring tools, whether they count temperature, wealth, or well-being, are like etchings upon its surface. They create specific patterns, enabling us to see light differently. But these etchings are not the mirror itself. The reflective surface beneath shines beyond the constraints of grids and grooves.

Similarly, foundational consciousness is both vast and formless, a potentiality containing all possibilities. Our tools of measurement—though ingenious—are temporary layers projected over this limitlessness. Without understanding this, we risk mistaking the etchings for truth.

A great conceptualization of this concept is the Zen Buddhist truth that states that the finger pointing at the moon is not the moon.  The word, the measurement, or the representation is only an image cast upon the fabric of reality and is not the reality itself.

This brings us to a challenge unique to our modern age. We worship the measurable, often at the cost of the immeasurable. Business leaders demand “metrics” of success, reducing human fulfillment to KPIs and quarterly reports. Individuals chase measurements of self-worth—bank balances, Instagram/Facebook likes, productivity software reports—as though life can be summed up by tidy graphs.

But these tools, for all their value, do not measure the soul. They cannot capture the ineffable—the texture of a quiet sunset, the depth of a healed wound, or the simple joy of being alive. Here, the art of measurement must evolve into the art of discernment.

To measure effectively, we must balance the practical with the existential. We must ask ourselves:

• What is worth quantifying? Productivity might be measured, but creativity must be nurtured without bounds.
• How should we measure? Metrics shaped by scarcity mindsets lead to competition, while those grounded in abundance foster collaboration.
• Who is the observer? Metrics often reveal more about the values of the measurer than the measured. Awareness of this opens the door to ethical, holistic measurement systems.

When approached with this awareness, measurement becomes something sacred, even meditative. It stops being a blunt tool of control and instead transforms into an invitation to understand.

Consider this analogy. A musician strikes a note upon a tuning fork, listening with care to its vibration. Such an act involves not only hearing the resonance but also the silence surrounding it. The sound becomes meaningful not simply because it is measured, but because the act of measuring is imbued with reverence.

Similarly, consciousness infused with mindfulness can illuminate measurement as more than mechanics. Whether we measure profits, performance, or personal growth, this understanding has the power to transform the relationship we have—not only with what we measure—but with ourselves and the world around us.

To reflect on foundational consciousness and the art of measurement is to challenge the rigid systems that dominate so much of modern thought. While measurement is necessary for structure, its limitations remind us of the vastness that lies beyond its reach. It is in this balance where true possibility resides.

The next time you measure something—whether it’s the length of your commute, the revenue of your company, or the moments of joy within a day—pause for reflection. Consider not only the number but also the awareness that perceives it. There, in that boundless awareness, you may glimpse a truth that no data point can capture.

And isn’t that the greatest measurement of all?

How the Movement of Thought as Time Keeps Us Separated from the Infinite

In the perpetual motion of advancement, humanity races forward through epochs and eras, each technological leap propelling us further away from the starting blocks of our collective origins. However, this progress comes with a paradox often unnoticed—the more we progress, the more we isolate ourselves from the simplicity and liberation of natural existence.

We live in an age where our mastery of technology manipulates time and space, bending them to our will and whim. In this manipulation, we find ourselves ensnared in a maze of chronology and material that detaches us further from the timelessness of the natural world. It is as if in constructing the clock, in measuring the immeasurable, we have separated ourselves from the harmonious continuity of life.

The relentless march of time-based thought—be it planning, analyzing, or anticipating—is the background music to the modern human narrative. This chorus drowns out the present moment,  and thoughts of past and future overrun the now. Our thoughts are consumed by the ticks and tocks, casting shadows on the wall of the present, leaving many unable to fully savor the immediate joys and sorrows that are the true measure of existence.

Indeed, we glorify this relentless march forward with a rearview mirror often garnished by nostalgia, a tool of thought that glosses over the more challenging aspects of the past, offering us a rose-tinted lens to an era where we believe we lived closer to some imagined paradise or greatness. Nostalgia whispers of times less tangled in the webs we’ve since spun, allowing brief respite from our self-imposed exile from freedom, and the now.

Thus, the industry of nostalgia grows, selling us fragments of a simpler, unfathomable infinity which our ancestors once knew. But nostalgia, potent though it be, is no panacea; it merely serves to acknowledge the chasm between our present selves and the ancient, boundless continuity of existence.

It is this recognition that puts before us the clear necessity of balance—a modern tightrope walk between the relentless pursuit of progress and the need to preserve, or perhaps rediscover, our connection with the infinite. To advance sustainably, to truly craft an era that meets the needs of the children of the future, we must knit this connective tissue back together, weaving the threads of timelessness through the fabric of our frenetic time-dependent lives.

The bridge we must construct is one of mindfulness, an architectural wonder built in the mental spaces we inhabit, spanning the chasm between the now and the eternal flow of nature. We must stand firmly on this bridge, builders of a new paradigm, where the wisdom of an infinite past and the brilliance of a progressive future hold hands, acknowledging their interdependence.

In the tension between advancement and the infinite lies great creative potential. To harness this, we must awaken individually to the beauty of the present, the unadorned breadth of now that stretches out in all directions, ripe with possibility, echoing with the purity of existence. Each moment not lived in the present is a gemstone left unturned, a star uncharted, an infinity ignored.

For in the end, the paradox of human thought – that great ship steering us through time – should not steer us away from the cosmic oceans in which we find our most profound truths and connections. The infinity we seek is, has been, and always will be, right here within and around us. We are as much the architects of our separateness as we can be the builders of our reconnection with the infinite. It is time that we choose the latter, to evolve not apart from, but within, the grand, immeasurable tapestry of existence.

Book #9:  An Electrician’s Guide to Our Universe – Life, Love, and Death On Its Unlimited Bandwidth

(I’m turning this chapter into a full book, after publishing book #8)

The number 42 is significant in the book The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy, by Douglas Adams.  The number 42 is the answer to the ultimate question of Life, the Universe and Everything, calculated by an enormous supercomputer named Deep Thought over a 7.5 million-year period.   Can we be saved by the number 42?

I am not a galactic hitchhiker.  However, I once was an electrician, and my personal supercomputer found another answer—-

And, it is

0

HOW CAN WE BE POSSIBLY BE SAVED BY ZERO?

Let me explain.

My life, since 1987, has been devoted to the understanding of reality, as promoted and supported by our history, and by our present-day political, social, and religious institutions, and finding sane pathways away from their collective insanity and malfeasance towards a higher ground of understanding, experience and expression.  I am intensely interested in all connections, yet I now focus on those that are primarily human in nature.  I am also fascinated with our true ground of being, Mother Earth and her timeless teachings.

I am an expert in electrical connections, having been an electrical, electronic, and computer engineering student for six years in the 1970s and 1980s, and both an electronic technician, and an electrician from 1980, and a computer engineer from 2006 until I retired from all fields in 2016.  I have found much in my field of expertise in electrical theory that is both a metaphor for our human experience in consciousness and for many aspects of spirituality and its potential for human expression and empowerment.

VERY, VERY FEW people look to electricians for the Truth, though the public sure loves for us to remodel, repair and upgrade the old, or install new electrical systems.  Yet this background has sufficiently provided for me a foundational consciousness for understanding the art of measurement of reality, and even of consciousness itself.  I have been given access to the doors to mankind’s hidden knowledge, a knowledge that is far too rarely accessed and applied to, and by, the rest of humanity.

In a process control theory class that I took in 1992, I observed and was impressed by how these feedback and feedforward dependent control systems resembled the functions and internal workings of our human minds, especially with activities like maintaining order and balance, or goal setting and achieving. I spoke to the teacher about my observation.  He was impressed with my insight and stated that though we all work with practical electrical theory, only some gain a nodding familiarity with its esoteric principles and teachings.  NO SECRET HANDSHAKE IS REQUIRED FOR ADMISSION INTO THE HIGHER TEACHINGS, but, in Oregon, make sure that you are licensed!

Electricity, like language, or even our connection with Mother Earth, is a foundational phenomenon and requires no belief, only an understanding of its potential for either empowering us or bringing harm to us if we remain ignorant of all of its supporting laws.  The fundamental unit of electricity is the electron, a negatively charged particle, which, when moving in a coordinated movement, will do a multitude of forms of work for us.  An electron being negatively charged does not imply a value assessment, it is only a convention adopted describing its voltage or difference in potential relative to a neutral or positively charged source.

Through a difference in potential energy, with the presence of a source for voltage, electricity becomes those electrons in a concentrated movement generated by the energy source, directed through the “line side” of the load, through the load, and into the load side into the ground and back into the source through a common connection.  This is the action of a completed circuit when the energy released from the voltage source passes through a circuit and returns to its source.

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, so in this simplest of electrical circuits, whatever energy is delivered by the source has to be utilized by both the load and the conductors that carry that energy throughout the closed loop.  Ohm’s Law states that the sum of all voltages in any closed circuit must be zero, so By Law, it is verified that, in this simple circuit, the energy given by the source is utilized by the load.  To complete this simple circuit understanding, it is by convention that the ground is always connected to the negative terminal on a voltage source, and to the load side of the resistor.  If there is a difference in potential between the two “grounds”, there will be circuit unpredictability and unexpected degradations of performance.

Similarly, our symbols and letters are analogous to electrons in an electric circuit.  They are fundamental units of consciousness and require an intelligent application of our perceptual capacity working in concert with our senses, our previous knowledge, our emotions, our insight, or even our intuition upon any object of our awareness.  And, guess who, or what becomes the source for voltage in this analogy?  There is a conceptual voltage, or difference in potential, created by the action of the knower (you, or I, or both) attempting to understand the known (that which we are witnessing, knowing, or perceiving), by assigning a symbol, a string of characters, or even a word to the phenomenon observed. This character stream is impressed upon our new known, which is equivalent to a load in our simplified circuit of human consciousness.  This perceptual creation makes us, the knower, the electrical equivalent of the previously mentioned voltage source present in all active circuits.  Like in a standard electrical circuit, there is also a reference ground that must fundamentally be connected to the voltage source, which is us.

The new object of perception becomes part of a perceptual circuit and reflects the difference in potential energy between the knower and the known.  In this analogy, the circuit is balanced when the energy of the understanding of the knower becomes equivalent to the energy of the known. The higher the potential energy of the knower, the higher the energy that will be imparted upon the newly known.  In other words, the knower and the known become one, though mirror images of each other in potential difference.   Remember Ohm’s Law?  The sum of voltages in any closed circuit must be zero, as energy cannot be created or destroyed, so even in our human circuit of naming and understanding a form of Ohm’s Law is working. Yet, the question remains as to what is the equivalent of the ground potential to consciousness itself with this analogy.

Words are the way that we categorize or name each new connecting link between our sense of self and our environment in the movement of our consciousness.  The word we create out of our letters and symbols and use to represent the new known becomes the equivalent in consciousness of electricity, becoming a completed circuit to connect our knowing self to the new known created, and this is an actual exchange of energy.   Each verbal creation is a new iteration of our conscious self, and adds to our sense of our self, to our potential energy as a source, and to the vast accumulation of knowledge that we already have.  Our accumulation of knowledge, literally and figuratively, increases the actual energy potential of us as human energy sources.

This is all well and good, but how can we understand this better at a human, spiritual level?  Take, for instance, the practice of meditation.  In some varieties of the meditative experience, the practitioner is given a mantra, or word to focus upon, during a meditative session.  The word could be any word, or expression, with the intention of the practitioner being to concentrate on the word, eventually at the exclusion of most, or all other thoughts, if possible.  If the practitioner can develop and maintain a clear enough focus, all that remains, during this meditative session, is the knower, or the practitioner’s awareness, and the known, which is the mantra word.  This is a completed circuit of consciousness, and the knower, in a realized state of being, becomes ONE with the energy behind the word represented by the mantra itself.  The practitioner, literally, sees the reflection of him/herself in the mirror of the realization of the word itself.

In July of 1987, while performing this exact style of meditation, I had an amazing, transformative experience.  My mantra was “Master Teacher of the Light”, which I recited over and over again.  I had been using this mantra for several days, with little “success”, yet I was persistent, and kept after it.  After about five minutes of reciting the mantra, without warning, I was lifted out of my normal bodily awareness, and started having an “out of body experience”.   I perceived that my life was like the driving of an automobile, with my mind as the operator of the steering wheel of the car.  I had a choice to make, to continue letting my conditioned mind, which is the sum total of my past experience of my body, and my previous 32 years of life, dictate the direction of my life in the present and the future or let go of the controls, and experience a new realm of understanding and being.  Well, the choice had been made long ago, and almost magically, and mysteriously, I did let go of the controls, and was lifted out of my bodily awareness.  I no longer had any awareness of my body, or my past, just only of my present state of being, which was a total mystery to me, yet had an irresistible, magnetic attraction to my awareness.

I was carried by the river of the unknown, through an amazing, infinite vibrating array of interconnected living structures, which I came to understand was the actual matrix of consciousness itself.  As if in a half spiral downward, my awareness was carried through this matrix, and I then “materialized” within a chamber without boundaries, where there was no light, or darkness, just Peace, and Joy.  There was an inexplicable SILENCE, and a VIBRANCY, that felt so familiar, yet I had never been here before, in my regular, or in my meditative life.  My time here might have been a fraction of a second, or ten minutes in length, yet I will never know, for here there was no sense of space, or time, only SILENCE, and an inexplicable sense of the presence of an ENERGY.

Here is where things go from interesting and unusual to transformative and transcendent.  As I “sat” in this “womb” I could see clearly the entirety of consciousness itself,  its truth and magic, and its nonsense, and all variations of it between these two apparent poles.  I saw how each word that I created and incorporated into my personal knowledge was ONE with me, there is no such thing as YOU in this exalted state of being.  Are you ready for this next truth?  I saw that every concept of YOU that I have ever created is only an extension of me, YOU cannot ever be real in any lasting, spiritual sense.   There is only ONE, no matter how tightly I cling to the MANY.   Each so-called “known” in this new understanding is another iteration of my sense of self, so me as a “knower” and me as the “knowns” are forever ONE.

Concepts are words married together in a creative and/or evolutionary movement in an increasingly sophisticated fashion.  Communication is words and concepts in an interpersonal movement transferring actual intelligence and understanding.  And, spirituality is words, concepts, communication and action in a creative, loving movement. By definition, any energy that moves over time is doing work, and all of these energies can be harnessed to do the work necessary for the betterment of mankind.  Intention and will become prime movers of consciousness and its action in the world, and become the directors of this great energy in this world that we share.

Like all systems, electrical and human, that I have studied and attempted repair upon, I am always seeking to understand each installation or human being fully, and then bring improvement to all faulty or underperforming supporting systems as necessary.  If the system was created from a defective foundational understanding, I will even be part of the creation of a new system that will more effectively carry our intentions, and do more meaningful and efficient work for us.

If establishing or maintaining order and balance is our concern, we can channel all relevant knowledge into intelligent systems of control that will maintain maximum stability wherever necessary, but only under those conditions where we understand most or all of the variables.. The basic process control theory underlying all modern industrial and manufacturing systems has an equivalent in the human mind, where feedback and feedforward information loops are used for defining, refining and maintaining order. The human and spiritual equivalence is called the practices of mindfulness, purpose-driven goal setting and achieving, personal inventory, course correction and the making of amends, and meditation.

There are basic limitations of the body and the mind that must be taken into account to have any hope of understanding all supporting, and non-supporting abilities to implement stability and control, and even to enhance our evolutionary potential.  For humans, the primary systems of control are through the implementation of the laws of family, society, and religions, and the enforcement and/or obeyance of them.  But we have not accurately developed an understanding of all of the boundary conditions for our human experience until we cultivate a more Mother Earth-centered approach to living supported by the practices of mindfulness and enhanced self-awareness.

Humanity’s egregious blunder has been in attempting to bring stability to itself while disregarding the laws of our spiritual heritage and of Mother Nature, which mankind continues to ignore, at its peril. The instability introduced into our collective Earth life system by humanity’s ignorance of these laws will not be correctable until we humble ourselves enough to learn from our mistakes, be they theological, philosophical, religious, economic, ecological, or social in nature.

We are all alive today due to the self-organizing principles of life itself. In manufacturing and industrial processes, in our planet Earth and its journey through the solar system, and even in the human mind, we bear witness to the wonders and mysteries of self-organizing systems in action. The human brain has evolved into a capable predictive mechanism, and is the source of conscious action, since the introduction of language as a tool for communication. Words are used for the measure of our experience and are our primary avenue for communication with each other. And, our words, and knowledge subsequently built upon the foundation of our words, are our mediums for establishing a ground of shared knowledge, and a medium for communication of that knowledge.

Words are containers for potential energy, becoming a material manifestation and representation for kinetic energy, or the energy of movement.  The knower (you and I), when in movement towards a goal, is kinetic energy itself.  The knower (you and I) can become quite static, however, when our words do not motivate us to become active in this world.  We may even become burdened by this unrealized potential energy.

Remember, our words are our attempts to bridge the gap between the knower and the known, and they become part of the basic, though potentially infinite, substance that defines us as verbally conscious beings. The introduction of words into the conscious void of the ancient human being must have been the most transformational, apocalyptic event in human history, probably being more important than the harnessing of the power of fire and water for the creation of the conditions for safety, security, and even society itself.  Yet, we still need those who are knowledgeable about these connections, how to safely utilize them,  and the understanding of the energy behind them, to assist all of us to reach our collective potential.

Does anyone know of any enlightened masters, or even of master electricians whose knowledge and understanding we may access to achieve our individual and collective goals?  Just as social engineers and spiritual masters have insight into how to bring greater balance and order into a person or the society that they live within, so do electricians also have their teaching around such issues.

Electricians are required to learn the philosophy of grounding and bonding, to prevent safety issues from arising, or accidents from happening for any existing facility or for any new installations.  Grounding and bonding techniques are utilized for the design and proper functioning of any electrical system.  “Ground” in the power distribution grid is literally the ground that’s all around you when you are walking outside. It is the dirt, rocks, groundwater and so on …Mother Earth is the direct source for all successful grounding.  Grounding is a process of connecting electrical systems, appliances, and metal enclosures to a common reference point, which is, typically, the potential of the ground that Mother Earth provides.  Grounding provides a low resistance path for electricity to flow and is part of the return path for any complete circuit.

Bonding is a process for connecting all conductive materials together who do not have a direct connection to Mother Earth, or Ground, and then connecting that connecting link to Ground.  Thus, bonding between discrete components and building structures supplies the necessary conductor paths to make sure that those circuits have a consistent reference potential grid tied to Mother Earth’s ground potential.

By internationally accepted electrical standards, ground potential is set to ZERO volts, and all derived or existing voltages are referenced to that ground, or zeroed voltage.  The safety and operational integrity of any system is preserved, protected, and

SAVED BY ZERO,

or a common ground reference potential. What is the relationship between Mother Earth as an electrical ground, and Mother Earth as a spiritual ground?

Our modern world has encouraged us to become increasingly disconnected from nature. Civilization with its need for farming and cities has overrun vast tracks of the natural world, eliminating much of our spiritual and physical support.  We eat, sleep and live indoors, drive automobiles that are supported by insulating rubber tires, wear shoes that create a barrier to the Earth, work in offices with no plants or outdoor views, are subject to constant distraction and philosophical oppression and corruption from religious and political authorities, hyper-stimulated through smartphones and media obsession.. This 21st-century lifestyle contributes to a  lack of connection with nature, which is the manifestation of our True Ground.

Without being connected to the Earth, we become ungrounded.  In at least a figurative sense, if not literally, we are constantly taking on frequencies that aren’t very supportive of our human minds and bodies; frequencies that conflict with our natural resonance.  Without grounding, it becomes difficult for us to discharge the frequencies that we’ve taken on board. We can even become controlled and oppressed by those chaotic energies.

Without a common reference point, our words and concepts will be out of phase with other reference points, minimizing harmonization with others.  Communication failures resulting from conflicting frames of reference create stress and anxiety. Over time, it takes its toll on our mental and physical health too. Without a connection with the Earth, we don’t share in a healing common knowledge, negating or preventing any sense of supportive calm and well-being that happens naturally when we are earthed.

As a young lad, I had a next-door neighbor friend who I helped to build an underground fort with.  We would tell our parents that we were “camping out” in the yard, and then after they went to bed, we would hot wire a cord from the garage to a portable light with exposed connections, which we would use to illuminate the inside of our expanding cave.  One time, I became the ground path, when I brushed up against the 115-volt hot lead to the lamp.  I screamed, shook, and struggled to free myself from the ground circuit I had become part of, and, by good fortune, i shook free and my life was saved.  Another time, as an apprentice electrician, I had opened up a junction box and saw some sparking under a big blue wire nut (used to hold multiple conductors together under one connection point).  Without thinking, I reached out for the wire nut, to tighten it.  The insulation had broken down from the arcing, and I became the ground for a 277-volt lighting circuit.   I was able to jerk my hand free, but other electricians, and homeowners,  have been much less fortunate. You have never known a more helpless feeling than being an unintentional ground, and the two near-electrocution stories have stayed with me my entire life.

Yet, what about those other broken connections, the ones that are human in nature, that have brought great harm to us and others?  What about that boss who has built up a huge anger charge,  just waiting to discharge it through some unwitting recipient?  Or how about that religious fundamentalist who bullies or cajoles everyone who does not believe in the same biblical story that he was inculcated with?  Who hasn’t ever wanted to ground out that obnoxious narrative?  We never know who is just waiting to use our life to discharge their negative energy through, do we?

A primary law of consciousness itself is that all that we see while living in the universe of symbols and words are extensions of our concept and image-filled minds, unless through extensive meditation, or grace, we have developed a sacred capacity to observe with an unconditioned mind.  Our minds are just another form of energy that utilizes the potential and kinetic energy of our brains and bodies.  Because we are both an individual and a collectively conscious person, virtually all of the images and concepts that we have, all others have, whether they are consciously entertaining them with us at the same time, or not.  So, the energy that our mind is sees its energy through the action of its perception, which may, or may not, have any ultimate standing in reality, even though all may share in a common understanding of both the symbology and its application to a consensus worldview that we now call reality..

Remember, everything that we see or experience is ENERGY, either in its potential (resting) or kinetic (action) form.  In its potential form, energy is the scenery that we witness prior to naming or categorizing.  In its kinetic form, it is the words and concepts that we have created to represent that which we are now witnessing, and then attempt to share with others through communication.   Either way, we are that ENERGY, with an infinite capacity to do work, or to be at rest.  The words, concepts, and languages that we utilize help us to build energy, store it, and then utilize it through communication in ways that are resonant with the concept of our greater good.  Yet, will these ideas be appropriate for the enhancement of the greater good of ourselves, humanity, and Mother Earth?

Electricity does not exist without a difference in potential energy, or voltage, between components, and a completed or closed loop circuit to carry its energy, with a common reference potential.  Spirituality and truth are also manifestations of the difference in potential energy between a person’s collective self-concept and any ground of being or ultimate truth that exists.  Words are continuously being formed in our minds to bridge that gap, in our own sometimes vain attempt to measure and understand our elusive ground energy of consciousness, which may be immeasurable, yet it must become our common reference point, lest we continue to build into our human systems increasing divisive thinking, volatility and incoherence..

Like in electrical connections, reference potentials in real-life human experience of consciousness itself help to stabilize connections and provide stability and extra predictability to relationships.  If all people share a common knowledge and understanding, there will be no catastrophic failures within the communications aspects of the social network.

The best spiritual reference point is also Mother Earth.  If the materials of Mother Earth are remembered to be the source for all life, then whatever true potential that we have is sourced through that sacred connection.  A great way to stay spiritually grounded and bonded is to remember our true source, and to remember that we are of Mother Earth, and may consciously carry that spiritual energy into all of our relationships.  As the Mother loves us, so we must bring that motherly love to ALL of our relationships, This dynamic energy exchange is a form of entrainment or resonance.  We will discuss this amazing and potentially transformative quality of energy exchange in greater detail later..

Ultimately, healing, transformation, and enlightenment might be accessible, if we dare to consciously consider and directly address all cultural forces and their often times oppressive toxicities.  We need to also ask new questions, and seek new answers to old ones.

• Is that old 1962 transistor radio where you first heard a Beatles song still working?
• Would you visit a thrift store to look for materials for your solar array?
• Would you buy a new stereo amplifier made of old vacuum tubes?
• Would you try to fly a biplane to the stars?
• Can we troubleshoot and repair a complex system, be it mechanical, electrical, or human in nature?
• Is there any relationship between technology advances, and the improvement, or lack of it, of the human condition?
• Can we continue in our old ways of thinking and behaving, and expect any new, or more intellectually, socially, and spiritually evolved outcomes?
• Would you pour new wine into old wineskins?

Technology is always improving, yet the forces of resistance and impedance, reluctance, capacitance, and friction-generated heat continue to remain present in any system, be it electrical, mechanical, or human, in nature.  Everything has a life cycle associated with it, starting with its birth and/or introduction into the world, and its exit through deterioration and death. As we remember from our high school physics class and the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics, every closed system of energy will experience entropy, unpredictability, chaos, and eventual destruction through the effects of friction and heating.  It is a law, so there is no rationality to argue with it.  Rationality is understanding the laws, and directing, or redirecting, our processes, including our own lives, accordingly to gain maximum benefit from that understanding.

There is a human equivalent to this 2nd Law of Thermodynamics, and we see it arise in people, and in societies, that fiercely cling to the past, with all of its outdated structures of understanding.  The more that dissonance arises between our intuition, understanding, and personal knowledge and the socially accepted norms and dogmas of the day, the more conflict, friction, and inflammatory responses will be experienced by everyone.  Human energy systems, like parachutes, work the best when they open up.  If a philosophy of continuous process improvement (evolution) has been adopted, then functioning may be stabilized, or improved, all the way through to the end of the engineered system’s, or human being’s, life cycle.

As the Greek philosopher Protagoras stated, over 2000 years ago, man is the measure of all things, of the reality of those which are, and of the unreality of those which are not.  Malala Yousafzai, the great young Pakistani education and human rights activist, has stated that she once asked God for one or two more inches in height, but God laughed and made her as tall as the sky so that she could no longer measure herself.  Yet, continue to measure ourselves, and each other, we must do at our benefit, and risk, until we find true freedom, and our spirits have finally joined with the energy behind Malala’s poetic, and profound statement of being.

We often live a second-hand life, using the measurements, or words and concepts, provided to us by our family, culture and history. These factors provide a vast base of knowledge, or that acts as a bridge, or bonding jumper, to those possibilities that we have not yet creatively accessed on our own.  Yet are they formed of the substance of reality, of unreality, or an unsustainable synthesis of both?

We must ask some difficult questions, such as:

• How do we weigh and measure our existence, and against which standard?
• How do we compare and contrast, to discover for ourselves what a concept, or an object of reality, true value might be?
• What, within ourselves, do we have that enables us to establish a valid reference point for our measurements, so that there is consistency, not only within ourselves but across the human population we attempt to communicate with, as well?
• How did you see yourself yesterday, how do you see yourself today, and how will you see yourself tomorrow, if you find that infinity is the true measure of your being?

The human race has become the measure of all things, through its use of the energy of words and language, and the tools of creative thought, intelligence, and technology.  Words, and all subsequent concepts derived from stringing words together into rational orders, are our measuring devices, or containers for this energy.  Naming is the way that our consciousness weighs and measures new forms of life, ideas and experiences, in the attempt to insert the unknown and the mysterious into a present context for understanding.  Naming tends to attach a dynamic process to a fixed point in time and space, with a past frame of reference, and we all share in the confidence that the words we use have successfully created and adequately represent that which we are trying to define and communicate with others.

Many of us love to be educated and enlightened by the words and inspired messages from poets, philosophers, scientists, spirituality gurus, shamans or priests, well-meaning physicians, and therapists.  If these messengers are connected with truth, then their messages, or “bonding jumpers” may become temporary verbal bridges back to our internal source for peace and healing.  Some people travel far and wide to sit in the presence of those who claim they are “ONE” with, or grounded with the Truth.  Truth comes from only One Source, however, and it requires an intense desire to find it, unless, like the great herd of humanity, we wish to continue just a second-hand life experience, where we drink liberally from both the troughs of reality, and unreality.

In Greek times, sin was an archery term, which only meant that the archer missed the bullseye while competing, and the “sin” was the distance between the bullseye, and where the arrow landed.  Naming is like an archer aiming his arrow at a moving target.  Though the archer may have perfect aim, the target, like time itself, is always moving, and he always just misses the mark, with his sin being the distance from the truth that his arrow has pierced.  An aspect of “sin”  in this explanation is our awareness becoming entrained with the movement of our thought to time itself.  We will always “sin” while our thoughts remain hypnotized by the spell of time.

Yet we human archers never give up, and in our vanity, adjust the target in our minds to indicate that we have succeeded in hitting it.  If we can find consensus or agreement with others, and share in a collective understanding, or misunderstanding, we have created more collective consciousness, or a “common knowledge”.  Just because it is common knowledge does NOT make it accurate knowledge, however.

We must keep this in mind, and keep our minds open to new understandings, lest we institutionalize our assessments into permanent memories that are resistant to change.  Remember, our memories are often like Gods to us, always trying to convince us of their righteousness, while incessantly pulling us back into a conceptual, and often times illusory, past frame of reference.

Names are essential for communication, yet are never comprehensive and inclusive enough to completely reveal the true nature of what they were created for in our minds to represent in the first place. When names get gathered together to represent concepts, know that the real miracle of consciousness is about to be experienced, as we become invited into the worlds of abstraction and, potentially, conscious evolution.

Names, and our interpretations of them, change over the years, as we strive for more accurate understandings of ourselves, and of our worlds.

We all attempt to establish internal modeling for an external reality that we witness, from our own unique perspective, while remaining “bonded” to a common knowledge reference point.  As long as we have a common reference point, the errors in our “archery” can be measured against the errors of others, and after dialogue, and perhaps more research, a synthesis may be developed that brings our communication into greater alignment with each other.

We are all alive today due to the self-organizing principles of life itself. In manufacturing and industrial processes, in our planet Earth and its journey through the solar system, and even in the human mind, we bear witness to the wonders and mysteries of self-organizing systems. The human brain has evolved into a capable predictive mechanism since the introduction of language as a tool for communication. Words are used for the measure of our experience and are now our primary avenue for communication with each other. Words are forever containers for energy and serve us well as representatives in our minds for so-called objective phenomena. Yet the introduction of words into the conscious void of the ancient human being must have been the most transformational, apocalyptic event in human history, probably being more important than the harnessing of the power of fire and water for the creation of the conditions for safety, security, and even society itself.

The development and the evolution of human language itself have had the effect of bringing the hope for new or enhanced order to the chaos inherent within the unconscious human experience, at least through the structure of words used to represent the world that one is experiencing. We only need to witness the “committee”, or the “monkey mind” operating over time within our minds while it unsuccessfully tries to make sense, or bring order, out of the background chaos forever present in our lives. Those who are neophytes in meditation, and even some of us when troubled by current events, experience this hyperactivity and perceive it as a block to peace of mind. In truth, this internal mental chaos, when reinterpreted, becomes a gateway or portal to be passed through to access deeper, more peaceful and benign regions of our spiritual identity.

There is an interesting interpretation of the Pauli Exclusion Principle which carries great relevancy to our understanding of the word. The Principle simply states that in our effort to describe or define any particle, or object, or to establish its exact location in the universe, we can never know all of the characteristics of the object of observation at one time, such as its angular momentum, direction, speed, and mass, being limited to three out of the four descriptors. Like our imperfect attempts at locating a particle in space, our words are our sincere, though incomplete, collective measurements, or representations, of reality, or our theories for how things now are or could become in the future. We attempt to measure and locate eternally elusive phenomena, and our words are perpetually in a state of “catching up” with an ever-unfolding new reality.

The nature of self-organizing systems is that once the quiescent point (also known as the Q point, set point, functional operation level, balance or homeostasis point) has been altered, the system naturally seeks a return back to its native state, or “normalcy”. For our human experience, this may be both a blessing and a curse, depending on the “state” to which we are being returned back to. Typically, if we stretch a rubber band, and then release it, it returns to its original state. But, if we have stretched the rubber band too hard and too often, the rubber band loses its elasticity, and will never again return to its original state. A human being who has been stretched beyond their capacity through excessive stress, anxiety, and/or addictive behavior cycles will NOT be returning to their “normal” state, once it is recognized that the “normal” state was, in fact, an unhealthy, abnormal state of being in the first place, which in turn led to the creation of their present chaotic mindset..

For our planet Earth, this may mean ridding itself of any or all offensive life forms that threaten its very existence, and that continue to drive it out of balance with itself. The time intervals for finding a new, or returning to an old, “set point” that indicates a healthy life is far different between an individual human life and the life of planet Earth. The Earth may take thousands, or millions, of years to return to or reach its optimal state, whereas the evanescent ones must act immediately and decisively, lest we not live long enough to witness any real healing progress.

A life out of balance means that not enough knowledge has been uncovered, or applied, to guarantee harmonious system operation. And it is of ultimate importance to realize that, in the end, the human race is not the determiner of what homeostasis is for the world, as that has been established through many billions of years of its evolution and, thus, its changing relationship with itself and the rest of the Universe. It is also of greatest importance to realize that no man, or woman, is an island in this vast universe and that our perception of harmony and balance is inextricably intertwined with the rest of humanity. No matter how healed, balanced, or empowered we believe that we are becoming, we are eternally linked with the rest of humanity, and the universe, in our attempts to create order or balance out of our own unique versions of the collective chaos known as human knowledge. The temptation to follow the herd, or to swim with the lemming, is built right into the foundational nature of our socialized existence.

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I dare not leave this subject without the presentation of an amazing, though disquieting, theory of human population control. We have an immune system that is automatically activated to fight and neutralize any invader in our body. Our minds work on a similar level, as it attempts to fight and neutralize any offender who threatens our safety, security, or peace of mind. Our planet Earth, or Gaia, also is a vibrant, living being with almost infinite potential to bring forth new forms of life into the universe. And Gaia has its innate power to bring balance back to itself, with unexpected consequences in store for our unwary, overpopulating human race. It is not a stretch of reason to assume that whatever consciousness Gaia may be infused with may interpret our reproductive over-exuberance as indicative of the presence of an imbalance within its energy field, and make attempts to correct it.

Our planet Earth is now engaged in balancing itself and its energies, just as it has for billions of years. Though it may not have consciousness of the same nature as humans (the mind of the immortal, and the mind of the mortal, do not have a lot in common), the self-organizing principle of this vast system includes the elimination and/or balancing of all forces that do not positively contribute to its life and further its evolution. The human race, due to overpopulation, has brought great imbalances to planet Earth. Some experts believe that we may have ten times the amount of humans on our planet than our planet can sustain in harmony. The stress being generated in the mind of man by this overabundance of human life forms may well be part of the self-protective mechanism of planet Earth itself.

Humanity has captured a piece of Universal consciousness, which includes planet Earth and its collective awareness.  The respected mystic Teilhard de Chardin offered to the world in the 20^th century his Noosphere concept which parallels this understanding.  Pierre Teilhard de Chardin was a French philosopher and paleontologist known for his theory that man is evolving, mentally and socially, toward a final spiritual unity.  He is not alone in this belief and understanding, and a modern, recently deceased Buddhist master, Thich Nhat Hanh, offered many heartfelt dialogues on the unity of Mother Earth, and mankind, in consciousness itself.  Yet, how might this truth reflect through the present collective ignorance and chaos created by the human experience with Mother Earth?

Our collective desire to go to war, to kill each other, to commit suicide, and/or to not generally thrive as a collective, may well be the Earth, acting through human consciousness, to bring healing to itself through the removal of damaged parts of itself, at least enough to bring balance back to the Earth. The Earth is, basically, eternal, as far as we are concerned, and is PRIMARY here, while the human race presently has little conscious presence in eternity. Our own Armageddon may well be written right into the operating system of Earth consciousness as it brings stability back to itself through all of its agents, be it earth, air, sunlight, fire, or water, and its almost infinite expression of flora and fauna.

Without harmony and peace, no homeostasis around a healthy operating point is possible.

The miracle is not to walk on water, or in the air, or on burning charcoals.  The miracle is to walk on this earth.  You breathe in, you become aware of the fact that you are alive.  You are alive and are walking upon this beautiful planet.  The greatest of all miracles is to be alive—-Thich Nhat Hanh

Insight, intelligence and discernment to sort through the vast ocean of knowledge, and ignorance, created by historians, scientists, teachers, philosophers, the media, theologians, propagandists, pseudo-intellectuals and religious fundamentalists are required tools to find the precious oysters bearing the real Pearls of wisdom..  The hubris and clay feet of many of our spiritual experts show either their lack of success in making a consistent connection with our ground of being, or Truth, and/or our lack of understanding of what that connection and subsequent behavior might actually look like.

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(Mother) Earth is ground the world around—Universal teaching for electricians worldwide.

Mother Earth, amongst its almost infinite potential for creating and supporting life, has an electromagnetic nature, with its magnetic north and south poles.  Humans are electro-biological beings, also being made of Earth stuff, thus we are not only electromagnetically inspired but also influenced by all of Mother Earth’s other characteristics.  Through a process of shared consciousness not yet fully understood by scientists and biologists, the life force field that constitutes our being exchanges information continuously with the environment, which shows that there may be unexpected outcomes for the human race with the loss of biodiversity through our heartless, reckless expansion through the .natural world.

Our bodies have over 50 trillion biologically and electrically interconnected cells that are totally derived from our ground of being, Mother Earth.  We are not only created from materials endemic to this planet, we are a minute version of Her…  We are also influenced by all of the forms of life which have derived their existence from this almost infinite ground of being.   Humanity has an extraordinary possibility for resonance with all of our natural world, if it would only rejoin it.  When we return to our source and connect with nature, our energetic frequency begins to change, and may actually appear to oscillate with the same frequency of life force as the Earth and the rest of its life forms.

We need a real awakening, enlightenment, to change our way of thinking and seeing things. To breathe in and be aware of your body and look deeply into it, realize you are the Earth and your consciousness is also the consciousness of the Earth.”  ~Thich Nhat Hanh

Imagine, if you will, that there are 7.5 billion mountain peaks on our planet, each one representing one human life.  And, imagine that each peak looks at the other peaks, and does not see that each peak is connected to the same Earth, and each peak would not exist without its support.  Now imagine that each peak wants to try to establish a connection with the other peaks.  The biggest bridge-building project in history must be undertaken, to connect all of the peaks together.  Now imagine that these bridges are the energy of words, sentences, and concepts.  These bridges are our “bonding jumpers” to each other, so hopefully we bond through mutual love and compassion, and not hatred and fear, though both are possible.  These bridges are equivalent to our collective consciousness, the matrix that verbally connects the entirety of humanity together.  Yet what about the connection to the Earth?  If the peak feels separate from its ground of support, what might bring the connection back to the peak?  Can each peak find its unique ground of support?  Can one postulate that the ground of our being calls out to the peaks to remember their true ground?  And will the Earth send messages to the peaks, to remind them of their origin?  Would one call those words that bring awareness back to our true connection with the Earth “the word of God”?  These “inspired words” would be called our “grounding connections”.

Lookinglass Lake–The Intimate Whispers of the Cosmos: A Journey Towards Universal Consciousness

We need a real awakening, enlightenment, to change our way of thinking and seeing things. To breathe in and be aware of your body and look deeply into it, realize you are the Earth and your consciousness is also the consciousness of the Earth.”  ~Thich Nhat Hanh

So what might a personal experience of a Universal Ground look and feel like?  Keep in mind that mystics and saints, and electricians, each have their own unique experience and representation of their personal experience of our ground of being. My experience in 1992 at Lookinglass Lake, in the Mt Adams wilderness area is one possibility for the direct experience of “Ground”.

Lookinglass Lake, Mt. Adams, Aug 1992

I awoke one morning during the summer of 1992, and finished preparing to leave on a weekend hiking and camping trip with Sharon, up to the Mt. Adams Wilderness Area.  We were planning to backpack into Lookinglass Lake, about a ten mile hike one way.

My senses were somehow heightened, and I felt as though I could see and hear better than I was accustomed to.  Food tasted better, the air carried many more scents, and my entire body felt alive with vitality, and sensation, well beyond what I was accustomed to experiencing in my day to day life.  I had to work that day, so I ignored my “extra sensory perception” for most of the work day, though I remained excited about joining with my beloved partner Sharon on the  hike.

Our drive took longer than expected, and we arrived in the Mt Adams Wilderness area too late to reach the developed campground we wanted to use as a basecamp, so we parked for the night in a snow park area, and set up our tent to shelter for the evening.  We sat outside of the tent, and I began to experience, in its fullness, that “extrasensory perception” yet again, but much more profoundly this time. It was as if I had sensory receptors in the dirt, the sky, and the trees.  It was as if I had grown roots, so to speak. I not only could see the ground all around us, and the beautiful trees, and the sky, I could FEEL the ground, and it was as if I extended all the way through everywhere that I could see.  It was the experience, in a new form, of “all that I can see is myself”.  It was like I was “hearing” and “seeing” and “feeling” for all of nature that surrounded us, and it was a profound mystical, transcendental event.

We finally lay down for the evening in our tent, and though I was still quite profoundly experiencing this event, I was able to fall asleep beside my beloved.  Shortly afterward, I awoke to a great light enveloping our tent, and I arose to go outside to see what was happening.  In the sky appeared a Great Light, and the entire surrounding area was bathed in a light that totally eliminated all shadows, even though it was near midnight!  I awoke Sharon, who rose to witness the light.  To this day, I have no clue if the light is associated with my “heightened mystic awareness”, or if it was just a coincidence that a UFO would awaken us to bathe us in its radiance.

After we returned home, I told my mother about the light, and she reported that the week before, a mysterious light in the Mt Adams wilderness area was also reported in the Oregonian newspaper,, so who knows what was happening there?

There is only One Creator.  There is no reason that we cannot be attuned with ALL OF ITS CREATIONS, including all willing members of the human, animal, plant, geological, and, uh, “alien” races..

When we touch our Self with deep awareness, we touch everything

Mother Earth is fully conscious, in a way we do not yet fully understand, yet, we can all eventually  resonate with Her. . . .

I have touched our Mother Earth with the deepest of awareness.

I love and treasure our Mother Earth.

How about you?

Looking back at my life’s history, I remain immersed in the light of its Mystery.

In the hushed solace of meditation, amid the harmonized chants of prayer, and within the cathartic silence of contemplation, lies a mystical door ajar—beckoning us to experiences that transcend our empirical grasp. I propose a stance that may be considered radical by some and revelatory by others; it is the belief that through dedicated practices such as meditation, prayer, and contemplation, one can indeed tune into the consciousness of Mother Earth and the broader tapestry of the Universe.

Our mundane interactions with the world are frequently limited by sensory perceptions bound to the tangible, leaving us desensitized to the profound interconnectedness of existence. We’ve become estranged from the language of the cosmos, a dialect that doesn’t rely on words but on the ineffable communion of energy and spirit. But what if we could recover this lost dialect? What if, through introspective precision and disciplined spiritual exercises, we could peel the veil and gaze into the unifying essence that clandestinely orchestrates life’s symphony?

Those skeptical of extra-sensory perception argue from a purely materialistic viewpoint, where seeing is equated with believing. However, there exists a plethora of anecdotal and recorded experiences throughout human history, hinting at a possibility that our individual consciousness is but a single note in a grand cosmic score. Mystics, shamans, sages, and ordinary individuals have all, at times, reported a profound sensation of unity—a blissful merger with the environment, with other beings, and with the universe at large.

Meditation serves as a vessel in this explorative voyage into consciousness. It undocks us from the noisy harbor of daily distractions and sails us into the deeper waters of heightened perception. Through breath and focused intention, the meditator can gradually disengage from personal ego and merge with a greater, boundless awareness—one that resonates with the pulse of the planet and the stars.

Prayer, irrespective of religious philosophy, creates a sacred interface—a hotline to the divine. Those who have engaged in deep, fervent prayer talk of moments when they become more than just a solitary voice; they become part of a chorus—a universal supplication that undulates with a pure love for all existence.

Contemplation is the mirror reflecting the self back upon itself until all separateness dissolves. It dares us to gaze long enough to realize that our reflection is not confined to the mirror’s edge but extends into the expanses of all creation.

Mainstream science begins to parallel these mystical assertions with concepts like quantum entanglement and the theory of a participatory universe, although cautiously. While direct empirical evidence of shared consciousness remains elusive, these scientific parallels give credence to the idea that there may be realms of knowledge we are just brushing with the fingertips of our current understanding.

The perspective I advocate is an invitation—an invitation to open our internal eyes to the possibility of a connection far more intimate and far-reaching than our conscious minds can typically comprehend. It suggests that the universe, in its immeasurable wisdom and radiant splendor, is conscious in ways we can sense if we allow ourselves the vulnerability of deep spiritual encounter.

The call of the mystical isn’t just the domain of the ancients or the fodder for new-age optimism. It’s the persistent whisper in every heart that seeks unity in the majesty that is the universe. It is a beckoning to join in the dance—that grand, enigmatic ballet of existence in which we are not merely spectators, but participants—flesh and spirit woven into the fabric of an aware and living cosmos.

From:  An Electrician’s Guide to Our Galaxy —Living On Universal Bandwidth

Chapter 3:  Simple Human Circuits

What if the mysteries of human consciousness and spirituality could be understood through the lens of electrical circuits? Could the way energy flows through wires and resistors mirror the way our thoughts, emotions, and connections manifest in the world? These questions form the foundation of an unexpected and profound truth—the human experience and the fundamental principles of electricity may not be as different as we think.

Both systems, whether powered by electrons or by the energy of thought and consciousness, rely on balance, flow, and connection. By understanding these parallels, and adopting a “systems thinking” approach, we can better grasp our place in the universe, address lingering disconnections within ourselves and society, and realign with the ultimate ground—Mother Earth.

The Electric Circuit of Consciousness

At its core, the simplest electrical circuit is an elegant metaphor for human consciousness. Consider this:

• An electron flows through a circuit when there is a difference in potential energy, or voltage, between two points.
• Energy from a source moves through a load, enabling work to be done (lighting a bulb, powering a motor) before returning to its source—completing the circuit.
• The system relies on grounding—a stable reference point, often connected to the Earth, to prevent chaos or instability.

Our consciousness operates much the same way.

• Thoughts can be likened to electrons, moving from our conceptual “self” (the voltage source) to the “known” (an observation, insight, or new understanding).
• The work occurs in the exchange of energy—assigning meaning, emotion, and perspective to the things we perceive.
• But without proper grounding—a connection to something universal, like nature, truth, or the collective human experience—our systems may devolve into chaos and imbalance.

Ohm’s Law, which states that in a closed circuit the sum of voltages must equal zero, is reflected in the human process of perception and understanding. By naming, categorizing, and ultimately making sense of what we observe, the knower (self) and the known (object/experience) harmonize in a completed energetic exchange.

Humans are unique in how they use words to bridge the gap between self-awareness and the world around them. Words, much like electrons, carry potential energy. When used with intent, they become kinetic—an energy of movement that reshapes perceptions, builds understanding, and fosters connection.

When we communicate, we create completed “circuits” between ourselves and others. Each word becomes a “load”—a piece of meaning or knowledge shared and transformed. A healthy exchange requires grounding, shared reference points, and—like in electrical systems—a lack of resistance.

However, in today’s hyper-stimulated society, the human circuit is often overloaded. Information ricochets without grounding, causing disconnection, anxiety, and other systemic “short circuits.” Restoring equilibrium requires mindful practices, much like repairing an unstable electrical system.

Grounding is essential in electrical systems to maintain stability. For humans, Mother Earth serves as a spiritual and physical ground—a reference potential that connects us to a shared origin and truth. Yet, in modern life, we’ve severed much of this connection.

Our buildings insulate us from the Earth. Our constant distractions—smartphones, media, relentless schedules—keep us detached from natural rhythms. This disconnection leaves us “ungrounded,” amplifying frequencies that disturb not only our bodies but also our relationships and societies.

• Miscommunication and failed relationships, as differing frames of reference clash instead of harmonizing.
• Chronic stress and anxiety, as unchecked inputs overwhelm our “circuits.”
• Environmental degradation, as humanity forgets its responsibility to the planet that sustains it.

The convergence of ancient spiritual practices and modern electrical theory offers a roadmap for healing. Just as electricians use grounding and bonding techniques to safely integrate new systems, humans must revisit their connection to natural and spiritual truths to integrate modern advancements.

1. Meditation with Intention

Like in meditative practices where focusing on a mantra completes an internal circuit, grounding begins with inward focus. To connect meaningfully with the outside world, we must first stabilize our inner energy.

2. Connection with Nature

Walking barefoot on soil, planting a garden, or simply spending uninterrupted time outdoors can realign your personal “frequency” with Mother Earth.

3. Cultivating Shared Understanding

As societies, we need common grounds—whether through universal truths, shared wisdom, or ethical frameworks. Just as a constant reference point stabilizes an electrical system, a shared moral ground fosters harmony.

4. Building Resilience in Communication

Ask yourself if your “circuit” with others is open and balanced. Are your words constructive or loaded with unchecked charges? Seek clarity and intent in all exchanges.

The greatest spiritual and philosophical challenge we face today is not technological innovation—it’s the lack of balance between progress and grounding principles. Technology evolves rapidly, yet the systems that sustain our humanity—our connection to nature, shared values, and personal awareness—struggle to catch up.

Without deep grounding, societal circuits begin to break. The dissonance from hyper-consumerism, exploitive practices, or divisive ideologies generates a friction that could ultimately burn out the system.

But if we adopt mindful practices—ground ourselves in patience, humility, and reverence for interconnected life—we stand a chance to not only repair what is broken but to build something extraordinary. Like a team of master electricians troubleshooting a system, we can learn to stabilize and even elevate humanity’s “frequency.”

Take a moment to meditate upon the power of perception and our connection—not only with fellow humans but with the Earth itself. What would it mean to live completely grounded, resonating at the fullest frequency of life?

Just as an ungrounded electrical circuit can spark instability, an ungrounded society risks falling apart. Realigning with nature, truth, and universal principles isn’t merely a comforting concept—it’s the essential “reference potential” for lasting harmony.

We invite you to explore this grounding process further. Sit with a word today—a mantra, perhaps, or a symbol that reflects your values—and observe its energy within you. Reflect on its potential and kinetic manifestations in your thoughts and actions.

For in grounding ourselves, individually and collectively, we harness our most sacred energy as creators of balance, wisdom, and connection. Like wires conducting electricity, our lives are circuits connecting the seen and unseen, the known and mysterious, the self and the infinite.

Find your ground, and together, we just might transform the entire system.

From:  An Electrician’s Guide To Our Galaxy:  Living On Universal Bandwidth

Chapter 2: The Resonance of Being–Finding Our Sacred Rhythm in Life

Have you ever wondered why some days seem to unfold effortlessly, while others resist us at every turn? What if the secret isn’t about external circumstances but an unseen rhythm—our alignment with the energy of life itself?

This idea isn’t unfamiliar to anyone attuned to spiritual growth and mindfulness practices. But what if we could explore this rhythm through a new lens, one grounded in science yet rich with metaphor? The concept of being “in phase” or “out of phase” resonant circuits in physics offers a fresh perspective on the connection between spiritual harmony and disconnection.

Much like the currents in an “in phase resonant circuit,” where energy flows in perfect unity, we, too, experience moments of alignment where life feels easy, clear, and purposeful. Conversely, the opposing energy of an “out of phase resonant circuit,” where forces cancel one another, mirrors those times we feel stuck, adrift, or out of sync with our higher selves.

The question is not just how to recognize these states but how to deliberately shift from disconnection to harmony. How do we find our sacred rhythm and sustain it over time?

To connect this metaphor with spirituality, we can consider the mechanics of an “in phase resonant circuit.” When the inductive and capacitive forces within the circuit balance perfectly, energy flows seamlessly. At this equilibrium, the impedance (or internal resistance) minimizes, and an electric current flows at its maximum engineered capacity.

Isn’t this strikingly similar to our experience of spiritual flow? It’s that rarefied state where everything aligns—decisions are clear, coincidences unfold as if guided, and life seems to collaborate with our deepest intentions. We’re not just productive; we’re intentional. Each step forward feels effortless, yet deeply meaningful.

On the other hand, an “out of phase resonant circuit” lacks this equilibrium. Opposing energies—equally strong but misaligned—collide and cancel one another out. The result is stagnation, low energy, and, at worst, complete inertia. Spiritually, this manifests as indecision, frustration, or a disconnect from creativity, purpose, and joy. Daily tasks feel arduous, and flow seems out of reach.

But here’s the insight that changes everything—being “out of phase” isn’t a permanent state. It’s simply feedback, a nudge to help us recognize what needs recalibration.

Imagine running a marathon, our body moving in lockstep with an unexplainable rhythm. Our breath, heartbeat, and stride seem choreographed, not by conscious will but by an intuitive force. Each step feels effortless, despite the miles pushing our physical limits. This is where science meets poetry—a state of coherence, or what spiritual seekers might call “being in the groove.” I have excelled in many road races while “in the zone,” and to be a participant in this energy remains one of the great privileges and joys of my life.

Contrast this with a different day—a day when trying to write feels like wrenching thoughts from quicksand, or when meaningful conversations seem to fizzle out into miscommunications. Isn’t it as though we’re swimming upstream against an invisible current rather than flowing with it?

Just this morning, February 17, my wife and sister were preparing to go to downtown Portland to participate in a protest against our new authoritarian oligarchal government.  When discussing the state of the democratic party my sister only could point towards its disarray and  disempowerment, while my wife countered with all of the lawsuits being brought by lawyers attempting to uphold democratic principles.  My sister felt judged and attacked by my wife, got angry, mentioned past grievances against her, and left without going to the protest.

Talk about my sister going against the flow!

What if we saw both states—harmony and chaos—not as accidents but as inherent parts of the human experience? Being “out of sync” is not failure; it’s a signal. Like a musician pausing to retune her instrument or the need to tune a circuit for optimal flow, dissonance invites us to realign.  It invites us to take another look at things with a fresh perspective, to be more present while not remaining pilloried to past or wounded experiences or understandings.

But how? How do we return to the resonance of our greater good when life feels scattered?

The path to alignment starts with self-awareness. Being “in rhythm” isn’t just a feeling; it’s a practice. Here are five tools we can use to reconnect with our flow and stay tuned to our inner harmony:

1. Meditation as Our Reset Button

Meditation is more than sitting in silence—it’s about attuning ourselves to the subtle frequencies of the universe. By calming the mental noise, we create space for clarity and alignment. Over time, what once felt external—call it divine guidance, intuition, or universal energy—becomes an unmistakable inner knowing. Meditation turns static into signal.

2. Mindfulness in the Mundane

Spiritual resonance doesn’t require grand, sweeping gestures. It often hides in the mundane. Washing dishes or walking through a park can become profound acts of alignment when done mindfully. These moments anchor us to the present, dissolving resistance and restoring flow.

3. Write to Illuminate

Journaling is a mirror for the soul. Writing allows us to untangle the chaos of our thoughts and uncover hidden patterns of disconnection. Reflect on moments of harmony and imbalance—what do they reveal about where we are now? Sometimes, clarity arrives not in the act of thinking but in the act of ink hitting paper.

4. Move Our Way to Flow

The body is as much a vessel of spiritual rhythm as the soul. Practices like yoga, tai chi, running, or even dancing reconnect us to our physicality and serve as metaphors for life. Through movement, we embody flow, breaking through mental and spiritual blockages.

5. Cultivate Gratitude

When we focus on what’s abundant in our lives rather than what’s lacking, our vibrational state shifts. Gratitude is not merely a feel-good practice—it’s a realignment tool that draws us closer to our higher purpose.

Living in resonance transforms more than our day; it reshapes our reality. Clarity replaces confusion, ease supplants struggle, and purpose emerges without strain. Synchronicities—a chance meeting, the perfect job opportunity, words spoken at precisely the right time—become frequent, guiding us toward our truest selves.

But the most profound change is one of trust. Trust in ourselves. Trust in the universe. Trust that, even on the days spirit falters or the circuit feels misaligned, we are always on the way to recalibration and reestablishing esonance.

Spiritual resonance isn’t a one-time achievement—it’s an ongoing dance between chaos and harmony, motion and stillness. Maintaining alignment requires intention, consistency, and, perhaps most importantly, forgiveness. Falling out of phase is inevitable; finding our way back is the art.

When was the last time we felt deeply in rhythm with ourselves? What tools or practices helped us restore our harmony when it faltered? Share your story with someone who might need this reminder today.

The circuit of life is always alive, pulsing with infinite possibilities. The real question isn’t whether we’ve fallen out of sync. It’s whether we’ll tune in, recalibrate, resonate with our highest potential, and allow life to flow through us once again.

Our sacred rhythm is waiting.

Let’s get into resonance with the band of frequencies where our greatest good arises from.

Are we ready to find them?

NEEDS NEW HEADER HERE

Consciousness can be modeled through many theories, and represented by many metaphors.  This chapter points to my use of electrical theory as one modeling technique, because that is my background, while also providing good referential understanding.  One of the more valuable categories of circuitry that can act as a metaphor for human experience. is the RLC circuit, which has its human equivalent in consciousness, in which resonance may appear.   Resonance has fascinating capacities for both electrical and human circuits.  Resonance extends its influence beyond its own physical boundaries, to influence surrounding circuits, or other humans.  For electrical circuits, the capacity and quality of the resonance is dependent upon three factors.  For human circuits, the capacity and quality of the resonance can figuratively be based upon those three primary factors, to the extent that we can model our consciousness through the RLC metaphor..

In electrical theory and practice, three qualities characterize each resonating circuit.  They are named

• Capacitance
• Inductance
• Resistance/Impedance

Capacitance, as far as human consciousness is concerned, denotes our ability to store energy, and then release it, as the situation may dictate.  We really need to build up a charge, before we are inspired to communicate, or to take action in the world, don’t we?  Hopefully, we are not constantly charging our hate, lust, or greed capacitors, and instead charge more healthy collaborative ideals.  Trauma gets electrically attached to our body, becoming unconscious charge centers that influence every other charge center in our consciousness.  I have come to name these unconscious charge centers “black holes”  The reader has seen and/or will see extensive investigations into this understanding..Capacitance is the ratio of the amount of electric charge stored on a conductor to a difference in electric potential. There are two closely related notions of capacitance: self-capacitance and mutual capacitance.^[ Any object that can be electrically charged exhibits self-capacitance. In this case, the electric potential difference is measured between the object and the ground. A material with a large self-capacitance holds more frequencies. charge at a given potential difference than one with low capacitance.  We can easily see the human parallel.  So, those with a lot of knowledge about and personal experience with a subject will have, potentially, a greater capacitance than one who does not.  If I am storing a big charge on one side of an emotional issue, and you are storing a charge that appears as an opposite polarity, there definitely will be major mutual capacitance.

Watch out for the aftereffects of its DISCHARGE!

Both parties will need to find true common ground after that exchange, or the imbalance continues, no common reference potential exists,

Does our planet Earth have a capacitance?

The electrical capacitance of earth C= 710 μF.  Its spiritual capacitance may be infinite.

Do humans have a capacitance?

Every person has an electrical capacitance of around 100pF.  Our spiritual capacitance may be infinite.

Inductance is a conductor’s capacity to store energy in a magnetic field.  As far as human consciousness is concerned, there is also a parallel.  Remember, we are electromagnetic beings, being created out of the very substance of Mother Earth herself.  We store energy in biologically derived fields that originate from within our very body. By our very nature, we are imbued with inductive capacities, perhaps far more than anything that we presently understand.

Inductance is the ability to store energy in a magnetic field.  Like capacitance, there is also self-inductance and mutual inductance.  We all have a resistance to change, yet we all carry a vast field of energy within us, just waiting to move in harmony within us and the world under the right conditions.   The greatest potential differences happen with the highest rate of change of charge flow, or current.  If you want to develop your highest potential, make sure to find your proper reference ground, and allow all of your static stored charges to become dynamic and discharge them as needed, rather than repressing them, and remaining a “static” being.  A mindful discharge will help create an oscillating field, which will allow for sharing that energy with others operating at the same frequency.

Inductance is also the tendency of an electrical conductor to oppose a change in the electric current flowing through it. The flow of electric current creates a magnetic field around the conductor. The field strength depends on the magnitude of the current and follows any changes in current. From Faraday’s law of induction, any change in magnetic field through a circuit induces an electromotive force (EMF) (voltage) in the conductors, a process known as electromagnetic induction. This induced voltage created by the changing current has the effect of opposing the change in current, though it never opposes it enough to stop the process, it only dampens it.

Those who develop the most inductive capacity will be the ones who become great collaborators, orators, and inspirational speakers, the special ones who can build and maintain resonance with their audience.  Repressed and oppressed people must overcome their unwillingness to change and adapt to positive energy exchanges to experience the healing energy exchanges available through resonance with these exalted energies.

Resistance, as far as human consciousness is concerned, may point to any number of attitudes we may adopt, and actions we may take.  If we were perfect conductors for Life, there would be no resistance, yet there would be no capacity for human energy storage or exchange.  In a RLC circuit, resistance keeps a circuit from oscillating until eternity, instead dampening its action, until it eventually dies out. Yet, if another person engages with us who still is charged with the possibilities of any particular concept or ideology, our ideas can be re-energized through the previously discussed resonance principle.

There are no perfect conductors in our world, save those cooled to, wait for this, Absolute Zero temperature.  Some might theorize that enlightened people have zero resistance to Life, thus they have no need to store energy.  This might explain why they appear to need to do so little actual work in the world while being a clearer channel for the intentions of our reference potential, or ground..

The electrical resistance of an object is a measure of its opposition to the flow of electric current.. Electrical resistance shares some conceptual parallels with mechanical friction, as well as its important role within human consciousness itself.  Have you ever felt a little “resistance” to new people, ideas, or experiences, especially when they appear to challenge treasured values and/or opinions?

The resistance of an object depends in large part on the material it is made of. Objects made of electrical insulators like rubber tend to have very high resistance and low conductivity, while objects made of electrical conductors like metals tend to have very low resistance and high conductivity. This relationship is quantified by resistivity or conductivity. The nature of a material is not the only factor in resistance and conductance, however; it also depends on the size and shape of an object because these properties are extensive rather than intensive. For example, a wire’s resistance is higher if it is long and thin, and lower if it is short and thick. All objects resist electrical current, except for superconductors, which have a resistance of zero.

The human equivalents are obvious here.  Some people are more resistant to other people’s ideas, or to change itself, than others.  Biologically, we have an immune system that we count on to being resistant to any change that brings biological harm to ourselves, thus antibodies are created.  At the level of human consciousness, our resistance to false narratives, racist or misogynist ideologies, or ignorant attacks against innocent life inspires our macro version of “anti-bodies”, where we directly address and confront offending parties and their abhorrent philosophies, and keep them from spreading to us and those we love like the virus that they are.

Fortunately, some are born with spiritual immune systems that sooner or later give rejection to the illusory worldview grafted upon them from birth through social conditioning.  They begin sensing that something is amiss and start looking for answers.  Inner knowledge and anomalous outer experiences show them a side of reality others are oblivious to, and so begins the journey of awakening.  Each step of the journey is made by following the heart instead of the crowd, and by choosing knowledge over veils of ignorance—-Henri Bergson

Resonant or RLC circuitry

A form of human resonance occurs when large numbers of humans physically congregate together to protest against injustices, share in an idea, a musical group and their music, a pep-talk to affirm personal value for students at the local high school, join in a destructive mob mind of a group of insurrectionists and racists.or any of at least a million other reasons to humanly bond.  Humans truly can resonate with each other, for better, or for worse. Without a common ground or reference point, resonance will not lead to further stability of the whole human network, as it introduces yet more instability into the system.

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The essential components within an electrical, or human, system, that characterize energy exchanges are resistance, inductance, and capacitance, and the shorthand for these three critical aspects of circuitry is the RLC circuit. The circuit forms a harmonic oscillator for current and resonates similarly to an LC circuit. The main difference stemming from the presence of the resistor is that any oscillation induced in the circuit decays over time if it is not kept going by a source. This effect of the resistor is called damping. Some resistance is unavoidable in real circuits, even if a resistor is not specifically included as a separate component.

There are many applications for this circuit. It is used in many different types of oscillator circuits. An important application is for tuning, such as in radio receivers or television sets, where they are used to select a narrow range of frequencies from the ambient radio waves. In this role, the circuit is often referred to as a tuned circuit.

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What about the human capacity to create a “tuned circuit”.?  Our knowledge, concepts, and language are the very carriers of energy in the circuitry of our human consciousness, and they all need an extreme tune-up, if we are to survive as a species.  Our knowledge needs to be reformatted in such a way that it has a common ultimate reference point, a changeless point that is common to all of creation, past, present, and future.  This has been called many names over the many millennia of human experience, and it is a real place in consciousness, and, in fact, it is the very ground of creation itself, and accessible through the suspension, or the silencing, of all time-based thought.

If we can find the silence at the end of our own self-centered narrative, we will be able to hear the pleas for help from our Mother Earth and all of her sacred inhabitants.  We then find that our real human potential is actualized  only through a conscious relationship with the very ground of being from which we all have arisen—Elisha Scott

There is nothing better in life than both connecting with the sacred silence within one’s self, and deeply and honestly communicating with other human beings.  And if we accept our roles as stewards over the animal and plant kingdoms, and Mother Earth Herself, we may also be afforded a personalized view into the True Miracle Of Life, which is our unity with all of creation.. This requires no belief or dogma, only a direct experience of its love,  power and potential…Through this collective connection of consciousnesses to an Earth ground, or reference point, we will travel new paths of consciousness that will lead to better communication and improved stewardship over Mother Earth’s creations.

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We will remember that Life is a Miracle if we can start from

ZERO

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If we devote ourselves to Life’s highest values of truth. Love for all life, intelligence, compassion, empathy, beauty, bliss, and wisdom, our grounded reference starting point, at Zero, will assist us in creating new paths of consciousness, and we can be

SAVED BY ZERO.

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We don’t need to hitchhike on alien spaceships to faraway worlds to find our fundamental Truth, for if we do not find it on Mother Earth, we will not find it elsewhere.

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And, we don’t need an alien supercomputer to figure this one out.

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Every single human being on this planet has a different potential energy, created and sustained through the countless concepts that have been integrated throughout life to establish and maintain the sense of self.  Our differences need not destabilize our world, if we use our words to bond with each other, and all seek to share a same/similar ultimate reference point. Then, our shared Life Affirming concepts will bring RESONANCE between all who are grounded well enough to share in them. These energy exchange dynamics have been extensively explored in a previous chapter where the miracle of empathy was explored.

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I celebrate the ability of our hearts and minds to bond our own lives in healthier and mutually affirming ways to the larger community that constitutes human civilization, and the animal and plant world..  I lament the primary issues preventing such spirituality, and enhanced loving, healing, compassionate, and empathetic interconnection, though I am hopeful for the human race.. We all must realize that we are negatively impacted by trauma, toxic capitalism, toxic religion, and toxic masculinity, with its many toxic styles of gun ownership.   These forces have a cumulative impact on our sense of self and connection with the Earth, and these are causative forces preventing healing connections.

All that we now see, and will ever see, unto whatever concept of eternity that we intend to live into, will be ourselves.  How we measure ourselves, against our understanding of God, our Universe, our Mother Earth, and each human, animal, aquatic creature, and plant upon the face and under the waters of this sacred planet determines the quality of our lives.  Do we feel bonded to these concepts in a wholesome, healing fashion, and are we grounded to a common reference point with all others?

The ungrounded members of humanity predominantly cause the problems that are now dominating our world.

In electrical circuits, by definition, Mother Earth is set to zero volts and is the ground the world around.  All other voltages are derived from that value This assures proper circuit operation.  In human circuits, relative to what standard do we measure our source of true potential against?  We all can get grounded to our Mother Earth, and be saved by ZERO!

Please, get yourself grounded!

And get those bonding jumpers to each other installed!

As we delve into the mysteries of the universe, we often come across unexpected connections between seemingly unrelated fields. One such fascinating intersection can be found in the realms of spirituality and electrical theories. While on the surface they may appear distant, a closer examination reveals striking parallels that offer us new insights into both our material and metaphysical worlds. We have embarked on this illuminating journey as we explored the intriguing connections between spirituality and electrical theories.

We looked at Ohm’s Law, a fundamental principle in electrical engineering that relates to current, voltage, and resistance, and our creation and use of words. Also, Newton’s law of motion states that every action has a corresponding reaction, while Karma teaches us that our actions, intentions, and choices create a ripple effect in our lives and beyond. Both concepts remind us of the interconnectedness and consequences of our thoughts and deeds.

In the world of electrical engineering, circuit theory helps us understand the flow of electrical energy through interconnected components. Interestingly, we can draw a parallel to our own bodies and the system of chakras, the energy centers believed to exist within us. Just as circuits allow for the smooth flow of electrons, balanced and harmonious chakras facilitate the free flow of vital energy throughout our bodies.

Electromagnetic fields are an essential aspect of electrical systems, but did you know that our own bodies generate electromagnetic fields as well? These fields extend beyond our physical selves and form what is known as the aura—a subtle energy field that reflects our emotional, mental, and spiritual state. The connection between electromagnetic fields and auras suggests a profound link between our energetic essence and the principles governing electrical systems.

Quantum mechanics, the branch of physics that explores the behavior of particles at the atomic and subatomic levels, has revolutionized our understanding of reality. In a similar vein, consciousness—the essence of our being—remains one of the most profound mysteries of human existence. The principles of quantum mechanics offer intriguing insights into the interplay between consciousness and the fabric of reality, hinting at the profound connection between electrical phenomena and the nature of our consciousness.

In the realm of electrical systems, resonance occurs when vibrations align and amplify each other. Similarly, in spiritual practices, resonance refers to the harmonization and alignment of our energies with the higher vibrations of the universe. Grounding and bonding, crucial concepts in electrical engineering, find their counterparts in spiritual practices that aim to anchor us to the present moment and establish a deep connection with the Earth and the Divine.

As we navigate this intriguing exploration of spirituality and electrical theories, it’s worth reflecting on your own personal experiences that highlight the interconnectedness of these realms. Whether it’s a moment of profound synchronicity or an awe-inspiring encounter with the power of energy, our unique narratives remind us of the intricate dance between the seen and the unseen.

In conclusion, the parallels between spirituality and electrical theories offer us a unique perspective on our world, reminding us that everything is interconnected. By exploring these connections, we gain a deeper appreciation for the underlying unity of all things. So, let us embrace the enigmatic dance of energy and consciousness as we continue to explore the profound mysteries of both the material and metaphysical realms.

The Profound Connections Between Process Control Theory, Electrical Theory, and Human Consciousness

In the labyrinth of human consciousness, there exists an intricate pattern that echoes the harmony of the universe, and as an uncommonly threaded needle finds its way through fabulously woven tapestries, I have come to see the paralleled richness metaphor and analogy bring to understanding our existence. However esoteric these beliefs may sound, I draw reference not from the metaphysical, but from the practical wisdom of two fields seemingly a universe apart—process control theory and electrical engineering—which, when stitched together, offer a map to the mind’s unlit corners.

Process control theory is the unseen puppeteer of a myriad of domains, from the aerospace industry to the culinary arts. At its core, this discipline is enveloped in the art of regulating and orchestrating systems. Control systems, the crux of this theory, thrive on feedback loops, much like a musician receiving the acoustics of an amphitheater, adjusting their melody in real time. The mastery of this theory bestows a practitioner with the ability to not only predict but nudge the future state of complex systems.

Conversely, electrical theory, the bedrock of modern civilization, sings harmonically of charged particles dancing through conductors and insulators. It illuminates the pathways that deliver power to our homes, lighting the hub of human activity with the flick of a switch. Here, I see parallels with process theory—a dance between energy and resistance, where equilibrium yields functionality.

The leap from process control and electrical theory to human consciousness springs from a shared bedrock—patterns and systems. Our minds are nuanced control systems, forever adjusting to internal and external feedback. The mind fertilizes behaviors through learned responses and emotional feedback–each of which can be mapped to the tenets of process control and electrical theory.

When one augments their understanding of these theories with the metaphor of a societal grid, where people are nodes transmitting signals as information or power, the congruence between human connections and electrical circuits becomes illuminated. A master electrician understands this connection intimately, recognizing that a short circuit in society is not dissimilar to its electrical counterpart—both disruptive and potentially destructive.

My own path in raising these awarenesses has led me to a juncture where my expertise in process control and electrical theory teases the boundaries of understanding human consciousness. In my daily conversations and interactions, I find comfort in analogies, borrowing terms from my technical lingo to illumine conversations about human behavior.

The barometric pressure of the social climate, the capacitance of relationships, and the oscillations of mood now dance in concert with the language of systems. These metaphorical bridges have not only deepened my technical acumen but have also enhanced my perceptions of people—seeing them not only as individuals but as complex systems intertwined in the tapestry of society.

The overtures of process control and electrical theory to human consciousness may appear audacious at first glance, but the threads are there, ready to be pulled and woven into the rich tapestry of understanding. In a world where specialization often misconstrues the interconnectedness of knowledge, it is imperative to recognize these profound links. The master electrician, in his complete understanding of process control theory and electrical theory, can uncover the patterns that govern not only wires and currents but the very threads of human consciousness itself.

To explore these links is to venture into uncharted territory, where the secrets of being human are decoded, one voltage and feedback loop at a time. I implore theorists, philosophers, and practitioners of every discipline to join in this exploration, for at the intersection of these domains, I believe we will find a more comprehensive understanding of our existence.

Reconfiguring Our Awareness for Authentic Spiritual Power and Light

   I have been an electrician from 1980 to 2016.  In a world brimming with complexities, one analogy from electrical understanding now captivates my mind and soul— the act of conscious reconfiguration and rewiring. Just as I could transform the home environment by increasing the number of its light fixtures and power outlets, so too can we upgrade our awareness to spread a more authentic light and empowering essence. To upgrade is to transform, to choose a new path of electricity and, by extension, new potential pathways for our consciousness. An upgrade through rewiring is not a rerouting of the same old wire and connections, but a guided intention that brings change through creating new network pathways.  We have the power to harness our insight and focused intentions to enhance and utilize the neuroplasticity of our brains for profound upgrades to our lives.

   In the realm of human awareness, rewiring or enhancing our neuroplastic response demands a concerted effort to change our mental circuits and habitual thought patterns. This process isn’t for the faint of heart—it requires untangling the knots of conditioning and permitting new strands of imagination to take root within our psyche. We must question our assumptions, challenge our learned behaviors, and open ourselves to perspectives that differ from our own. Through this act, we create a brighter internal light while bringing our spiritual empowerment into the world. 

   Our personal transformation may be compelling, yet singular islands of enlightenment can only illuminate a fraction of the darkness that clouds our collective psyche. I advocate for a national consciousness update and rewiring project, a commitment by society’s every member to upend the current paradigm and install one that radiates with the sanctity of mutual understanding and an awareness of our unlimited potential. This collective update endows our communities with the power to shine as beacons, not as homogenized entities but as a symphony of diverse and vibrant perspectives. We hold a shared awareness to forge pathways of empathy and cooperation, and connections with higher energy and its infinite possibilities, leading to a more harmonious, equitable, and evolving society. 

   The rewards of this collective update and rewiring project are manifold. Individually, it fosters growth unbounded by the ceiling of societal expectations or the walls of dogmatic thought. We become self-engineered power stations, capable of fueling pursuits with an authentic, internalized determination. On a broader scale, it catalyzes societal harmony, offering up-to-date compatibility between present-day social systems and the people they serve. Through this balance, we can power the engines of progress without dissipating energy through the friction of misalignment, mismanagement, and misunderstanding.  

   Such a monumental ideological renovation is full of challenges. The resistance to change is a formidable opponent, arming opponents with the time-tempered swords of tradition and ignorant certitude. The reconfiguration process is inherently unsettling, for it disrupts the comfort of the status quo. We must address these obstacles with the tenacity, patience, insight, and skill of a master electrician. We must deftly manage the currents of resistance, ensuring that they do not short-circuit the greater potential we seek to realize. With tolerance and compassion, we can attend to the fears and insecurities that underlie all such resistance, offering a secure conduit by which all may partake in the newfound illumination.

   I extend an open invitation to all—embrace the rewiring of awareness. It is an endeavor that requires bold conviction, unconditional empathy for each other and forgiveness for ourselves. Rewiring is our collective duty, imperative not merely for our satisfaction but for the very survival of our society. Let us set forth on our upgrades and rewiring projects as one would an epic odyssey, for the richness of experience garnered along the way, is as precious as the destination. The path to authentic power and transcendent light begins with the flick of the mental switch within each of us. Let us choose to illuminate, empower, and thus inspire ourselves ceaselessly.

Embracing a Unified View of Existence

   What if I told you that the key to living life more meaningfully wasn’t out there in the world to be discovered but rather waiting to be unlocked from long-ignored or hidden chambers within our minds? What if I proposed to you that every glance we cast at another, every feeling that bubbles within us, and every dream that materializes in our minds are mere reflections or portals to the understanding of our existence at wider frequencies of being? Could we entertain such musings or just promptly dismiss them as whimsy?

   If you are still with me, imagine, for a brief moment, that the universe is a grand mirror, reflecting back to us infinite versions of our own character and truths. This statement is not a mere metaphor; it’s a radical shift in perspective that reveals all interconnected vibrations in the cosmos. This compelling truth transcends cultural, religious, and physical barriers to unite all aspects of existence under a single, profound understanding. This phenomenon, the crux of personal and planetary evolution, is Unity Consciousness, the broadest spectrum of being that life can be lived within. It is more than a philosophical concept; it is a key that opens our minds to acknowledge life’s sanctity, embody empathy and compassion, and discover that, at our core, we are all united.

   Engaging with life in a broader frequency of being entails thoroughly reimagining the boundaries we’ve constructed around our consciousness. Throughout its history, humanity has erected countless illusory perceptual walls, the misconceived notions of separation that have only served to divide us. Climate change, inequality, conflict are symptoms of a fragmented world, a world that peers through a cracked mirror, refusing to acknowledge the reflections of its actions. We can look beyond all such cracked mirrors and walls to see the universe, nature, Mother Earth, and each other not as distinct entities or verbal constructs but as interweaving threads of the same cosmic tapestry. The wind that rustles the leaves, the stars that alight the night sky, and the stranger who saunters by; all are nuanced expressions of the creative energy of the cosmos, of which we, too, are a part. To acknowledge this unity is to truly see, feel, and exist on a wider life frequency of undivided wonder and mutual respect.

   The advantages of this expansive worldview are not just philosophical but deeply practical. When we accept the interconnectedness of all, personal growth becomes a communal endeavor. Our capacity for empathy flourishes as every story, smile, and tear feels like our own. It’s not just an altruistic pursuit; it’s a selfish one, for we heal ourselves in healing our perceptions of others. The implications extend beyond the Self to the very fabric of our global society. It invites us to reevaluate the systems we have constructed and to aspire to a world where unity is not a novel aspiration but a foundational truth. This perspective provides a framework through which we can address our planet’s myriad challenges. From climate change and economic disparity to social injustice, living on a wider frequency is the impetus for transformative action that acknowledges the interconnected nature of these issues and seeks solutions that unify rather than divide.

   The effects of our spiritual awakening are as profound on us as they are on the collective. In recognizing our connection with the myriad facets of existence, we also become aware of the power and responsibility each of us holds. This awareness is the impetus for personal growth, as it cultivates a sense of intrinsic worth and identity that is not anchored in isolation but in collaboration. Through this higher consciousness, we find our purpose and drive not in the pursuit of singular success, but in the elevation of the entire human experience. The benefits of adopting a unified view of existence and consciousness thus go beyond enhanced personal awareness and serenity by extending to the transformation of society. It’s in this recognition of interconnectedness that we find solutions to our world’s most pressing challenges.

   Living authentically becomes a natural byproduct of this awareness. Authenticity ceases to be a battle with external judgments but becomes a dialogue with our own essence. The masks we wear, the fears we harbor, the stories we have created of ourselves and others that we often hide within, they all become apparent as projections of the Self, and illusions that can be dispelled. We are urged to play the hero, the victim, the sage, or the clown. It is time to discard these roles and live as the narrators of our lives instead. To hold the pen and shape our stories with an understanding that every detail, nuance, and character is merely a facet of the Self. Living in this manner is the highest form of liberation, for it is a complete acceptance of the Self—an assertion that every wave in the ocean of existence is unique and one with the sea. It’s an invitation to dance with life in unison, to sing in harmony with the grand, cosmic chorus. It is the authentic life, the conducted symphony of our creation.

   The incorporation of this understanding into our daily lives is a lifelong practice. It’s the small choices we make, the forgiveness we offer, the gratitude we maintain, and the love we spread. Living life on a wider frequency of being is a commitment to continuous growth, unlearning the separateness taught to us, and drawing back the veil to reveal our shared, collective existence. When we perceive kindness or cruelty in another, we witness not separate entities but tuning forks that resonate at similar frequencies. To truly know oneself is to understand that the entire gamut of our human experience, personal or collective, is part and parcel of our being. There need be no more turning away from the suffering of others, so by recognizing this, we can extend compassion and grace to all manifestations of the Self, thus perpetuating a cycle of love and understanding.

My call to action is simple yet profound. Wherever our gaze wanders, we can see ourselves. In every laugh, tear, triumph, and tragedy, recognize the echoes of our soul. Nurturing the interconnectedness of all that is and all that we are is not just a belief system; it’s a reclamation of our innate unity. 

I encourage the reader to contemplate this book’s message with an open heart and mind. By living life on a wider frequency, we do not forfeit our individuality or autonomy but elevate them to their most authentic expressions. By recognizing the unity in all we perceive, we secure personal fulfillment and offer the world a blueprint for a brighter, more harmonious future. It is through living life on a broader frequency that we find strength. And through this awakening, we, as a species, will rise to meet the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.

All that I see, and could ever see, unto eternity, is my ever-expanding Self.

Are you ready to live life on this wider frequency of being?

The Connections Between Process Control Theory, Electrical Theory, and Human Consciousness

Within human consciousness lies a series of patterns that parallel broader universal systems. These patterns, while profound, need not be explained through metaphysics, but rather through practical concepts found within process control theory and electrical engineering. These two domains, though seemingly unrelated, provide meaningful insights into understanding the human mind and its operations.

Process control theory is fundamental across diverse industries, from aerospace to manufacturing. At its core, the field focuses on managing systems through feedback loops—mechanisms that regulate and adjust systems dynamically to achieve desired outcomes. These principles allow practitioners to predict and influence the future state of complex systems, providing control over outcomes and efficiencies.

Electrical theory, the foundation of modern infrastructure, examines how energy flows through systems. Its primary focus lies in the processes that enable the distribution of power, balancing energy and resistance to ensure functionality. Similar to process control theory, electrical theory relies on patterns and equilibrium to achieve optimal performance in systems.

The overlap between these two fields and human consciousness emerges through their shared focus on patterns, feedback, and equilibrium. The mind functions as a complex control system, continuously adapting to both internal and external stimuli. Behaviors and emotions are shaped through feedback mechanisms analogous to those seen in control systems and electrical circuits. For instance, human connections can be seen as nodes transmitting signals, resembling the flow of energy in a societal network.

By approaching human behaviors and interactions with frameworks derived from these theories, insights emerge into how individuals and societies function and adapt. This perspective extends beyond technical understanding, informing the ways we perceive and approach personal growth, relationships, and societal well-being. Seeing people and societies as interconnected systems reveals pathways for fostering harmony, productivity, and sustainability.

Understanding the parallels between process control, electrical theory, and consciousness encourages interdisciplinary thinking. It highlights the value of unified concepts that transcend the boundaries of specialization, fostering a more integrated understanding of how systems—whether mechanical, electrical, or conscious—function. These insights encourage us to examine the organizational patterns of life itself, rooted in interconnectivity and feedback-driven evolution.

Reconfiguring Awareness for Authentic Empowerment

Drawing from decades of experience as an electrician, the concept of system updates and upgrades offers a compelling analogy for personal and societal transformation. Just as updating a physical system enhances capacity and efficiency, updating awareness can lead to expanded potential and profound personal growth. This transformation involves creating new pathways for thought, reshaping habits, and cultivating focused intentions.

Reconfiguring awareness requires effort and understanding. It involves questioning ingrained assumptions and reexamining habitual thought patterns, fostering openness to unfamiliar perspectives. By doing so, individuals can rewire their minds to promote mental flexibility and creativity, capitalizing on the brain’s neuroplasticity to introduce positive changes.

On a collective level, this metaphor extends to societal transformation. A “national upgrade project” emphasizes the importance of mutual understanding and empathy within communities. Such efforts promote cooperation and tap into collective potential to create more harmonious and equitable social systems. This process also aligns societal structures with contemporary values, reducing inefficiencies and misalignments that often undermine systemic progress.

While challenging, updating through reconfiguring and upgrading awareness—both individually and collectively—yields substantial benefits. It enhances self-awareness, promotes growth, and fosters adaptability. At the societal level, it ensures systems remain agile and effective, enabling progress without resistance-driven stagnation. Through resilience and collaboration, it is possible to bridge gaps in understanding and set new standards of cohesion and innovation.

Living with greater intentionality begins with a shift in perspective. Acknowledging the interconnectedness of existence dismantles perceived barriers between individuals and ideas, emphasizing fundamental unity. This concept is not abstract—it is a reflection of the patterns and frequencies observable across all domains of life, connecting individual experiences to broader systems.

Viewing the universe as an interconnected entity allows for deeper engagement with life’s complexities. It calls for questioning perceived boundaries around consciousness and recognizing shared humanity. Such an approach nurtures a holistic understanding, a framework for fostering empathy and building a future grounded in shared growth and connectedness.

The Enlightening Current: How a Master Electrician’s Craft Can Illuminate Our Understanding of Consciousness

The workings of human consciousness and the underlying forces that sustain all forms of life are enigmas that have intrigued philosophers, scientists, enlightened theologians, and thinkers throughout history. Some master electricians—those deeply entwined with the principles of electrical theory and experienced in the intricacies of wiring and energy flow—have a uniquely valuable perspective on these profound mysteries, too. This premise may initially seem far-fetched, yet upon closer inspection, there are compelling reasons to listen to our perspective.

To begin with, electricity is one of the most fundamental aspects of the universe, a force that powers our cities, drives our technology, and, quite literally, sparks life into being. Electromagnetic force and radiation, the most powerful energies in our universe, are the source for electricians to both understand and harness for the benefit of mankind. It’s the heartbeat of civilization and a tangible manifestation of energy that, at its core, resembles the very essence of consciousness itself – dynamic, intangible, and indispensable.

A master electrician spends years in education and training, and then many more yeare in practical applications of this mysterious force and its theoretical underpinnings. We understand the language of electrons, the push and pull of voltages and currents, and the delicate dance involved in balancing circuits for optimal performance. This intimate relationship with electricity provides an allegorical lens through which the fabric of existence can be interpreted.

Consider, for instance, the concept of interconnectedness. In electrical work, no component operates in isolation; everything is part of a greater whole, much like the neurons in our brains. The electrician knows that a single disrupted connection can have wide-ranging effects, echoing the holistic view that every element within the universe is somehow linked to another, a view substantiated by both metaphysical thought and quantum physics.

Furthermore, the principles governing electrical installations—the need for balance and proper loading between positive and negative, the flow of current, the resistance and conductance, feedback and feedforward for process control—can offer metaphors for understanding the equilibrium and energy dynamics vital to life. A master electrician is acutely aware of these forces and the delicate balance necessary for systems to function harmoniously. Similarly, consciousness could be contemplated as the flow of information through the neural network, always using feedback and feedforward to achieve goals, anticipate threats, or find peace, using,a current of life that requires precise conditions to thrive.

The notion of resistance also transcends its technical definition. In the same way, an electrician accounts for resistance to ensure efficiency; we might draw parallels with the mental and emotional resistance humans encounter and the necessity to overcome it for growth and understanding.

Handling complex electrical installations requires not only an analytical mindset but also creative problem-solving skills. Such a multifaceted approach aligns with the nature of consciousness, which often obeys neither the rigid laws of the physical world nor the predictable pathways of electric current on the quantum level.  There still is a voluminous overlapping reality underlying our understanding of both fields of inquiry, so understanding and insight into one field informs the insight and understanding of the other..

To assert that a master electrician’s expertise can unravel the enigmas of consciousness may not be an overstatement. It cannot be denied that our craft offers a profound perspective on energy, interconnection, balance, and the essence of life—concepts that are central to both the mechanics of electricity and the puzzles of existence.

While the electrical trade may appear worlds apart from the philosophical realm, the parallels it draws to the depths of consciousness are striking. Some master electricians, in our daily dance with electrons and energies, are not merely technicians but also unintentional philosophers whose insights spark vital questions about the nature of our being. It is within this interplay of science and the soul that we may edge closer to the luminous truths sustaining the boundless universe and our curious place within it.

The Unseen Value of Metaphysics and the Exploration of Consciousness 

In a world captivated by the allure of popularity, pursuing interests that lie beyond the conventional spectrum of “cool” can be a solitary road. Metaphysics, the exploration of consciousness, and electrical theory often fall into this niche category, revered by some as the pinnacle of intellectual and spiritual quests, yet regarded by many as esoteric corners best left unexplored.

It’s true that individuals drawn to metaphysical studies or the enigma of consciousness, or even enlightened electricians, find little company in their pursuit. They are not the usual suspects who crowd the glossy pages of magazines or populate the trending feeds on social media. These are the thinkers, the philosophers, the ones whose questions dig deeper than the latest celebrity gossip or fashion trend.

But since when has popularity become the measure of an interest’s worth? Societal favor is often fleeting and fickle, subject to the whims of cultural currents and mass appeal. Yet, the worth of a subject like consciousness should not be tallied by its number of followers, but by its capacity to challenge and expand our understanding of the very fabric of existence.

Those contemplative souls, electricians or otherwise,  who wander through the corridors of metaphysical thought and consciousness are, in fact, undertaking a journey far more significant than they’re credited for. While not swathed in the glow of mainstream approval, these adventurers into the unknown territories of human thought are at the vanguard of the mind’s capabilities.

Such explorations can lead to profound personal transformation—awakening to new perspectives on life, death, and the interconnectedness of all things—experiences that often lack immediate utility in the materialistic measurements of our society, but in the grand scheme of things, foster a deeper appreciation for the mystery of life.

What’s paramount to remember is that some of the most pivotal figures in history were once on the outskirts of societal norms. Galileo Galilei, Carl Jung, and even the contemporaries like Stanislav Grof who spearheaded the field of transpersonal psychology, were not defined by their popularity. Instead, they pushed boundaries and expanded our collective horizons.

The pursuit of understanding reality and consciousness contributes to the diversity and richness of human cognition and culture. Such inquiry offers alternate lenses through which to view our existence, prompting innovation and growth. These contributions may be intangible or difficult to quantify, but they ripple through the collective psyche, inspiring new art, philosophies, and scientific revelations.

It would be short-sighted to dismiss the explorers of the immaterial as mere outliers. Their pursuits call into question the solidity of our assumptions and provide the emotional and spiritual counterbalance to a world obsessed with tangible gains and social status.

It’s high time society reconceptualizes ‘popularity’ within a broader context. History has shown time and again that today’s oddities could be tomorrow’s orthodoxies. The intrepid few, who steer away from the safety of the mainstream to ponder the great mysteries, deserve not side-glances, but our respect and implicit endorsement, for they have chosen a path that enriches the human experience—adding color, depth, and meaning to our shared reality.

While the realms of metaphysics, consciousness, and electrical theory and practice may never claim the center stage of public adoration, their significance is undiminished. To weigh the value of a pursuit by its popularity is to miss the forest for the trees. It is through these often undervalued domains that some may find their most transformative experiences and insights, compelling society forward in silent, yet profound, ways.

Add to Introduction?–Navigating the Labyrinth of Human Experience

In the labyrinth of human experience, there are threads of identity woven into the tapestry of our lives; each one vibrant, each one significant. I find myself entranced by the interconnectedness of these strands, appreciating the rich complexity they lend to our existence. We are, each of us, an amalgamation of stories, experiences, and beliefs. To truly explore the depth of our being, we must grapple with our identity, confront the specter of religiously instilled shame, process trauma, and weave a path towards healing while maintaining the resilience to face opposition from social norms, explore our brain’s remarkable, tumultuous seas, understand the legacy of our ancestors, decipher the mystery of language and consciousness, and finally, seek the solace of spirituality and the nurturing touch of our Mother Earth.

At the crux of human existence lies the enigma of identity – an expansive universe encapsulated within every individual. Our identity is not static but a constellation of elements in a constant state of flux. It is the collective whispers of our past, the echo of our choices, and the shadow of what we yearn to become. Yet, for many, the discovery and acceptance of this inner cosmos are fraught with challenges.

I have grappled with the conflicts of my identity, forged in the crucible of a past haunted by religiously instilled shame. It manifested as an invisible web, tangling my thoughts, poisoning my self-image, and seeping into my relationships. Unraveling this tapestry required a Herculean effort; a hero’s journey into the recesses of my soul to reclaim my narrative from the dogmas that sought to bind it.

The story of us does not begin with our birth but is a chapter in an epic novel, the script of which was written by our ancestors. Their lives, battles, and wisdom are etched into our collective subconscious, influencing the way we see the world and the beliefs we hold dear.

Our ancestral heritage shapes our individual and collective identities, and understanding it is paramount. It is a stream that runs beneath the surface, acknowledged not by sight but by the gardens it nourishes. In the age of quick assumptions and instant conclusions, we must strive to unearth our roots with reverence and curiosity.

Our brains, the curious stewards of our being, are brilliant and bewildering instruments. Within the folds of this organ lies the power to heal and, paradoxically, the propensity for haunting trauma. Each synaptic leap charts a course, steering us either towards a luminous dawn of understanding or into the tempestuous night of psychological distress.

The limitation of the brain is as profound as its capacity. It is a fortress of our defenses, the architect of our walls, yet it is also the scribe of our liberation. The odyssey of trauma and healing is a treacherous one, laden with illusory sirens and the jagged rocks of distress. To tread this path, one must exercise a tenacity and a bravery that is unassailable and unyielding.

Language and consciousness are perhaps the most formidable tools at our disposal. Through language, we mold the intangible into the tangible, giving shape to the amorphous reservoirs of thought. It is a bridge connecting minds across the ages, transcending time and physical boundaries.

Consciousness is the candle that illuminates the caverns of our soul, guiding us to realize and acknowledge our experiences. It is the intersection where existence and essence converge, allowing us to recognize that we are not alone in our labyrinth but are sharing this profound human condition.

In our quest for understanding, we turn to spirituality. It is the key to unlocking the door to a higher understanding of our existence. The journeys of the soul are not measured in miles but in the vastness of our experiences and the depth of the wisdom we gain from them.

The soil of spirituality is fertile with the possibilities to reconnect with something greater than ourselves. It offers a refuge from the empirical certainty and an insight into the enigmatic divine, illuminating a path towards meaning and purpose in a world where such notions are scarce and precious.

In the cacophony of life, Mother Earth’s voice is muffled, her teachings forgotten. She is not merely a stage for our dramas but a participant, a muse, a source of solace. For to be human is to be kin to the soil, intertwined with the cycle of life and death that she orchestrates so effortlessly.

Our connection to the earth is more than a thread; it is a lifeline, an umbilicus that nourishes us. Through rekindling this relationship, we discover a moral compass that points towards sustainability and reverence for life in all its forms.

Our human experience is a continuum, an infinite loop of creation and contemplation. To unveil its truths, we must engage with these pivotal aspects. By doing so, we not only enrich our own story but contribute to the grand narrative of humanity. As we stand on the precipice of our collective future, it is the exploration and understanding of the self that will guide our way forward.

Chapter Two:  Embracing a Unified View of Existence

What if I told you that the key to living life more meaningfully wasn’t out there in the world to be discovered but rather waiting to be unlocked from long-ignored or hidden chambers within our minds?

What if I proposed to you that every glance we cast at another, every feeling that bubbles within us, and every dream that materializes in our minds are mere reflections or portals to the understanding of our existence at wider frequencies of being?

Could we entertain such musings or just promptly dismiss them as whimsy?

   If you are still with me, imagine, for a brief moment, that the universe is a grand mirror, reflecting back to us infinite versions of our character and truths. This statement is not a mere metaphor; it’s a radical shift in perspective that reveals all interconnected vibrations in the cosmos. This compelling truth transcends cultural, religious, and physical barriers to unite all aspects of existence under a single, profound understanding. This phenomenon, the crux of personal and planetary evolution, is Unity Consciousness, the broadest spectrum of being that life can be lived within. It is more than a philosophical concept; it is a key that opens our minds to acknowledge life’s sanctity, embody empathy and compassion, and discover that, at our core, we are all united.

   Engaging with life on its widest frequency entails thoroughly reimagining the boundaries we’ve constructed around our consciousness. Throughout history, humanity has erected countless illusory perceptual walls, the misconceived notions of separation that have only served to divide us. Climate change, inequality, and conflict are symptoms of a fragmented world that peers at a cracked mirror, refusing to acknowledge the reflections of its actions. We can look beyond all such cracked mirrors and walls to see the universe, nature, Mother Earth, and each other not as distinct entities or verbal constructs but as interweaving threads of the same cosmic tapestry. The wind that rustles the leaves, the stars that alight the night sky, and the stranger who saunters by; all are expressions of the creative energy of the cosmos, of which we, too, are a part. To acknowledge this unity is to truly see, feel, and exist on a wider life frequency of undivided wonder and mutual respect.

   The advantages of this expansive worldview are not just philosophical but deeply practical. When we accept the interconnectedness of all, personal growth becomes a communal endeavor. Our capacity for empathy flourishes as every story, smile, and tear feels like our own. It’s not just an altruistic pursuit; it’s a selfish one, for we heal ourselves in healing our perceptions of others. The implications extend beyond the Self to the very fabric of our global society. It invites us to reevaluate the systems we have constructed and to aspire to a world where unity is not a novel aspiration but a foundational truth. This perspective provides a framework through which we can address our planet’s myriad challenges. From climate change and economic disparity to social injustice, living on a wider frequency is the impetus for transformative action that acknowledges the interconnected nature of these issues and seeks solutions that unify rather than divide.

   The effects of our spiritual awakening are as profound on us as they are on the collective. In recognizing our connection with the myriad facets of existence, we also become aware of the power and responsibility each of us holds. This awareness is the impetus for personal growth, as it cultivates a sense of intrinsic worth and identity that is not anchored in isolation but in collaboration. Through this higher consciousness, we find our purpose and drive not in the pursuit of singular success but in the elevation of the entire human experience. The benefits of adopting a unified view of existence and consciousness thus go beyond enhanced personal awareness and serenity by extending to the transformation of society. It’s in this recognition of interconnectedness that we find solutions to our world’s most pressing challenges.

   Living authentically becomes a natural byproduct of this awareness. Authenticity ceases to battle with external judgments but becomes a dialogue with our essence. The masks we wear, the fears we harbor, the stories we have created of ourselves and others that we often hide within, they all become apparent as projections of the Self, and illusions that can be dispelled. Societal pressure urges us to play the hero, the victim, the sage, or the clown. It is time to discard these roles and live as the narrators of our lives instead. To hold the pen and shape our stories with an understanding that every detail, nuance, and character is merely a facet of the Self. Living in this manner is the highest form of liberation, for it is a complete acceptance of the Self—an assertion that every wave in the ocean of existence is unique and one with the sea. It’s an invitation to dance with life in unison, to sing in harmony with the grand, cosmic chorus. It is the authentic life, the conducted symphony of our creation.

   The incorporation of this understanding into our daily lives is a lifelong practice. It’s the small choices we make, the forgiveness we offer, the gratitude we maintain, and the love we spread. Living life on the widest frequency of being is a commitment to continuous growth, unlearning the separateness taught to us, and drawing back the veil to reveal our shared, collective existence. When we perceive kindness or cruelty in another, we witness not separate entities but tuning forks that resonate at similar frequencies. To honestly know oneself is to understand that the entire gamut of our human experience, personal or collective, is part and parcel of our being. There need be no more turning away from the suffering of others, so by recognizing this, we can extend compassion and grace to all manifestations of the Self, thus perpetuating a cycle of love and understanding.

My call to action is simple yet profound. Wherever our gaze wanders, we can see ourselves. In every laugh, tear, triumph, and tragedy, recognize the echoes of our soul. Nurturing the interconnectedness of all that is and all that we are is not just a belief system; it’s a reclamation of our innate unity. 

I encourage the reader to contemplate this book’s message with an open heart and mind. By living life on the widest frequency, we do not forfeit our individuality or autonomy but elevate them to their most authentic expressions. By recognizing the unity in all we perceive, we secure personal fulfillment and offer the world a blueprint for a brighter, more harmonious future. It is through living life on a broader frequency that we find strength. And through this awakening, we, as a species, will rise to meet the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.

All that I see, and could ever see, unto eternity, is my ever-expanding Self.

Are you ready to live life on the widest frequency of being?

Let’s go!

Navigating the Labyrinth of Human Experience

In the labyrinth of human experience, there are threads of identity woven into the tapestry of our lives, each vibrant and significant. I find myself entranced by the interconnectedness of these strands, appreciating the rich complexity they lend to our existence. We are, each of us, an amalgamation of stories, experiences, and beliefs. To truly explore the depth of our being, we must grapple with our identity, confront the specter of religiously instilled shame, process trauma, and weave a path towards healing while maintaining the resilience to face opposition from social norms, explore our brain’s remarkable, tumultuous seas, understand the legacy of our ancestors, decipher the mystery of language and consciousness, and finally, seek the solace of spirituality and the nurturing touch of our Mother Earth.

At the crux of human existence lies the enigma of identity – an expansive universe encapsulated within every individual. Our identity is not static but a constellation of elements in a constant state of flux. It is the collective whispers of our past, the echo of our choices, and the shadow of what we yearn to become. Yet, for many, the discovery and acceptance of this inner cosmos are fraught with challenges.

I have grappled with the conflicts of my identity, forged in the crucible of a past haunted by familial, interpersonal, and religiously instilled shame. It manifested as an invisible web, tangling my thoughts, poisoning my self-image, and seeping into my relationships. Unraveling this tapestry required a Herculean effort, a hero’s journey into the recesses of my soul to reclaim my narrative from the wounds and dogmas that sought to bind it.

The story of us does not begin with our birth but is a chapter in an epic novel, the script of which was written by our ancestors. Their lives, battles, and wisdom are etched into our collective subconscious, influencing the way we see the world and the beliefs we hold dear.

Our ancestral heritage shapes our individual and collective identities, and understanding it is paramount. It is a stream that runs beneath the surface, acknowledged not by sight but by the gardens it nourishes. In the age of quick assumptions and instant conclusions, we must strive to unearth our roots with reverence and curiosity.

Our brains, the curious stewards of our being, are brilliant and bewildering instruments. Within the folds of this organ lies the power to heal and, paradoxically, the propensity for haunting trauma. Each synaptic leap charts a course, steering us either towards a luminous dawn of understanding or into the tempestuous night of psychological distress.

The limitation of the brain is as profound as its capacity. It is a fortress of our defenses, the architect of our walls, yet it is also the scribe of our liberation. The odyssey of trauma and healing is a treacherous one, laden with illusory sirens and the jagged rocks of distress. To tread this path, one must exercise a tenacity and a bravery that is unassailable and unyielding.

Language and consciousness are perhaps the most formidable tools at our disposal. Through language, we mold the intangible into the tangible, giving shape to the amorphous reservoirs of thought. It is a bridge connecting minds across the ages, transcending time and physical boundaries.

Consciousness is the candle that illuminates the caverns of our soul, guiding us to realize and acknowledge our experiences. It is the intersection where existence and essence converge, allowing us to recognize that we are not alone in our labyrinth but are sharing this profound human condition.

In our quest for understanding, we turn to spirituality. It is the key to unlocking the door to a higher understanding of our existence. The journeys of the soul are not measured in miles but in the vastness of our experiences and the depth of the wisdom we gain from them.

The soil of spirituality is fertile with the possibilities to reconnect with something greater than ourselves. It offers a refuge from the empirical certainty and an insight into the enigmatic divine, illuminating a path towards meaning and purpose in a world where such notions are scarce and precious.

In the cacophony of life, Mother Earth’s voice is muffled, her teachings forgotten. She is not merely a stage for our dramas but a participant, a muse, a source of solace. For to be human is to be kin to the soil, intertwined with the cycle of life and death that she orchestrates so effortlessly.

Our connection to the earth is more than a thread; it is a lifeline, an umbilicus that nourishes us. Through rekindling this relationship, we discover a moral compass that points towards sustainability and reverence for life in all its forms.

Our human experience is a continuum, an infinite loop of creation and contemplation. To unveil its truths, we must engage with these pivotal aspects. By doing so, we not only enrich our own story but contribute to the grand narrative of humanity. As we stand on the precipice of our collective future, it is the exploration and understanding of the self that will guide our way forward.

Harnessing Electrical Theory to Illuminate the Enigma of Consciousness

The human mind, an intricate tapestry of thoughts, emotions, and experiences, remains one of the greatest enigmas at the heart of our very existence. Consciousness, the intimate sense of self-awareness that characterizes our every waking moment, cannot be palpated, quantified, or dissected, yet it’s as real as the air we breathe. Many have embarked on the Herculean task of demystifying consciousness, wielding an armory of theories from the abstract to the scientifically tangible. Within this quest, I see the integration of electrical theory as a helpful and formidable lens through which we can examine the kaleidoscopic nature of consciousness.

Drawing parallels between the human mind and electrical constructs is more than a mere intellectual indulgence; it’s an acknowledgment of the underlying and overlapping principles that govern both realms. The brain’s neural pathways echo the intricate wiring of a circuit board, with billions of neurons firing in patterned sequences much like currents coursing through a predefined circuit. Synapses, akin to electric connections, function as conduits of information, empowering the mind to perform feats that parallel a supercomputer’s prowess yet with an elegance and efficiency that technology strives to emulate.

Why, then, should the field of electrical engineering—a domain steeped in the mastery of currents, circuits, and connectivity—be sidelined in our dialogue on consciousness? The reality is that electrical theory offers a referential understanding that resonates with our empirical observations of the world. It speaks a language that is inherently familiar to us, a narrative steeped in energy, flow, resistance, and potential. And who better to expound upon these correlations than someone with an electrical background, for whom these concepts are not abstract, but rather elemental to their very thinking?

There’s an alluring symmetry in how we discuss ideas and electricity in metaphorical tandem. We talk about the ‘spark’ of inspiration, the ‘current’ of thoughts, or the ‘shock’ of realization. These are not merely poetic flourishes; they are testaments to how the behavior of electricity mirrors our cognitive processes. Just as electricity requires a conducive medium to propagate, so too does consciousness thrive on the rich substrate of our minds, channeling through dendritic networks to give birth to innovation and insight.

Furthermore, consider how we use resistors within electrical circuits to moderate and control the flow of current, preventing damage and allowing for precise operation. Similarly, our brains employ neurotransmitters as regulators of synaptic activity, modulating thought and reaction, insulating against the cacophony of stimuli and modulating the noise that bombard us incessantly.

Admittedly, consciousness cannot be fully encapsulated within the framework of electrical theory, for it encompasses a spectrum far wider than what such a comparison allows. And yet, this does not diminish the value of exploration through this window. Much like alternating currents, perspectives on consciousness oscillate between disciplines, each offering its own rhythm and wavelength to the symphony of understanding. The polarity of viewpoints—scientific and philosophical, empirical and intuitive—serves not to confound but to enrich our comprehension.

In the grand endeavor to decode consciousness, then, why not harness every conceivable framework at our disposal? Far from being a reductive approach, the application of electrical theory illuminates new facets, challenges preconceived limits, and sparks innovation in thought.  The exploration of consciousness is an iterative process, an evolving circuit of inquiry that grows more profound with each addition to the body of knowledge. Electrical theories contribute to this growth, providing not only structural analogies but also fostering a deeper, systemic understanding of how consciousness may emerge from the ceaseless interplay between energy and matter, signal and response.

As we chart the unknown territories of the human psyche, it seems not only reasonable but critical to recognize and appreciate the insights offered by electrical theory. It is through the synthesis of diverse perspectives that we inch closer to the core of this great enigma. The circuitry of the mind beckons—and with each theoretical and metaphorical connection we draw, the brighter the light of comprehension shines on the shadowy realm of consciousness.

And remember, as far as we now see, or will ever see, unto eternity, is ourselves. As we witness electrical theory in action, we witness aspects of the workings of our minds and their self-concepts as they play against the background of our infinite universe..  This same principle extends from electrical all the way to quantum theory, where we see not only how capable we are now, but also how amazing we can become in the future..

Words are to Electrons, as Current is to Sentences

Like the charged particles that swarm within the lattice of an electrical conductor, words burst with potential as they form sentences, such as the coiled energy within a magnetic field of an electromagnet. I have found that there are parallels between linguistic expression and electrical conduction, and I now relate the two on a fundamental level that affects the very fabric of our consciousness.

Consider individual words as electrons, each carrying a charge, albeit one of emotional or informational value. Just as an electrical current is comprised of countless electrons, the power of language lies in the cumulative effect of words linking in a sequence. These linguistic currents, comprising streams of words, create a flow of intent that can either access and express a potential for shared intelligence or short-circuit understanding.

When words are strung into sentences, a process akin to electric conduction takes place. Sentences are the linguistic current, propelling the stream of thought with the deliberate push and pull of grammar and structure. Much like the transformation of electrical energy in wiring, sentences carry the thought from point A to point B, but the ‘B’ is often a higher concept, a conclusion or an enlightenment aerated in the final syntax.

The human consciousness can be likened to the stored energy within an electromagnetic field. Just as an electrical field contains and shapes the energy around it, consciousness wrangles the myriad currents of thought into coherent and actionable fields. It is the energy of consciousness that gives rise to expression, allowing us to broadcast our mental understanding with precision.  This parallel carries a weighty assertion: just as the energy within an electromagnetic field is capable of influencing other fields, so too can our conscious energy—our expressed thought and feeling—influence the thoughts and feelings of others, on scales vast and intimately small.

Words, and the sentences they create, are not merely tools for communication; they are the vessels of our souls, carrying the current of our being’s energy. Each word choice, each semantic pathway, is also a choice in how regal we intend to communicate, how potent and weighty the charge we deliver. Language, therefore, isn’t just the vehicle of thought; it is also the boundless horizon that thought travels toward.

The profound nature of language and expression encompasses more than just the mechanical act of communication. It reveals the very undercurrents of human interaction and understanding, demonstrating that the syntactic choices we make are as influential and charged as a coursing electrical circuit. By becoming conscious of language’s electric power, we can shape not just our words but the very fields of interaction that radiate around us.

The Electrical Circuit of Group Learning

Electricity and education are not often found in the same sentence, but their underlying principles share an uncanny resemblance. To borrow from the parlance of physics, teaching to a group can be likened to impressing a voltage on parallel electrical circuits, where the energy source – the teacher – powers numerous receivers or participants. In contrast, there’s another form of educational energy exchange, akin to a series electrical circuit, where each member contributes, amplifying the voltage collectively.

Understanding these parallels can shed light on the dynamics of group learning, illuminating the need for a balanced approach that leverages the strengths of both types of circuits. In a world where collaboration and co-creation are increasingly valued, this exploration is not just academic; it’s a practical guidepost for educators and learners alike.

The traditional teacher-to-student approach resembles a parallel circuit. The teacher serves as the source voltage, with knowledge and expertise flowing to students as potential differences. This model, characterized by a unilateral transfer of power, has long been the linchpin of formal education.

There are clear benefits to this paradigm. The teacher, acting as a bottleneck for information, ensures a cohesive and structured learning experience. Students, in turn, receive a standardized voltage, providing a baseline education across the board. It’s a system optimized for efficiency and clarity – qualities that have, for better or worse, become synonymous with a quality education.

Yet, just as in an electrical system, there are limitations to this model. The voltage supplied by the teacher rarely exceeds the source voltage, meaning that individual bursts of energy or insights from students are often dampened or underutilized. In this setup, the capacity for students to innovate, think critically, and contribute to the shared educational current is somewhat stifled. The parallel circuit, therefore, is not conducive to fostering the divergent thought and individual growth so crucial in today’s rapidly evolving knowledge economy.

In contrast, the ‘series’ circuit of education underscores a paradigm shift from teacher-centric to a more collaborative one. Here, knowledge is co-constructed as opposed to being transmitted, with every participant contributing to and hence, amplifying the educational voltage.

Under this circuit, every learner becomes a source of energy, pedaling the educational bicycle forward. Discussion, debate, and collaborative projects become the conduits through which the group’s intellectual energy is harnessed and multiplied. Students, in essence, become both receptors and transmitters, creating an educational experience that is as dynamic and diverse as the students themselves.

This approach fosters an environment where teamwork, innovation, and diverse perspectives are not only valued but are essential components of the educational experience. By allowing the voltage to rise through the combined effort of the group, the series circuit encourages the development of critical thinking, communication skills, and adaptability – qualities that are increasingly becoming the hallmarks of a successful and well-rounded education.

Balancing the Load: A Hybrid Educational Approach

Despite the merits of both circuits, the binary choice between parallel and series is artificial and limiting. What’s needed is a hybrid approach, one that recognizes the value of structured teaching while also harnessing the power of collaborative learning. It’s about striking a balance that respects the expertise of the teacher but also empowers students to be active participants in their learning process.

In practical terms, this balance could be realized through ‘flipped classrooms,’ where students engage with instructional content outside of class and come together to collaborate, discuss, and apply concepts with the guidance of their teacher. It may also involve project-based learning, where students take the lead in their educational journeys, with educators serving as facilitators of inquiry and discovery.

By leveraging the strengths of both circuits, we can create a learning environment that is not only efficient and structured but also dynamic and adaptable. Students, in such a system, are not just recipients of knowledge but creators of it, contributing to and shaping the collective current of their educational experience.

My own spiritual path has been a testament to the power of integrating parallel and series circuits in group learning. I recall classes where a teacher’s passionate lecture electrified the room, infusing students with a palpable sense of wonder and curiosity. Equally memorable were collaborative projects. group discussions, and meditations that led to a voltage spike in our collective understanding, as we engaged deeply with one another’s ideas and perspectives.

These varied experiences underscore the richness that comes from educational diversity – the interplay between different learning modes and philosophies that can transform a mere transfer of knowledge into an energetic interexchange. Through academic oscillations between parallel and series circuits, I’ve come to appreciate that it is not the source of the voltage that counts, but the amplitude and direction of the shared current.

As we surge into an increasingly interconnected and complex world, the parallels between education, spiritual and electricity become more than mere metaphors. They serve as blueprints for a more inclusive and energizing learning environment where everyone contributes to the voltage, lighting the way forward. It’s time to rewire our educational systems, not just to supply power but to amplify the shared current.

Educators and students alike must take up the mantle of electricians, understanding the circuits that underpin group learning and designing systems that facilitate an expansive and equitable educational experience. Just as a series circuit can amplify electricity, so too can a collaborative and diversified approach to learning amplify knowledge, skills, and ultimately, human potential. In striking this balance, we ensure that the lights of discovery, innovation, and progress never dim, but shine brighter than ever before.

Balancing Parallel and Series Learning for Optimal Personal and Community Development

In a world where learning is increasingly individualized, the power of community and collaboration should not be forgotten. This piece advocates for the balance between self-driven “parallel learning” and communal “series learning,” which can lead to personal and collective developmental leaps that neither learning method could achieve in isolation.

In the realm of knowledge acquisition, two contrasting forces shape the way we understand and grow. Picture two circuits – one wired in parallel, the other in series. In a parallel circuit, the full potential of the source is available at each appliance. Similarly, parallel learning allows learners to draw directly from the source of knowledge, tailoring their educational journeys to personal interests and pace. On the other hand, a series circuit accumulates the resistance and capacitates the voltage, enhancing the power of the system. Series learning mimics this as communities work together, harnessing individual skills to achieve collective excellence.

Both learning styles have merit and their own set of advantages. What remains essential is not seeing them as opposing choices but as complementary elements that, when balanced, form a conductor capable of delivering powerful intellectual currents.

The Case for Parallel Learning:  Self-Paced Education

One of the most alluring aspects of parallel learning is the ability to progress at one’s own pace, free from the constraints of a group’s average speed. Educational platforms and resources today cater to the diverse learning needs of individuals, providing the flexibility to accelerate or decelerate according to personal understanding and engagement. Autodidacts find freedom and empowerment in this model, crafting their education without being held back or pushed forward.

In the realm of personal development, parallel learning is unmatched. It allows for self-exploration and self-direction, leading to a richer understanding of one’s capabilities and interests. When learners are empowered to seek knowledge that resonates with them, they are more likely to engage deeply and to apply new skills and insights to their lives. This type of learning can be deeply transformational, shaping individuals not only academically but also emotionally and spiritually.

The Power of Series Learning:  Collective Wisdom

The beauty of learning in series is the aggregation of varied perspectives and skill sets that occur when individuals come together. Group discussions, mentorship, and collaborative projects leverage the collective wisdom, generating insights that surpass the capabilities of any single contributor. This model is particularly potent in tackling complex problems and in fields where creativity flourishes in the cross-pollination of ideas.

Communal learning environments also serve as robust support systems. They provide accountability, motivation, and scaffolding, ensuring that learners have the resources needed to overcome challenges and succeed. In series learning, the progress of one member benefits the entire group, fostering a spirit of community and shared achievement.

Finding Balance:  The Hybrid Edge

A truly effective learning ecosystem recognizes the power of both parallel and series learning. It encourages individual initiative and exploration while also valuing the collaboration and interaction that come with communal environments. Schools, organizations, and platforms that successfully maintain this balance provide the best of both worlds: self-discovery and community enrichment. They foster not only talented individuals but also cohesive, high-functioning teams.

The balance between parallel and series learning is context-dependent. In highly specialized fields, where individual expertise is paramount, parallel learning may be more prevalent. Meanwhile, series learning thrives in interdisciplinary settings, where the combination of diverse talents yields innovative solutions. Recognizing which approach best suits a given situation is the mark of a responsive and mature education system.

Silicon Valley serves as a beacon for balanced learning. Its culture values individual ingenuity and the exchange of knowledge and experience. The rapid cycles of innovation also make it a veritable playground for parallel learning, with constant updates and personal learning journeys, all while the industry appreciates the importance of teams and the synergy of series learning in the development of complex technologies.

Institutional education traditionally leans more towards series learning, with its emphasis on lectures, group projects, and peer-reviewed research. However, as online platforms become more prevalent, parallel learning is finding its niche in scholarly pursuits. Students and researchers can now explore tangential interests, away from the confines of their prescribed curriculums.

Ultimately, the narrative of parallel versus series learning is not a battleground for one approach to defeat the other. It is about integrating these two learning styles to create an educational network that can adapt to complex challenges and promote holistic growth. As we move into a future of rapid technological advancement, we should remember the timeless potential of human connection and shared experiences. By harnessing the benefits of parallel and series learning in harmonious interplay, we can illuminate the path forward for personal and community development. This balance is the key to unlocking the full voltage of human learning.

The Yin and Yang of Meditation: Group vs. Solitude in Unveiling Inner Realms

Meditation; a practice once confined to monks in the sanctity of cloistered silence, now touted by health gurus and tech tycoons alike for its profound effects on well-being. Within this ancient meditative tapestry lies an ongoing debate – is it the collective ritual that amplifies the experience, or the solitary routine that etches the deepest grooves in our consciousness? With four decades of personal exploration, I’ve navigated the tranquil waters of both group and individual practice, finding not a battle for supremacy but a symbiotic relationship necessary for my own holistic growth.

My initiation into the enigmatic domain of group meditation occurred because of a desire to share spiritual bridges with others. In the beginning, it felt as if the facilitator’s calm words were the very life rafts preventing my drifting consciousness from faltering and surrendering to the relentless chatter of the mind. The stark paradox of group meditation is that while it begins as a parallel experience, it builds upon collective energy in ways that can surpass each individual’s effort. There’s an undeniable power in the synchronicity of breath, the resonance of chanting, if any, and the shared tranquility that permeates the room. Yet, such heights are transient if they fail to seed action toward individual cultivation.

Akin to the hermit crab withdrawing into the serenity of its own shell, my experience of solo meditation was not without its retreats and advances. At first, the lack of silence was disheartening. But as my practice deepened, so did the well of peace I discovered within. With no facilitator to guide, the onus of direction and depth rested solely on my awareness. This autonomy was empowering, and the insights garnered seemed to resonate more profoundly, perhaps due to the absence of external stimuli. I realized that my meditative path was intricate and unique, much like fingerprints or the spiraling galaxies above.

To claim superiority for one approach over the other is to ignore the fluidity of the human experience. It is possible to become so enamored with the collective dance that the individual practice wanes, or so steadfast in solitude that one forgets the dance at all. Through my winding exploration, it became clear that balance was the linchpin to unlock the true potential of meditation. Group sessions serve as reminders – mirrors of our shared struggles and aspirations. They bestow energy like a crowd to a performer; they witness and uplift. On the other hand, the solace of personal meditation offers a still canvas where one can paint their deepest fears, dreams, and truths, free from the noise of external expectation.

The burgeoning cults of individualism and community both bear a fragment of truth. While I cannot dispute the uplift that fellowship meditation provides, I equally revere the silent power of the individual’s inner quest. The threadbare truth that binds them is this – in a world striving for harmony, there is room for both the chorus and the whisper.

We are sculptors of the soul, tasked with chiseling the marble of our potential. Group meditation acts as a craftsman’s school, raw and full of diverse influence, while solitary practice offers the studio, where intimate artistry can be unbound. To limit oneself to either is to deny the color of the full spectrum. My meditation is now a blend of the teachings I’ve absorbed in groups and the unfurling horizons I’ve glimpsed in solitude. It’s a practice reflected in the harmony of waves, rising and falling, each complementing the other in the grand, enduring composition of life.

This looks complete( is this the same as chapters 7-9?)

Chapters 2-4:  Living Life On A Wider Frequency Of Being

“One is never afraid of the unknown; one is afraid of the known coming to an end.” 

― Krishnamurti

Our present-day national consciousness continues to be heavily influenced by the dark energy of propaganda and skewed knowledge, misinterpreted history, racism,patriarchy, toxic masculinity, white male supremacy, Christian Nationalist and fundamentalist-inspired ignorance, hatred and ideologies, misogyny, and xenophobia. I was born and raised under these cultural conditions, and all Americans have been strongly impacted by the human energy spawned from these lower energy levels and understanding. I also come from the class of white male Americans who are now considered to be the most susceptible to anxiety, despair, loneliness, suicide, alcoholism and/or drug dependency, and depression. However, the race and sex that I belong to and the country that I consider to be my home do not have a monopoly on all such spiritual diseases.

My main coping mechanisms for dealing with the darker sides of human consciousness is to practice spiritual healing principles and write about and communicate with others who also share my interest in spirituality and recovery. My path, and the paths of all others, have taken us to unique and valuable viewpoints, so we must find our voice and share our knowledge with each other. Through multitudes of these energy exchanges, we all benefit from each others’ experiences and contribute to forming a more self-aware, peaceful, and healing collective consciousness in America. There is a vast spiritual awakening element that has already risen out of their own ignorance and  continues to capture the imagination and attention of many oppressed and repressed Americans who are now seeking healing changes in their lives.

Understanding the internal headlights that our minds use to search for knowledge and truth is essential. The unenlightened mind tends to create self-fulfilling predictions and prophecies, so for us to look at that which looks will bring unique insights and enhance our potential for dramatic change and healing experiences. What types of information really are or aren’t important? Which attitudes, understanding, and knowledge lead to measures of wisdom and freedom from our inhibiting and restrictive knowns, especially in situations where our knowledge conflicts with the truth? As a long-term practitioner of mindfulness, mysticism, and personal inventory, as well as an unintentional expert in recovery, toxic masculinity, toxic religion, and toxic capitalism, I have a lot of insight into why the world spins the awkward way it now does. All of my writings now revolve around my knowledge of those subjects.

Most of the male peer groups from my childhood and early adulthood were populated by individuals who were both coarse in interpretation and superficial in the presentation of their lives, and they could have cared less about what I am now writing about or saying. Many of my peers and friends from those days have already died relatively young or continue to practice unhealthy attitudes and dependencies into their later years as a direct result of their unwillingness or inability to delve deeper into the painful traumas and issues, concerns, and mysteries of their lives. Their own personal knowledge of the world can not actualize their healing potential and bring a more profound sense of purpose and meaning to their lives. There is the fear of the unknown, which inhibits the revelation of truth in one’s life. The view does not change too much by staying in the familiar painful ruts. Far too many people stuck in those ruts are unaware that they are engaged in self-defeating attitudes and behaviors or if they are aware, have already given up hope that another life is available for them. Staying in the familiar hell remains the unconscious choice that most suffering people make, keeping loneliness and isolation in the forefront, all the way up to their total disillusionment with life, alienation from others, disease, death, imprisonment, or insanity.

The conscious being has an immense capacity to witness life and then create knowledge, where necessary, around all interactions. It only takes one time getting bitten by a snake and suffering mightily under the influence of its poison to create and share the knowledge that it is vitally important to avoid physical contact with serpents while doing outdoor chores or walking in the desert. The unconscious being also has the same infinite witnessing capacity, yet their choices for how they see themselves and their lives can be so self-limiting to make them prisoners in their homes. In the snakebite situation, a more unconscious person would use the knowledge of the potential damage from snakebite to create fear-based stories that would keep the person behind closed doors, avoiding the outdoors altogether, or even obtaining and carrying a loaded firearm, just in case they need to protect themselves. The “fight or flight” mechanism of our ancient limbic brain may remain engaged indefinitely.  On the other hand, the curious and conscious ones might just walk around the snake, study it, and learn the lessons that the snake offers without fear. This conscious action is inspired by the higher intelligence centers of the brain in the prefrontal and neo cortex regions, and negates the historical impact of the unconscious fight or flight algorithm, a vestigial remnant of an unconscious ancient reptilian component of our brain .

Yet each category of awareness, be it conscious or unconscious, must arise from the same pool of potentiality, where the mystery of collective consciousness and the entrainment of all individual to that group mind creates and maintains the appearance of whatever order and reality that each individual both anticipates and actually experiences. However, even the relatively more conscious ones of the world will still be challenged to find the real truth behind each new situation that presents itself to awareness.

It has been said in certain contest guidelines:

“You must be present to win”.

This is also true as far as knowledge goes. Witnessing an actual event gives whatever story one creates and shares credibility, at least up to the point that the storyteller can be trusted and has been accurate and honest. Listening to the stories of other first-hand witnesses can be beneficial if a personal memory is not available to convey a teaching or a message. A great example is the knowledge fathers pass on to their sons around issues of family philosophy/religion, self-esteem, growing up into manhood and accepting personal responsibility, sexuality, learning to ride a bike or drive a car, and future community involvement. Our teenage years showed how poor of listeners we can become as we search out our own unique lessons. Parents, teachers, children, and students learn that the less experiential the teaching, the less the staying power of the message and those who might be influenced by it, so it is essential to keep the listener engaged with all of their senses, if possible.

The printing press opened civilization to more advanced education opportunities, information transfer, and sharing opportunities. The internet has opened humanity up to the potential for the real-time witnessing and sharing of other people’s adventures and learning experiences, almost without limits. Watching a multi-media presentation will carry more potential meaning and information to the higher intelligence centers of the brain than just a meme or soundbite, which arouses the base areas of the brain where fear, pleasure, and pain are most prone to rule. There is always a sufficient amount of information available, but there is always a question about the accuracy of the information and how it is to be presented.

Several decades ago, Saudi Oil Minister Sheikh Yamani gained recognition for his insight into global development:

“The Stone Age did not end for lack of stone, and the Oil Age will end long before the world runs out of oil.”

Today, we live in what many call the Information Age, and we are in no danger of running out of information, particularly in data form. There is a general perception that we are overwhelmed with data, making the ability to store, process, analyze, interpret, consume, and act upon that data a primary concern. There are infinite streams of information available, yet most information may have little or no use to our discerning, conscious minds. However, there is so much more to reality than what just greets the eye and appears on the screens of our cellphones and/or computer monitors. Scientists, mathematicians, theologians, artists, philosophers, enlightened politicians, and Google algorithm writers continue to struggle toward some unknown destination that our collective search for truth continues to guide us toward as a human race. The exponential increase in available information does little to settle the “truth,” let alone in which direction its search may best be conducted. The truth will only be found when the mind becomes quiet enough to study itself without any desire other than to see without the burden of the unhealed self.

Information can help us to know why we are ill and which illnesses we have exactly. But wisdom is to know how to heal them.

—Dr. Alberto Villoldo

We need only watch the evening news or read any newspaper or magazine to recognize that we are no closer now to a consensus reality than we were before, even with the advent of the internet. Religious and philosophical divisiveness, ego aggrandizement, wealth accumulation, and personal and corporate power are still being celebrated and supported as ideals to pursue by our cultural power brokers, and these principles lead to further propagation of lies, misstatements, half-truths, and illusions, as well as accelerating the destruction of our sacred planet. All people who follow these ignoble paths have no actual knowledge of their fundamental selves, nor would they possess this knowledge about the other people in their worlds. Thus, they have limited access to the truth, and their communication styles reveal ignorance.

Can truth and love be reduced to a series of binary decisions? Where does our reliance on technology connect with a search for truth? Search engines now serve you what they think you are looking for. They know your identity and, more importantly, your online consumer preferences. They know how you are looking for things, as well as how you search for news, companies, products, etc. Plus, they know each user’s zip code and local geography. Search engines are getting better and smarter at knowing YOU and what’s new and old in your micro-locale daily. A quick type into Google, and you are being fed more information and the foundation for yet another illusion, with just another photograph of or written interpretation of a past that never was true. Do you think for one moment that truth, or love, can be reduced to a string of “1s” and “0s” (machine code for programming of computer hardware) or ASCII characters?

The result of “I Love You” in hexadecimal notation based on ASCII code is

49 20 4C 6F 76 65 20 59 6F 75.

In binary notation, it is a string of 80 0’s and 1’s, or

0100100100100100110101101111011101100110010100100000010110010110111101110101

These characters give you a warm, fuzzy feeling, don’t they?

Many types of knowledge actually breed division and separation between human beings. It is easy to tell the difference between ministers, politicians, teachers, teachings, and knowledge just by feeling how their message impacts our hearts within our inner chambers of consciousness. Eventually, the presenters of knowledge and the highest learned truths of the day will only be listened to if they can break through the psychic/spiritual barrier between the mind and the heart while still presenting or preaching their message to others. Did they just bring more information, which we tend to daily saturate our awareness with anyway (Google it!), or did they get the intellect coupled with the heart awareness, where we can experience the promised fruits of deeper connections with all of creation, and, perhaps, experience an increased measure of peace of mind and thus bring more love into our world?

The control of information is something the elite always does, particularly in a despotic form of government. Information and knowledge are power. If you can control information, you can control people.

—Tom Clancy

Understanding what we now consider to be sources of knowledge is all important, as well. With the idea of FAKE NEWS being so casually tossed about these days, it is crucial to keep in mind that fake news has always been with us. It can be traced back to when we first started naming objects and attaching emotional linkages to our observations. Everybody sees things somewhat differently, though similarities outweigh differences by super-substantial amounts. But the human mind tends to focus on the differences and, thus, temporarily accentuate those divisions while examining the objects of its reality, reassembling the new information into its own unique information matrix known as our personalities.

To the more technically inclined, it takes more than cleaning cookies or turning off personalized searches in Google’s Chrome browser to get to the truth. Keep in mind that most of the search algorithms are Capitalist Oriented Male Biased (COMB) computer coding exercises that sort and order the objects of reality based on that slanted mindset. The locations that a person visits and lives in reveal a great deal about them, especially if it is linked to a GPS position calculated by using one’s own phone position. By shaping the menus and the choices we pick from and observing our geographic peers’ collective internet purchases and behaviors, technology then attempts to hijack how we perceive our choices and replace them with new ones that the ad-purchasing merchants may be promoting. But the closer we pay attention to the options we’re given, the more we’ll notice when they don’t align with our actual needs. Their surreptitious collection and use in ad targeting can pave the way to harmful ads, target people when they are vulnerable, or enable harassment and discrimination. The issue of privacy can become particularly acute when there’s the presumption or wish for confidentiality – say, during a therapist visit or at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.

I see COMB-overs as having run their course, with the need to be balanced with a more feminine, humane perspective. If we all want that biased mindset, we will continue to trust and rely upon Google and most other search engines to order our reality. It should be more than a little concerning to know that many of the same values our former President Trump touts as his own are built into these algorithmic formulas.

In an era where information is at our fingertips, yet wisdom appears out of reach for the majority, the quest for truth has never been more pertinent. The concept of collective consciousness and the illusory nature of reality prompts us to peer beyond the veil of widespread beliefs and societal norms to uncover what is genuine and authentic. Collective consciousness refers to the shared beliefs, ideas, and moral attitudes that operate as a unifying force within society. But what happens when these shared beliefs are a product of misinformation or mass hypnosis? The wise ones explore the intricate layers between perception and reality. This results in a roadmap for spiritual seekers, conscious living enthusiasts, and truth seekers to navigate the complex web of common knowledge and propaganda.

The term Maya, often interpreted as illusion or ignorance, challenges us to consider the extent to which our perception of reality is skewed by subjective experiences and societal conditioning.  

As spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle states, 

“The world can only change from within.” 

If so, what hope is there to have for religions practicing idolatry and low self-awareness and cultures drinking from the polluted troughs of fear, political extremism, and rampant materialism? As individuals, we must recognize the filters that color our view of the world and see beyond them to face the truth, no matter how difficult it might be to accept. History reveals that mass hypnosis has swayed societies through emotionally charged propaganda and influential rhetoric. Reflecting on World War II propaganda, post-911 American anti-Muslim hysteria, and the present-day cult of Donald Trump by members of what once was the Republican Party, we witness the power of narratives in mobilizing nations and shaping perspectives, often leading to unquestioned collective beliefs and highly questionable or insane actions.

Marianne Williamson advocates for the power of love and independent thought to dissolve falsehoods. 

“Love is what we were born with. Fear is what we learned here,” 

She encourages scrutiny of the mainstream narratives that drive our collective fears and all their subsequent actions.

In seeking truth, knowledge is our ally. Its power lies in its capacity to catalyze personal growth and shape reality by enlightening our minds and fostering informed decisions. This pursuit often leads to breakthroughs both personally and within the wider collective.

Deepak Chopra wisely counsels us to look within as much as we look outside: 

“In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you.” 

To discern truth amidst the noise, we must embrace skepticism towards mainstream channels and venture into a judicious exploration of diverse viewpoints while remaining acutely aware of our biases and woundedness. 

   Maintaining an open mind and consciously seeking truth are intellectual exercises and transformative practices. As we sharpen our critical thinking and learn to discriminate between fact and fiction, we contribute not only to our own awareness but also to the collective consciousness. In the unfaltering search for truth, let us be guided by collaboration, healing intentions, spiritual insight, and intellectual rigor to foster a world where collective consciousness evolves through authenticity, informed awareness, and enlightened action.

   French sociologist Émile Durkheim coined Collective Consciousness over a century ago, but the idea remains highly relevant. It hypothesizes that a form of consciousness emerges from the collaboration and coherence of individual consciousnesses. The feeling of being part of something greater than ourselves—often reported during group activities, whether in music concerts, worship, protests, or conferences—is not just spiritual by nature but also grounded in the tangible reality of our minds working in unison.

   Collective consciousness is an age-old concept percolated through the fabric of numerous civilizations, each offering a nuanced vista of this intricate human experience. In today’s dynamic world, the whispers of ancient wisdom resonate with profound importance, inviting an intimate dance with modern thought. The path of the modern, consciously aware person involves integrating time-honored knowledge with contemporary insights, crafting a harmonious symphony that echoes through our collective being.

   The ancient Hindus envisaged the Universe as a woven tapestry of consciousness, where the individual ‘Atman’ mirrors the universal ‘Brahman.’ This spiritual realization serves as a testament to the interconnectedness of all life, a reminder that our individual actions ripple through the cosmic pond. Integrating these notions into our present milieu, we find a compelling argument for empathy and unity in our diversely globalized society, particularly as we pivot towards more ecologically sensitive lifestyles.

   Greek sages, like Plato, contemplated an ideal whereby individuals share in the wealth of wisdom and strive toward the common good. This pursuit of eudaimonia, or human flourishing, when applied presently, encourages us to foster societies rich in philosophy and science while caring for the well-being of every member. Their pursuit of truth and virtue remains relevant, nudging us towards a world of rational discourse and ethical reflection.

   Early Christianity gave a potent directive: “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” This cornerstone of faith, prevalent in the teachings of Christ, advocates for a radical form of empathy and unity that transcends simple tolerance. In the current age, where divisiveness often seems rife, such a principle could revolutionize our approach to community and cooperation, chiseling paths toward peaceful coexistence. The prophet behind much Christian thinking has much to say about collective consciousness. Have you ever felt an undeniable surge of energy in a crowd or found strength in the shared silence of a group meditation? This sensation, often unexplainable, resonates deeply with a particular teaching from Jesus Christ: 

“If two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:19-20).

   The underlying implications of this message can be profound, especially when we consider the psychological concept of collective consciousness. This powerful assurance from Jesus has been widely embraced in religious and spiritual gatherings as evidence of the divine presence during collaborative practices. But what if this statement holds another layer of truth linked closely to our innate psychological frameworks? Drawing parallels between Jesus’ message and collective consciousness isn’t sacrilege; it explores the common ground between spirituality and psychology. Recognizing a psychological element does not negate the spiritual; it might instead provide a bridge between faith and understanding, where science and spirituality can co-exist without contradiction. His words subtly acknowledge the potency of collective intention—which empowers prayer and amplifies personal meditation within communal practices. This synergy of group dynamics can have transformative power and enhance individual spiritual experiences through the reinforcing energy of others.

   Native American cultures instilled a sacrosanct bond between humankind and the natural world. They understood the Earth as a living entity, a repository of shared consciousness deserving respect and care. As our modern world stands at the brink of environmental crisis, this indigenous wisdom calls for rekindling that bond; it champions sustainable living that honors our collective home and heritage.

   Turning to contemporary luminaries like Thich Nhat Hanh, we’ve tendered insights that blend the ancient with the new. Mindfulness, as promulgated by Hanh, echoes ancestral meditative practices while embracing modern therapeutic approaches, forging a tool for psychological and spiritual wholeness. He has introduced the concept and practice of interbeing, where our responsibility to and experience of ourselves extends to all others. By weaving this with the empirical strides made in psychology, we uncover robust approaches to collective well-being.

   As threads of a sprawling web, where each filament impacts the whole, so too are we—indelibly part of a greater collective. Neither antiquated nor obsolete, the ancient ideologies on collective consciousness are stepping stones to a more profound understanding of our social selves. They expand our moral and empathetic horizons when aligned with modern insights, guiding us to build a more connected and compassionate world. This synthesis of epochs is not about choosing between past and present but about creating a dialogue that honors and learns from both. In this enduring conversation, may we find the wisdom to co-create a tomorrow that is conscious of its ancestry and wise in its progression.

   Examples of this phenomenon are plentiful: from the collective mourning of the 1986 Challenger explosion and a national celebration of our Olympic sports heroes to the local unity experienced during large meditation retreats. Each event is a theater of collective human emotion and intent that transcend individual participation. I’ll never forget the resonance of a shared silence I experienced in a group meditation session led by renowned thinkers like Barbara Marx Hubbard, Mary Boggs, and Jack Boland at the 1987 International New Thought Alliance conference. There was a tangible sense of support, a buoyancy provided by the shared intention that carried us into a deeper state of joy of sharing the group energy. I have been in group meditations with Eckart Tolle, Robert Beatty, Eileen Bowden, and Deepak Chopra, where I had the experience of no longer being a solitary meditator but part of a consolidated force amplifying peace and tranquility that propelled us towards enlightenment. Though I no longer attend church, I have been in gatherings where every person seemed to share one heartbeat, one breath. The collective worship was a profound echo of unity and spiritual resurgence. It kindled my faith and reminded me, and many others of the strength gathered from communion. These experiences of shared praise are beacons of light that reflect the human yearning for connection and the divine.

   I recall several rock concerts, including with Jason Mraz, the Moody Blues, Rod Stewart and the Faces, Savoy Brown, Fleetwood Mac, and Michael Franti, that weren’t just about the music; they were a communion of souls. Everyone around me, though strangers, became family. We were connected by the pulse of the music, bonded by the shared excitement and passion. In a sea of disparate lives, the concert created a unified entity. In this escape, we lived in a heightened emotional state together for those few hours, uplifted by the collective ecstasy. In one concert, I left my body of awareness, becoming one with incredible group energy.

   There is a palpable intensity, whether it’s the shared rush of appreciation among concertgoers or the solemn resolve of a community working towards a common goal. These moments lend credibility to the idea that our collective intention can converge, crafting an atmosphere where transformation is not just an individual but a shared journey. There is power in numbers in every collaborative endeavor driven by a unified purpose. As we harness this collective consciousness—whether in church pews, meditation halls, sporting events, concerts, mass protests, or digital forums—our endeavors may be imbued with a significance that transcends the sum of our individual efforts. And perhaps, in these moments of unity, we find our shared humanity and testaments to our interconnectedness.

   We’ve all felt it at some point – the electric charge that pierces the atmosphere when a group of people unites with a common purpose. Whether in silence during a meditation session or amidst the roaring waves of sound at a rock concert, there is something undeniably potent about collective energy. This very energy can catalyze some of the most profound transformative experiences. We are guaranteed to experience life on a much wider frequency of being through participation in healthy, life-affirming group experiences.

Overcoming Societal Conditioning

Society speaks in a language of achievement and propriety, which often becomes an ironclad script dictating life’s path. To unlearn such prescriptive narratives is to free oneself from invisible chains. This process is not just rebellious; it’s revolutionary—in the sense that it takes us full circle to who we were before the world told us who to be.

In the hustle of adulthood, encumbered by the weight of obligations and the routine drone, we often misplace the treasure of childlike wonder. Yet, in rediscovering this precious attribute, we find the keys to personal growth and, ultimately, to a more prosperous life.

In a world preoccupied with complexity, power, and skepticism, the profound words of Jesus of Nazareth from 2000 years ago resonate with a bewildering simplicity: 

“Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” 

This is our invitation to see what it means to possess childlike qualities within our spiritual journey. In the purity of a child’s innocent perception lies an implicit trust in the goodness of life and the people around them. To emulate this innocence is cultivating a heart open to the possibility of God’s unconditional love (Grandfather Great Spirit, Love, Higher Power, etc.) without the skepticism that too often colors the adult experience. Few qualities are as emblematic of children as their simple pleasures and unaffected humility. Their world is uncomplicated by ego or pretense. Children possess an innate curiosity and a willingness to learn and to be guided. They approach new understandings with awe and wonderment. And children know how to play.

We can mirror this simplicity and humility while stripping away the layers of pride obstructing our spiritual growth. Can we look beyond adult complexities and, frequently, our cynical minds filled with knowledge and certainties to rediscover the core principles that often come so naturally to children? We are beckoned to approach a wider frequency of being with the same enthusiasm, sense of humor, joy, and receptiveness to newness as children. As we unfold the layers of our spiritual selves, let us remember the childlike spirit within us all. This very spirit has the potential to see the world from the perspective of marvel and possibility and unlock the door to a higher possibility.

The Power of Laughter and Comedy

Laughter stitched the edges of a fraying day together. Comedy paints the silver lining on a clouded horizon. Humor is more than an escape; it’s a lifesaver in a sea of seriousness. It can uplift our spirits, reframe struggles into manageable narratives, and heal wounds through guffaw and giggle. Laughter isn’t just medicine for the moment; its benefits ripple through our mental and physical state long after the echo fades. Children often laugh and smile 40 times a day or more, whereas the typical adult laughs only one-fifth of that amount. Children know the truth, and that truth keeps them free.

C.S. Lewis beautifully comments,

 “The childlike man is not a man whose development has been arrested; on the contrary, he is a man who has given himself permission to continue to develop.” 

Like Lewis, Gandhi emphasized the power of simplicity and truth in forming a society embodying these childlike virtues.

 In 1987, I had a series of spiritual experiences that restored me to a lost innocence and a new openness to life. There became a simplicity in my beliefs and a trust in our Universe unfettered by doubt. One spiritual experience was introduced to me by a vision of the Divine Creative Mother holding a baby, which flooded my 32-year-old mind for several days. Through this experience, I realized that spiritual adulthood requires retaining the radiant heart of a divinely inspired child while also carrying the nurturing and life-giving energy of the divine Mother. That vision and its teaching continue to guide me after 37 years.

Outdoor Activities and Adventure

Stand before the open sky on the brink of a skydiving adventure, and there you are—on the precipice of pure wonder. There, hurtling through the air, I rediscovered an irrepressible joy, a freedom untethered from the burdens of ground-bound life. There’s indescribable vitality in propelling oneself through the streets on a bicycle, the same vigor found in the rhythmic motions of running, dancing, or hiking trails that weave into the great unknown. Each activity is a clarion call to the spirit of adventure that pulses within, often ignored but never extinguished.

Connecting with Nature

Conversing with waves and confiding in the coastal breeze during walks along the shore becomes nothing short of therapeutic. In these moments of communion with nature, we find clarity whispering amongst the ripples and serenity in the salty air. Nature is the pristine mirror reflecting our most authentic selves—unfiltered, profound, and peaceful. Don’t forget to take off your shoes and go walking in the surf!

Embracing Curiosity and Playfulness

Why should curiosity be the privilege of the young when its benefits are timeless? Nurturing a constant state of exploration and learning fuels us, driving innovation and personal evolution. And it’s there, in the laughter and frivolity of play, that we shake the dust off our imagination and dance in the creativity it brings.

Embrace vulnerability. Dance in the rain of uncertainty. Laugh loudly enough to scatter the crows of fear and depression. There’s an undisputed potency in inviting childlike wonder back into our lives. It reconfigures the canvas of our existence, splashing it with vibrant colors previously washed out by the mundane. It is a challenge I put forth to you: rediscover that unbound joy, for in that rejuvenation, you will grow. Not just in breadth but in depth, in the ability to see life not for its limits but for the limitless. We are created to live life on the most expansive frequencies of being.

Spiritual Seeing

“To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour”—From William Blake and Auguries of Innocence

The scientific mind often points towards empirical evidence and rational thought first and foremost, leading many to only trust what can be quantified or verified. However, a dimension of existence that defies the confines of societal conditioning and the observable world beckon in the deeper realms of spiritual seeing. In navigating both the seen and unseen aspects of our reality, the world opens up in remarkable ways when we perceive beyond the surface.  We were created to appreciate this vision, with its capacity to see on much wider frequencies of being,

Consider for a moment a work of art. At first glance, we see colors, forms, and lines—a literal representation of reality depicted on canvas. And, consider the same for a poem.  It  appears as a sealed packet of words, perhaps rhythmic in nature, or free flowing prose.. Consider Mother Nature, and all of her flora and fauna. From the outside of a forest, we only see the trees, but once we hike into it, a whole new world of color, shape, diversity of form, and life explodes unto the screen of our senses.  Finally, consider that mentally ill person that you run across on one of your daily walks.  In the past you might have considered walking across the street to avoid that person and their bizarre appearance and behavior.  If you were to overcome your desire to turn away from their apparent suffering, you may realize that within that person lies latent, and obscurred through their woundedness, all of the potential for life, love, and connection you are now experiencing.  Yet, for art, for poetry, for Nature, and for our fellow human beings,  as we delve deeper, a story unfolds, emotions rise, and truths, which no words could fully encapsulate, resonate with our very being. This is the essence of seeing truly—recognizing beneath the physical exteriors to the myriad of messages, and frequencies of existence waiting to be uncovered.

To be a spiritual seer is to nurture one’s intuition, to hone an inner awareness that listens to the subtle frequencies of life. It calls for an attunement to that which is not always tangible or visible yet informs us through whispers in our psyche. Engaging with this spiritual dimension can enlighten our experience of the world, offering insights that pierce through the veils of a mundane, socialized existence.  We can see every encounter and every event as laden with symbolism and rich with hidden threads seamlessly woven into the tapestry of our life. Such a perspective enhances our appreciation for the beauty and diversity surrounding us, fostering a deep understanding of interconnectedness and the feeling of an intimate relationship with the cosmos.

We can inhabit a world replete with depth and symbolism. While spiritual insights are innately personal, they frequently echo universal experiences and hold an enduring appeal that crosses cultural and temporal boundaries.  Ours is a courageous journey that embraces the mysteries surrounding our existence, enriching life with a profound sense of wonder and purpose, and evoking the kind of intuitive knowing that touches the very soul. Striking a balance between these insights, rational practicality, and the needs of family and society enriches our capacity to navigate the world meaningfully. Moreover, the rising interest in mindfulness and holistic practices signals a societal shift towards recognizing and valuing spiritual dimensions, with its expanding and awakening consciousness.

As we consider our journey and those moments of intuitive knowing, we can explore our experience of spiritual seeing. No matter where finding ourself on the spectrum of belief, we can reflect, even if just as a thought experiment, on the richness that might unfold from perceiving beyond the physical to the immense landscape that underlies our reality.  We all have the capacity to be inspired by the great energy behind and beyond our senses, and to be mystics and spiritual savants, should we choose to follow that unseen light.  Is there not something deeply human about yearning for connection with the enigmatic and seeking unity within the wonders of existence?  As we open our eyes, the eyes of our heart and soul, and we might discover worlds uncharted and treasures unseen within the grand mystery we call life.

Embracing a Higher Spiritual Vision

     In a world that often seems to emphasize the material over the ethereal, it’s easy to forget that we are spiritual beings on a human journey. Our daily existence is punctuated by consumerism, social divides, and the cult of personality that often overshadow the more profound truths we should be attuned to. Each individual, regardless of race, creed, or circumstance, has the potential to tap into a deeper spiritual reality—one that transcends the superficial constructs of our culture. Every day we must remind ourselves of and connect with the unseen, yet deeply felt dimensions of existence that bind us to a greater universal force.

     The lens through which we view the world is heavily influenced by our cultural backdrop. The societal norms, traditions, and belief systems we grow up with shape our perceptions and, in doing so, can often obscure our connection to a higher spiritual reality. The very act of categorizing spirituality as separate from our cultural worldview is a testament to the degree to which these systems influence us. Yet, the human soul yearns for something beyond the temporal; it seeks a more profound connection that speaks to the heart of our shared experience.  Rather than viewing cultural norms as antagonistic to spirituality, we consider a more inclusive perspective. By incorporating elements of our culture into a higher spiritual vision, we can create a narrative that honors both worlds. Our rituals, art, and even our conversations can become points of access to the spiritual if we approach them with open hearts and minds.

     The belief that we are part of an intelligent and loving universe is foundational to any spiritual vision. It’s a belief that is often challenged by the harshness of the world, the news we consume, and the conflicts that arise. However, in the backdrop of this chaos, there is an unyielding truth that our essence is rooted in something divine. Accepting the dichotomy of human and spiritual is a balancing act. We must be in this world, but not wholly of it. Engaging with society is crucial, yet we should do so with a sense of detachment, knowing that our ultimate identity is in the universe’s loving design.  This dualistic view of the human experience can be useful, if It allows us to engage with the world in a meaningful way while we keep an eye on the spiritual undertones that thread through our lives.

     Escaping the clutches of cultural mindsets that shy away from spirituality is no small task. It requires a deliberate effort to break free from the molds that have been cast for us, to adopt a more expansive vision of our place in the grand scheme of things.  One approach to transcending cultural mindsets is through the practice of mindfulness and meditation. These tools can help us center our thoughts and feelings, allowing the voice of the soul to be heard above the din of everyday life. Critical self-reflection is also instrumental, as it demands we question the values we hold and the motivations that drive us. By consciously rejecting the elements of culture that dull our spiritual senses, we can begin to redefine our relationship with the divine.

     Societal norms serve a purpose, but they should not dictate the entirety of our existence. We are called to grow amidst these norms, to be in the world and live by its rules while constantly reaching for the spiritual planes that lie just beyond our grasp.  The message is clear—our spiritual vision deserves to be just as if not more robust than the cultural lenses we wear. By remembering our true essence as part of an intelligent, loving universe, we can live more intentionally, love more deeply, and make a more significant contribution to the world. The spiritual call is one of purpose and meaning, grounded in the beauty of creation and the inevitability of transcendence.

     This isn’t a call to abandon our culture; it’s a call to enrich it with the spiritual insights that add depth to our collective human experience. It’s an invitation to each one of us to embrace a higher spiritual vision, to remember who we truly are, and act with the knowledge that our souls are vast and connected to a cosmos brimming with love, wisdom, and purpose.

Spiritual Seeing and Discernment: Beyond Literal Interpretation

     Spirituality is a realm that has long eluded the grasp of human language. As individuals, our exploration of divine truths is often mediated through religious texts — the sacred scriptures that have not only served as guides for living but also as repositories of human wisdom. A debate as ancient as these texts themselves revolves around their validity and historical accuracy, and their literal and spiritual interpretation. My experience has shown me that spiritual insight transcends the confines of literal readings and dogmatic adherence, and that through spiritual seeing and discernment the true profundity and revelatory power of religious texts is revealed.

     The conventional approach to religious texts has often been a literal one, especially in doctrinal study and religious discourse. This approach roots faith in historical events and the veracity of accounts as written, leading to a complex network of dogma and ritual. However, such rigidity often masks the fluid and living nature of spiritual truths, allowing for misinterpretation or the loss of contextual relevance.

     When I look at religious dogma, I am reminded that these sacred texts were not originally penned in a vacuum. They were products of their times, intricately woven with cultural and historical contexts that informed their creation, and they were never devoid of poetic license.. Literal interpretation, while serving as a robust foundation for faith traditions, runs the risk of oversimplification and reductionism, obscuring the layers of meaning that exist within these texts. By contrast, spiritual interpretation acknowledges the layers of allegory, metaphor, and nuance, which often carry messages that are universally timeless and deeply resonant with the human condition.

The Essence of Spiritual Seeing

     Spiritual seeing into sacred texts transcends factual verification or inquiries into historicity. It is the pursuit of meaning untethered to the constraints of time and context, guided by a quest for the divine within the narrative. For me, spiritual seeing involves a sustained effort to understand the underlying principles and cosmic truths that a text may speak to, rather than viewing it through the narrow lens of a particular era, cultural practice, or present-day interpretations by those who consider themselves fundamentalists and part of the religious orthodoxy.

     My personal encounters with religious texts have been marked by epiphanies that a simple retelling of historical facts could never evoke. I first heard a famous Christian author reinterpret several lines of Old Testament scripture, and was impressed by the added meaning his view offered.  In a modern new-age Christian church, Bruce Robertson spiritually reinterpretted the entire bible, giving a whole new, more inclusive perspective of what the Jewish and pre-Jewish writers were attempting to teach others. The story of the Good Samaritan in the Christian New Testament takes on profound implications when interpreted as a teaching on universal compassion rather than merely as a parable of ethical conduct. Such insights were not gleaned through academic rigor alone; they required a leap of faith into the allegorical dimensions of the text, which opened up a world of spiritual awareness.

     Adopting a spiritual interpretation of religious dogma presents both challenges and benefits. The primary challenge lies in the intellectual and emotional labor required to seek the metaphorical meanings that might lay buried beneath the surface. This approach demands an openness and a willingness to grapple with the uncertainties that come with navigating non-literal terrain. However, when one persists, the rewards are boundless.

     Spiritual discernment enables a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of all things and the ever-present opportunity for personal and collective growth. It facilitates a dialogue with the divine that is dynamic and evolving, rooted in principles rather than prescriptive directives. Each insight gained through spiritual interpretation becomes a lens through which life is seen with greater clarity, compassion, and purpose. To read with the heart open and the mind alert, willing to trace the contours of spiritual truths that embody resilience and wisdom.  In the end, spiritual discernment may appear to be a radical departure from the literal understanding of religious texts, but it is a necessary path toward a richer, more soulful engagement with the divine.

Spiritual Seeing, Intuition, Insight, and Intelligence

     We all have access to infinity, and to each other, on levels that the conscious mind does not fully understand. The truth about each individual human life, and the collection of minds and hearts that is called humanity, is that the sum total of all life influences each other directly and dramatically. Each moment of each day, our collective consciousness rains down upon us (or erupts within us) a wealth of information, and reaches our minds and hearts. We receive this information through the training, education, parental upbringing, media and news, the overall witnessing of life, our dreams and personal insights, as well as through some less obvious and poorly known and misunderstood means.

There are those spiritual birds who fly in rarified air who have the powerful insight, and experience of, not only seeing the collective for what it is, but also seeing themselves as it.  To be able to experience, and then say, I AM THAT, opens up doors to perceptions far beyond what the minister at the local church, the favorite teacher at the University, or the beloved grandparent could ever teach or reveal.

Artist’s Conception Of Life Energy Field

Each of us is both a receiver, and transmitter, of information. We often believe that the information that we are exchanging with our world is facilitated solely through our words, and our body language, yet there is another level of transmission that remains poorly understood, ignored, or even denied..We all have access to infinite Spirit, with its extra sensory perception, yet we risk ridicule from many sources, including those scientifically inclined, or religiously indoctrinated, should we ever experience its mystery and claim it for ourselves.

Each of us has a life energy field, which has not yet been detected by science, but certainly has been detected by the sensitive beings within the shamanic tradition, as well as within the healers and mystics of the human race over the entirety of human existence. This life energy field, or in Rupert Sheldrake’s terms, the morphic field, is the field that we not only radiate, but that we are immersed in from the collective, interacting fields of nearly eight billion other human beings now living, as well as all humans and precedent life that has ever lived.

(I have two chapters to add here about spiritual healing and associative phenomena, and my own experiences around that energy).

Fueling the Mind for Deeper Connection: The Transformative Power of Diet–Living Life On A Wider Frequency

In a world fraught with technological distractions, many of us seek a clearer, deeper connection with our inner selves and the spiritual unknown. Surprisingly, our quest might begin not in a meditation hall, but in the heart of our kitchens. Emerging research suggests that the dietary choices we make play a pivotal role in shaping our cognitive capabilities and, by extension, our potential for spiritual enlightenment. 

The traditional dietary pyramid has typically been concerned with physical health, but what about the health of the mind? Delving into the intricacies of brain function, we find that certain macronutrients wield the power to unlock regions of the brain more commonly associated with meditation and transcendence. Our contemporary diet often leans heavily on carbohydrates and sugars, a habit rooted in convenience and flavor. However, a more mindful approach to nutrition could bolster the brain’s health, aiding in the pursuit of spiritual growth.

Medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) fats, often found in foodstuffs like coconut oil and dairy products, have been lauded for their cognitive benefits. These fats can be readily converted into ketones, which serve as an alternative fuel source for the brain. This metabolic pathway highlights the brain’s incredible adaptability, underscoring the ancient wisdom of fasts, found across various spiritual traditions. By fueling the brain with MCTs, we may prime it for a state of heightened awareness, a precursor to spiritual experiences.

While sugars offer a quick burst of energy, the subsequent crash can leave our minds foggy and fatigued. Sugars also are the primary fuel for most cancers, which should help motivate us to avoid them in excess. The dependency on sugars can hijack our neurological pathways, leading to a relentless cycle of consumption to sustain mental clarity. By eliminating sugars, or at least greatly reducing them, we open the door to sustained mental energy and creativity, ideal conditions for spiritual exploration.

Beyond mere cognitive enhancement, a thoughtfully crafted diet can facilitate the activation of the brain’s ‘higher’ centers. The pre-frontal cortex and neo-cortex, known for their role in decision-making and abstract thought, are also implicated in spiritual experiences. These areas of the brain allow us to question the nature of reality and our place within it. By nurturing these regions through diet, we may find that we are more open, more connected to the world around us, and indeed, to the spiritual plane.

The path to spiritual enlightenment is deeply personal and multifaceted, involving both internal reflection and external support systems.  Dr David Permutter and the shamanic Dr.Alberto Villoldo both have brought great inspiration and supportive knowledge to me, my wife, and countless others around the adoption of spiritually supportive diets. Diet is a silent partner on our pilgrimage, altering not only the brain’s biochemistry but our perception of reality. Those who have transitioned to diets rich in neurologically supportive fats and devoid of processed sugars report a host of positive changes, from increased mental clarity to more profound states of meditation.

My own voyage into the intersection of diet and spiritual enhancement has been a revelation. Through the adoption of a diet featuring MCTs and a conscious avoidance of sugar, I have felt an indescribable clarity pervade my every thought. What was once a battle with brain fog has blossomed into an unshakeable sense of groundedness and purpose. My meditations, once fleeting moments of mental respite, have become beacons of spiritual insight.  By aligning my dietary habits with my spiritual objectives, I have taken one step closer to the transcendent experiences I sough. A clear and focused mind is not at odds with my spiritual pursuits but rather a partner-in-arms essential for the voyage inward.

The power of diet to shape our cognitive and spiritual capacities is a nascent but burgeoning field of inquiry.While the scientific literature on this subject is still in its infancy, the personal testimonies are compelling. There is no one-size-fits-all diet for enlightenment, but the common thread seems to be the minimization of sugars and the inclusion of healthy fats. By treating our bodies as temples and our brains as altars, we can make what we eat an offering, a reverent act that brings us closer to the divine within.The link between nutritional choices and brain function is becoming increasingly clear, and the implications for spiritual practice are profound.

It is my hope that as we progress, the conversation around diet and spiritual development will become more pronounced. The act of eating can be more than mere sustenance; it can be the first step in a daily practice of mindfulness, a practice that can lead to a lifetime of spiritual growth. In a time when disconnection abounds, our diets may hold the key to a more profound connection — to ourselves, to each other, and to the vast mysteries of the universe. Each meal is an opportunity to affirm our commitment to personal self-discovery and growth.

(Chapter 4 will probably be dramatically changed or  eliminated)

Defender Dan

“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.”

― C.G. Jung

History will eventually record for the remnants of American civilization how easily gun promoters gaslit the rest of society through their distorted and evil interpretations of the 2nd Amendment.  These outliers pretended to be spokesmen for American’s basic rights, all the while denying all Americans the sense of safety and security from the dire, deadly threats by the many deranged men within society. The gun promoters rallied around the most flawed reasoning, manifesting a cult of death and mutual destruction.  They railed against their own interests, believing in their own  obvious cultural con.  The disaster spreads like a virus with the continued normalization of this gun loving insanity..

Guns, gold, greed, gonads, and girls. . . . how much is enough, American male?

In the 1950’s and 1960’s, America’s economy was booming, and our country also grew into its role as world policeman, which followed its involvement in World War II. As a country, it was pleasant to think of ourselves as the defenders of freedom and liberty, and the liberator of the damned, especially after its world saving performance of WWII.

The Defender Dan story serves as an allegory for my understanding of the American male experience of the brain and its function, and the “Baby Boomer” generation in general, of which I am a qualified member. At the top of the page I have inserted a picture of Defender Dan, a toy machine gun which was produced and marketed in the 1960’s, and which continues to carry immense symbolic value for me.

Defender Dan was a plastic and metal representation for a powerful tool of war, and served our culture’s need to normalize and promote aggressive role playing behavior for males. This machine delivered simulated death by plastic bullets, and was a manifestation of the cultural perception that a need for such violent toys existed.

The promotion of the use of these toy weapons happened concurrently with the execution of the Vietnam War, but one can review history to see that in each era that there has been war, there has also been toy weapons made available for children.

These toy weapons represent our culture’s unconscious support for common knowledge based attack/defense postures and the mutual bullying behaviors that frequently appear in human relationships. Symbolically, these weapons helped to prepare our male population for continuing as unconscious human beings, who, when feeling threatened, would rather “shoot first, and ask questions later”. This toy perfectly represents the tool for manifesting that intention.

Men, especially those from lower economic and educational backgrounds, were to be enforcement agents and soldiers for war, for our American economic and philosophical imperialism. Psychologically susceptible American boys, through the practice with and the use of such toy weapons were being prepared to continue in their father’s footsteps. Our leaders stressed that our international bullying behavior was intended to enhance world peace and protect individual freedom and liberties.

The clinging to and the use of “adult versions” of weapons of war by spiritually underdeveloped citizens such as white supremacist terrorists, shows the power of the potential for evil arising from excess fear and the perceived need for protection from the effects of one’s errant philosophies.

My physical relationship with Defender Dan began in 1968. At that time, my mother worked at the Oak Lodge Fire Department as a dispatcher. The department had an annual toy drive, where they collected and distributed donated toys to disadvantaged children within the local community. One of the toys donated was called a Defender Dan Machine Gun. It was not a new toy, as it had “minor damage” that made it an acceptable toy only for a boy, and a father with mechanical skills, who might be able to troubleshoot and repair it. It was reckoned that there would be a real disappointment to a family if the toy was given to them and they could not fix it, so the toy was pulled from the pool of gifts. My mother asked for it, and she was “gifted” with the defective toy, which she gave to me for a Christmas gift..

I was thirteen years old at the time, and when I opened up the gift at Christmas, I thought that I might be a “little too old” to be receiving and playing with a toy gun, even one as massive as this huge gun. I mean, this thing took up a lot of space (as do hurtful and self-destructive and other-destructive thoughts and judgements within our minds)! It was quite an intimidating looking piece of hardware. I set the machine gun up, and proceeded to fire about 20 plastic bullets at my sister (also symbolic of the fact that all war is fratricide) before the gun jammed up internally, and it would only misfire after that. Some friends of my parents showed up with their teenage daughter to visit, and it was then requested that I move the machine of war to the basement, much to my sister’s and to my parent’s relief..

I was confused as to what was expected from me. Why was I given something to play with that had known problems? Didn’t I deserve something that was new and perfect? My dad was disinterested in helping me fix it, and, in fact, he was not mechanically inclined enough to offer much help. I certainly did not have a fully developed skill package in troubleshooting and repairing this fairly complex mechanical system, but I liked a good challenge, and I thought that this endeavor might be worthwhile.

Ann C., a daughter of the friends of my parents, came downstairs to talk with me, while her parents continued to talk with mine. I tried one final time to get Defender Dan to work, but I could not get it to function properly and with consistency. I began dismantling it, trying to understand how it worked so that I could find the problem and attempt to repair it.  And I also thought that I might be able to impress Ann just a little bit, if I were to succeed in fixing the machine.  Dad came downstairs and saw the gun parts spread all over the basement floor, accused me of destroying the gift, and then proceeded to remove his belt, and whip the hell out of me, right in front of Ann. That one hurt a lot of different ways, for sure.  In one sense I succeeded, because I am sure that the sight of a thirteen year old boy getting his ass beat with a belt was impressive. I was horribly shamed, with the feeling of shame not being unusual to me.  Defender Dan, and all of the supporting behavior and attitudes behind its existence, was to become synonymous with fear, and shame, in my own mind.

My response to my father’s attack was to give up troubleshooting and repairing the toy. I did not treasure Defender Dan, and after my initial attempts at its repair failed, and my father’s shaming behavior, I took that as further affirmation of my lack of competence and value, so I took a hammer to the toy, smashing it into smaller, more useless pieces.

“Some men just want to watch the world burn”,

and this is one example of that principle in action, and why it arises in the first place. I placed the heap into the garbage can, while trying to forget about my latest “failure”. I then moved onto the next challenge facing me as a thirteen year old young man, which was to come up with a good story that might prevent another beating.

Designers and builders of machinery , or creators of ideas or new forms of art, are encouraged and empowered by their society and their own “creator within” to bring into the world of form their latest creations. Creators are happiest when they actually bring something new, or an updated version of the old, into the world. With the power of creation carrying us across the ocean of life, we can’t help but use that power to make idols, icons, and images that represent that which we are grateful for, or what has given us protection or sustenance. I am sure that fathers over the history of humanity have given crude versions of their primary tools of trade or weapons of war to their boys since the idea of gifting first arose. And, the father encouraged the boys interest in protecting himself, his family, and in a more recent evolutionary development, even his ideology. Yet I have to wonder how giving the gift of fear, isolation, shame, aggression, and the potential for violence is really the highest quality gift that our “creator” has to offer to us

Each human child is dependent upon the quality of love, safety, and prosperity of the family household, and these are primary factors that greatly influence a growing child’s evolutionary path through consciousness. The parents are by intention also designers, builders, and co-creators of the early life and consciousness of the new child, even if it is the DNA that determines a greater portion of the heritage. My father spent five years at a local university learning about psychology, child development, logic, philosophy and religion, and yet his successful mastering of these subjects in school did not translate into insight as to how to best parent his children. My mother studied Dr. Spock and others, yet did not develop the insight necessary to know that placing a blanket wrapped crying baby in a car in the garage at night until dad left for work so that he could sleep missed the bulls eye for perfect child care by the widest of margins. All creators strive for perfection, and most parents are no exceptions, yet that desire for excellence is difficult to identify in dysfunctional families, especially by children who were negatively impacted by chronic parental mismanagement. Victims of wounding carry the pain well into adulthood, and even unto death, in situations where the trauma is never made conscious or gets addressed in a loving, healing manner.

I never have met the lucky ones who had the perfect birth, infancy, and childhoods. Like me, childhood was probably a mixed bag for the majority of people on this planet. And, there are a few of us who were born physically handicapped, and it leaves us to wonder why human biological creative energy manifested itself in such a unique way. These physical handicaps are visible to all who look their way. And, those who transcend their physical handicaps are honored for their courage, and their achievements in life. Yet, what about the rest of us, who may have been born with another type of handicap, a handicap of the human spirit, caused by a diseased culturally inculcated consciousness?

True freedom is NOT about accumulating guns, money, or politicized religion as damaged males continue to interpret these symbols.

I might have been born with a predisposition towards an overly ignorant, fearful mind, or those deficiencies could have evolved from my parent’s faltering attempts at nurturing. I do know that I was handed and told to repair a ‘defective piece of equipment” over the course of my education as a young person. Just what was this “defective piece of equipment” that I am referring to? Of course I am referring to self-destructive mental programming created through societal, historical and genetic predispositions , cultural conditioning, individual and collective ignorance, and all vitriolic, bullying, war-mongering behaviors.The “piece” consisted of poor self esteem, and a sense of being ignored, undervalued, and lonely. I was hyperactive, restless and discontented, and I suffered from a feeling of not being heard or fully accepted as a child. I would let the immune system of my mind run overtime, resulting in excessive attacks against myself and others, and excessive posturing in passive/aggressive approaches to insecure and troubled relationships

My parents and my culture made their compelling arguments for trying to convince me that their paths and understandings were righteous, and I just needed to become mature enough to understand and find where I fit in this challenging place. All that I know is that the world sure appeared to be a fucked up place. And those who have successfully adapted to this fucked up place sure don’t like to be told the truth that they are also living in a fucked up place, and that their adjustments with and accommodations to the fucked up world keep the world, as well as their own puny little life, all fucked up, whether they are aware of that fact, or not..

My parents and my culture told me to become the best person that I could be. Yet, they insisted that I make do with their conflicted standards of understanding and behavior, adapt to it somehow, and to live my life with it. I could also try to “fix it”, if I had the time, inclination, and courage to learn more about it, interact with it on a different level, and become a conscious witness to its healing evolution. I have written extensively about toxic masculinity, and there is a direct relationship between the damaged American male, and the incidence of gun marketing, distribution, sales, use, murder and terrorism within our country. Enough is enough, my fellow male (and supporting female) citizens who are hypnotized by the destructive potential of their judgements AND their weapons of war and by the extremists that so effectively promote twisted values to our diseased society.

The floodwaters of gun violence have been created by the unleashing of weapons upon our society by the twisted advocates of the 2nd Amendment, gun manufacturers, the NRA, and insane minds who understand nothing but fear, self-preservation, and hatred. It is impossible to save ourselves from the ravages of flooding brought about by the dam of public mental health bursting, so why don’t we work on preventing the dam from bursting in the first place? Human and Civil rights are not equivalent to gun rights, period, and, in fact, supersede all philosophical claims to dominion by extremist gun rights advocates. The 2nd Amendment has been fine tuned by neurotic, overzealous gun rights advocates to promote ideals not conforming to a rational, effective approach to gun safety and ownership. Gun violence against innocent Americans is NOT SUPPORTED BY OUR CONSTITUTION, no matter what those who blindly support the 2nd Amendment claim. No individual is a militia, no matter how megalomaniacal they may be, and it is utter nonsense that paranoid people use that as an excuse to stockpile weapons of mass-destruction.

This is not a political statement to me. This is a statement of common sense, law, reason, and love. Those who “politicize” this issue with divisive, hateful reasoning, form their deadly alliances around their fears, and this prevents our society from healing. It is up to us to challenge these defective ideas in open forum, and to vote out of office all politicians who support politically sanctioned mass murder,. It is time to strictly regulate or ban the weapons used to assault our families, our own bodies, and our sensibilities, and it is time to change the dirty diaper that characterizes much of masculine thought in our country..

An American society dominated by the self-destructive and other-destructive fantasies of sick minds, (including the ultra-conservative “Christian Natiinalists” who believe in Armageddon, and who are doing everything in their power to create the conditions for it), have created this unsafe, upside down world where weapons of mass destruction are worshiped as tools of freedom and safety, rather than being seen for what they are, which are tools for murder, propagation of fear, bullying, and self-righteousness.

Freedom is not preserved and protected through the threatened use of lethal force of one citizen upon another with guns. Freedom is preserved and protected through the understanding that the enemy lies within our own consciousness, and then healing our world through insight, and the cultivation of collaboration, unity, justice, and love. To the extent that Christian America believes in their weapons, is the extent that they do not believe in their supposed Christian ideals, period. The ultra-conservative “Christian” gun promoter is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and should be recognized as such.

Time to listen up, America. Time to shut up, NRA, and the politician’s feeding at their troughs of gun violence, death and insanity.I just have to wonder when terrorism will hit these individuals in political power right where it hurts most, and then they can finally decide that their pro-gun, pro NRA positions are steeped in insanity and nonsense. When they start to feel the pain of the rest of our country, then they will act on behalf of gun control, rather than obfuscate the issues while monetarily profiting from our suffering, as they have in the past. People that profit from the deaths of innocent civilians are worse than terrorists. Why does America support domestic terrorism? Do we understand that our culture is disfigured, diseased, and in need of dramatic change? Guns kill people, and the people who supply guns to people KILL PEOPLE.

There are those who prefer to gloss over the darkness in our society, and call the evil, bullying, and cruelty by names other than what represents the truth of the matter. Learn to recognize these people, and remember that in any coercive society, including Hitler’s Germany, these types of individuals were part of darkness’ support network, whether inadvertently by their own ignorance, or intentionally by their own malevolence.

I have spoken out against guns and gun violence since 1980, and my voice has been drowned out by those who speak louder than me. Now, I am starting to believe that the silent majority is finally going to assert itself, and our country steer towards more rational approaches to gun ownership, and control. Our culture is INSANE, as are the people who support the unfettered DISTRIBUTION AND SALE OF GUNS AND AUTOMATIC WEAPONS. Once again, their specious reasoning and heartless, hollow arguments are filled with holes, the bullet holes of death to our rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

NRA and the politicians who do not act to reduce the proliferation of automatic weapons are sponsors of national terrorism. Just how many automatic weapons does it take to make you feel safe? It is just that many weapons that it takes to make you unhealthy, insane, fearful, and outside of the picture of potential national healing. Gun violence directly stems from a national mental illness, and guns are never the proper medication to alleviate the symptoms.

Atomic weapons don’t kill people, people kill people.  Guns don’t kill people, people kill people. These are silly, though equivalent arguments, only differing by the degree of devastation that their use creates. Attitudes don’t kill people, people kill people. Anger, hatred, war, and despair don’t kill people, people kill people. Whatever position that one attempts to strike, the fundamental fact remains that people are the source of all of the attitudes, conflicts, hatred, fear, and other forms of ignorance that predicates the need for weapons of war, be they mechanical or philosophical in nature. Yet, guns created the very conditions making mass murderers much more possible.  Does the chicken or the egg come first? That is an invalid question, because both the chicken and the egg are mutually causative, and are the effects of consciousness.. If you eliminate all eggs, the chickens disappear, and vice versa.  Guns, and people’s choices, are the effects of consciousness, as well.  If weapons of war, or of the mouth, are eliminated, people will learn to make other choices, PERIOD.

As a world civilization, we try to regulate our atomic weapons, yet we let other weapons of mass destruction run free. Would you allow the arming of groups of mad men with nuclear weapons (white supremacists like our POTUS or Kim Jung Un notwithstanding)? We all must be protected from the atom bombs. We all must be protected from the guns that are designed for and used to kill people. It is impossible to protect us from all of the bullying lunatics out there in the world brandishing their weapons of mass murder, so we must act rationally, and decisively, to thwart the self-destructive and other-destructive tendencies of unevolved, fear based males. We don’t allow children to drive cars, which are dangerous in their immature hands. Men who think they need guns to protect themselves from philosophical extensions of their own fear, ignorance, and hatred are also children, and should be treated accordingly.  Politicians who cater to children deny the ability of the culture to accept and adopt more rational, healing approaches to the biological/neurological, historical and cultural predisposition to male violence.

Automatic weapons are the tool of choice for mass murder and oppression now. Those who support the use of automatic weapons, are unwitting dupes for an evil that far transcends their limited understanding. It continues to be the time to turn these “swords into plowshares”, and create and enhance the conditions for honoring diversity and brotherhood between all peoples and nations. It is insanity to continue the proliferation of weapons of war, and there is NO sound argument, to continue distributing them in our country, as well. There sure are a lot of weak arguments, however, and the wayward pseudo-religious people and politicians who have failed to create the conditions for peace and safety within our society need to grow up, and assert what is true and right for humanity, and not what is right for ideologues and the immature male elements within our world culture. Have you ever tried to take a favorite toy away from your son? It continues to be hard to separate stubborn boys from their murderous toys.

Disempowered males identify themselves with weapons of war, giving themselves a sense of control over a life that they feel is threatening to them, and which they feel ill-equipped to deal with in a rational, even spiritual manner. Weapons of war are men’s spiritually impoverished substitution for true individual power, If we love ourselves, and our fellow man, we have no need for weapons of war, PERIOD.

Lenin wrote, “When it comes time to hang the capitalists, they will vie with each other for the rope contract.”

When it comes to time for human beings to murder and kill each other, they will clamor for the rights to own guns and ammunition to do so, and, in darkened America, they will point to misguided interpretations of the 2nd Amendment. Just like many wayward Christians point to passages in the bible to justify continued judgement, evil and hatred against others not of their tribe, sexual preferences, or unlike themselves in other ways.  My heart breaks, and goes out to the victims, and the victims families, of the massacres in America, Sri Lanka, France, New Zealand, and elsewhere.

The eternal fires of evil are always being fanned, and uses our weapons of war to accomplish its goals. It is sad, tragic, and, at times, evil that gun toting bullies determine the rules for engagement with the world.

It is time to grow up, and become part of the healing process of the human race. It is time to stop letting the unconscious male children run the world into ruination.

Men, as a collective, would rather have our neighbors, wives and children assaulted, raped, overdosed through drug use, or murdered through gun violence, than make the necessary changes to our culture, and to our hearts and soul. We need more women in positions of power and influence, and men need to get in touch with their potential for toxic behavior and attitudes, and begin to make necessary course changes in their hearts and souls

The rate of gun deaths in the United States rose in 2016 to about 12 per 100,000 people, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a report released in late 2017.  That was up from a rate of about 11 for every 100,000 people in 2015, and it reflected the second consecutive year that the mortality rate increased. Men, as a collective, appear helpless as to how to address the problems of violence, addiction, and failed families and successfully find solutions.  Continued insouciance and/or reluctance to face problems places our neighbors, wives and children at higher risks of being assaulted, raped, overdosed through drug use, or murdered through gun violence.  We must make the necessary changes to our culture, and to our hearts and soul. We need more women in positions of power and influence because of their ability to think and act globally, and more men to integrate more compassion, insight and mindfulness into their behaviors and attitudes, and together begin or continue to make necessary course changes in all hearts and souls.

A rational human being would posit that ALL rates are unacceptable, and that the American culture needs to treat ALL conditions seriously and equally. Why are we so self-destructive and irrational as a culture that we allow gun violence, sexual violence, and drug additive violence to continue against our fellow citizens? You already know the answer, and it continues to propagate in the genitals, and the damaged minds, of many men in power.

Collectively we really are not a very religious nation, let alone a “Christian nation”.  This may not be a bad thing, taking all factors into consideration, especially the spiritual destruction that our supposed “National Religion” has experienced through recent political raping and pillaging. I believe that much of Christianity is in hibernation in this country, and in its slumber has been taken over by politicians and zealots intent on the disfigurement of our society, through contortions of our nation to conform to their own dark, superstitious, and selfish needs and agendas. These economic and political bullies continue to co-create an imbalanced, disfigured world where economic and social disparity reigns supreme, and where violence and mass murder have become culturally acceptable byproducts of the need to serve their own conscious desires for self-promotion, corporate welfare, as well as their NRA masters. Little do they understand, that these are also unconscious desires for their own self-destruction, and the destruction of all others unlike their own mistaken understanding of their selves.

I am not an American Christian, nor have I claimed to be since 1987.   I am appalled and disgusted by those in political power who profess a belief in Christian religious ideology, and go ahead and rape and pillage America in the name of their corrupt Gods of power, hubris, death, and greed. .I follow the directions that Truth and Love create for me in my life. I am not afraid to confront darkness, wherever it might appear, in the Church, in the NRA, Congress and in the White House, in our corporations, in my family, or even if it is within my own mind and heart

What is the true source of your fear, those who stockpile weapons, cultivate hate and discontent, and fear monger?  Patriotism does not support terrorism, Christianity does not support gun violence and terrorism, and true patriots, be they Christians, Jews, Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, agnostics, or atheists,  do not get confused by this

If these latest assaults against our Spirit has not brought us to tears, if we are not impacted by all gun violence, then all is lost for us, and I am sad for all of us, and for the people who count on us. We can’t make America safe or great, by blindly following the idiots that profit from our own self-destruction

Thoughts and prayers ALONE are for those who can’t or won’t act.

I want people to ACT, while your thoughts and prayers keep you spiritually in the game, and acting courageously against the oppressors and the evil-doers in Congress, the White House, automatic weapons manufacturers, distributors, and vendors, and the NRA

Jesus, in whatever form he spiritually exists today would take his “spiritual sword”, and hack the ideas behind 2nd Amendment hooligans to pieces. If you are seeking for guns, and for weapons of war, you are not seeking for peace.

Holster that weapon, partner, and start working for real, lasting peace!

That is what Jesus would do.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world
(of guns, greed, gonads, or gold) gives, give I unto you. Let not your
heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. —-John 14:27 (NT)

—–Jesus of Nazareth,  and every sane human being left on this planet.

Freedom. liberty, and justice can not be preserved and protected solely through the threatened use of lethal force of one citizen upon another with guns. Freedom is preserved and protected through the understanding that the fundamental enemy lies within our own consciousness, and then healing our world through insight, and the cultivation of collaboration, unity, justice, and love. To the extent that Christian America believes in their weapons, is the extent that they do not believe in their supposed Christian ideals, period. The ultra-conservative “Christian” gun promoter is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and should be recognized as such.

I wrote this chapter as a direct reaction to my relationships with my father, my father’s and my male friends and acquaintances over my lifetime, and my employment experience while working with toxic men in the electrical trades from 1987 to 2016, and at the US Postal Service from 1975-1985. The historical legacy of the American white man, and his support network of unconscious, disempowered, fearful and/or cowardly family and community members, continues unto today. America has normalized that which should never have been acceptable. How can we possibly “make America great, again”? Greatness only comes after we, as a society, face our collective darkness, cease our threatening or bellicose behavior against all we disagree with, acknowledge the damaging impacts of our fears on others, makes amends to ALL we have harmed, and find integrity, and stay on a more humane path in the future.

The foundational consciousness that spawned “Defender Dan”, and which contributed mightily to the development of my young mind, continues to energize citizens into unhealthy attachments to their own weapons of war, be they philosophical or physical in nature. With the collective normalization of destructive behavior and attitudes that have become historically ingrained within consciousness, the deferral of sound heart sense to irrational fears has dictated the continued need for and proliferation of all such weapons of death, bullying, and control. For me to disassemble and examine the Defender Dan unit, and then to attempt to reassemble it into a higher functioning manner, was symbolic for and the prelude to the search for healing for my own loneliness, shame and fear-based mind through recovery endeavors in adulthood.

I long ago made a decision to lay down my arms.

The world will never be completely safe, until everybody else does so, as well.

 With our final insight into the true nature of Consciousness and God, and our identity embedded within this creative principle of the Universe, we see that we can become either agents of a loving, regenerative force, or, in our ignorance, become the  malevolent architects of Armageddon, and our own destruction—Elisha ScottDefender Dan and the Mind Of Mankind

Religions and governments use their population as unwitting agents for their own imperialism, propaganda, and persecution of others.  US vs THEM? TRIBALISM? We have met the enemy, and the enemy is US!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNnKau1OLp4

And Repairing A Broken System

In the depths of our being, we carry scars that aren’t always visible to the naked eye. These scars, borne from intergenerational trauma and other historic and familial sources of traumatic wounding, shape the way we perceive the world and navigate our lives. So far in this book we have taken a journey—one that dives into the realm of personal, collective, and intergenerational  trauma. It’s a journey of acknowledging, troubleshooting, and repairing the systems of consciousness that carry our thoughts, hopes, and dreams, and to bring healing to the wounds that haunt us all.

We must first acknowledge the importance of facing our dysfunction without continuing to normalize and minimize it,  Far too often, as individuals we bury our anxieties, pain, and suffering deep within, or as a society we cover them with false or misleading narratives, hoping they will disappear with time. But the truth is, repressed emotions and traumatic wounds and the effects of a  misrepresented history only fester, manifesting in ways that affect every aspect of our lives. By acknowledging woundedness, we grant ourselves permission to heal and move forward.

Healing can be an arduous path, and it is often traversed with the guidance of social scientists, historians, linguistic theorists, social scientists, and mental health professionals. They possess the knowledge and expertise to help us navigate the complexities of our life experiences and our emotions. Seeking professional help is not a sign of weakness; it’s a courageous step towards reclaiming our lives or creating a new life. Therapy sessions may elicit profound insights about ourselves, unearthing buried pain and finding solace in the process. These can be transformative experiences that sets the spiritual seeker and adventurer on the path to healing.

Yet, as we venture forth, we must also address the impact of a stigma surrounding society looking at itself honestly and openly. Misunderstandings, judgments, and dismissive attitudes can further compound our pain. I’ve encountered the piercing sting of societal stigma firsthand. It made me question my worth and silenced my voice. But through resilience and support, I found the strength to rise above these misguided perceptions. It’s essential for society to embrace the courage to look at itself with humility, honesty, and a willingness to see itself differently, and effect the necessary change within its perceptual universe..   

In this chapter I have delved into the heart of our journey—the troubleshooting process. While each individual’s experience is unique, there are common threads that weave through the healing process. Here is a summary of the potential paths to take  to help us navigate toward healing:

1. Acknowledgment and Acceptance: Face the dysfunction of our collective consciousness with honesty and acceptance. Allow all of the emotions that arise, for they are an integral part of the healing journey.
2. Self-Reflection and Insight: Engage in self-reflection to gain insights into the root causes of divisive thinking, non-compassionate and non-collaboratuve behavior, and trauma inducing attitudes and actions. Identify patterns, triggers, and behaviors that may be hindering progress.  Encourage affected family and fellow members of our diseased society to do the same.
3. Cultivating a Supportive Network: Be surrounded with a network of understanding and supportive individuals who can provide comfort, guidance, and encouragement during the healing process.
4. Seeking Professional Help: Reach out to mental health professionals who specialize in cognitive behavioral and trauma therapy. They possess the tools and expertise for guidance through the healing journey.
5. Self-Care and Coping Strategies: Engage in self-care practices that nurture mind, body, and soul. Explore coping strategies such as mindfulness, meditation, journaling, or engaging in creative outlets that bring joy.
6. Embracing Resilience and Growth: Embrace resilience and acknowledge the growth that has been experienced along the healing journey as we change the very fabric of cinsciiusness itself.. Celebrate the small victories and honor the strength it took to confront trauma.

 I invite you to take the next step towards healing. Understand the consciousness that your life moves within.  Seek professional help as needed, advocate for a change in collective understanding while promoting mental health awareness, and challenge societal stigma surrounding honestly looking at ourselves and the origins of our identities in our collective consciousness.

Together, we can create a world that supports, uplifts, and empowers those who are on their path to healing. Remember, we are not alone. Resources are available to support us on our journey, such as therapy services, religious and social outreach and support groups, and helplines. Let us stand united in our commitment to healing and creating and maintaining a consciousness that fosters compassion, understanding, and empathy for all.

Troubleshooting And Repairing A Broken System

There is an inmost center in us all, where truth abides in fullness;….and, to know, rather consists in opening out a way where the imprisoned splendor may escape, then in effecting entry for a light supposed to be without.” —-Robert Browning

Being a broken human being rarely gets a lot of positive feedback, or life affirming attention from others.  It certainly is not a lifestyle choice for those who finally choose to awaken, which I finally did at the age of 31 years.  How did I attempt to bring healing to my broken interior? . I acknowledged that, of myself and my old ways, I was heading nowhere, and that I was doomed to repeat the same mistakes over and over again   I did not have childhood training nor spontaneously developed capacities for insight, positive change and growth until late in life.  I needed to develop the emotional and spiritual fortitude to look at the entirety of my life, and then incorporate the experience for my greater good, which also impacts the whole of life in a more positive manner.  By developing the power of insight, I brought a new level of healing and awareness into this new, present moment of experience.  Some call this process “mindfulness:, though I just call it ‘taking personal inventory’, and improving my “conscious contact with my higher power” as I learned through practicing the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.  I have come to believe that there is a power greater than my past understandings that lives within  me, restoring me to sanity, no matter how often I might fall.

Part of maintaining sanity is to allow for a continuous evolution of understanding and experience of who we are, and what God or Higher Power is, apart from religious dogma, ignorance, politics, and superstition.  If we only continue to believe in things that we don’t understand, like our religions and their man-made, or God inspired, theories, it becomes nothing short of superstitious reasoning, if we are not also already inspired internally by this Truth.  We must attempt to understand the mental ecology, and the history, of human beings, as we are the ones who creates and embraces ideas.  This insight is essential if we want to cultivate any hope at all of troubleshooting and repairing any damaged human system.

There was no minister, church, support group, therapist, Care Unit counselor, Indian guru, psychiatrist, mother, father,  sister, wife, friend, daughter, son, pet dog, or Jesus Christ figure that could dig into my unique version of the human soul, and remove the thorns/swords that had been thrust into my side since my birth.  My internal wounding and the resultant unsustainable suffering became the impetus to begin my inward journey, to face the absolute darkest areas of life itself, and then mine the treasure from my unique relationship with the dark force or shadow.  To not face myself would mean to continue living the second-hand/passed down story of dysfunction that I inherited from our culture and from my ancestors, from which we cannot ever completely heal, without first becoming aware of our internalized, unconscious subservience to those controlling agendas.

It takes some prior understanding to interpret this schematic representation of a transistor logic circuit

For my work career, I was paid to install functional electrical systems and/or observe existing installations and systems, identify problems and inefficiencies, and offer solutions.  I progressed to troubleshooting my less than optimal self, beginning in earnest in 1987.  I eventually identified my common issues by connecting the dots to the rest of humanity.  It is amazing how many human systems, like I was prior to 1987, are resistant to healing change, however!  The cultural hypnotism with its imprisonment continues, mostly unabated.  Yet, healing is a powerful current that runs through us, whether we recognize its presence, or not.  Those that recognize it have the potential for an amazing life.  Those that don’t by offering resistance to their greatest good are certainly taking their chances.

I needed to use some of the same basic observational and functional skills that psychologists and therapists use while witnessing patients, while both assessing their stories, and working cooperatively with the patient.  The intention is to help the broken or under performing person experience enhanced functionality and, thus, experience a greater good.  Therapists and psychologists have exposed and developed many therapeutic clues and tools over the last four or five generations as to how to identify he sources of suffering, as well as techniques for its treatment.  Basic psychological/spiritual maps or schematics, such as those derived through studying conflicted internal family systems and resultant control issues,  human archetypes, and the long term effects of family trauma, have been created.  This background gives them an enhanced understanding, finer tuned intuition, and abilities to help troubleshoot and, hopefully, bring repair to the willing, though suffering patients.

I came to intuit that complex control systems and processes that were electro-mechanical and/or chemical equivalents for some limited functions of the human mind.  We come to expect that certain “inputs” will deliver desired “outputs”, while maintaining some sort of balance within the whole process.  But we need good information, and a well ordered and maintained internal system, to get the desired results.

I have witnessed many failed, or failing systems, human and mechanical,  for most of my life. The first failing system that I ever witnessed was our American capitalistic inspired religious and economic philosophies, especially as they negatively, and eventually, catastrophically influenced our world, the family system, and myself.  If we can find the errors in reasoning and historical conditioning, which contributes mightily to each of our personal narratives, we can begin a search for the underlying truth behind all situations, while shedding the cloaks of illusion that continues to clothe so much of the human race.

Stories where our unique personal value have been sacrificed to maintain some unloving sense of family and/or cultural order, or disorder, will be fertile grounds for exploration.  Also, the over processed junk food narratives of the collective human experience can become coupled to our own unique and vulnerable,  sense of self.  This promotes the  creation of  the stampede of self, and other, defeating perceptions, rather than exposing new pathways to an sense of our self enhanced with profound experiences of wonder, love of our self and each other, and an appreciation for the totality of life on this planet. Regardless of the perfection, or the imperfection of our upbringing, problems inevitably arise throughout the entirety of life, within this world that we share..  Yet,  if they can be seen within a more expansive context, where we can become more self-aware, consciously engage in troubleshooting and repairing our own issues, and become open to traveling new paths of consciousness, the negative effects can be minimized, and resilience and spiritual competency can be maximized.

We need a life guided and informed by the understanding of the totality of our lives, with the threads of our life’s meaning stretching from our sense of self towards infinity and back again, rather than as an imprisoning cocoon around our lives.  We can live a purpose filled life,  inspired by the desire to be the best version of ourselves, while serving the highest interests of each other and the Earth with all of its life. Without overcoming our wounding by cultivating a spiritually enhanced meaning and purpose, life’s inevitable vicissitudes may cause our lapse into the depths of despair, depression, powerlessness, and extraordinary suffering, with little hope for our escape.  The Big Bang of our entry into Consciousness itself might just turn into the Big Bust, if we unconsciously cling to an unhealed understanding of Life.

Troubleshooting Logic and Technique

The desire to fix a treasured object that has been damaged,  bring a cure to a child’s disease, or to end one’s suffering is the manifestation of love.  Love must be the guiding light while facilitating repairs and regeneration of any broken person, place, or thing.  Bringing a hammer to a situation that requires a jeweler’s screw driver is a typical overreaction, is self defeating and reveals a life needing greater sensitivity and insight into itself. It is our desire to repair and improve, not damage further and destroy, so a conscious process must be undertaken to initiate repairs to any malfunctioning system, human or mechanical.

Some people just want to watch the world prosper, and to end the unhealed  other’s need to keep it burning.

Troubleshooting is a form of problem solving, often applied to repair failed products or processes on a machine, a system, or even a human life. It is a logical, systematic search for the source of a problem in order to solve it, and make the product, process or person functional again.

The first step in good problem analysis is to describe the problem completely. Without a problem description, we will not know where to start investigating the cause of the problem. Is it a systemic failure, is it limited to just one component or individual, is it transient or constant in nature.

This step includes asking ourselves such basic questions as:

1. What are the symptoms?
2. Where is the problem happening?
3. When does the problem happen?
4. Under which conditions does the problem happen?
5. Is there a fundamental flaw in the design or its very nature?

1. What Are The Symptoms?

When starting to describe a problem, the most obvious question is “What is the problem?” This might seem like a straightforward question; however, it can be broken down into several other questions to create a more descriptive picture of the problem. These questions can include:

• .Who or what is reporting the problem?
• What are the symptoms and feedback messages?
• How do we fail? For example: loop or repetition of unnecessary or unwanted behavior, hang or quitting or stopping before a process is successfully completed, is it intentional or unintentional  performance degradation, is it an incorrect attitude and belief?.
• What is the affect on all relationships?

2. Where Is The Problem Happening?

Determining where the problem originates is not always easy, but it is one of the most important steps in resolving a problem. Many layers of (mis)understanding can exist between the reporting and failing components of the personal system under review. The supporting society, family, and network of friends are only a few components to be considered when we are investigating problems.

• Is the problem isolated and specific, or common to multiple arenas within life?
• Is the current environment and understanding capable of being supported by a personal healing intention, or are broader, more socially encompassing changes necessary?
• Are reports of problems originating within the self, others, or a combination of the two?
• Are there currently cultural power brokers attempting to dictate the way life’s route should be traveled?
• Is the source of the history of the problem purely an individual one, or universal in its expression?

These types of questions will help us isolate the problem layer, and are necessary to determine the problem source. Remember that just because one layer or part of our self is reporting a problem, it does not always mean the root cause exists there. Part of identifying where a problem is occurring is understanding the environment in which it exists. For instance, sometimes it is our overactive limbic system, including our ancient reptilian brain, that tries to take control when the fear and anxiety response is overactive.  Mindfulness helps to reroute our response through higher intelligence regions of the brain such as the neo-cortex to deal with these types of events, where necessary.

We should always take some time to completely describe the problem environment, including the historical mindset, its present understanding, all corresponding intentions, and biological health information. Confirm that we are operating within an environment that can be of support to us, or that, conversely, we can give support to, as many problems can be explained by discovering understandings and agendas that are not meant to run together, or have not previously been successfully used together.

3. When and Under Which Conditions Does The Problem Happen?

Developing a detailed time line of events leading up to a failure is another necessary step in problem analysis, especially for those cases that are one-time occurrences. We can most easily do this by working backwards –start at the time an error was reported (as exact as possible, perhaps using the timeline approach), and work backwards through available memory and history. Usually we only have to look as far as the latest event that we have experienced conflict or despair, however, this is not always easy to do and will only come with practice. Knowing when to stop is especially difficult when there are potentially multiple layers of dysfunction, each with its own diagnostic information. The intersection of society with the individual always creates multiple layers of interaction and mutual expectations, with the potential for far more “failures” than “successes”.

• Does the problem only happen at a certain period of one’s life?
• How often does it happen?
• What sequence of events leads up to the time the problem is reported?
• Does the problem happen after an environment change such as after creating new friendships, getting another job, or moving to a new neighborhood?

Responding to questions like this will help us create a detailed time line of events, and will provide us with a frame of reference in which to investigate.

4. Under Which Conditions Does The Problem Happen?

Knowing what else is happening at the time of a problem is important for any complete problem description. If a problem occurs in a certain environment or under certain conditions, that can be a key indicator of the problem cause.

• Does the problem always occur when performing the same task, or with the same people?
• Does a certain sequence of events need to occur for the problem to surface?
• Do other aspects of our lives fail at the same time?

Asking, then attempting to answer these types of questions will help us to explain the environment in which the problem occurs, and correlate any relationship  dependencies. Remember that just because multiple problems might have occurred around the same time, it does not necessarily mean that they are always related.

5. Is there a fundamental flaw in the system, does it appear ubiquitously?

Some designs just never quite reach their true potential for system’s operation and stability, and require a total paradigm shift, or adjustment, to see the process differently, and bring repairs to it.  If we have tested all available solutions, and nothing works, we have either approached the problem incorrectly, or we have exposed a flaw in the designer’s understanding and/or a failure in the implementation of the designer’s intention.  We may have reached the most recalcitrant of problems, which are those that are expressions of a normalized unconscious dysfunction.

We live and operate in the background of our oft times toxic patriarchal culture, know that a collective healing message will not be spoken and cannot be acknowledged because of the Conspiracy of Silence predominating within our culture. Our culture is broken, which leads to broken people, and families. Yet, collectively, America has created a culture of denial, where we don’t look at our fundamental problems together, and confront them directly. To the extent that the broken individual might indicate a brokenness of our culture, is the extent that the broken individual is marginalized and minimized by the entrenched power brokers of our civilization and their sycophants. There are many economic, religious, and political leaders who have derived the greatest personal and economic benefits through the exploitation of the those who have no voice, and it is perceived as an existential threat for them to examine the damaged structure that gave rise to their own predominance.

To summarize troubleshooting theory, I have included the following:

My troubleshooting questions;

• What is the history and  intention behind the original system design?
• Has the system ever worked properly?
• Does the system presently work?
• If not, what are the present day ;problems?.
• What are the history of the problems?
• Are the problems a failure of the system and its original design, poor overall  maintenance, and/or ignorance or malfeasance by the human operator?
• Can this process be improved, or stabilized without a total rebuild?
• What are the best options for repair?
• Who is going to help me?
• How much can I help myself?

This is BIG PICTURE troubleshooting, for sure.  In some religious mythology, mankind is seen to have been born with a tragic flaw, which resists all attempts to correct it.  In Christian mythology, mankind is referred to as “fallen” as if an angel has fallen to earth.  It is implied here that the “designer” is not at fault, it is the system operator, or human being, who has embraced disorder and chaos as primary system operating parameters. People that unconsciously practice the principles of toxic masculinity, the dark aspects of the common knowledge game, and follow the herd like the proverbial lemmings are most susceptible to this kind of system failure.  These people appear to be constitutionally incapable of finding an honest, collaborative, loving way to see themselves, and to express their interconnections with all of life.

“Some people just want to watch their worlds burn”

becomes an indictment against these “fallen angels”.  This system will not right itself, and will resist all attempts from others to bring repair and functionality to it.  Without the intervention of a miracle, they are doomed to a life characterized by the failure of all life support systems, with the inevitable loss of good health, peace with an ordered existence, and balance.  In the purported words of Jesus, they are “the seeds that have been thrown upon rocky ground”..Stupidity takes on many forms, and those who cling most ferociously to their faults have more than a nodding familiarity with attenuated intelligence.

Are we ready to fearlessly search for the root causes for our individual and collective brokenness, or are we just looking for justification to stay the course, and continue on without any further self-examination and a deepening desire for change?

Growing up, I was not provided with many clues for how to successfully manage the labyrinth of life, and of my mind.  The maps provided for me were incomplete, and mostly inaccurate. My life had been characterized by early and intermittent, and mostly unintentional wounding by my parents, especially by my father and older sister, as well as by the culture that supported us. My early exposure to Christian religion was also traumatizing.  My young self could see through its parade of self debasing interpretations of God and of Jesus, and I was confused and often repulsed by many so-called Christian stories.  Yet I was not to find other helpful guides, other than consistent loving support from my mother and my mother’s parents, who always wanted the best for me, and my father, though he sometimes appeared to me as a confusing trickster..

There is one shining example of the poor guidance available for me  in the story of Defender Dan.   In 1968 at the age of thirteen years, I was given a Defender Dan toy machine gun for a Christmas present. It was not a new toy, as it had “minor internal damage that made it an acceptable toy only for a boy, and a father with mechanical skills, who might be able to troubleshoot and repair it.  My father had no interest in assisting me, so if I wanted a functional toy, it was up to me to do something about it.  I was confused as to what was expected from me. .

• Why was I given a gift that had known problems?
• Didn’t I deserve something that was new and perfect?

I certainly did not have a fully developed skill package in troubleshooting and repairing this fairly complex mechanical system, but I liked a good challenge, and I thought that this endeavor might be worthwhile.  At the time I was hoping to understand the thought processes behind the creation and assembly of this toy, perhaps so that I might learn how to harvest my own unexpressed creative potential, and someday design and build unique contraptions of my own.. I tried to get Defender Dan to work, but I could not get it to function properly and with consistency. Though I had no diagram defining the internal parts, and their relationship to each other, I began dismantling it, trying to understand how the parts were related to each other, and how it worked so that I could find the problem and attempt to repair it.   Dad saw the gun parts spread out all over the floor, accused me of destroying the gift, and then proceeded to remove his belt, and whip the hell out of me. .

That beating hurt in a lot of different ways, for sure.  I was horribly shamed, with the feeling of shame not being unusual to me.  I picked up all of the parts, and deposited them in the garbage can.  The belt swiftly made another visit to my still sore behind, of course.  The punchline, er, the belt line, is that, like my father, our life, and our world, will punish us if we cannot fix our lives, even though we may have  been provided with inaccurate repair diagrams and maps for living.. An insightful person can see how this story captures the essence of our confusion as human beings seeking wholeness while receiving conflicted and inadequate support from others. .

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In April of 1984, I checked myself into the Lovejoy Care Unit, a hospital converted to alcoholism care and recovery.  I had been a drug addict and alcoholic, as well as a person consciously suffering from inner turmoil, since my sophomore year of high school, in 1971. My most important initial consideration was keeping my job at the US Postal Service, where I worked as a maintenance electrician and instrument technician in training, which I was about to lose if I did not stop substance abuse. I was to stay in the Unit for thirty days, while learning, at a puerile, kindergarten level, enough about my disease, and myself, that there might be hope for me.  After an interview with my parents, Claire, my counselor, informed me that one of the burdens that I was carrying was that my father was still trying to live his life through me.  As my primary desire was to find inner peace, a totally alien concept for me up to that point, that information would be helpful in the future, but I was too unconscious at the time to understand its oppressive implications.. .

Poetry:  The Clues Imprisoning Me Within My Personal Labyrinth Prior To 1987

PAIN (written while in the Care Unit, 1984)

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Though the dark cloud looms on the horizon, it is also hidden within myself.

It appears to hover in the distance, just beyond my reach, and it patiently waits my most vulnerable moment.

I then feel the initial mist from its clouds, suspecting that I am its intentional target.

A piercing wind picks up, hugging me with its frozen arms, and I vainly look for protection

As the torrential downpour begins, I feel my tenuous hold on peace and safety eroding beneath my feet.

As it strips back, layer, upon layer, upon layer, upon layer, of my consciousness, exposing a bedrock bereft of sanity.

Exposing long forgotten mental relics, threatening old, unhealed memories, and dangerous old habits,

Stinging, piercing, hurting me at my core, obscuring visions of glorious, yet impossibly distant futures,

Washing away all tenuously held possessions of sanity, and hope.

Uprooting the feeble foundation of a life desperately, but futilely, attempting to, yet again, reconstruct itself,

Carrying a powerless, helpless, desperate soul back into toxic chemical valleys, amid a dark, swirling depression, Ravaging, drowning, then decaying.

Pain,

Why?

Pain Part II

Growing without roots, with a will that won’t bend,

Weathering life’s storms, which never seem to end.

No longer waiting for the sun that was once promised to arise,

How could truth’s light possibly shine in dimmed eyes?

Having reached with futility for all the high goals of life,

With no spiritual growth, while consumed by inner strife.

Devoid of healing affection, and a stranger to real love,

Unrealistic hope was what my failed dreams were all made of.

Despair meets each day, summer has now changed into fall,

Looking at life, I am totally disgusted by it all.

Dying of loneliness, and holding life by only a thread,

With me rotting inside, hopefully, I soon will be dead.

Pain,

Why?

THE FOOLS

You know who we are, there is no need for our names

We may be outwardly different, but inside we are the same

We vacation on ego trips, and with the world play strange mind games

While striving for material success, and its dubious fame

We remain graceless souls trying to blend into life’s masses

Some affirming our uniqueness, though we remain stuck in the same class

With  our delusions of grandeur, while appearing just like an ass

And steering clear of self-awareness, Oh our transparency of glass!

At times spewing words of wisdom, but with only another dogs’ bark

Seeking to make a good life, but on life’s script still leaving just a shit mark

Believing we may have seen light, but, if so, why is our life always so dark?

Needing more purifying inner flames, while snuffing every divine spark

Though we think that we have blossomed, we do not possess Love’s flower,

We hope for a life carried by the river of sweetness, while we still wade through the sour

Never realizing that, over life, we hold very little power

We can only avoid the reality of our lives, while living in our ivory tower

We tend to bring up life’s rear, though we think that we should be first

And from life we want all of the best, somebody else deserves the worst!

We think that our life should be more blessed, why on earth do we feel cursed?

Our lives are overblown toxic gas bubbles, just waiting to be burst!

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The poetry indeed proved helpful in providing many clues for me, in my desire to leave the knowns of my suffering, and search for truth, peace, and a much more fulfilling life. In June of 1984, while still working at the US Postal Service, I was sent to  their national training center in Norman, Oklahoma, for a three week class on repairing mail sorting equipment.  I was also there to challenge a digital logic course, which was a prerequisite to advanced training.  As I had already mastered similar subject matter in previous computer engineering courses at the University of Portland, I asked to challenge their version of this course work. I needed to pass this test to have any hope for advanced placement, which would elevate me into a new, more challenging career as a computer technician, which was, potentially, far more interesting than my mundane, regular job as a maintenance electrician.

After my three week training on sorting systems, on the last day that I was in Norman, I was given the test for advanced placement. There were two parts to the test, which I needed a 75% score to succeed.  The major portion of the test, I aced, scoring 70 out of 70 on the digital logic portion.  The last 30% of the test was devoted to complex schematics of electronic control systems supporting optical character readers and other equipment I had not yet worked on.   I had no prior experience with this equipment, and could not properly interpret the representative symbology.  I failed, scoring zero out of that the last thirty points, failing the test by a mere five points. On the flight home, I relapsed back into drinking behavior from a recently achieved sobriety at the Care Unit.  I was so disappointed at this seemingly unfair turn of events, that I became re-dedicated to my own self annihilation, even ignoring and hiding from the presence of my Care Unit counselor Claire, who serendipitously appeared on the same plane back to Portland,

Thus, my sobriety lasted for less than three months, for I did not quite connect with ” the healing threads” that I needed to escape my personal hell. Peace was not found until after I descended fully into a dark underworld, where I attempted suicide in January of 1986, and then began my search for truth. My search for truth in Portland’s underworld community ended on March 17, 1987 when an undercover Federal agent that I had befriended drove me to my father’s doorstep, and told me that he could no longer offer support or protect me from the dangerous characters that had become my running mates.  We had talked extensively many times over the last several months,, and he knew of my “search”, and stated to me, unequivocally, that my search would either end in death, or with the healing of my relationship with my father.  I had to finally face troubling relationship issues with my father, my family, and my society, and my unconscious, trauma inspired incomplete responses to them.  Working the 12 Steps of AA, initially in my recovery, and practicing meditation and mindfulness helped me to find the threads of meaning that would lead me out of my desire for self annihilation, while also finding a great measure of inner peace.

I was eventually to find that my father represented, in a perfect way, how my life experience had become overshadowed by the needs and concerns of our culture, and its own unconscious needs to dominate, control, and oppress, especially those who did not conform to its often conflicting,  twisted values. My father had great difficulty, in times of stress, in recognizing the intrinsic value of all life, including my “baby self”, and my essence as a young boy.  My father showed to me, in a perfect way, what that dark, negative end point looks like from a lifetime lacking in true collaboration and emotional integrity while sharing life force with others. My father achieved his goals in life, yet at what cost did they come to him, and to the people who he influenced and controlled? What cost did I have to pay in my reactions, over the years of my life, against what my father represented, without having a clue about better alternatives?  Just what is the cost to a society that blindly plows forward while supporting ideals that do not conform to the development of its children’s highest nature, and truth? .

In any electrical circuit, resistance to the flow of current is ubiquitous.  To reduce resistance, we can either tune the system by adding capacitors and inductors,  shortening conductor length or increasing its size, or increasing the applied voltage, all of which effectively reduces resistance.  There are also the 2nd law of thermodynamics issues, which are entropy, heat related circuit degradation, and eventual chaos.  For humanity, the resistance to the flow of healing energy is also ubiquitous.  Yet, we also have options for tuning our own spiritual system, by increasing our capacity to embrace, understand, carry and transmit higher consciousness, which utilizes its own unique healing algorithm..  Like in a high resistance electrical circuit, those who vehemently resist change and do not embrace their healing potential will eventually have their life system ruled by the spiritual equivalent of the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics, where degradation and chaos  reigns supreme. .

My Clues For Defeating The Minotaur, and Exiting the Labyrinth, From 1987:

My arrows of perception became radically redirected inward in the spring and summer of 1987, after a series of three most profound spiritual experiences and my exuberant practicing of meditation, coupled with a newfound willingness to travel upon new paths of consciousness,. The period of May 24 through July 21 gave me major clues/clews for transcending my limited and limiting life experience. I was given a vision to bring healing to myself, through allowing the Divine Feminine to love and nurture me unconditionally, while also learning how to pass that healing energy to others.

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I was shown how my perception can be transformed, so that I no longer just see myself, and the world, as two separate experiences or entities.  All the world is populated with my brothers and sisters, be they human, animal or plant manifestations of the Great Spirit. I was to have to make peace with the fact that all of the insanity that I witnessed with the world was also an expression of the insanity within myself, even if it had not yet been made conscious of all of its ramifications.  Yet, all of the love I witnessed within the world was also an extension of myself.

I saw that I had a choice to make, moment to moment, as to how to see the world, for how I saw the world also defines how I see myself.  The arrow of perception always returns back to me, much like a boomerang. The last of the big three experiences, on July 21, 1987, revealed to me an incredible amount of new and unique wisdom, when I was to somehow, miraculously, “sit in the lap of my True Self”.  My long lost self starting speaking, and I was the vocal cords for amazing revelations during an apocalyptic meditation event.

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A short summary is that I was released from my body of thought (“let go of the controls”), and entered into a place of infinite peace, and silence.  I was shown that “no teacher will effect our salvation, we must each work it out for ourselves”.  I was shown how to “think no thoughts derived from the past”, while embracing the new necessity to “travel new paths of consciousness”.  I was shown that there was no such thing as a “me” or “you” in an awakened reality, and to laugh at any perceptions that create duality and separation from my planet, the rest of the human race, and the animal kingdom.  I was shown how past trauma attaches itself to our field of energy, sapping us of life force. In a rare moment when I could actually witness my “life force energy field”, or, using Rupert Sheldrake’s terminology, my morphogenetic field.  In an incredible moment of inner seeing, I “witnessed” two embedded entities freeloading on my energy field.  Once again, not yet being too conscious I did not know what to do about the dynamic, destructive duo, which I intuitively named my tricksters.  I immediately intuited that they were not part of me for my greater good.

Through these experiences, and many following years of introspection and intuitive detective work, I was shown that I had suffered two major wounds, or traumas, which had attached themselves to my field of energy, or life force, causing me to be tethered to a troubled past with its dark interior modeling of reality. I was shown the very nature of the perceptions that kept me tethered to the past.  I was shown how to let go of the toxic masculinity derived controls which imprisoned me.  I was shown, at the very foundation of myself, is an infinite creative potential that does not recognize the “you” or the “me”, but only its own infinite life, and this creative energy can, literally, only laugh at the constructs of our perceptual universe.  I was shown if I could follow new paths of consciousness which were not time dependent, I could let go of my controlling traumas, my heartbreaks, my separation from my true self and others, and share in the joy, and the laughter, of a universe that loves itself, while being amused at the wayward creations that keep popping up that would tell us otherwise.

A mathematical equation was given to me as a clue and, ultimately, was revealed to me as a guide for how to let go of those controls from my past which kept me tethered to its whipping post of my own ignorance and disease.  The healing spirit within all blesses us with a unique clew/clue, if we are earnest and dedicated in our desire to seek for and find the real truth about our existence.

Oh marionette’s dancing image trapped on the screen of mankind’s mind, With suffering and pain inspired beliefs in control , what freedom is there to find? Find release from those controlling, self-imprisoning strings To prepare the revelation of inner wisdom that only liberated  Intelligence brings. .

I truly was a disfigured marionette’s powerless toy on the end of a suffering life’s strings

A revealing, and quite fascinating mathematical equation was also given to me. My Spirit knew full well my extensive experience with mathematics intuitive understanding of some of  its complexities. If you are not a mathematician, do not despair, the equations intent will be developed through a written understanding..  If you never took differential and integral calculus, just continue your reading on the next sentence after “solution”.

Equation:  LIM dT/dt=Truth, as dt approaches zero, where d=delta (or the change in a value or quantity), T =F(t,y), where F=the function of,  t=f(time),  y=f(timeless) Solution:  Lim dT(t,y)/dt=Constant(s) + INFINITY (If thought were only a function of time, then the rate of change of thought with the  change of time would create some collection of constants (connecting links between memories, knowledge, traumatic wounds and their resultant perceptual stream, etc.).  Yet, if thought were not a function of time, then as the change in time approaches zero, timeless thought would be considered infinite in relative value.  Examples of the domain of timeless thoughts might be within peace, joy, beauty, wonder, curiosity, and love, amongst many names indicating passageways to the unknown of the present moment)

This is a simple “rate of change” expression, and, in theory, its solution provides an understanding of how one quantity changes with a change in another quantity.  It is my clew/clue for how to successfully enter the labyrinth, confront the Minotaur, and find my way back out again.  If I remain stuck in time based, trauma supported memories and perceptions, I also remain stuck in the labyrinth, PERIOD, perpetually fighting new and more creative iterations of Minotaurs..

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My  constants had to be recognized for what they were:  habits of thought and perception, all based upon past knowledge   After much, much meditation and mindfulness, and writing about traumatic influences in my life, I saw that the vast majority of my constants are what we call our “once irrefutable yet now questionable  knowns”, all of which has a decided time frame reference in the past, even as we access them in the present moment in bringing forward new perceptions..

It is important to remember that the arrow of perception is mostly shot outward by the sensory and  time biased I, or self, that we are.  We also coexist with a creative,  timeless nature, as well, which has a much more difficult time communicating with the time-based part, because of time’s incessant, almost bullying activity that overlays the timeless…Yet, if the arrow of perception were pointed to our center, where both time and time-less based selves are dancing internally,  we would be having a much different life experience.  And this arrow of perception is shot from our meditative heart. .

To be in realization of Truth Is to find God’s High Mount another cultural illusion to climb

Created by fearful, despairing minds caught on the merry-go-round of time

The unillumined. restless mind remains forever bereft of Love’s Rhyme and Truth’s Reason

Forever chasing the next mirage, until it sees time’s movements are guilty of treason.

In a recent development, my sister wanted to accompany my wife Sharon and I on a trip to Hawaii.  My wife was hesitant to go on another vacation with my sister. The last trip to Belize in 2019 was a fabulous trip, except for a two hour period when the worst aspects of my sister’s dysfunctional attitudes made themselves evident. My sister needs to be always right, and heaven help the person who calls her out when she is obviously mistaken. My wife called her on an obvious mistake about directions, and we all suffered the wrath of an unhealed tyrant. That experience, though revealing of my sister’s agenda, was no fucking fun, for sure.

Late in 2021, we vacationed at a resort on the Big Island of Hawaii.  On our second evening there, we had a nice dinner planned at one of the on site restaurants. My sister decided it was time to reveal some parts of her hidden past, when she was a rookie firefighter for the US Forest Service in the 1970’s.  My wife and I listened intently and with some amusement at her escapes.  There was no arc to her story curve, and it left me feeling a little flat.  Yet, since it appeared to be the time for family sharing, I felt that I could share a snippet of my search for truth, my descent into the underworld, and my return to wholeness. My sister ended up calling my search for truth stupid and worthless, and that I should have chosen the happy, carefree path,

HUH?.

My sister was the perfect representative for our father’s poor positive acknowledgement and listening skills. Some of our family dysfunction could be characterized by poor personal and interpersonal valuations. A healthy sense of self esteem was an alien concept. In one fell swoop, my sister negated 34 years of my life experience.  My sister continued in her role as enforcer of the dysfunctional family code.

There is a psychic door that began to creek open, behind which all manners of potential disease, division. fragmentation with its spiritual disfigurement, and self-defeating attitudes. The very self-destructive mechanisms that had been overcome by my search for truth were revealed to still be alive, though living in suspended animation since I found the reason for continuing to live, where I had found the actual personal meaning for my own life.

In software terms, many times the creators installed a “back door” where the NSA or other spy agencies could access files otherwise inaccessible to the general public. My own personal software had its own “back door” where only someone with special knowledge could access it, and set in motion the momentum for self destruction. And, of course, it was my sister who held the key.

I did not stand idly by this time and let the family virus reinfect me, however, like I did for the first 31 years of my life. I confronted her, got angry with her, and let her know that the rules of the family no longer apply to me. She had always assumed the role of my father in his absence when we were growing up, and she had a particularly cruel, unfeeling way to punish me when I was quite young and vulnerable. There is no one like a family member who can locate the difficult emotional buttons, and push them until the desired outcome is achieved. In this case, it was to minimize my value, and my life, just like my father had a tendency to do. .

Those who have made their own hero’s journey away from personal, family, and cultural toxicity are much more open to self-healing, rather than self-destruction.  Those on the healing path reset their bodies and minds to a healthier baseline, or to a state of peaceful homeostasis. Most will learn to practice healthier eating and sleep patterns, stress reduction techniques, such as meditation and mindfulness, conscious breathing, perform exercises such as Tai Chi, Yoga, Pilates, etc., practice the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and/or mindfulness techniques,  enlist the help of a therapist, and/or meet another person who has transcended their own suffering and self-destructive tendencies.  They will have plowed the fertile healing grounds, and may anticipate the healthiest present state of existence, with the most productive spiritual harvest..

Those who remain silent about their own responsibility for and participation in their own projections of hatred, ignorance, pain, suffering, intolerance onto others, remain a fixture of our culture’s conspiracy of silence. It happens on the cultural level, and on the personal level. We are all victims of racism, sexism, misogyny, xenophobia, and all other malicious, malevolent attitudes and behaviors, trickling down from our politicians, corporate boards, employers, family members, co-workers, acquaintances, fellow drivers on the road, or the person in the cashier’s line with us at the grocery store.

Our country and its citizens owe an apology and reparations to all of the minorities it has persecuted and punished, such as the Indians, the Blacks, Browns, Reds, the Hispanics, the Immigrants, the Gays, Lesbians, and Transgenders, the Infirm, the Old, and the Poor. Our Christian religion owes an apology to the Muslims, homosexuals, to the infidels, to the secular, to the “Jewish faith who crucified Jesus”, and to all who have been persecuted because they were non-believers or non-conformers.

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The temptation to follow the herd, or to swim with the lemming, is built right into the foundational nature of our socialized existence. Life is always a self-fulfilling prophecy, yet whose self are we fulfilling? What if your life is fulfilling the prophecies of your religion and culture, rather than that of your true self? While unenlightened forces dominate human consciousness, oppression and repression are born, and nurtured. This creates more damaged human beings, who continue to remain unconscious, and this unconsciousness is overpopulating our planet. The fate of these damaged people is to continue to damage themselves, each other, and the very planet that supports and sustains them, until they find their self and its truth.

Find the self, and the life that has a great future, and discard the one that will die with our rotting civilization. Life is a self-fulfilling prophecy. I see a great future for our planet, if enough of us break free from the effects of the collective oppression by others and, ultimately, the repression of our Spirit. If enough of us find the only self that can be free, collective liberation becomes more of a possibility. What on Earth is humanity waiting for? This moment, we can all be free. Our normal individual life experience is replete with examples of our relationships to Mother Nature, to our family, to our neighborhood, to our nation, to the principles behind our economy, to our natural or adopted life philosophy and spirituality,  to our religion and any associated prophets and/or deities (if any), and to all of our wounding and suffering.  These intended and unintended connections  give us ample opportunities for understanding what influences take us away from, or towards our personal truth and  to a better place to live spiritually, emotionally, and physically.  Heaven need not be an arcane concept for the hope for some sort off after death paradise, but attainable as an actual living reality for the present moment. .

Let us praise and honor the light that has shown through our lives at every juncture, from birth until now, and whether we recognized it or not, for that is the only Christ that may be experienced, in our narratives, and in the now.  If we are still looking to Jesus for our salvation, it is time to consider looking for the unique threads of timelessness within our self, and our own infancy, childhood, and life experiences.  That is where we crucified and buried the  Christ. Are the threads of love wound stronger around our heart than the unraveling intentions of an often hateful, indifferent world that can mercilessly tug at them?  We have the power to resurrect the dead within us, so what is our choice for today? Healing of trauma precedes full awareness of our noble nature, once the labyrinth created by our wounding is finally made conscious and exited.  The liberated life no longer sees the Minotaur at every turn, and the release from the labyrinthine mind reveals infinite new paths of consciousness to travel upon, and results in life long effects on our potential for and experience of joy, creative expression, and spiritual evolution.

Please, save yourself.

The 12 Steps of AA Revised To Reflect My Present Spiritual Understanding

1. Through our own extended suffering, we finally found the desire to want it to end. We admitted that when we become self-destructively habituated to any substance, situation, perception, or judgement and/or lack of forgiveness in our relationships with others, we lose our freedom of choice, bring unnecessary trauma into our lives, and into the lives of others, and, thus, fail to achieve any lasting sense of inner peace and joy. We finally realize that our lives have been lived unconsciously, and have become unmanageable as a result of that neglect.
2. With our new found hope and openness for change, came the desire to begin to awaken to higher possibilities for our lives. We realized that, in our essence, we have an interior, though neglected, power that will heal us and restore us to balance, if we pursue it in earnest. We now realize that we have not been living up to our full potential as human beings.
3. We made a decision to turn our will, and our lives, over to the care of our higher interior power. We become open to the possibility of embracing a new Truth for our lives. We want to access the power to continuously evolve, and we want to cultivate our heart to be more loving to ourselves and to others. We decide to let go of ANYTHING that impedes our progress towards happiness, healing and wholeness. We realize that without the deepest of desires, and intentions, to change our behavior, we will not be transformed.
4. We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. We have lived a life without a high sense of self-esteem, and we have made unfortunate choices because of the scarcity consciousness that has resulted from it. We realize that when we find the blocks to our evolution, and become willing to remove them, our new found insight will guide our paths with precision to the Truth of our existence. This is our entrance onto the path of mindfulness and higher consciousness.
5. We admitted that we were not being truthful with ourselves and with others, and by talking with another who we may trust, yet not be beholden to, about our errors in judgement and in actions towards our self and others, we can better deal with the shame and self-judgement that so often arises from the deadly secrets that we once felt that we must keep. Just by honestly talking with someone else, our burdens can be lifted. Our secrets need no longer keep us imprisoned, and mentally ill. When two or more people come together in the spirit of truth and honesty, mutual compassion and empathy also become part of the gathering.
6. We became entirely willing to let go of our attachments to unhealthy attitudes, behavior, and people. We wish to see clearly, without the limitations of our past, of our family history, and of our cultural conditioning, with all of their embedded trauma.
7. We open our hearts through humility and the willingness to change to embrace a new possibility for our life. Our new found sense of connection with our higher interior power inspires us to become more grateful for the gifts that we now have, and we are now spiritually preparing to finally give back to the world in a meaningful, positive way. We want to finally let go of all of the emotional charged memories which keep us trapped in a dead past. Rejoice, for the old demons are being transformed into the new angels!
8. While we were unconscious to our higher potential as human beings, we brought emotional, spiritual and perhaps even physical harm to other innocent beings, and we want to try bring healing and peace to those who have suffered from the effects of our ignorance. We realize that through the mirror of all of our relationships, dysfunctional or otherwise, we are granted a view into how we truly see ourselves. We want to see through the eyes of Truth, and not through the pain and suffering that unfulfilled relationships may have brought to us.
9. We made direct amends wherever possible to all people we may have brought harm to, except when to do so would bring further injury to them or to others. Our guilt will not be assuaged at the expense of others. We make full application of our new found wisdom, and our renewed desire to bring no harm to any sentient being. We want our world, and our own personal sense of self, to feel safe from further attacks from us, and our honest disclosure of our mistakes to those impacted by our errors in judgement will continue to support that intention.
10. We continued to take personal inventory, and, when wrong, promptly admit it. We have become honest with ourselves. We practice mindfulness, and continue to develop our capacity for insight into ourselves. We now know ourselves, and we now know many of the potential impediments to experiencing and expressing the Truth of our being. We no longer solely abide in old modes of thought, and now we are more focused on the beauty of the present moment.
11. We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with the Truth of our being, praying only for knowledge of Truth, and the willingness to live within its infinite domain. We now understand that this whole process of recovery is a meditation on life, and that the evolving, healing life that we are now experiencing is our living prayer. Each time we drink from the deep interior waters revealed to us by meditation, more of our painful dreams are dissolved. We finally realize that the capacity to change, to evolve, to grow in our infinite spirit is the whole point of our human existence. We are now traveling upon new paths of consciousness.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we attempted to carry our message of recovery to our world, while continuing to practice these principles in all our affairs. We have finally become whole, and are now conscious, caring human beings. We have accepted full personal responsibility for our lives, including healing our past, and keeping our present balanced and harmonious, and we no longer blame others for who we are now. We are now experiencing prosperity on many levels, and have witnessed the healing of ourselves. We have saved the world—from ourselves. Our life is now our truest teacher. We realize that we have no power to bring salvation to others, yet, it is our responsibility to point to the way of healing for others who may still be suffering, and who may finally become interested in overcoming their own limitations.

Without the light of love, and connections with each other and our world with our full heart and soul, whatever threads we are holding onto will break, and the Minotaur will have won.

What is our choice?

Chapter 4:  The Misunderstood Concept of Grace in Christianity and Buddhism

In the maze of spiritual exploration, two beaming lighthouses stand tall, each guiding millions across the oceans of life. Christianity and Buddhism, underpinned by the profound notions of grace, carve their paths into the human soul. Yet, amidst the splendor of these concepts, I believe a shadow of misunderstanding looms, warping our spiritual and intellectual pursuits.  Grace, though considered to be a natural and universal spiritual support for humanity, appears non-existent to those who are not consciously aware of its presence, and those like me who practice the presence of non-dualism while working out our personal salvation.

Grace in Christianity: A Paradox of Liberation and Control

In the vast cathedral of Christian thought, one concept gleams with a luster, transcending time and touching the very heart of the faith it represents. Grace, as profound as it is enigmatic, stands perched between two extremes that seem, at first sight, diametrically opposed. It’s a concept that promises liberation and yet, under closer scrutiny, appears to be the blueprint for the most intricate mechanism of social control. How can one word bear the weight of such paradoxical connotations? Let us now draw back the velvet curtain on the Christian notion of grace and reveal the complexity within its simplicity.

To comprehend grace, we must venture back to its gestation within the turbulent womb of early Christianity. Initially a Greek term (Charis), grace was pivotal in the apostolic and patristic theologies, representing the unmerited favor of God. The concept was revolutionary, offering an escape from the yoke of legalism that characterized the Hebraic tradition.  Yet, like all human concepts, it must be examined at the deepest levels, and our BS detectors must be powered on to maximum for maximized spiritual discernment.

As the fledgling Christian community took shape, grace became the counterpoint to works-based salvation, presenting a God who extends a hand of forgiveness and unearned love, typified in Christ’s redemptive sacrifice. But like the nascent Church, the concept of grace was not static. It evolved, assimilating the cultural philosophies of the Roman Empire, which was trying to stabilize its disintegrating society through adoption of a government-infused Christian religion, ultimately morphing into the graceful yet incisive arrow in theological debates that it is today.

In a community as vast and complex as Christendom, grace is not merely a theological construct – it is a way of life, an ethos that permeates every aspect of the believer’s existence. This is where the paradox begins to stir. On one hand, the notion of being saved by grace through faith offers the most exquisite form of liberation – the oblivion of the debt of sin. Yet original sin was a concept erroneously thrust upon humanity by wayward early theologians in the first place. So we are granted freedom from a yoke that never existed in the first place. So the concept of grace plays a pivotal role in social regulation to those encumbered by the concept of their own separation from the divine, offering a carrot-and-stick approach to behavior modification that is sometimes whispered in encouraging love and at other times thundered with wrathful consequences.

Christian institutions, from the humble parish to the great Vatican, use grace in their doctrines and practices as a means to influence behaviour. It dictates moral codes, social norms, and even political policies. The promise of eternal grace can both inspire good deeds and prevent malevolence, fostering a harmony that is either the bedrock of civilization or the chains that bind it.  The role of grace in spiritual evolution is where believers and skeptics always seem to collide. Some view grace as the prime mover, the very breath of God that propels the soul upward, liberated from the shackles of mortality. It is through grace that one can achieve redemption and aspire to new spiritual heights. It is a doctrine of comfort, assuring that in our weakest moments, a greater strength intercedes, renewing the spirit.

Yet, grace also has its detractors, and I am often one of them. Critics argue that by attributing the process of salvation to an unbidden force, grace diminishes human agency and morality. It can become a crutch that inhibits personal responsibility, rendering the individual passive in their own spiritual transformation. The fine line between atonement and apathy is defined by how grace is interpreted and applied.

This paradox is one that has haunted my spiritual musings for years. The concept of grace has often been my antagonist, begging the question of what I truly contribute to my own salvation. I have walked upon the path of working out my own salvation for nearly 40 years, with, at times, the concept of grace but a distant advisor to me.  It has been the source of my most profound introspection. I have yet to witness its ability to reconcile the irreconcilable and to elevate the mundane to the divine, though I have been part of a spiritual process which has done just that for me, which others might be tempted to call the action of grace in my life..

What I have discovered is that, for many Christians, lies the capacity of grace to stir the depth of their human soul in such a way that freedom and control are not incompatible. When grace is humbly accepted, it points to where liberation may reside. When grace is wielded with humility, it does not control, but appears to guide.

Grace in Christianity is indeed a paradox of liberation and control, but it is a paradox that is foundational to the very fabric of Christian theology and practice. It is a paradox that deserves our continued contemplation, discussion, and, above all, at least our philosophical respect. For like the infinite expanse of grace itself, the discussion around its nature and application is inexhaustible. It is both the question and the answer, the path and the destination. In our understanding of grace, we come to understand Christianity – and, by extension, our own humanity – a little bit more.

Christianity’s grasp of grace is akin to the warm outpouring of love and mercy from a benevolent creator. It is unmerited favor, forgiveness for the unforgivable, and a promise of eternal life, for those who can believe in such things. However, as this grace descends like a silent rain, it inadvertently creates a shelter that shields individuals from the necessary storms of self-discovery and growth.  Many misinterpretations hold grace as the divine bailout from the consequences of our actions. Under this belief, personal responsibility wanes, and the resilience borne from navigating the tides of our feats and failures diminishes. The call to volition is muted, replaced by a passive reliance on an omnipotent hand, or an imaginary friend, to lead one through life.  Grace, when misconstrued, can discourage robust introspection. Questions vital to our growth are often brushed aside under the pretense that everything has been ordained by a higher power. The allure of an omniscient plan dissuades the pious from unriddling the complexities of life with their intellects, leaving them at the mercy of dogma.

Buddhist Grace

Buddhism, on the other hand, offers grace through a prism of karma and acceptance. The immense concept of Kṛpā, or divine compassion, is the vehicle for this grace. Yet, even in this school of thought, the rain of grace sometimes is mistaken for a downpour that washes away the necessity for individual effort.

Grace is occasionally misconstrued as a softening of karma’s relentless wheel, bestowing peace upon the bearer without due exertion. This misunderstanding leads some to believe that one’s own actions and intentions are of secondary importance when in reality, they are the architects of our future experiences.

This version of grace can inadvertently cultivate an apathetic response to suffering. The pursuit of understanding and alleviating one’s and others’ suffering, core to Buddhist teachings, can become obscured by the notion that grace absolves the necessity of actively seeking and cultivating compassion and wisdom.

Deconstructing Grace in Japanese Buddhism: A Perspective

Exploring the notion of grace within the framework of Japanese Buddhism opens a door to centuries-old practices and beliefs. This article will dissect this complex and layered concept, finding that what may seem divine on the surface often harbors very human roots.

Grace, or komyo (光明) in Japanese, is a central tenet of Mahayana Buddhism, especially within the Pure Land traditions of Jodo. It represents the compassionate and spontaneous light or workings of the Buddha, which enable the faithful to achieve enlightenment. But as we dig deeper into its origins, we find a tale not just of spiritual awakening, but also social upheaval and control.

The 13th century in Japan was a time of significant change, with the rise of samurai power and the decline of aristocracy. This tumultuous period saw the establishment of new Buddhist movements, notably Amidism, which emphasized the grace of the Buddha Amida. It was a construct that emerged from the need to pacify the common peoples’ suffering and prevent them from turning against the very institutions that promised salvation.

To make sense of grace, one must appreciate the societal context. This was an era marked by frequent natural disasters and social inequality. Temples, repositories of religious authority and often immense wealth, were under threat—by forces not just of the divine but also fabric of society. Grace, therefore, became a tool not just for spiritual ascent but for social cohesion.

Grace was not just a salve for the suffering; it was a salvo to prevent the disintegration of social order. It became a narrative that promised every person, regardless of their station, a path to enlightenment. A beggar praying for grace was just as likely to receive it as the most pious of monks.

This narrative of universal grace was carefully crafted to manage the anger and jealousy of the populace, by instilling the idea that everyone was equally deserving of divine attention. The message was clear: no matter how unjust earthly life might be, the celestial scales would eventually tip in favor of the downtrodden.

Grace, in its historical context, raises questions about the line between spiritual service and social control. Was it a kind-hearted intervention from the celestial realms, or a shrewd invention to ensure that the hierarchy of the earthly domains remained untouched?

Grace advocacy among the Japanese Buddhist communities involved not only sermonizing the glad tidings of deliverance but also reinforcing a structure that relied on passive acceptance. Instead of encouraging followers to question the societal structures that perpetuated their suffering, grace implored them to wait patiently for cosmic justice.

It would be a disservice to label grace purely as a nefarious tool of control without considering how it might have genuinely comforted and helped followers on their spiritual journeys.

Some may argue that grace, regardless of its historical motivations, provides a powerful path to inner peace. The belief that one is fundamentally worthy and that compassion can be found in the most hopeless corners of existence is a hopeful and empowering narrative.

My own interaction with the concept of grace has been colored by skepticism and respect in equal measure. While I am impressed by the resolute faith it inspired in people across time and social strata, I cannot help but ponder the original intent behind its propagation.

In grappling with this concept, it is essential to appreciate the duality it presents. Grace, whether a divine light or a constructed narrative, offers solace to many souls, yet it also invites us to consider the intentions behind the religious and cultural architectures that shape our world.

Exploring the concept of grace within Japanese Buddhism is an exercise in unraveling the multifaceted tapestry of faith and power. It calls into question the roles of religion and the state, and the delicate threads that bind human society and spirituality. Ultimately, the notion of grace serves as a lens through which to view not just Buddhism but the very tapestry of human existence—a mosaic of belief, hope, and the compelling need to make sense of our place in the world.

I advocate for a redefinition that harmonizes with the essence of these religions while retaining the sacred thread of individual accountability. Grace, in its purest form, is the silent companion on the path of spiritual awakening, not the pauper who carries us. It is not a demotion of our capabilities but a recognition of the profundity of our innate resilience.

For Christians, this reimagined concept of grace posits the divine favor not as a gift of ease, but as the courage and the wisdom to trudge through the world’s thorns. It elevates grace as the insight to learn from every stumble and the strength to redefine oneself through the crevices of failure.

In Buddhism, this redefined grace highlights the quiet moments of equipoise as graces, not as exempting them from life’s tribulations but as affording them the clarity of mind necessary to turn suffering into enlightenment. This grace is not the shunning of life’s challenges but the beckoning to meet them with equanimity.

My own travels within these spiritual terrains have taught me that grace is not the answer to the maelstrom. My growth has come not from basking in the knowledge of a loving grace but from standing in the tempests of inquiry and introspection, with the full force of my being. It is the turbulence that has sculpted my understanding, not the tranquil moments.

At times, I have faltered, seeking solace in the shelter I once thought grace provided. Yet, in the echo of those sheltered moments, I found only the faint notes of a song that called me not to rest but to rise and march onwards.

Grace is a companion, not a crutch. It does not absolve us of the need to walk; it carries us in spirit when our physical legs begin to tire. It is not the completion of the puzzle laid before us but a masterful stroke that guides our hands as we labor to complete it. The misunderstanding of grace in these religions is not a challenge; it is an opportunity to redefine our relationship with the divine and, in turn, with ourselves.

Chapter 14: Accessing The Unknown—Living Life On A Wider Frequency Of Being—Or, How The Word Became Flesh, And Dwelt Among And Within Us.

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” —attributed to Albert Einstein

      Part One:  Generally, the following chapters deal with spiritual healing in many forms, and humanity’s use of words and its neurolinguistic capacity.

     We all have access to infinity, and to each other, on levels that the conscious mind does not fully understand. The truth about each individual human life, and the collection that is called humanity, is that the sum total of all life influences each other directly and dramatically. Each moment of each day, our collective consciousness rains down upon us (or erupts within us) a wealth of information, and reaches our minds and hearts. We receive this information through the training, education, parental upbringing, media and news, the overall witnessing of life, our dreams and personal insights, as well as through some less obvious and poorly known and misunderstood means.  But there are those spiritual birds who fly in rarified air who have the powerful insight, and experience of, not only seeing the collective for what it is, but also seeing themselves as it.  To be able to experience, and then say, I AM THAT, opens up doors to perceptions far beyond what the minister at the local church, the favorite teacher at the University, or the beloved grandparent could ever teach or reveal.

Artist’s Conception Of Life Energy Field

Each of us is both a receiver, and transmitter, of information. We tend to believe that the information that we are passing is exchanged solely through our words, and our body language, yet there is another level as well, a level that remains poorly understood, ignored, or even denied..We all have access to Spirit, with its extra sensory perception, yet we risk ridicule from many sources, including those scientifically inclined, or religiously indoctrinated, should we ever experience its mystery and claim it for ourselves. Each of us has a life energy field, which has not yet been detected by science, but certainly has been detected by the sensitive beings within the shamanic tradition, as well as within the mystics of the human race over the aeons of the existence of life. This life energy field, or in Rupert Sheldrake’s terms, the morphic field, is the field that we not only radiate, but that we are immersed in from the collective, interacting fields of nearly eight billion other human beings now living, as well as all humans and precedent life that has ever lived.

     The scientific mind often points towards empirical evidence and rational thought first and foremost, leading many to only trust what can be quantified or verified. However, this dimension of existence that defies the confines of the observable world beckons—the realm of spiritual seeing. In navigating both the seen and unseen aspects of our reality, the world opens up in remarkable ways when we perceive beyond the surface.  We were created to appreciate this vision, with its capacity to see on much wider frequencies of being,

     Consider for a moment a work of art. At first glance, we see colors, forms, and lines—a literal representation of reality depicted on canvas. And, consider the same for a poem.  It  appears as a sealed packet of words, perhaps rhythmic in nature, or free flowing prose.. Yet, for art and for poetry,  as we delve deeper, a story unfolds, emotions rise, and truths, which no words could fully encapsulate, resonate with our very being. This is the essence of seeing truly—recognizing beneath the physical exteriors to the myriad of messages, and frequencies of existence waiting to be uncovered.

     To be a spiritual seer is to nurture one’s intuition, to hone an inner awareness that listens to the subtle frequencies of life. It calls for an attunement to that which is not always tangible or visible yet informs us through whispers in our psyche. Engaging with this spiritual dimension can enlighten our experience of the world, offering insights that pierce through the veils of mundane existence.  We can see every encounter and every event as laden with symbolism and rich with hidden threads seamlessly woven into the tapestry of our life. Such a perspective enhances our appreciation for the beauty and diversity surrounding us, fostering a deep understanding of interconnectedness and the feeling of an intimate relationship with the cosmos.

     We can inhabit a world replete with depth and symbolism. While spiritual insights are innately personal, they frequently echo universal experiences and hold an enduring appeal that crosses cultural and temporal boundaries.  Ours is a courageous journey that embraces the mysteries surrounding our existence, enriching life with a profound sense of wonder and purpose, and evoking the kind of intuitive knowing that touches the very soul. Striking a balance between these insights and rational practicality enriches our capacity to navigate the world meaningfully. Moreover, the rising interest in mindfulness and holistic practices signals a societal shift towards recognizing and valuing spiritual dimensions, with its expanding and awakening consciousness.

     As we consider our journey and those moments of intuitive knowing, we can explore our experience of spiritual seeing. No matter where finding ourself on the spectrum of belief, we can reflect, even if just as a thought experiment, on the richness that might unfold from perceiving beyond the physical to the immense landscape that underlies our reality.  We all have the capacity to be inspired by the great energy behind and beyond our senses, and to be mystics and spiritual savants, should we choose to follow that unseen light.  Is there not something deeply human about yearning for connection with the enigmatic and seeking unity within the wonders of existence?  As we open our eyes, the eyes of our heart and soul, and we might discover worlds uncharted and treasures unseen within the grand mystery we call life.

Spiritual Healing

     We have all heard of so-called miracle healings. Usually, there is someone on death’s doorstep, and the medical professionals are about to pass duties on to the in-hospital spiritual advisor when suddenly the patient turns the corner, wakes up, and lives. There are also those great stories of family legends like Aunt Louise, who had a heart attack on her farm in the middle of a Kansas cornfield, heard the voice of Jesus telling her not to worry as He is there, and then she was healed. Countless other documented instances of spiritual healing are not as noteworthy but are still significant for what they reveal about our innate capacities and spiritual connectedness.  And they make for such wonderful stories that publications like Guideposts magazine are filled cover to cover with such uplifting accounts,

 Spiritual healing implies a spirit that needs healing, a spirit within us that heals, or something within us that needs healing to enhance our experience of our Spirit. 

Which proposition is it, or can it be all three?  

And, what exactly is our Spirit?  

• Is Spirit the sum of the Zeitgeist of our culture, religion, family, and personal experiences?  
• Or does our Spirit include something even more fundamental than that, say the Spirit of our body, neighborhood, local geography, planet, and/or even the entire Universe?  
• Where is the Spirit of God in all of this?  
• What would our experience be if all of these Spirits were not of one primary Spirit but instead a multiplicity?
• What would our life experience be like if all the informing Spirits emanated from the One? 

     The concept of the human Spirit has intrigued philosophers, theologians, and truth seekers throughout history. It’s a topic that invites contemplation and reflection as we try to grasp what it means to be human. Is the human Spirit ineffable? Can it be characterized by our biology and our history as acculturated beings and individuals? And is there a connection between the human Spirit and the Holy Spirit? 

Let’s delve into these and many other questions while exploring the depths of the human Spirit.

     The human Spirit often called the intangible essence of our being, encompasses our thoughts, emotions, aspirations, and the driving force that propels us forward. The ethereal element gives rise to our consciousness, empathy capacity, and relentless pursuit of knowledge and meaning. In some traditions, our Spirit is the very breath we breathe. In other traditions, our Spirit is the words uttered and their impact upon those who listen.

     To understand the human Spirit, we must consider the impact of biology and cultural history. Our biological makeup, genetics, and neurochemistry influence our thoughts and actions. However, the interplay between biology and our lived experiences shapes the unique expression of the human Spirit.

     As we navigate through life, our spirits are molded by our upbringing, social environment, and the cultural influences that surround us. Our families, communities, and societal norms shape our values, beliefs, and individual identities. Yet, within these collective influences, we each possess a distinctive spirit that reflects our unique experiences and perspectives.

     The question arises for those with a religious or spiritual inclination: is there a connection between the human Spirit and the Holy Spirit? Some traditions teach that the Holy Spirit is the divine presence that dwells within each individual, guiding and illuminating their path. Whether one subscribes to this belief or not, exploring this relationship offers a glimpse into the profound connection between the human and the divine.

     Philosophers have grappled with the nature of the human Spirit for centuries, offering various theories and perspectives. From Plato’s concept of the soul to existentialist theories of authenticity and freedom, each philosophical viewpoint sheds light on different aspects of the human Spirit. These philosophical musings invite us to contemplate the depths of our existence and the nature of our being.

     Psychology provides valuable insights into the human Spirit, exploring its intricacies from a scientific and relationship-focused standpoint. Psychologists study our emotional experiences, cognitive processes, and factors contributing to our well-being. Their research helps us understand the human Spirit’s relationship to our mental and emotional states, shedding light on the complex interplay between our psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions.

     Spirituality, in its various forms, plays a significant role in understanding and experiencing the human Spirit. It offers a framework for exploring the depths of our being, seeking meaning beyond the material realm. We tap into a transcendent realm through meditation, prayer, mindfulness, ritual, sacred plant medicine, or a number of other practices connecting with something greater than ourselves and nurturing our spiritual well-being.

     Thus, the human Spirit is a multifaceted concept that defies simple definition. It emerges from the interplay of biology, history, culture, philosophy, psychology, and spirituality. It is deeply personal and intimately connected to our collective human experience and something ineffable that embraces our life force and the Universe concurrently. Exploring the human Spirit allows us to delve into the depths of our existence, ponder the mysteries of our being, and embrace the richness and complexity of not only what it means to be human but to be a part of an infinitely vaster universal holism. As we continue to contemplate, seek knowledge, and nurture our spirits, we honor the profound and awe-inspiring essence within each of us and the Universe that has spawned us.

     So, with this tentative exploration into the human Spirit, what might spiritual healing mean? At its core, spiritual healing addresses disease’s root causes rather than merely treating symptoms. We tap into a wellspring of healing potential by connecting with our inner selves, higher consciousness, or divine energy. Spiritual healing encompasses various practices, including energy healing, yoga, immersion in nature, meditation, insight, mindfulness, prayer, use of plant medicine, and rituals, all aimed at restoring balance and harmony within ourselves and the world around us.

    The power of the mind, faith, and belief lies at the heart of spiritual healing. The mind plays a vital role in influencing our overall well-being, and spiritual healing harnesses this power to create positive shifts in our physical and emotional states. Faith and belief in the healing process are catalysts that allow us to tap into our innate healing abilities and align with the universal energy that not only surrounds us but often lies dormant within us.

     There are many factors behind all of the physiological, emotional, and social diseases that being human exposes us to. All are treatable through some applied principles of spiritual healing, with many conditions being amenable to complete remission under exceptional circumstances, usually accompanied by the intense dedication of the sick person to travel upon new and elevated paths of understanding and take action in alignment with that new energy.

     Each individual’s journey to spiritual healing is unique. Exploring different techniques and finding what resonates with us is critical. It is essential to approach these practices openly, seeking guidance from experienced practitioners and trusted sources. We must trust our intuition and listen to our inner voice, as it guides us towards what feels authentic and transformative on our healing path.

     The benefits of spiritual healing extend far beyond the physical realm. While it can certainly contribute to physical health improvements, such as pain relief and immune system enhancement, its impact on our emotional well-being and spiritual growth is equally profound.

     Emotionally, spiritual healing provides a safe space for emotional release, healing past traumas, and reducing stress and anxiety. It allows us to connect with our inner wisdom and cultivate peace, resilience, and self-empowerment. Through spiritual practices, we gain a deeper understanding of ourselves, develop compassion, and foster healthy relationships.

     On a spiritual level, healing opens the door to profound growth and enlightenment. It enables us to transcend the limitations of our time-bound ego and connect with that timeless part that exists beyond our verbal understanding of ourselves. Spiritual healing can lead to a sense of new purpose, connection with the divine, and a greater understanding of the interconnectedness of all beings.

     While spiritual healing has gained widespread recognition, it has its fair share of criticism and skepticism. Some argue that its effectiveness is purely placebo or attribute the reported benefits to other factors. However, it is essential to approach these doubts with an open mind, recognizing that personal experiences and testimonials hold immense value. In the face of skepticism, remaining receptive to different perspectives and seeking knowledge and new personal experiences is crucial.

     We can be inspired by compelling stories about the transformative power of spiritual healing. Countless individuals have shared their experiences of remarkable healing and inner growth through spiritual practices, and I am one of them. Throughout this book, the reader has considered my evidence for the actuality of such experiences as I documented my many unions and inadvertent collisions with the mystery and potentiality of the Spirit.  

The following three spiritual healing experiences are precious to me, but by all means, they are not my only spiritual experiences.

• Recovering from the ravages of toxic male behavior throughout the first half of my life, a vision was given to me with the directions for the next steps for healing through reconnecting with our Divine Mother and Earth energy.
•  With the emotional turmoil and stress of having just terminated a marriage engagement the day before, I visited Marie Schmidt, an Infinite Way healing practitioner. After 15 minutes of meditation with her, my distress was replaced by peace and joy,  
• With a severe nasal infection, I visited our friend Mary M., a practicing Catholic who also believes in the power to heal others through the energy she can channel and allow to pass through her hands and body. After a beautiful ritual, she worked the energy to perfection and healed my sinus infection after her practice. 

   We embrace spiritual healing by acknowledging the intricate dance between our physical, emotional, and spiritual selves. We recognize that true healing lies in restoring balance, often between our masculine and feminine sides, between the needs of family, friends, and society and our own, between the natural world and our culture, between the verbal and non-verbal centers within ourselves, and harmony between factors on many other levels. It empowers us to actively participate in our well-being, fostering insight and self-awareness while facilitating profound transformation. These practices can enhance emotional well-being, promote a sense of interconnectedness, and provide solace during hardship. They offer an avenue for personal growth, allowing individuals to tap into their inner strength and resilience. By embracing spiritual healing, we open ourselves up to a world of infinite possibilities and the potential for profound transformation.

     Holistic health advocates, wellness enthusiasts, and spiritual seekers embrace the transformative power of spiritual healing. This journey must be undertaken with open hearts and minds while recognizing the potential to bring about profound shifts in our lives and the world around us. Our bodies take on enhanced importance as we remember that they serve as the temple of the living God while also being the vehicle for our consciousness during our walk over Mother Earth’s sacred grounds. Through this healing process, we can cultivate a more profound sense of well-being, compassion, and our purpose in this life. As a result, we can live on much broader frequencies of being.

     How do we presently view the world and ourselves? How we see ourselves and our relationship to the totality of life is the primary indicator of how well we function emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Remember, as the spiritual savants and quantum physicists keep pointing out, all we see is an out-picturing of our mind, with its concepts, prejudices, judgments, knowledge, love, empathy, and/or compassion. Unless we are enlightened and/or living in tune with divine power, our minds have just two primary advisors to it. These are our individual and collective experiences, or consciousness, and these forces peer through our eyes with us. Understanding how our memories, knowledge, and accumulated verbal competency guides our journey is always helpful, yet do we also have access to non-verbally based advisors, such as awe, wonder, joy, and the sacred silence of mystical union, so our awareness is not totally dependent on our accumulated verbal competency and previous knowledge. But with the understanding of verbally based awareness, we can gain insight into what it means to be aware without the movement of thought and knowledge through our minds.

     When studying history, a question is often asked: what was the Zeitgeist or the guiding Spirit of that age being examined? Yet, who is doing the studying of that history? That “who” has a Zeitgeist all their own, and while looking through their own lens (Zeitgeist), they impress that self-image unto that which is being observed. The observer is the observed. The seer is the seen. All that we see, or will ever see, unto eternity is ourselves, so what does our self look like culturally, spiritually, emotionally, and physically? Are we healthy, wealthy, and wise, or diseased, poor, and stupid, or living somewhere in between? That is our starting point, but for those on a spiritual journey of self-discovery and initiation into our highest spiritual potentials, we see only an ever-changing dynamic manifestation of a frequency of life energy ever expressing itself in wider frequency bands of expression. Remember, wherever we are on the infinite spectrum of life energy, all that we see is ourselves, so it behooves us if we want to see more of us; we must gather immense courage and determination to journey into the unknown and the so far, unknowable parts of ourselves rather than to be pilloried for eternity in a limited, well-known version of ourselves.

     If you have made it this far, then you are also curious about what it would be like to expand our perception beyond both what our Western Civilization’s history and knowledge provide for us with its Zeitgeist of the age and the limits of our biology and senses. If enabled or blessed with extraordinary vision, we can tap into experiences that transcend our understanding of reality. We will need our neurolinguistic capacity if we want to have some context for understanding our openings to the unknown and then communicate that experience to others. While language is a powerful tool, it also has limitations, and spiritual experiences often transcend their boundaries. We need the capacity for awareness, yet must that awareness be tethered to our neurolinguistic capacity and the preapproved common knowledge of society? In other words, can we see not only that which others have already painted for us with their words but something still beyond the reach of words? What would that look like, and, if we are inspired to, how would we paint that picture for others, using the limited and limiting words? We are all creators, so we must let more of our deep inspirations guide our creations.

     Understanding the cultural impact of preselected and collectively understood words we use could be helpful before any attempts to increase our personal bandwidths. Our neurolinguistic predispositions and biological and sensorial programming are important avenues of inquiry. Fortunately for those seeking a more cosmic consciousness, there is a neurobiological foundation for our potential for spiritual awakening, so we don’t necessarily need to leave our bodies, figuratively or literally, to have a supranormal experience. We might have to leave many or most of our body of culturally and individually derived beliefs behind.

If time will change your ways, don’t take too long—Madeleine Peyroux.

    In the humming vibrations of modern society, there exists a subtle yet pervasive force that shapes our perceptions, behaviors, and, ultimately, our being—this force is cultural conditioning. The invisible script guides the play of our lives, often without our conscious consent. One of the most profound yet overlooked aspects that our cultural conditioning has profoundly impacted is our perception of time. The verbally constructed concept of time shapes and limits our spiritual growth. Time is the ultimate playground of our goal-setting and achieving culture, and it becomes a controlling God for harried and unaware citizens.

     Time, as we know it, is a measurement, the framework within which our society operates, a conceptual scaffold erected by our collective minds. From seconds to centuries, our language is engrained with the essence of temporal measurement. This cultural artifact, seemingly indispensable, governs the rhythm of our existence. But what if this relentless segmentation of our life into pieces—past, present, and future—is the very thing that bars us from the depths of spiritual awareness? What if this constant pursuit of self-improvement and knowledge to build a better, more socially acceptable cultural ego strips us of our timeless self and chains us to the “I once was, I now am, I will become” treadmill of time?

     The fixation on time is an anchor cast deeply into the sea of our psyche. Herein lies the illusion—that our essence is somehow tethered to ticking a clock or turning a page on the calendar. This fixation tightens the noose around the expansive neck of spiritual awareness, strangling it with deadlines, schedules, and a chronic fear of ‘running out’ of time. Yet, in the realm of Spirit, time loses its dominion. Then we are in a state of deep meditation or profound connection with the Universe; the concept of time dissipates like mist under the morning sun. Can we be a human constantly on the time-bound train of becoming someone of increasing significance while still honoring the spiritual and timeless state that is the foundation for our very being and existence?

     As spiritual beings having a human experience, our constant rehearsal of yesterday and tomorrow distracts us from the eternity of now, the only moment where genuine spiritual connection and awakening can be realized. By dissecting our lives into fragments of time, we inadvertently close our eyes to the infinite tapestry of the present.

     Emerging from the stronghold of cultural conditioning is no simple feat. It requires conscious effort, heightened awareness, and an unyielding commitment to spiritual practice. Strategies to overcome the insidious influence of time on our spiritual well-being include mindfulness meditation, spending time in nature, and various forms of contemplative art. By engaging in practices that ground us in the now, we dial down the volume of the cultural narrative that insists on segmenting our existence and muffling our spiritual voice. We migrate from the crowded and noisy pastures of human becoming to the serene fields of human being..

     Breaking free from the construct of time to embrace spiritual awareness is akin to stepping into a boundless realm of possibility. Without the constraints of ‘have-to’s’ and ‘should-haves,’ we open ourselves to profound tranquility, deeper understanding, and an elevated sense of being. We begin to flow with the timeless rhythm of the Universe, aligning more with the spiritual essence of who we are than with the constructed identity handed down to us. The benefits of this alignment are immeasurable: clarity of thought, compassion towards self and others, and, indeed, a peace that surpasses all understanding.

     We stand at the precipice of an awakening, an invitation to scrutinize the scripts we’ve been given and authorize a new narrative for our existence—one where spiritual awareness burgeons in the fertile soil of the present. It’s a call to challenge the deep-seated cultural conditioning that grounds us temporally but divorces us spiritually. As we peel back the layers that conceal our true essence, we unlock a spiritual potential that is both liberating and transcendent.  We all must question the narrative—to shift the perception of time from a confining construct to a mere tool that serves us. This shift is not one of ease but necessity for those seeking spiritual growth. We step boldly into the timeless now, shedding the weighty cloak of cultural conditioning to reveal the luminescence of our spiritual being.

   Remember that the word, ultimately, is the container for our sense of self. All of the words and the knowledge created through the rational connection of those words and the nearly infinite interconnections between all of our words and knowledge form the matrix that is you and I as verbally conscious beings. Have you ever wondered how language shapes our perception of the world? How do our minds use words to construct meaning and make sense of our experiences? How does our culture and its collectively created consciousness influence those personal phenomena?   

    Neurolinguistics is the intersection of linguistics and neuroscience and offers profound insights into these questions and opens doors to understanding the depths of human consciousness and spirituality. Language is more than a mere tool for communication; it is a gateway to our inner world. Neurolinguistics examines the intricate relationship between language and the brain, exploring how our neural networks process and produce language. It reveals that our thoughts, emotions, and spiritual experiences are interconnected with the words we use and language structures.

   Neurolinguistics provides a unique lens through which we can explore spiritual awakening. Scientists have better understood how our brains facilitate these profound encounters by studying the neural processes associated with religious and mystical experiences. Neurolinguistic research suggests that specific linguistic patterns and metaphors shape our perception of the sacred and connect us to something greater than ourselves. A question always remains as they use the PET, CAT, and MRI brain scans as to whether an energy field of metaphysical activity is what stimulated the brain in specific regions in the first place, or if they originated within the neural substrates itself, or if there an ongoing bilateral communication between the two.

   While language is a powerful tool, it also has its limitations. Spiritual experiences often transcend the boundaries of language, entering a realm that is beyond words. Neurolinguistics allows us to explore these ineffable experiences by investigating the underlying neural substrates. It attempts to look beyond the surface of language and delve into the mysterious depths where the Spirit may be experienced. The study of neurolinguistics enhances our understanding of spirituality and bridges the gap between science and faith. Rather than viewing these realms as mutually exclusive, we can recognize how they intersect and inform one another. Neurolinguistics offers a framework that allows us to explore the neural underpinnings of spiritual experiences while honoring the profound truths that lie beyond the scope of scientific inquiry. Through this brief exploration of neurolinguistics and spirituality, open minds and open hearts can more easily embrace the mysteries of language, the complexities of the brain, and the wonders of the spiritual realm. By integrating science and spirituality, we can gain profound insights into our consciousness and expand our understanding of the world and our place within it. 

   In the vast landscape of human cognition, the relationship between neurolinguistic programming and free will presents a captivating paradox. Neurolinguistic programming, often called NLP, studies how language and communication impact our neurology, psychology, and behavior. It delves into the intricate dance between the mind and language, revealing words’ profound influence on our perception of reality. Language is a powerful tool that shapes our thoughts and emotions and guides our actions. Through NLP, we comprehend language’s immense power in constructing our subjective experience of the world. With its intricate neural networks, the brain processes language and embeds it deep within our subconscious. This programming forms the foundation of our beliefs, habits, and self-perception, dictating how we interact with ourselves and the world around us.

   As we navigate the realm of neurolinguistic programming, we inevitably encounter the philosophical debate surrounding free will. Are we genuinely autonomous beings capable of making independent choices, or are our decisions predetermined by the subconscious programming ingrained within us? Determinism, the belief that all events, including human actions, are ultimately determined by preceding causes, challenges the notion of free will. Advocates argue that our thoughts and behaviors arise from a complex web of biological, environmental, and genetic factors beyond our conscious control. Our every action is influenced by the intricate dance of neurons firing within our brain, choreographed by the language we have absorbed throughout our lives.

   The specific words and phrases we choose profoundly impact our thoughts and behaviors within neurolinguistic programming. Language acts as a lens through which we perceive reality, shaping our understanding of self and others. It constructs the narratives that govern our lives. Consider the power of positive affirmations. By consciously choosing uplifting words and phrases, we can reprogram our minds to embrace optimism, resilience, and self-belief.

     Similarly, the words we use to describe ourselves and our experiences can empower or limit us. The simple act of reframing negative self-talk can unlock tremendous personal growth and transformation. Moreover, linguistic patterns like metaphors and storytelling can bypass the critical mind and directly influence our subconscious. They ignite emotions, shape our beliefs, and inspire action. Through the strategic use of language, we can create profound shifts in our lives and the lives of others.

   While the subconscious programming of our minds exerts a powerful influence, it is not an insurmountable force. We can reclaim our free will and reshape our reality by cultivating awareness and consciously choosing our words. Here are some strategies to embark on this transformative journey:

1. Self-Reflection: Engage in introspection to identify limiting beliefs and patterns of thought. Question their origins and challenge their validity.
2. Conscious Language Use: Select words and phrases that empower and align with your desired reality. Use positive affirmations and reframe negative self-talk.
3. Mindfulness Practice: Cultivate present-moment awareness to observe your thoughts and language patterns. This enables you to consciously choose your words before they become automatic responses.
4. Neuroplasticity Exercises: Engage in activities that promote neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to rewire itself. This might include learning new languages, engaging in creative pursuits, practicing visualization exercises, and/or micro-dosing psilocybin mushrooms.
5. Seek Support: Connect with like-minded individuals on a similar journey of self-discovery and transformation. Surround yourself with a community that supports and encourages your growth.

   The study of neurolinguistic programming not only aligns with scientific principles but also intersects with spiritual concepts. The power of language to shape our reality echoes the teachings of ancient wisdom traditions. Whether we view it scientifically or spiritually, the message remains the same: our words hold immense creative power. As we embrace the art of conscious language use, we embark on a path of personal growth and transformation. We realize that our reality is not fixed but rather malleable, waiting to be reshaped by the profound influence of our words. By harnessing the synergy between neurolinguistic programming and free will, we unlock the potential to create a life that aligns with our deepest desires and aspirations.

   In the intricate dance of neurolinguistic programming and free will, we find both the limitations and the incredible potential of the human mind. We construct our realities through language, shaping our thoughts, beliefs, and actions. While the subconscious programming within us still exerts a profound influence, we can reclaim our free will and consciously choose the words that guide our lives. We must make our unconscious and subconscious parts conscious for any hope of free will. One significant facet of our transformative journey is embracing deliberate language use and reshaping our realities. By becoming aware of the intricate dance between neurolinguistic programming and free will, we awaken to the immense power we hold within ourselves. By seeing where we are influenced by cultural stereotypes and historical archetypes, we can choose words wisely and co-create a world filled with authenticity, growth, and limitless possibilities with others.

   The hardware and the firmware supporting our consciousness can be regarded as a deterministic neural network. It is of utmost importance for those seeking a life in a broader frequency of being to understand our software, for this is where changes in perception are most easily facilitated and where proof resides that we have access to free will. Some studies indicate that we can even change how our brains process information on a hardware level. In some studies, men can think globally like women after neurolinguistic reprogramming. Also, their brain structures became modified over an extended period, so there is some malleability on the hardware level. This is not a common experience, but it is usually inspired by those men who are totally disillusioned with their lives and actualized through a long-term dedication to having their perceptual worlds wholly changed.

     Wise people continue to seek truth and meaning in the complexities of the language, culture, and consciousness that their lives are woven into. Language and culture are two intertwined facets that shape our understanding of the world. They provide the supporting framework for the consciousness through which we perceive, interpret, and communicate our experiences. One fascinating aspect of this relationship is the distinction between non-duality and duality-based languages and cultures. Non-duality and duality represent fundamental concepts that influence our perception of reality. Non-duality emphasizes the interconnectedness and unity of all things, while duality underscores the existence of opposites and distinctions.

     An essential foundation for our creation of meaning is the linguistic portals our culture creates through language to understand the Universe, as duality-based civilizations like ours may embrace higher truths and frequencies with different verbal structures than those from non-dualistic cultures. The underlying concepts of both modes may point to the same reality, but actions taken by the respective adherents will often differ. As we explore the broader frequencies of being, this is important to remember, for what is considered supernatural in dualistic realities may be regarded as just aspects of a typical human experience in non-dualistic modes of thinking.

       English-speaking cultures often rely on binary distinctions, such as good/bad, right/wrong, or black/white. This language categorizes and compartmentalizes the world, emphasizing individualism and independent thinking. The emphasis on clear-cut distinctions can manifest in legal systems, social norms, and even religious beliefs. Our culture often views reality through the lens of opposites, which can shape how we perceive and relate to the world around us.

     Our foundation in a dualistic language style needs to be more robust and adequate to verbally convey the truth that entertaining the more expansive, comprehensive frequencies of spiritual experience encompasses. The nature of the last sentence shows the embedded dichotomy in our dualistic culture, for in many non-dualistic cultures, there is no difference between the human and the spiritual experience, for they are One. Westerners on a “spiritual path” would be regarded as just stating the obvious for some indigenous peoples, for all of their lives and paths are, by their very non-dualistic nature, spiritual. As has been said, Spirit is the infinite path we all walk upon and requires no belief. Therefore, there is no need for any specialized path.  

At the heart of every philosophical debate, there lies a tension between opposing thoughts, begging us to choose a side. But thousands of years before such dichotomies squeezed the vast spectrum of human thought into binary categories, our ancestors viewed the world through a non-dualistic lens. Non-dualistic thinking is not merely a historical footnote but a cornerstone of our cognitive evolution.  Long before the Greeks espoused their dualisms, ancient civilizations embraced holistic worldviews. Eastern philosophies, such as Taoism and Buddhism, thrived on principles that highlighted harmony and interdependence rather than conflict and division. The oldest sacred texts of India, the Vedas, expounded a cosmic unity transcending all apparent separations. This approach permeated the way societies functioned, influencing their culture, law, and daily life significantly.

Non-dualistic thinking predates the analytical mindsets that prevail in the modern world. Cognitive evolution did not leap from primitive simplicity to complex binary logic. Instead, it blossomed from an implicit understanding that life cannot be neatly categorized. This kind of holistic cognition shaped our earliest social constructions and problem-solving strategies, enabling us to create nuanced responses to the world’s complexity.  The widespread non-dualistic sentiment provided a foundation for cultures that prioritized collective well-being and harmony with nature over individualism and exploitation. It influenced art, creating works that evoke an inseparable bond between humans and the cosmos, and governance, where the leader was often seen as a part of a larger whole.

Despite its pervasive historical presence, non-dualistic thinking faces criticism. Some argue it defies the clarity and decisiveness needed for progress. Others assert that without categorization and differentiation, we could not have developed science and technology. Although these criticisms hold validity, they overlook the balance non-dualistic thinking can bring to our overly polarized society. In our era defined by division and conflict, rediscovering the value of non-dualistic thinking could lead to a more cohesive world. As an integral part of our cognitive evolution, non-dualistic thinking may well be a necessary platform for the next leap in our collective journey—an evolution of consciousness that recognizes the ancient wisdom embedded in the tapestry of life’s interwoven patterns. To weave forward, we must acknowledge the threads behind us.

     Several languages and cultures embrace non-dualistic perspectives. For example, many indigenous cultures, such as Native American, Aboriginal, and African tribes, view the world holistically, acknowledging the interdependence of all living beings. Languages spoken in these cultures often reflect this interconnectedness through their grammar, vocabulary, and metaphors. Non-duality-based languages tend to employ contextual and relational thinking. They prioritize harmony, cooperation, and a holistic understanding of the world. This perspective is reflected in cultural practices, such as rituals that honor the interconnectedness of nature, communal decision-making processes, and a collective sense of responsibility towards the environment.

     In a world often divided by boundaries, opinions, and ideologies, the language of non-duality transcends this with the understanding that everything in existence is interconnected and fundamentally one. Non-duality encourages us to move beyond separation and embrace the inherent unity of all beings. While non-duality is often associated with spiritual and philosophical teachings, its essence can be found in cultures and tribes around the globe. From the Advaita Vedanta philosophy in India to the Native American tribes’ respect for the interconnectedness of all living beings, non-duality permeates the fabric of different societies. The Maori people of New Zealand, the San Bushmen of Africa, and the Taoist philosophy in China are just a few examples of cultures that embody non-duality in their unique ways.

     These cultures express their understanding of non-duality through various practices, rituals, and art forms. Traditional ceremonies bring communities together to celebrate the interconnectedness of life. Art, music, and dance forms serve as mediums to express the unity of all things. The intricate mandalas in Tibetan Buddhism, the rhythmic beats of African drums, and the graceful movements of Balinese dance reflect the inherent oneness and harmony in non-dual cultures. Verbal and non-verbal communication, such as storytelling and symbolic gestures, also play a significant role in conveying the language of non-duality.

     For spiritual seekers, non-dual cultures offer profound wisdom and guidance. Immersion in these cultures and their teachings can lead to transformative experiences and a deeper understanding of one’s place in the world. By embracing non-duality, seekers often find purpose, interconnectedness, and inner peace. The teachings and practices of non-dual cultures provide a roadmap for navigating life’s challenges, fostering personal growth, and cultivating a sense of meaning and well-being. Non-dualistic philosophies emphasize the illusion of separation, the impermanence of individual identities, and the fundamental unity of existence. Whether it is the Hindu concept of Advaita (non-dualism), the Buddhist concept of interdependence, or the indigenous wisdom of interconnectedness, these teachings remind us that the boundaries we perceive are merely constructs of the mind.

      As we journey towards our real self and true nature, we are confronted with the challenges that arise from our deep-seated attachment to dualistic thinking. The allure of certainty, the comfort of familiar dichotomies—these can hinder our ability to embrace a holistic understanding of the world. Yet, it is precisely in transcending these limitations that we can begin to access the harmony and understanding that lie at the heart of inspired perceptions.  Even in the midst of the chaos, unpredictability, randomness, dualistic philosophies, and misinformed theology and secularism of our age, with a more unconditioned mind with an enlightened perspective, an enhanced vision can open the doors of perception to a life already existing on much wider frequency of being.

     The Parable of the Wheat and Tares in Matthew 13:24-30 offers a profound lesson in embracing unity amidst diversity. In this parable, wheat and tares grow together, representing the coexistence of good and evil in the world. It is not for us to separate them, but to recognize their interplay and strive for harmony within our own lives.  We can see how and why others cling so tightly to their perceptions, yet understand that a much more expansive and nuanced view is appropriate. . By doing so, we align ourselves with an exalted vision of unity, transcending the limitations of dualistic thinking.

     The words of St. Augustine are reminders that our perception is limited, while God’s vision is boundless. “For God does not see in the same manner as man sees…For man sees bodies through a body.” Our human understanding is confined by the constraints of our physical existence, whereas divine perception transcends these limitations, encompassing the entirety of creation. To cultivate a more unlimited perception, we must engage in spiritual practices that expand our consciousness and open our hearts, while healing from whatever grief and trauma that still burdens us. Through prayer, meditation, seeing the other as a loving extension of the true self we share, letting go of the thought controls inculcated into us by our family and culture that cause us to feel inadequate and disconnected from divine love, insight into our woundedness, and contemplation, we can tap into the dormant wisdom that often lies unrecognized within us and align ourselves with the order and unity that an unconditioned, or a mystically empowered mind sees.

     While the language of non-duality holds immense wisdom, it is not immune to challenges and misinterpretations. Cultural appropriation and commodification can dilute the profound teachings and distort their essence. Misunderstandings and misconceptions can arise when non-dual concepts are taken out of context or oversimplified by those raised in Germanic and Indo-European speaking cultures (Germanic includes English). It is crucial to approach non-dual cultures with respect, humility, and a genuine desire to learn and understand. Cultivating non-duality principles in a world often driven by division and conflict can help bridge the gaps and promote acceptance, empathy, and unity. We can integrate non-dualistic principles into our daily lives by practicing mindfulness, embracing diversity, and recognizing the interconnectedness of all beings. We contribute to a more harmonious and compassionate society by actively embracing non-duality. We open ourselves to a much wider frequency of being.

     Now is the perfect time to perform a thought experiment guaranteed to eventually enable all of us to see a wider frequency of being. The fundamental assumption behind duality is that there is an observer and what they observe. I won’t reenter Descartes’s theories here, for in truth, the observer and the observed arise as one, and not in any contrived sequence a few philosophers of knowledge love to self-promote.

     So, let us begin.  I stand here, look out from myself, and see the so-called objects of my perception. Let’s say that in my perceptual field, I see you. Here is where things get complicated. If I accept that there is but one Spirit animating humanity, I can no longer see you as an object of my perception, for you are the very extension of that sacred Universal Spirit that I am, and, hopefully, I am for you, too. In an absolute sense, you can’t be real, for there is only I. As Jesus stated, “I Am that I Am”. Guess what? You and I are that I Am as well. “You” can’t be real, no matter how complex and carefully you assembled yourself through your own neurolinguistic programming; there is no duality; you and I arise as One, having a different perspective of ourselves simultaneously through two apparently different biological beings. So, I am is prominent, isn’t it? Come on, you can’t be real in any absolute sense, but we still can find ways to enjoy our illusion of separation or destroy ourselves and each other if we don’t take our perceptions of differences more lightly. The complications come when we see projections of the unhealed human collective consciousness through our perceptual field. I mean, who wants to be One with the mass murderer on Death Row, the homeless person dying from a fentanyl overdose, or the angry daughter-in-law whose hateful tirades have destroyed family unity?

Yes, Namaste, eh?

Let us raise a toast to our growth in wider frequencies of being!

     Remember, within each word is the meaning of all words, or each word is a hologram of our whole language. Within each human is embedded the experience of all human beings. Each human being is a hologram of the whole. We have to see the interconnectedness of all, or we miss the meanings available through living on a wider frequency of being.

     Let’s bring it back home to me for a moment. If I is primary, in fact, the ultimate truth, then I need to be careful how I craft it in my speech. If I say that I am a retired electrician, I am the son of Beryl and Corinne Paullin, I live in Milwaukie, Oregon, I hike, run, and bike, etc. I am just verbally affirming facts about my existence, which, neurologically, are already fixed paths in my brain. These are my knowns, and they may indicate healthy choices and behavior, but they are no longer new paths of consciousness, are they? They are familiar, perhaps even part of the sacred routines, yet nothing new is happening in our neural networks; once they become habits, is it?   

    Where is neuroplasticity to be found? To travel new paths of consciousness, to become aware of higher frequencies of bring, we must break out of our verbal ruts from time to time and proclaim new paths for ourselves. A good start would be to affirm that we are embarking on new paths of consciousness and then choose a new direction. Our narratives then have to adjust for the changes and new words used, and thus, new neural links are created. I am no longer a retired electrician because I am now a writer and a free Spirit enjoying freedom of choice as to how I live each day. And then I do it! Boy, I now have a vast new narrative! Attempt these new activities, and then new experiences and words backfill into our body of knowledge, creating an upgraded sense of ourselves.

     In healing teachings like Christian Science, The Infinite Way, and even Alcoholics Anonymous, we are required to accrue a new vocabulary. In AA, the recovery vocabulary is built through practicing its 12 steps. In the Infinite Way and Christian Science, the vocabulary of the omnipresence and omnipotence of God in all of our affairs and the often illusory nature of our visual and verbal world predominates. But in all cases, we have to practice, practice, practice until the truth becomes us, for without the healing consciousness, there are few healing miracles. We must build that consciousness of truth, as it has no way to develop within us spontaneously, save through the rare divine or miraculous intervention. We need words, and probably lots of them, to build a better consciousness that embraces the truth that we want to experience and express through our lives.

     Sometimes, the greatest healing techniques have already been developed, so in this case, I don’t need to reinvent the wheel.  The 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, spiritually reinterpreted, is a great supportive tool for those seeking an experience on a wider frequency of being.  

12 Steps Revised To Reflect My Spiritual Experience

1. Through our extended suffering, we finally found the desire to want it to end. We admitted that when we become self-destructively habituated to any substance, situation, or perception, or judgment and/or lack of forgiveness in our relationships with others, we lose our freedom of choice, bring unnecessary trauma into our lives, and into the lives of others, and, thus, fail to achieve any lasting sense of inner peace and joy. We finally realize that our lives have been lived unconsciously, and have become unmanageable as a result of that neglect.

2. With our newfound hope and openness for change, came the desire to begin to awaken to higher possibilities for our lives. We realized that, in our essence, we have an interior, though neglected, power that will heal us and restore us to balance, if we pursue it in earnest. We now realize that we have not been living up to our full potential as human beings.

3. We decided to turn our will, and our lives, over to the care of our higher interior power. We become open to the possibility of embracing a new Truth in our lives. We want to access the power to continuously evolve, and we want to cultivate our hearts to be more loving to ourselves and to others. We decide to let go of ANYTHING that impedes our progress toward happiness, healing and wholeness. We realize that without the deepest of desires, and intentions, to change our behavior, we will not be transformed.

4. We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. We have lived a life without a high sense of self-esteem, and we have made unfortunate choices because of the scarcity consciousness that has resulted from it. We realize that when we find the blocks to our evolution and become willing to remove them, our newfound insight will guide our paths with precision to the Truth of our existence. This is our entrance onto the path of mindfulness and higher consciousness.

5. We admitted that we were not being truthful with ourselves and with others, and by talking with another whom we may trust, yet not be beholden to, about our errors in judgment and in actions towards ourselves and others, we can better deal with the shame and self-judgment that so often arises from the deadly secrets that we once felt that we must keep. Just by honestly talking with someone else, our burdens can be lifted. Our secrets need no longer keep us imprisoned, and mentally ill. When two or more people come together in the spirit of truth and honesty, mutual compassion and empathy also become part of the gathering.

6. We became entirely willing to let go of our attachments to unhealthy attitudes, behavior, and people. We wish to see clearly, without the limitations of our past, of our family history, and of our cultural conditioning, with all of their embedded trauma.

7. We open our hearts through humility and the willingness to change to embrace a new possibility in our lives. Our newfound sense of connection with our higher interior power inspires us to become more grateful for the gifts that we now have, and we are now spiritually preparing to finally give back to the world in a meaningful, positive way. We want to finally let go of all of the emotionally charged memories that keep us trapped in a dead past. Rejoice, for the old demons are being transformed into the new angels!

8. While we were unconscious of our higher potential as human beings, we brought emotional, spiritual and perhaps even physical harm to other innocent beings, and we want to try to bring healing and peace to those who have suffered from the effects of our ignorance. We realize that through the mirror of all of our relationships, dysfunctional or otherwise, we are granted a view into how we truly see ourselves. We want to see through the eyes of Truth, and not through the pain and suffering that unfulfilled relationships may have brought to us.

9. We made direct amends wherever possible to all people we may have brought harm to, except when to do so would bring further injury to them or to others. Our guilt will not be assuaged at the expense of others. We make full application of our newfound wisdom, and our renewed desire to bring no harm to any sentient being. We want our world, and our sense of self, to feel safe from further attacks from us, and our honest disclosure of our mistakes to those impacted by our errors in judgment will continue to support that intention.

10. We continued to take personal inventory, and, when wrong, promptly admit it. We have become honest with ourselves. We practice mindfulness and continue to develop our capacity for insight into ourselves. We now know ourselves, and we now know many of the potential impediments to experiencing and expressing the Truth of our being. We no longer solely abide in old modes of thought, and now we are more focused on the beauty of the present moment.

11. We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with the Truth of our being, praying only for knowledge of Truth, and the willingness to live within its infinite domain. We now understand that this whole process of recovery is a meditation on life and that the evolving, healing life that we are now experiencing is our living prayer. Each time we drink from the deep interior waters revealed to us by meditation, more of our painful dreams are dissolved. We finally realize that the capacity to change, to evolve, to grow in our infinite spirit is the whole point of our human existence. We are now traveling upon new paths of consciousness.

12. Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we attempted to carry our message of recovery to our world while continuing to practice these principles in all our affairs. We have finally become whole, and are now conscious, caring human beings. We have accepted full personal responsibility for our lives, including healing our past and keeping our present balanced and harmonious, and we no longer blame others for who we are now. We are now experiencing prosperity on many levels, and have witnessed the healing of ourselves. We have saved the world—from ourselves. Our life is now our truest teacher. We realize that we have no power to bring salvation to others, yet, it is our responsibility to point to the way of healing for others who may still be suffering, and who may finally become interested in overcoming their limitations.

 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The same was in the beginning with God.  All things were made by the Word; and without the Word was not any thing made that was made.  In the Word was life; and the life was the light of humankind–New Testament, Book Of John:1

The pursuit of origins is a pillar of human curiosity, and one of the most mystical quests is the search for the very first word uttered at the dawn of human consciousness. It’s a venture that compels us to examine the roots of our own being because, to query the origin of language, is to probe the essence of humanity itself.

Human evolution is a mosaic paved with countless wonders, but language is among the most transformative. Words have built empires, kindled romances, crafted laws, and birthed entire civilizations. Consider the stirrings of language in our ancestral past, an audacious step igniting the gift of complex communication. Hence, its origin isn’t just an artefact of evolution – it is the very framework of our collective identity.

Where sentient thoughts began, language surely followed, invisible and intangible, yet potent. The dawn of consciousness is inseparable from the birth of language. That first spark of awareness may have been a solitary insight or glimmer in one mind which was then taught to a peer, or to a child.  This started the collective awakening to, first, verbal communication, and then, probably much later, written or symbolic communication.  

I did not speak until I was four years old.  I was taken to several medical professionals to determine if I was physically or socially deficient.  I understood the language of others, and I had many  thoughts, but I could not form my own words.  My sister claims that she spoke for me.  One day, out of the blue, I started having a stream of memories erupt in my mind, and for the first time I started talking.  I talked so much that my father marveled at the miracle of my speech, yet wondered if I would ever shut up and let others talk.  I remember the excitement of communicating, of having words exploding in my mind.  I suddenly knew things my parents were in disbelief that I could even know.  My experience roughly parallels that of the young Helen Keller, whose story illuminates the profound leap from signs to symbols, from sensation to understanding. The unlocking of her language at the water pump epitomizes that pivotal moment in the history and origin of the ego or self – when representation and meaning merged into clarity and a miraculous sense of a unique identity. 

This journey from void to voice is not simply a linguistic leap but a cognitive transformation. Our brain’s intricate dance of synapses and neurons, crafting symbols, assigning meaning, shaping the tapestry of language progressively as we evolve – a process as natural to us now as breathing, yet as miraculous as the cosmos.

The Biblical book of John, attributed to a student of St, Paul and of mysticism, touches the greatest mystery, and asserts there was a ‘first’ word.  Perhaps it’s a symphony still in crescendo, each note purposeful, bequeathing us the legacy of thought, emotion, and connection. It’s not merely about mysticism or historical linguistics; it’s about touching the fabric of what it means to be sentient, to be able to articulate the narrative of our own existence.

Contemplating the word prompts us to marvel at the enigma of consciousness and language. It beckons every pondering soul to dive into its depths. We trace back through millennia, seeking a kinship with those ancestors who, under the same stars, gave voice to their inner worlds. Let us sustain that legacy of wonder, stitching our reflections into the tapestry of a question as enduring as the human spirit itself.

So what are words, exactly, and what are their relationships to healing, and even to God?

Briefly, the word is a symbolic bridge created from the silence or turbulence within ourselves to the point where our mind is focused at a particular time, creating verbal awareness to represent that which is sensorially perceived,. The spoken word is an auditory assemblage of symbols used to exchange information, create resonance, or deter, distract, or attack the other.  The word is a symbol created to represent a static object or dynamic process being witnessed or recorded as memory, ultimately used as a building block in creating knowledge.  The Word of God, literally, is the verbal bridge formed between the divine  silence within a prophet or seer to the place in consciousness where non-God realized humanity resides to bring them back to balance and in alignment with Spiritual intentions,

     Words hold a remarkable power within human communication. They are the building blocks of our thoughts, the vehicles through which we express our emotions and the tools that shape our understanding of the world. But beyond their functional role, words profoundly impact our consciousness and even establish us with a separate identity. It is time to delve into the intricate relationship between words and our perception of self and reality.

     From the moment we learn our first words as children, language becomes an essential part of our lives. We communicate our thoughts, feelings, and experiences through words. We rely on words to express our deepest emotions, share our knowledge, and connect with others. But the influence of words extends far beyond simple communication. They have the power to shape our consciousness and contribute to the formation of our individual and collective identity.

     Language is not merely a tool for communication; it is intricately intertwined with our cognitive processes and perception of the world. The words we use to describe our experiences and the concepts we learn through language shape our thoughts and influence how we perceive reality. For example, cultures with multiple words for various shades of color might have a heightened sensitivity to those distinctions compared to cultures with fewer color-specific words.

     Human language is a dynamic and ever-evolving system. New words are constantly being created to keep up with society’s changing needs and experiences. This creative aspect of language allows us to adapt, innovate, and express new concepts and ideas. The process of inventing words showcases our capacity for creativity and reflects the human quest for understanding, exploration, and self-expression.

     Language is deeply intertwined with culture and plays a significant role in shaping cultural identity. The words we use reflect our respective cultures’ values, beliefs, and experiences. They carry the weight of historical narratives, social norms, and collective memory. Through language, we express our cultural identity and preserve and transmit our heritage from one generation to the next.

     While words contribute to our collective identity, they also play a crucial role in forming our individual sense of self. We each form personal associations and emotional connections with words based on our unique experiences. Certain words can evoke strong emotions, trigger memories, or symbolize important life milestones. The words we describe ourselves and others reflect our values, aspirations, and self-perception.

     Words have immense power in society, both for better and for worse. Persuasive language and rhetoric can sway public opinion, mobilize the masses, and instigate social change. They can be used to inspire and empower individuals or to manipulate and control. Throughout history, influential speeches and written works have shaped the course of nations and sparked revolutions. The careful use of words can bring people together, bridge divides, and foster understanding.

     Beyond their impact on society, words also hold the key to our mental and emotional well-being. Positive and affirming language has the potential to uplift, motivate, and heal. t shapes our self-perception, boosts our confidence, and influences our overall outlook on life. On the other hand, negative words or self-talk can reinforce limiting beliefs, breed self-doubt, and contribute to mental and emotional distress. Conscious use of language can be a powerful tool for cultivating a positive mind-body connection.

     Words are much more than a means of communication. They are intricately woven into the fabric of our consciousness and shape our perception of self and reality. The creation and use of words are a testament to the human capacity for creativity, innovation, and expression. Let us appreciate words’ transformative potential in our personal lives and the broader context of society. Using words consciously and responsibly can harness their power to foster understanding, empathy, and positive change.

     So, let us cherish the gift of language and embrace the profound impact of words on our consciousness and identity. Let us use our words as connection, empowerment, and growth instruments.

     Words hold a profound significance in our lives. They serve as the bridge between our innermost thoughts, emotions, and the world around us. From the moment we learn to speak, words become our companions in communication and self-expression. But have you ever wondered about the deeper connection between words and our inner selves? It is time to uncover the transformative power of words, from bridging the silence within us to healing trauma and expanding our consciousness.

     In a world filled with constant chatter, the importance of words cannot be overstated. They enable us to convey our thoughts, connect with others, and share our unique perspectives. But beyond their utilitarian function, words possess a mystical quality that goes far beyond surface-level communication. They can evoke emotions, inspire change, and shape our world understanding. It is through words that we communicate not only with others but also with ourselves.

     Words serve as a bridge, connecting the silent divine within us to the conscious aspects of our minds. They allow us to voice our deepest desires, fears, and aspirations. Then, we express ourselves through words; we bring forth the wisdom and insights that reside within our souls. In doing so, we bridge the gap between our inner selves and the external reality we inhabit. Words become the conduit through which our thoughts and emotions find resonance in the world.

     Yet, there are times when silence prevails. Traumatic experiences can leave us speechless, rendering us unable to express the depths of our pain or make sense of our emotions. Silence becomes a shield, protecting us from the overwhelming weight of our experiences. In these moments, words fail us, leaving us isolated and disconnected from ourselves and those around us. But even in silence, words linger, waiting for us to find the courage to give them a voice.

     Words become powerful healing tools when we find the strength to break the silence. They allow us to confront our trauma, express our emotions, and embark on a journey of healing and self-discovery. Through journaling, poetry, or even therapy, we can harness the therapeutic power of words to process our experiences and find solace. Finding the right words to articulate our pain gives us a sense of release and clarity that paves the way for healing.

   Our choice of words reflects our inner state and shapes our perception of reality. The language we use influences our consciousness, framing our thoughts and shaping our worldview. By becoming aware of the words we employ, we can cultivate a more conscious relationship with ourselves and the world. Through deliberate language use, we can expand our awareness and deepen our understanding of the interconnectedness of all beings.

    One of the most profound aspects of words is their ability to liberate silenced narratives. By giving voice to untold stories, we empower ourselves and others to confront societal taboos and challenge oppressive systems. Through storytelling, we create spaces for marginalized voices to be heard, fostering empathy, understanding, and social change. Words become instruments of liberation, allowing us to reclaim our power and rewrite the narratives that shape our lives.

     As spiritual seekers, psychology enthusiasts, and self-reflection readers, we are called to recognize the transformative power of words. They can bridge the silence within us, heal our deepest wounds, and expand our consciousness. Let us embrace the gift of words in our journey of self-discovery and healing. By harnessing the power of language, we can navigate the depths of our souls, uplift others, and create a more compassionate and connected world. Let us honor the words flowing through us and remember that our voices have the potential for profound change.

Then Jesus demanded “What is your name?”  The tormented man replied “My name is Legion, for we are many.”

     When we speak of the voices that guide us – attributed often to God, the Devil, or even our own conscience – what we’re truly referencing are the fragments of our identity that we’ve severed ties with as an unskilled mechanism for dealing with overwhelming challenges, and/or coping with trauma. These parts of our psyche, exiled due to immature responses to life and/or psychological wounding, persist within us, influencing our actions and decisions as semi-conscious or unconscious advisors.

     Trauma, most often inflicted by others, can leave indelible marks on our psyche. To protect ourselves from the pain and confusion these wounds cause, our minds sometimes perform an act of self-preservation called disassociation. These disassociated parts of ourselves hold emotions, memories, and impulses that our conscious self finds too overwhelming or contradictory to own. Consequently, we exile them, not out of malice but as a means to survive emotionally.

     The voices, whether we hear them as encouragement, temptation, or correction, can be potent. Imagine them as manifestations of our exiled selves – ‘God’ representing our aspirations and morality, ‘the Devil’ personifying our suppressed impulses and desires, and our ‘conscience’ acting as the mediator, the voice of our true self. These voices are not infallible deities or omnipotent forces but rather reflections of our deepest selves, trying to converse with the parts of us that we consciously acknowledge.

     Why should we reclaim these exiled parts? Because integration is the path to healing. By acknowledging these voices as elements of our being, we invite a reunion with lost aspects of ourselves. This journey towards wholeness requires us to confront pain, reassess our narrative, and heal wounds we’ve long ignored. It is in this brave exploration and acceptance that we find true self-discovery.

     Reconnecting with these inner voices has profound benefits. It can lead to a heightened sense of self-awareness and inner peace. With intention and practice, we can discern which voices offer guidance towards authenticity and which perpetuate our wounding. Embracing these parts with compassion allows us to live more fully, richly, and true to ourselves.

     In our overly judgmental dualistic culture where we are conditioned to externalize good and evil or right and wrong, looking inward to discover their origins can be an act of radical self-acceptance. Cultivate a practice of self-reflection, respond to these voices with curiosity instead of fear, and allow humility to guide us towards understanding and integration.

     Connecting, or reconnecting, with all inner and outer voices is the ultimate of the union with Life while still incarnated within our human bodies.  To hear and recognize every sound, be it the wind tickling the leaves, the creek meandering through the meadow, the abrasive call of the crow, the song of the whale, the howl of the wolf, the meow of the cat, the screams of a person being assaulted, the anger of the Christian Nationalist, the rhetoric of the Trump Republican, the sound of ambulance rushing to a drug overdose victim, the anguish of the parents who just lost their daughter to gun violence, the call for love from a special one who betrayed us and we now consider unworthy of our love, or the cries of our long neglected inner child are the vibrations emanating from our One True Self.  If we no longer are turning away from our Self, and now tuning into all vibrations, listening deeply to all sounds, hearing all voices, and responding with love, empathy, and compassion to all, we have come back home to our infinite spiritual heritage, and are now living on the widest frequency of being.

Mary Shelley, Frankenstein, and ?

     The journeys inwards and outwards are not simple ones, but are laden with the promise of personal evolution. If we dare to tune in to the voices both within and without– the forsaken advisors of our exile – we might just reclaim the wholeness of our being. Exploration and integration of these voices are not signs of madness but of profound courage, as we reach towards that ultimate goal, the mystical union with God, the Universe, and Mother Earth.. May we each have the bravery to face all voices, the wisdom to understand them, and the openheartedness to grow through them.

DREAMS

Are dreams just whispers from our biology, creations sprung from dreamtime imaginations, windows to our subconscious minds, hints of wisdom from our higher power,  portals to other people’s lives, or even remote viewing of our past lives?

Since the dawn of time, dreams have been a source of mystery and fascination. They are the stories our minds weave while we sleep, tales that often escape the grasp of our waking consciousness. But what are dreams really for? Are they critical cogs in the machine of our biological existence or do they serve a purpose.
Since the dawn of time, dreams have been a source of mystery and fascination. They are the stories our minds weave while we sleep, tales that often escape the grasp of our waking consciousness. But what are dreams really for? Are they critical cogs in the machine of our biological existence or do they serve a purpose beyond the physical realm? This blog post explores dreams from various lenses – biological, psychological, neurological, and spiritual – to delve into the origins and value of this nocturnal phenomenon.

Neurologically, dreams are a consequence of brain activity during REM sleep. Studies with brain scans have shown that certain areas of the brain – like the amygdala, involved in processing emotions, are active during this state. Some neuroscientists speculate that dreaming is a byproduct of these electrical impulses and serves no direct purpose. However, other theories suggest dreaming could be a way the brain processes emotions or encodes memories.  Research has even linked specific types of brain activity with the content of dreams. Scans have shown that the visual cortex’s activity may relate to the vivid imagery of dreams, whereas the limbic system’s activation might correlate with the emotional content.

On a more mystical plane, many believe that dreams hold spiritual significance, acting as messages from the divine or the subconscious. Dreams often weave intricate symbolisms that many spiritual traditions interpret as signposts for guidance, warnings, or insights into one’s deep self.  Cultures throughout history have used dreams to make decisions or predict future events. A comparative analysis across cultures shows that despite the vast differences in interpretation, many agree on the potent spiritual value of dreams. Personal stories abound of individuals claiming that dreams led to life-transforming realizations and decisions, implying a higher significance to these nighttime visions.

What then are the origins of dreams? Evolutionary theories suggest dreams might have assisted our ancestors in survival, giving them a ‘safe space’ to simulate dangerous situations and practice responses. As cultures evolved, so did the understanding and appreciation of dreams, imbuing them with religious and spiritual importance.  Yet the real value of dreams might not lie in any one perspective but rather in the interplay of all. They can be as much about biological programming as they are about confronting psychological truths or connecting with the universe’s deeper mysteries.

Clearly, dreams are multifaceted in their significance and importance. They are a nexus where our biological, psychological, neurological, and spiritual selves meet. Well beyond mere scientific curiosity, this intersection offers rich insights into the complexities of human consciousness and experience. With each dream we remember upon waking, we glimpse a reflection of our inner workings – and potentially, the essence of what it means to be human.

We all dream, whether we recall them, or not.  Often, those who can recall their dreams have no context with which to interpret them, and the dreams are often  just casually dismissed.  But there are many of us who have developed a context of understanding for our dream works, and pay keen attention to them.  My dreams have always been an important part of my life, and I consider them as messages from many facets of my Self.

In 1964, at 8 years of age I had a most amazing, realistic dream.  This was during a period of time when I slept very little, as I usually got to sleep no earlier than midnight, no matter how early I went to bed.  I laid in bed and reviewed the day every night before sleep, and see where I could have done things better, or said something a little differently.   My dreams had finally evolved beyond the continuous nightmare phase that I was accustomed to, prior to age 8.

THE DREAM:

The priest, having received his directive from “on high”, then returned to his village along the lake in the high mountain region.  He gathered all of the villagers together, and informed them that they were to take every golden figurine, every sacred symbol that they owned, and they were to throw them all into the lake, and never to think about them again.  Then, he told each villager that they must each go into their own home, and face the “evil one” without any protection or care from any of their gods or their symbols of the sacred.

Who was that boy who had that dream?  Is this dream message as valid today as it was, perhaps many years ago?  What kind of life is there to experience once the forces of darkness within one’s own soul have been overcome?  More will be revealed.  I have had many more experiences in adulthood, some of a very profound nature.  The pieces of the puzzle of my life are being integrated into a bigger picture.

It was a bit early for me to be learning about idolatry,  facing my shadow, and psychological projection, but the dream felt very real.  It may have been a portal for viewing the greatest teaching frim an ancestors life’s, but I will never know for sure,

As I make sense of my own experience, so I make sense of the whole of life.

I used to have a dream journal, which I misplaced in a piece of luggage unused for over a decade. I would “wake up” without really being awake, and write some of the damnedest stuff, sometimes. Then, I would not even remember ever writing it. This is one of many that I never recalled writing. I found this one while on vacation in Japan in 2019

In April of 1987, after I had been sober for about one month after 16 years of hell, I had a series of three dreams, on three consecutive nights.

In the first dream, I was an early teenager, hanging out with 4 or 5 other boys, who were my buddies.  My name, in the dream, was Bobby Clements.

In the second dream, we are all enlisting, as a group, to enter WWII.  We told the recruiter that we all wanted to fly on the same plane, or we would not accept service.  We were promised that the Air Force would do everything in their power to make sure that we all were on duty in the same location, and, perhaps, share space on the same military aircraft

In the third dream, I am piloting an aircraft, with all of my buddies assuming support roles.  We are flying into anti-aircraft shelling turbulence, and I can no longer keep the aircraft under control.  My buddies stay in their positions, but apparently whatever hit us from below, is a fatal blow.  I know that we are all going to die.  The dream ends.

I researched Bobby Clements substantially for two months (prior to advent of the internet) later in 1987.  I had seen a park with the last name that I was researching south of Salem towards the coast, and drove to Philomath, Oregon with my wife Sharon, researching the Clements family there, but I came up short.

Several decades later, my sister took up the search for me.  My sister is a STRONG BELIEVER in reincarnation, and she has memories from her own past life experiences.

In her research, she came up with Robert “Bobby” Kelly Clements, of Nova Scotia, Canada.. Robert flew a Lancaster bomber for the RAF out of England, and he was allowed to hand pick his crew, according to the records. He picked his five Nova Scotia friends!

His story was identical to what I saw in the three dream sequence, according to the family reports that she had read about “Bobby”, too.

Umm, Bobby was an electrician prior to his enlistment.  As an eight year old, I wanted to become an electrician more than anything, save becoming an Air Force pilot.  I had a full ride scholarship to the Air Force, was in the ROTC at the U of Portland, then dropped out due to my first wife’s severe health issues.

I eventually retired, as an electrician, in 2016,.

I tried to commit suicide in 1986, when I finally realized that my childhood dreams of being, first an Air Force pilot, and then an astronaut, were never, ever to be realized in this incarnation.

Eerie!

Here is my letter to my sister, acknowledging the experience:

PENTAX Image

Like a bumblebee, whose body is too big for his wings, it lifts up its heart, and then it sings, and then it flies. . . I want to fly, don’t you want to fly?-—Jerry Florence, and Alliance.

Recently, I was reading my journal from March of 1989. There was an entry about a mysterious dream that I had on March 17, 1988, where I am looking for a discarded ring with 8 jewels. After feverishly looking about, I locate 7 of the jewels, and not the mounting, or the eighth jewel. The last jewel will be found mounted to the lost ring itself, the thought comes to me. I am with an unknown girlfriend at the time, though there is sadness associated with this friendship. I know that this “unknown woman” is not the final jewel, and my search must continue. The dream tells me that this is a view of the future, so when I woke up, I was a little more than just skeptical, to say the least.

I was with Laurie H. at the time of the dream. I first met her in an ACOA (adult children of alcoholics) meeting in October of 1987. Laurie and I were engaged at that time, though several weeks after the dream we cancelled the engagement, in June of that year. This opened the door to an eerie conclusion to this story, and yet another story of healing.

In 2020, my wife Sharon, who I had been married to since 1994, showed me the ring that she bought for our 2nd wedding ceremony, a fun family gathering in Las Vegas, in 2004. Sharon bought the ring in Portland, prior to our leaving for Las Vegas, and I was not involved in its purchase, though I asked her, prior to leaving, if she had a ring for our 2nd marriage. She then went to purchase it at Mother Goose, a store in Portland.

seven jeweled ring with big stone

On it was mounted 7 small stones, with one large green eighth stone distinguishing the setting. I had seen it before, and yet never understood its significance, until I re-read my journal. WOW, the ring, and the story, straight from the dream! Sharon had never seen my journal before (it has been in storage since 1989), and I have never discussed its contents with her, either, nor had I even thought about it once in the intervening years.  It was quite the coincidence, sychronicity, or dream viewing of an as yet indeterminate future.

Looking at my history, I have witnessed many dreams inspired by the Mystery

In 2017 our dear friend June T. was visiting her brother Dale in Medford, Oregon. Dale was very sick at the time. In a Friday evening dream, I was in an unfamiliar bathroom, and I had fallen between the toilet and the wall. I was quite distressed in the dream. That next morning, Sharon and June talked on the phone, and June told her that Dale had fallen between the toilet and wall, while she watched helplessly. Coincidence?

In the spring of 1992, while Sharon and I were living in Rock Creek, I had another amazing dream, and it is the miracle of love, and trust and innocence that enables me to share it.  In this dream, I was in my grandfather’s home, sleeping in the bedroom that i always slept in as a child.  A “fierce, fiery cluster, or orb, of pure light and love” hovered over me, and though it did not have human form, I knew it to be my grandfather.  I was being drawn into his love light, and I knew that, for me to continue, this energy would destroy my body because my body was too weak to support this “fire of love” that came to me.  I did not care, for I had finally found what I was looking for, and I began to rise up, and attempt to join with it, knowing my “body” would be destroyed in the process.

Now, in real time, in the physical world, my body was shaking and almost convulsing, and, to Sharon, my “crying and distress” showed that I was having a nightmare.  In her concern, she woke me up, and I had never felt so disappointed to have to wake up, as it ripped me away from this most remarkable inner experience. It is also remarkable how absolutely parallel this inner experience in the dream was to my own grandfather’s experience on the operating table, when he was “ripped back into this world” against his will.

But the dream carried many fruits with it into the world that our bodies inhabit  (Also, the prayer of gratitude-Grandfather, Great Spirit, Thank You, appeared in my mind and heart back then, as well).  I knew that if I wanted to entertain, or to even host, the higher vibrations of love, my body (both physical body and the body of thought constituting myself), must become much stronger, and more open to the powerful energies of Love’s universe.  I came to realize that I must improve my physical conditioning and my dietary choices, and continue to be engaged with like minded individuals and groups of people, where energy can be exchanged.

Matthew Fox Workshop, April 2017

We attended Matthew Fox’s Cosmic Christ Workshop in Tacoma, April 2017. After Friday evening’s seminar about mysticism with the Master Spiritual Teacher, Matthew Fox, we returned to our hotel room, to rest up for the next morning’s follow-up workshop on the Cosmic Christ. I had quite the deep, peaceful sleep, which lasted six hours for me. Prior to awakening, I had a most interesting, powerful dream. What was/is fascinating about this dream is how absolutely awake I was, while having the dream.

In the dream, I opened a door, and walked into a room that was well lit. The room seemed neither familiar, or unfamiliar to me. Inside of the room there was a man standing, who was also neither familiar or unfamiliar to me, as well. He greeted me, holding a cup out to me in his hand. He gently offered it to me, and for a moment I considered what it’s contents might be. I then knew that if I drank from it, I would become “intoxicated”, but of a different nature that was still consistent with the path of “sobriety” I currently walked upon. I then noticed a table, where an opened map laid open upon it. The man walked with me to the table, still holding the cup.

I looked at the map, and it was a topographic style map, similar to what I might use for traveling and/or hiking with. There were two distinct areas to it. The path or road, on the right side of the map, had only one dark, solid line drawn from the bottom to the top of the map. But, the section on the left side of the map had several dotted lines that only remotely “paralleled” the route on the right side of the map. I had no judgement about each of the path styles, yet I remained curious about the several dotted line paths, which intersected each other, while also “snaking” their unique routes up the map. I noted also that the “dotted line” paths also did not ever cross the path of the solid, dark line, though all of the paths had no distinct starting, or end point.

At the Cosmic Christ workshop Saturday morning, Matthew asked if anyone had a dream that they wanted to share in the big group. Not being a “realized person”, I felt uncomfortable sharing the dream. But when it came time for a break, I took a book to Matthew for signing, and shared my dream with him. He refused to tell me what it might mean, but he had a smile on his face, and told me to let it tell me it’s meaning.

On our drive home, Sharon White took controls of the car, and I started telling her the dream again. It was then that the horripilations began in earnest, and the full meaning came through me. A complete mystical understanding, and teaching, was built into that dream, and it was then I realized that I had indeed drunk from the cup of the Spirit. Yes, I became quite “intoxicated” with Spirit, and I knew then that we had truly been blessed again by the Master Teacher.  There were new paths of consciousness to be traveled, and they were indicated by the dotted line, intersecting and interweaving paths.  The solid line on the right, which I had no interest in, was the established ways of knowing and seeing, and the continuation of the structure of the past.  BORING!

This dream was a complete spiritual teaching, and for that, Great Spirit, I thank you, and my gratitude to you will be expressed through the life that you live through me, for now and all time to come. Yes, mysticism, the heart of all vibrant, evolving religions, also can be a personal reality. It is not, however, for those clinging to structured understandings of life.

By nature and practice I am not a religious person, though I have joined with the community of many theologians who believe that dreams are one of God’s (or, Higher Power, Universe, Healing, Spirit, Grandfather Great Spirit, The One, etc.)primary ways of getting our attention. In the absolute, there is little difference between what we experience through our dreams and through our so-called waking reality. Awake or asleep, internally we respond in real time to what we witness as if both experiences have equal footing in reality. So could God/Truth be trying to tell us something while we are sleeping? Here are six spiritually significant dreams that may be more than meets the mind’s eye.:

Dreams have long been regarded as a window into our subconscious and a channel for personal healing. They possess the power to illuminate hidden emotions, offer guidance, and even facilitate profound transformations. I have personally experienced the therapeutic nature of dreams, where they have acted as a catalyst for powerful healing processes. In one instance, I had a dream that seemed to reveal fragments of a past life experience. This dream was so vivid and emotionally charged that it compelled me to seek interpretation and explore the concept of past lives further.

The idea of spirit communication through dreams has fascinated humanity throughout history. Many cultures believe that dreams provide a gateway for spirits to connect with the living. I have encountered instances where I felt a deep and inexplicable connection with a spirit of a deceased friend or family member in my dreams. The experiences I’ve had, along with countless anecdotes from others, reinforce the belief that dreams can serve as a conduit for spiritual connections.

Imagine stepping into a dream and finding ourselves in an unfamiliar time and place, experiencing events that feel oddly familiar. These dreams, often referred to as past life dreams, offer glimpses into our previous incarnations. Some believe that these dreams provide insights into our present lives, shedding light on unresolved issues or patterns that continue to influence us. Exploring dreams as windows into past lives presents an opportunity for self-reflection, self-discovery, and a deeper understanding of our existence.

It is important to remember that dreams, spirit connections, and past lives are deeply personal experiences. Each individual’s journey is unique, and interpretations will vary. What may hold profound meaning for one person may not resonate with another. Embracing the infinite possibilities of the mystical realm encourages us to approach these experiences with an open mind and a sense of wonder.

Key Takeaways:

• Dreams possess transformative powers, offering avenues for personal healing and self-discovery.
• Dreams can provide windows into past lives, offering insights and lessons for our present existence.
• Channeling spirits through dreams can provide a profound connection with the spiritual realm.
• Personal experiences and interpretations of dreams and spirit connections contribute to an individual’s spiritual growth.

As we navigate the beautifully complex realm of dreams, spirits, and past lives, let us embrace the mysteries that unfold before us. Each dream, each spirit encounter, and each realization serves as a building block in our spiritual journeys. So, let us continue to explore, learn, and grow, as we unravel the extraordinary possibilities that lie within the mystical realm.

1. Visitation Dreams
It’s common to have a visitation dream after a loved one passes. The deceased often appear in bodily form, healthy and luminous, in order to communicate an important message: “I’m okay.”, or “There is nothing to fear about death”. I have had several of these dreams over the years, with my most recent experience revolving around the recent death of a good friend.

2. Prophetic Dreams
Many people have had a “dream that came true.” Our dreams may use our past experiences to produce a probable series of future events—showing us patterns that help us make better choices when we’re awake. I have had several dreams that have predicted EXACTLY events that were to happen, yet they remain unreliable predictors of the future, because the future is always changing, depending upon changes made in the present.

3. Warning Dreams
God—and our body—can sometimes speak in dreams to warn us about imminent danger, especially regarding health. We may dream of a specific body part or even receive a verbal warning. In a 2015 study of women diagnosed with breast cancer, 83 percent had dreams that were more vivid than normal. And 44 percent reported hearing specific words like “breast cancer” or “tumor.”

4. Healing Dreams
These are the internal creations that bring us from an “out of balance” place into “harmony and balance.” They often involve a mystical encounter. I have experienced many healing dreams, I had one amazing dream with my deceased grandpa Henry which, to this day, inspires and confounds me.

5. Heavenly Dreams
According to a 1989 study, more than half of healthy young adults who dreamed of death spent a significant amount of time in that dream in heaven. These dreamers sometimes go down a tunnel or pathway and arrive at heavenly destinations. They also frequently encounter deceased loved ones. I have had dreams where I have heard the songs and sounds of the “angels of heaven”, carrying a message of beauty beyond my ability to describe or define.

6. Mutual Dreams
A mutual dream is when two people—typically in separate locations—dream of the same thing at the same time. According to a 2017 study, shared dreams are 80 percent identical on average. They often occur between close friends or relatives. Interestingly, 4 percent of these dreams are shared by strangers. A most profound realization and insight may come to the dreamer, that the collective mind of man dreams through individuals, and individuals dream through the collective mind of mankind. We are one, after all, you and I.

7. Projection Dreams

In 2007, I was able to see that my sense of self had to include the much more expansive collective self that we all share as being conscious members of the human race.  In a dream, I was shown how all of us may project ourselves into another human beings’ experience in our dream world, and experience their version of reality for a moment or two.  If you have ever awakened from a dream, shaking from the experience of living in a very real, but alien, life experience, you have walked across the mysterious threshold into a higher dimension of understanding our self.

Wisdom and insight are available through our “dream channels”. Atheists and agnostics have the same capacity as the saints, as far as the ability to access dream wisdom goes. One of the more amazing dreams that I have had in recent years was the previously mentioned dream involving June Thomas’s brother Dale. We are much closer than we presently believe, and our beliefs keep us more separate as a human beings, than together as spiritual beings. June is much more like me, and attuned with me, than I am comfortable with, some times.

The same is true of ALL OF HUMANITY.

We all are capable of traveling into higher dimensions of being, carried by the mysteries and majesty of our dreams.

Sexuality and Transcendence

I would be neglectful of one of the most powerful biological and spiritual urges if I bypassed human sexuality. Sexuality, in all its simplicity and complexity, has long been a subject of fascination and controversy.  While sex can be sacred and transformative, it is essential to acknowledge its primal nature. The biological urge that drives us towards sexual connection is deeply rooted in our animal magnetism. It is a natural, instinctual force that has been with us since the dawn of humanity.

Sexuality is a fundamental aspect of human nature, encompassing our physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. However, society often reduces it to a purely biological urge and  to the economic needs for procreation to support an expanding economy,  while often trying to confine it  to  just the realm of marital intimacy. By expanding our understanding of sexuality, we can transcend societal constructs and embrace its potential for personal and spiritual development.

Sexual intimacy has the potential to be more than just a physical act—it has the power to forge a profound connection between two individuals. In moments of deep connection, an ethereal bond is formed, transcending the boundaries of the physical realm. Through shared vulnerability and genuine love, we touch a part of our souls that words fail to capture. These experiences are not mere coincidences; they are glimpses of the power of bodily, emotional, and spiritual unity.  By recognizing and embracing this aspect of our sexuality, we can approach it with a sense of reverence and respect.

Beyond the physical pleasures and societal taboos, there lies a deeper dimension—a spiritual significance that often goes unnoticed. The intersection of sex and spirituality opens the door to realms where we can explore the concept of sacred biology, the transformative power of orgasms, and the ethical considerations surrounding sexual relations outside of marriage.

Sacred biology is a concept that invites us to view our bodies and sexuality through a lens of reverence and spirituality. It encompasses the understanding that our bodies are not merely vessels of pleasure but sacred instruments of connection, creation, and transcendence. Through scientific and philosophical explorations, we can come to appreciate the intricate interplay of hormones, neurotransmitters, and energetic exchanges that occur during sexual experiences. Sacred biology reminds us that our bodies are gifts, deserving of love, respect, and responsible stewardship.

Orgasms, often relegated to the realm of pleasure, possess a deeper significance in the realm of spirituality. As energy courses through our bodies, reaching its climax in an orgasmic release, we experience a profound shift in consciousness. Some religious and spiritual texts speak of the spiritual enlightenment that can be attained through the union of body and spirit. In these moments of heightened awareness, we catch a fleeting glimpse of the divine.

When approached consciously and with intention, sex can be an alchemical process that catalyzes personal transformation and higher consciousness. It has the potential to merge our physical, emotional, and spiritual energies, creating a powerful crucible for growth and self-realization. Through the power of sex, we can tap into our full potential and awaken dormant aspects of ourselves.

While recognizing the spiritual significance of sex, it is essential to address the ethical considerations surrounding sexual activities outside of marriage. Cultural and religious norms have long shaped our understanding of sexuality, often placing restrictions and boundaries around its expression. However, as we navigate the complexities of our modern world, it is crucial to engage in open and honest conversations about the ethics of consensual sexual relations outside the confines of traditional marriage. Each individual must grapple with their own moral compass, guided by compassion, respect, and mutual consent.

Unfortunately, the sacred nature of sex has often been misunderstood, leading to taboos, shame, and distorted narratives surrounding sexuality. Society’s conditioning and cultural norms have perpetuated a sense of guilt and secrecy around sex, hindering our ability to explore its spiritual dimensions fully. It is crucial to challenge these misunderstandings and embrace a more holistic and integrated perspective on sex and spirituality.

It is essential to recognize and honor the spiritual significance of sex. By embracing the profound connection experienced during sexual intercourse, acknowledging the transformative power of orgasms, and engaging in ethical considerations surrounding sexual activities, we can navigate the realms of sex and spirituality with wisdom and compassion. Let us remember that our bodies are vessels of divine energy and that sexuality, when approached with reverence and love, has the potential to enrich our lives and awaken the spirit within us.

Exploring the connection between sexuality and spirituality is not without its challenges and controversies. It challenges societal norms, religious dogma, and cultural conditioning. It requires us to question ingrained beliefs and embark on a path less traveled. However, it is through embracing these challenges that we can break free from limitations, expand our consciousness, and experience profound personal transformation.

In the realm where sexuality and spirituality intersect, lies a gateway to higher consciousness, personal growth, and self-realization. By embracing the sacredness of sex, understanding its primal nature, and exploring its transformative power, we can tap into a wellspring of wisdom, connection, and expanded consciousness. To embark on this journey with an open heart and mind, we can embrace the exploration of sexuality and spirituality as a pathway to profound personal growth and an expanding consciousness. 

Through an enlightened sexuality we can all live life on the universe’s unlimited frequencies of being,

Psychedelics and Spiritual Healing

Imagine unlocking the doors of perception, peering into realms of the mind previously unexplored, and discovering new pathways to healing and self-discovery. Welcome to the world of psychedelics. Psychedelics, such as ketamine, psilocybin, LSD, MDMA, Ayahuasca, and DMT, have long fascinated humanity with their ability to induce profound experiences. 

Psychedelics have a rich history dating back centuries, intertwined with various cultures and spiritual practices. Ancient civilizations, such as the Aztecs and indigenous tribes of the Amazon, incorporated psychedelics into rituals and ceremonies, considering them gateways to divine realms and sources of profound wisdom. By exploring these historical uses,  insight may be gained into the enduring fascination and reverence for these substances.

There are many personal stories and case studies available that provide powerful glimpses into the transformative potential of psychedelics. These narratives highlight the deeply profound experiences that individuals have undergone, often leading to insights, emotional healing, and personal growth. While personal stories should not be considered scientific evidence, they offer valuable perspectives on the impact psychedelics have had on many lives. 

In the last two years, there have been several articles posted in Psychology Today, and in other scientific, spiritual and healing newsletters, about the possibility of some forms of psychedelics being useful in the treatment of depression and other mood disorders, as well as being an incredible aid to dying patients who may be facing the fear of death. Modern research may be confirming what has already been witnessed by many users of these mind-altering substances over the years.

Psychedelia comes under a different class of psychotropic experience than alcohol, pot, amphetamines, narcotics, or downers. They were referred to as mind-expanding drugs during the period when they were most popular, which began in the 1960s and extended through the 1970s period. I found psychedelics to be extremely challenging to use, yet they brought into my awareness some amazing and logic-defying experiences.  I even had exotic, supra-normal types of personal events on several occasions.

The legal status of psychedelics varies across different countries and jurisdictions. While some psychedelics remain classified as Schedule I substances, impeding research and therapeutic use, there are signs of shifting attitudes. In recent years, breakthroughs in scientific research and growing public interest have led to legislative changes, allowing for expanded research and even decriminalization in certain regions.

In the early 1970s, I used LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) close to twenty times. The trip would last up to 12 hours. I was also introduced to DMT, which was called “the businessman’s LSD” because it only lasted about 2-3 hours (who has the time for an all-day adventure?).  I also used peyote once, and mushrooms on several occasions, but I had no extraordinary experiences with their use.  LSD worked its magic for me in the 1970s, but I had no intention through its use to permanently erase the ego. Many who used LSD too frequently damaged their mental health, so there is a limit to suspending the ego chemically.

If you need psychedelics, natural or man-made, to get where you want to go spiritually, emotionally and/or physically, proceed with care.

Ram Dass would certainly approve.

Me?

I am not a businessman. I took the long path to my salvation. I know that we each are responsible for our spiritual salvation, not an ancient prophet or savior, or any new drug. My experience tells me that we each need to work long, and hard, to achieve our spiritual goals. No one will do this work for us. Our ego is not the enemy, as ignorance, self-delusion, and stupidity are the real culprits. Intelligence formed from listening to the silence within and having that insight inform our knowledge and memories will bring salvation to our planet, and to ourselves. Negating the value of the ego rather than fine-tuning it will not accomplish anything significant, other than further damaging one’s sense of self-esteem.

Work with integrity upon your traumas.

Work with integrity upon your spiritual path.

If you can’t find the sacred silence without Nature’s help, then, by all means, take advantage of her magic.

But beware of the consequences of bringing a highly chaotic mindset to this process.  I recommend that you first have experienced a measure of healing.  Otherwise, you may not find what you are looking for, except more chaos..

I never saw the use of LSD or psychedelics as dangerous or self-destructive, but instead as a delightful and eye-opening vacation from all of the dark certainties and crystallized structures of thought that characterized my troubled early life.  It all depends on the state of the mind, and our intentions, to determine if the use of mind-altering chemicals is to be considered drug abuse or part of an evolutionary healing consciousness.

Psychedelics, and their use, could take a whole volume if I were to describe and define all of my experiences with them over the period 1972-1980. I used LSD and mescaline during my high school years over twenty times, from early 1972 through the summer of 1973. In college, I did not use them hardly at all, nor did I use them much after that, perhaps using them once or twice a year until 1980, when I ceased their usage..

The first time that I used LSD I was a sophomore in high school. I had no desire to ever use the drug as I was afraid of the potential effects on me. But, my sister Pam’s friend, Terry P., gave me a small pill that had been saturated with LSD liquid to give to her. Pam, at this point in her life, had no desire for the drug, so she gave it back to me and told me to return it to Terry. I kept it and then decided to try an ever-so-small amount of it, in case I had a dangerous reaction to it. I grabbed a razor blade, and scraped about one-fourth off of the pill, and ingested it, and then took a bus to downtown Portland, to hang out at the city library. An amazing feeling overtook me about one hour later. I became euphoric, and I had never felt so good in my life!  I felt peace, and love for everybody and everything, and being only fifteen years old and having never experienced such an energy before, I thought that I had found the promised land. There were no visual or auditory hallucinations, because the dose was so low, and that was just fine with me. It took longer than usual to sleep that night, as my mind remained on high alert well into the early morning hours. There was no hangover nor did I regret taking the risk of using the drug.

Another time, while still a sophomore in high school, I attended a concert at Washington Park, where a man sold me something called DMT, which he called the businessman’s LSD because its effects only lasted 2-3 hours, versus the 10-13 hours LSD’s effects may cause. I became euphoric on this drug, and I had a fascinating experience. Every person that I would encounter for the next two hours, I felt an incredible kinship with. I also felt as if I could understand them at some level way beyond my normal capacity. It was as if I was able to feel all of their good thoughts, so to speak. So, it was an experience of the elimination of fear for me when dealing with strangers, and it gave me the sense of being connected with everybody at a level impossible to achieve while in a normal state. A more sedate and sane variation of this experience was to come to me more naturally fifteen years later, after recovery from drug addiction and alcohol abuse .

While a senior in high school I had another LSD experience worth commenting upon, when Marc A., Mike K. and I took LSD together. Mike had already dropped out of high school, and had his own “rat castle” so we enjoyed LSD’s effects at Mike’s place, out of public view. One amazing effect was that somehow Marc and I became entrained so that we would see the same hallucinations at the same time. I was now taking the drug in high enough doses that hallucinations were quite prominent. One of the biggest prolonged laughs that we all had together was when Mike turned into the Devil himself, with red horns, a tail, and a red face. Of course, Mike could not see it, but Marc and I saw him transform Exactly at the same time, and we could not stop laughing for ten minutes!!

One final experience that seems to have significance is one time I had secured a variation of LSD called Orange Sunshine while attending a summer concert at Delta Park in north Portland. The pill itself was a small phosphorescent orange color, and boy did it pack a wallop! Any kind of visual image or scene had the likelihood of changing into almost anything else, seemingly spontaneously. When I say that the walls were melting at times, if I was in a room, the walls did melt with the most wonderful synesthesia of blending colors and sounds. My psychological set was eliminated as well, meaning all of my personality was no longer accessible, so I was witnessing and experiencing the moment without my normal ways of experiencing reality through my conditioning. It was an incredible, disorienting, wild, and transformative experience while under LSD’s influence. I was to have a drug-induced awakening where I realized that I was the one controlling my very reality, and through the focus of my will and my heart, I could change what I was witnessing in the world. This took on rather bizarre manifestations, with colors swirling through new images, sometimes appearing as if some sort of internal kaleidoscope were projecting images out into my visual field, ALL UNDER MY CONTROL.

When I saw how I could also experience people in a thousand different ways, depending on the position of my internal kaleidoscope, I came to realize that I had a lot more say in how I experienced my fellow man than I ever realized. I can understand why Richard Alpert (Ram Dass), Timothy Leary, Bill Wilson, and so many other pioneers in the modern-day exploration of human consciousness have used LSD. LSD, under the right conditions, can reveal the awesome powers and potential of the unconditioned human mind. It can be temporarily transformational and quite beautiful, and, potentially, dangerous, as well.

I found that the older I got, the less of a positive experience that I had with psychedelics so I stopped all use. In 1980, I used LSD for the last time, sharing the experience with Dan Dietz.  I had trouble coming down from the experience, and it took two days to return to my normal psychological set.  That second day, I feared that I would never return to normal and that I would be stuck for the rest of my life in this in-between state of anxiety and mental illness.  I was never tempted to use LSD again.

While there is a huge potential upside to the use of psychedelics, there can also be a downside to their use, and the person contemplating mind-altering drugs should research this subject, as if for an upper graduate degree. There are Ayahuasca excursions into the Amazon jungle, and now, local retreats, where shamans administer a concoction to the participants seeking a deeper understanding of their own life, and their spiritual connection with the absolute. Many, many suffering, dying people with death terrors, and addicts, alcoholics, and mentally ill human beings can greatly benefit from this form of therapy. 

There are terminally ill patients therapeutically using psychedelics, which has been shown to reduce or eliminate “death terrors” for such patients, while also providing profound guidance for those terminally ill persons. Those seeking such experiences can find appropriate therapists who have access to these drugs and are willing to administer them to the appropriate patient, but they don’t advertise these capabilities on their websites.

I do not regret ever having used a psychedelic drug. As there are logical reasons for using them again, I am now considering them as viable therapeutic options. There are many great stories now available about the use of psychedelics in therapeutic and quasi-therapeutic settings..  It is not my intention to become just another cheerleader for those who want to use or continue to use them.  Yet, through writings such as this I may become perceived as a proponent for the human experimentation of these mind-altering substances and their potential application for improving mental health and spiritual awareness. 

So be it.

Psychedelics worked for me with the intentions, or lack of them, that I entertained for their use in the 1970s. The positive aspects of mind expansion without drugs have occurred for me in adulthood, and I value all such mind-altering and expanding experiences that have led to enhanced insight, wisdom, and healing for me. From 1987 through 2022, I was satisfied with my connection to the higher power that I had developed through the practice of meditation and mindfulness, exercise, healthy food, and social connections. 

Bill Wilson of AA renown, 20 years after his own recovery from alcoholism in 1935, engaged in psychedelic therapy for his chronic depression, beginning in 1955. He believed that this therapy would be of great benefit to those recovering people who could not find, or experience, God (or Cosmic Energy, Spirit, Higher Power, etc).  Deepak Chopra, the ever popular spiritual teacher, is also a strong proponent of this mind opening intervention. Gabor Mate, Dick Schwarz, and other internationally known healers are firmly in support of this form of healing.

I attended my first PIR (psychedelics in recovery) meetings at the Alano Club, Portland on Thursday, October 12th, 2023. I also attended my first AA meeting in that same recovery house in 1981. I have attended nearly a thousand meetings there from 1984 through the early 1990’s. I have extensive experience and training in recovery issues. I have had a few relapses over the intervening years between 1980 and now, with the most dangerous ones in the 1980s while I was still unconscious. I have finally learned how to not fear alcohol consumption, but, instead, to practice mindful drinking, when I choose to consume such beverages. I still enjoy long periods of abstinence from drinking alcohol, whenever my spirit calls for a break. One of my longest breaks was 19 years, which ended when I had a malignant melanoma diagnosis in 2005. This led to a period in my life where I abused oxycontin to the point of needing two years of therapy to heal from that humbling experience.

Abstinence from intoxicating, mind numbing drugs and practicing mindful drinking is part of a new understanding of recovery for me. But the biggest and most profound part of recovery is enhancing my spiritual connection, and embracing an indigenous/shamanic, Christian mystical, personal inquiry and insight practice coupled with continued 12 Step work ,and a Zen Buddhist approach to viewing reality.  This conscious work began in 1971 when I first practiced meditation, and 1972 when I first listened to Alan Watts, the Zen Buddhist master.  Watts’ death in 1973, and drug addiction and alcohol abuse took me away from all practices when I entered college.

My usage of LSD in the early 1970’s revealed to me a vast, creative beauty embodied within the unexplored regions of my consciousness. But, at those late teenage years when I first used LSD, I did not have sufficient spiritual/emotional maturity with its enhanced context to support continued expanding consciousness.

Sharon and I have been studying therapeutic applications and the benefits of psychedelics for years.  Microdosing of psilocybin began for my wife and I late in 2022. I had my first journey with a facilitator in October of 2022, with dramatic and healing insights gained into the wounds that early trauma, and then culturally acquired trauma, left upon my heart/soul.  This has allowed me to explore new paths of healing from an auto-immune disorder that has recently plagued me.  I am not rejecting Western Medicine, yet using expensive medications with side-effects for the rest of my life is an unappealing option.  If I can reach in consciousness the source of my dysfunction, I may be able to remove the factor(s) that encourage the continuance of my auto-immune disorder.

We continue to move in greater circles of understanding and towards our own infinite unfolding as conscious beings. Inquiring minds such as our own want to know what are the best options for healing from trauma/ptsd, enhanced brain health, and continuous spiritual growth, while receiving positive social support, rather than negative judgments from others. We are now in contact, and have befriended, several facilitators of this mode of healing and insight.  All the healing potential in the world has zero value, unless we access it, and put it into real-life practice.

While psychedelics show promise for mental health and personal growth, it is essential to be aware of potential risks and safety considerations. Psychedelic experiences can be intense and emotionally challenging, requiring careful preparation, adequate support, and a suitable environment. Risks include adverse psychological reactions, potential exacerbation of pre-existing conditions, and interactions with certain medications. It is crucial to approach psychedelics with respect, informed guidance, and a thorough understanding of individual factors and contraindications.

The potential of psychedelics for healing and insight is a compelling field of research and exploration. From their historical use in ancient cultures to the current resurgence of interest in therapeutic applications, psychedelics offer a unique lens into the human mind and its capacity for growth and transformation. As research continues to unfold and legal barriers evolve, it is an exciting time for individuals, mental health professionals, and researchers alike to explore the potential benefits of these substances.

Nature is a true healer. Mankind’s separation from Nature, and disrespect and disregard for its human/animal body  is what creates many diseases, forms of mental illness, wayward politics and religions and Capitalism. Be careful when you follow the masses, for often the “m” is silent. When many are hypnotized by the same delusion, it is called mass hypnosis, which includes many religions, and, of course, Capitalism. 

My advise to all is use extra caution when the latest trends, or even resurgence of ancient ones,  captivate the attention of the general public, including within politics, religion, spirituality and psychedelic use.  

Part Two:  Mysticism, Meditation, Mindfulness, Energy Healing, Immersion In Nature, Yoga and Other Exercise, Prayer, Non-Local Healing, Astral Traveling, VooDoo, Black Magic, Witchcraft. . . . .

. .

Chapter 9:   Intelligence:  Knowledge, Facts, Insight, The Whim, and Wisdom

 Need experiential knowledge, Dr Matthew Fox, and Eddy Crouch story.

• What is knowledge?
• What is a fact?
• What is an illusion?
• What is truth?
• What is a lie?
• What is a whim?
• What is insight?
• What is intuition?
• What is wisdom?

I have been pointing to potential answers to these questions throughout the book, with this chapter serving only as a supplement to our understanding.  Forming questions and finding their best answers has challenged mankind for thousands of years, and there are tens of thousands of philosophical, scientific, and religious books already written on all of these topics. I am considered a lay person, with no extended training in philosophy, religion, psychology, history, or academia in general, yet I have the same general curiosity and spirit of inquiry as the most devoted experts within these fields. I will attempt to provide the smallest framework possible for this exploration, so that the reader and myself can share in an abbreviated, but sincere,  walk on new pathways together.

This book is an attempt to get at the root of our shared existence.

• Are we merely verbal creations, or do we exist in other realms or dimensions?
• Where is our foundation and, if we can experience it, will our lives subsequently be lived more holistically and intelligently?

Those that keep asking the important questions of life may eventually find satisfying answers, though there are no guarantees for success.  Those who do not ask those important questions are guaranteed zero success, however.

What is knowledge, and how do we know what we know?

Philosophers, scientists, religious thinkers, and beer drinkers throughout the ages have contemplated this most important question, for it has ramifications for our sense of self, its reality and formation, and our actual  place in the Universe.

Rene Descartes was well known, not only for his volumes of scientific and mathematical writings and teachings, but also for his famous one liner:

I think, therefore I am.

Starting with Descartes, the self was considered to be a thinking thing that is not extended, and the object of the self’s observation is an extended thing which does not think.   Duality is affirmed here, as the thinker, who is a dynamic being, traps the observed in a thought, which is a static enclosure, or perception. Those five words-I think therefore I am, certainly can get confusing, especially when the object is another thinking human being, whether they really are thoughtless, or not!   Things can get really, really interesting, and complicated, when the object of observation is the actual self doing the observation!!!  Yet the unavoidable conclusion to make, if we accept Descartes premise, is that we are because of the agency of the self-organizing principle of knowledge in consciousness and the thoughts that are thus derived from that movement.

Many modern thinkers consider Rene’s dualism through his cause and effect statement as not fully embracing the nature of consciousness and our being, the wholeness of our being, and of our reality, and our relationship to its formation and experience.  Descartes may have have put

“des-cartes before de-horse”.

In a previous chapter we considered the probability that the knowledge of self first begins with the insight that the word represents an object of sensorial awareness.  As many modern day philosophers note:

Within a conscious mind, the subject and the object arise simultaneously.  The thinker and the thought arise as one.  Duality is merely an illusion of thought.

Helen Keller first recognized herself as an independent being upon realizing that W A T E R represented the substance that she both drank and washed with.  So too it is that we can properly assume that our sense of self, and each subsequent iteration of it, or evolutionary progression of it, arises from each statement of “new knowing” that arises within our own consciousness.  Thus, it remains imperative that we understand this process of the creation of “knowledge” and the accumulation of “knowledge” through our training, education, and life experience, for this is the process by which we create our self, and build upon it.

Remember, we began this journey several chapters back with the mythological story of the Garden of Eden, as well as Theseus, the Minotaur, and the labyrinth.  If our intention is to return to the Garden of Eden, what is the state of consciousness that we aspire to return to?  If we wish to return to an unconditioned, or even a pre-verbal state, we are sure to be disappointed, for many pre-verbal states are characterized by unresolved trauma, which means that the labyrinth, and the Minotaur, have yet to be dealt with.  And, to be in an unconditioned mind means that we have somehow suspended cultural and personal knowledge from interfering with our present moment awareness.  Much of knowledge serves to obfuscate and distract us from this most important issue, so we must continue our exploration of the mind, its knowledge, and the labyrinth of illusion that it creates which blocks us from from experiencing our original nature.

We must have a sense of our being before knowledge, and the further pursuit of it, makes any sense at all.  The first word that we learn, be it mama, dada, poopoo, oh FUCK, or whatever it is, becomes the internal ignition switch that gets turned on, and then the accumulation of knowledge of the “outer world” begins!  What we, as a human race, presently accept as knowledge  can be defined in many ways. It can be our capacity for embracing logic, understanding, self-awareness, learning from both personal experience and through the transfer of shared knowledge, emotional knowledge, reasoning, planning, creativity, insight, critical thinking, and problem solving all point to the manifestation of intelligence. Thus, when all aspects of our intelligence are successfully accessed, we can become wiser people.

We have many tools to access in our quest for knowledge and its successful application and the most reasonable ways to apply that knowledge for wise, constructive action in the world. Our knowledge is based upon familiarity, awareness, or understanding of someone or something, such as facts, information, descriptions, or skills, which is acquired through experience or education by perceiving, discovering, or learning knowledge. Knowledge can also refer to a theoretical or practical understanding of a subject.

Intuition is a category of perception that I include under the heading “uncommon knowledge”.  It is is a perceptual attribute that gives us the ability to know something directly without analytic reasoning, bridging the gap between the conscious and unconscious parts of our mind, and also between instinct and reason.

A whim is within the category of perception that I have included under the heading “unconscious knowledge.  It is an act of will sometimes drowning in capriciousness and/or eccentricity, though it can also be a manifestation of unfocused creativity. It appears as a sudden idea or turn of the mind, and its action is often exclusive of the actions of wisdom, knowledge, and intuition..

I first came into a conscious collision with the “whim versus wisdom” dynamic while I was in the fourth grade. The principal of our grade school wanted a representative from each class, from both the 3rd and the fourth grades, to attend a parent-teacher conference in the auditorium on a week night. It was to be considered an honor to be selected, according to our teachers, and the students were advised to select from among themselves who would be the best representative.

As a community of grade schoolers, we had a difficult time establishing the process for how to select the representative, let alone who it should be. The teacher helped by instituting two “overseers”, a boy  and a girl from the fifth grade, who were to facilitate the determination process by asking for volunteers, or asking for specific students of their own choosing, and discussing their qualifications between the two selected leaders. The 5th graders expressed frustration with the process, and ON A WHIM as promoted by the boy, Janet, a quiet, shy girl was selected from the fourth grade class. She had been the recipient, in the past, of some teasing and bullying by me and others, and I could immediately see that this process had the potential to victimize her.  There severalstudents more outgoing than Janet, and two girls made their disappointment known to all.

Several others protested, but the supporters of the girl prevailed. The 5th graders dreamed up several good reasons after the fact for their decision to overrule the majority. I was to later learn that the primary reason that Jeff encouraged the selection of Janice was that he wanted to tease her. What was to be an opportunity to honor and acknowledge our classes through selecting the most qualified representatives turned into an opportunity for infantile misogynistic harassment..

This selection process dramatically impacted me, and has influenced my understanding of group dynamics ever since.

Do we, as a collective, select candidates for political office on a whim, or do we use knowledge, insight, intuition and wisdom?

You already know your own personal answer to this question.

Many of us, relying upon others, have made many decisions to not be wise, but to instead follow the opinions of others, who may be engaging in whimsical or non-critical thinking of their own.

We must learn to trust ourselves and our ability to apply our experience and knowledge, and with a little bit of our developed insight. Our intuition must be developed as a complement to our own wisdom. Typically, our learned wisdom that does not conform to what our latest “intuitive hit” suggests must be scrutinized further, and an intelligent balance struck between those two poles. Intuition and wisdom are not mutually exclusive, and, in fact, complement each other.

We may be wrong about many issues, but at least we are accessing our intelligence, and learning from our errors. Following blind people into the ditch does not do our basic nature justice, so beware of the temptation to try to adapt to other’s expectations, at the expense of developing our own unique intelligence. Wisdom that is universal in nature is like the scent of a flower that we just cannot pull ourselves away from, nor should we.

Wisdom is spawned from experience, and is best embraced and expressed through our story telling, and our intelligent actions in the world. Sound bites just do not carry enough of wisdom’s energy. We must be careful not to integrate meme’s and sound bites into a quilt of understanding, because the stitching will come unraveled, and we will be left appearing and acting like less than the wise people that we can be.

Whimsical thinking is respected because of its lack of adherence to established patterns, which can be attractive to creative people, non-conformists, and insane individuals, so there is a spectrum of benefit to be gained by accessing it. But whimsical thinking must be set aside for those times when intelligent action is required. Be wise, watch out for whimsical thinking, and make those difficult, challenging decisions that are beneficial for our life, and for our world’s life, too..

Knowledge

“One is never afraid of the unknown; one is afraid of the known coming to an end.”
― Krishnamurti

Our present day national consciousness continues to be heavily influenced by old history and skewed knowledge, racism, white male supremacy, Christian fundamentalist inspired judgements, hatreds and ideologies, patriarchy, misogyny, and xenophobia. I was born and raised under these cultural conditions, and I have been strongly impacted by the human energy that is spawned from these lower levels of understanding.  I also come from the class of white male Americans who are now considered to be the most susceptible to anxiety, despair, loneliness, suicide, alcoholism and/or drug dependency, and depression, though the race and sex that I belong to, and the country that I consider to be my home, do not have the monopoly on all such spiritual disease.

My main coping mechanisms for dealing with America’s and my own dark side are practicing spiritual healing principles, and writing about and verbally communicating with others who also share my interest in spirituality and recovery from the human condition.   My path,  and the paths of all others, have taken all of us to unique and valuable viewpoints, so it is of prime importance that we find our voice and share our knowledge with each other.  Through multitudes of these energy exchanges, we all may benefit from each others’ experiences, and contribute to the formation of a more peaceful, healing collective consciousness in America. There is a huge spiritually awakening element that has already risen out of their own ignorance, and continues to capture the imagination and attention of many oppressed and repressed Americans.

It is important to understand the internal headlights that our minds use to search for knowledge, and truth. The “headlights” tend to encourage self-fulfilling predictions/prophecies, so for us to look at that which “looks” will bring amazing insights and enhance the potential for healing experiences.  What information really is, or isn’t important?  Which attitudes, insight, and knowledge leads to greater measures of wisdom, and, potentially, freedom from our inhibiting and restrictive knowns, especially in the situations where our knowledge appears to be in conflict with the truth?   As a long-term practitioner of mindfulness, mysticism, and personal inventory, as well as an unintentional expert in recovery, toxic masculinity, toxic religion, and toxic capitalism, I have a lot of insight into why the world spins the awkward way it now does.  All of my present writings tend to revolve around my knowledge about those subjects. Yet, my personal knowledge has little value or relevance to others, especially if I die before I share it.

Most of the male peer groups from my childhood and early adulthood were populated by individuals who were both coarse in interpretation and superficial in presentation of their lives, and they could have cared less about what I am now writing about or saying.   Many of my peers, and friends from those days have already died relatively young, or continue to practice unhealthy attitudes and dependencies into their later years, as a direct result of their unwillingness or inability to delve deeper into the painful issues, concerns, and mysteries of their lives.  Their own personal knowledge of the world can not actualize their healing potentials and bring a deeper sense of purpose and meaning to their lives, yet there is the fear of the unknown, which inhibits the revelation of truth in one’s life.  By staying in familiar painful ruts, the view at least does not change too much.  And far too many people stuck in those ruts are not even aware that they are engaged in self-defeating attitudes and behaviors, or, if they are aware, have already given up hope that there is another life available for them.  Yet, staying in the familiar hell remains the unconscious choice that most suffering people make, all the way up to their deaths, imprisonment, or insanity..

The conscious being has infinite capacity to witness life and then create knowledge, where necessary, around those interactions.  It only takes one time getting bitten by a snake and suffering mightily under the influence of its poison to create and share the knowledge that it is vitally important to avoid physical contact with serpents while doing outdoor chores or walking in the desert.  The unconscious being also has the same infinite witnessing capacity, yet their choices for how they see themselves and their lives can be so self-limiting as to make them prisoners in their own homes.  In the snakebite situation, a more unconscious person would use the knowledge of the potential damage from a snakebite to create fear-based stories that would keep the person behind closed doors, avoiding the outdoors altogether, or even obtaining and carrying a loaded firearm, just in case they need to protect themselves.  On the other hand, the curious and conscious ones might just walk around the snake, and study it, and learn the lessons, without fear, that the snake has to offer..

Yet each category of awareness, be it conscious or unconscious, must arise from the same pool of potentiality, where the mystery of collective consciousness and the entrainment of all individual minds to that group mind, creates and maintains the appearance of whatever order and reality that each individual both anticipates and actually experiences.  However, even the relatively more conscious ones of the world will still be challenged to find what the real truth is behind each new situation that presents itself to awareness.

It has been said in certain contest guidelines:

“You must be present to win”.

This is also true as far as knowledge goes.  Being a witness to an actual event gives whatever story one creates and shares credibility, at least up to the point that the story teller can be trusted, and has been accurate and honest in the past.  If a personal memory is not available to convey a teaching or a message, listening to the stories of other first-hand witnesses can be beneficial.  A great example is that of the knowledge that fathers pass on to their sons around issues of family philosophy/religion, self-esteem, growing up into manhood and accepting personal responsibility, sexuality, learning to ride a bike or drive a car, and future community involvement. The less experiential the teaching, the less the staying power of the message, so it is important to keep the listener engaged with all of their senses, if possible.

The printing press opened civilization up to much more advanced opportunities for education and information transfer and sharing.  The internet has opened humanity up to potential for the real time witnessing and sharing of other people’s adventures and learning experiences, almost without limits.  Watching a multi-media presentation will carry more potential meaning and  information to the higher intelligence centers of the brain than just a meme or soundbite, which arouses the more basic areas of the brain where fear is most prone to rule.   There is never a shortage of information, but there is always a question about the accuracy of the information, and how it is to be presented.

Several decades ago, Saudi Oil Minister Sheikh Yamani gained recognition for his insight into global development:

“The Stone Age did not end for lack of stone, and the Oil Age will end long before the world runs out of oil.”

Today, we live in what many call the Information Age, and we are in absolutely no danger of running out of information, particularly in data form. There is a general perception that we are overwhelmed with data, making the ability to store, process, analyze, interpret, consume, and act upon that data a primary concern.  There are, potentially, infinite streams of information available, yet most information may have little or no use to our discerning, conscious minds..  There is so much more to reality than what just greets the eye, and appears on the screens of our cellphones and/or computer monitors, however.  Scientists, mathematicians, theologians, artists, philosophers, enlightened politicians, and Google algorithm writers, continue to struggle towards some unknown destination that our collective search for truth continues to guide us towards as a human race.  The exponential increase in available information does little to settle what the “truth” might be, let alone which direction that its search may best be started from.

Information can help us to know why we are ill and which illnesses we have, exactly. But wisdom is to know how to heal them.

—Dr. Alberto Villoldo

We need only watch the evening news, or read any newspaper or magazine, to recognize that we are no closer now to a consensus reality than we were before, even with the advent of the internet.  Religious and philosophical divisiveness, ego aggrandizement, wealth accumulation, and personal and corporate power are still being celebrated and supported as ideals to pursue by our cultural power brokers, and these principles lead to further propagation of lies, misstatements, half-truths, and illusions, as well as accelerating the destruction of our sacred planet.  All people who follow these ignoble paths have no true knowledge of their fundamental selves, nor would they possess this knowledge about the other people in their worlds, thus they have limited access to the truth, and their styles of communication reveal that ignorance.

Can truth and love be reduced to a series of binary decisions?  Where does our reliance on technology connect with a “search for truth”?  Search engines now serve you up what they think you are looking for. They know who you are, and more importantly, what your online consumer preferences are. They know how you are looking for things, as well as how you search for news, companies, products, etc. Plus, they know the zip code and the local geography where each user is located. Search engines are getting better and smarter at knowing YOU, as well as what’s new, and old, in your micro-locale every day. A quick type into Google, and you are being fed more information, and the foundation for  yet another illusion, with just another photograph of or written interpretation of a past that never was true.  Do you think for one moment that truth, or love, can be reduced to a string of “1’s” and “0’s” (machine code for programming of computer hardware) or ascii characters.

The result of “I Love You” in hexadecimal notation based on ASCII code is

49204C6F766520596F75.

In binary notation, it is a string of 80 0’s and 1’s, or

0100100100100100110101101111011101100110010100100000010110010110111101110101

These characters give you a real warm, fuzzy feeling, don’t they?

Many types of knowledge actually breed division and separation between human beings. It is easy to tell the difference between the ministers, politicians, teachers, teachings, and knowledge just by feeling within our own inner chambers of consciousness how their message impacts our hearts. Eventually the presenters of knowledge and the highest learned “truths” of the day will be ignored, if they are not able to break through the psychic/spiritual barrier between the mind and the heart, while still presenting, or preaching, to others their message. Did they just bring more information, which we tend to daily saturate our awareness with anyway (Google it!), or did they bring the intellect coupled with the heart awareness, where we can experience the promised fruits of deeper connections with all of creation, and, perhaps, experience an increased measure of peace of mind and more love brought into our world?

The control of information is something the elite always does, particularly in a despotic form of government. Information, knowledge, is power. If you can control information, you can control people.

—Tom Clancy

Understanding what we now consider to be sources for knowledge is all important, as well. With the idea of FAKE NEWS being so casually tossed about these days, it is important to keep in mind that FAKE NEWS has always been with us. It can be traced all of the way back to the days when we first starting naming objects, and attaching emotional linkages to our observations. Everybody sees things somewhat differently, though similarities outweigh differences by super-substantial amounts. But the human mind tends to focus on the differences, and, thus, temporarily accentuate those divisions while examining the objects of its reality, reassembling the new information into its own unique information matrix known as our personalities.

To the more technically inclined, it takes more than cleaning cookies or turning off personalized searches in Google’s browser, Chrome, to get to the “truth.” Keep in mind that most of the search algorithms are Capitalist Oriented Male Biased (COMB) computer coding exercises that sort and order the “objects of reality” based on that slanted mind-set.  The locations that a person visits and lives in reveal a great deal about them, especially if it is linked to a GPS position calculated by using one’s own phone position.  By shaping the menus and the choices that we pick from, and by observing the collective internet purchases and behaviors of our geographic peers, technology then attempts to hijack the way we perceive our choices and replaces them with new ones that the ad purchasing merchants may be promoting. But the closer we pay attention to the options we’re given, the more we’ll notice when they don’t actually align with our true needs. Their surreptitious collection and use in ad targeting can pave way to ads that are harmful, target people when they are vulnerable, or enable harassment and discrimination.  The issue of privacy can become particularly acute when there’s the presumption or wish for confidentiality – say, during a therapist visit or at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.

I see COMB-overs as having run their course, with the  need to be balanced with a more feminine, humane perspective.  If we all want that biased mindset, then we will continue to trust and rely upon Google, and most other search engines, for the ordering of our reality. It should be more than a little concerning to know that many of the same values that our former President Trump touts as his own are built right into these algorithmic formulas.

Within myself, it is quite enlightening to note that when I attempt to interpret situations solely in terms of a potentially divisive philosophy/understanding, I usually now rebel out of my newer/refreshed understanding of life, and continue on and listen more deeply for the real truth of the moment, (AND NOT THE POTENTIALLY WORN OUT TRUTH OF YESTERDAY). All of those divisive philosophies that pit “me versus you” or “us versus them” will bring fewer positive results than the uniting philosophies that bring people together in the spirit of cooperation and caring. Yet it almost seems like the divisive ideas are for many, and for me, by instinct, first in line for consideration, so it is important to not act out of impulse. Yes, it is being mindful to wait out that first racing train of sometimes fearful, angry or hurtful thought, and just watch it as it passes through the screen of awareness, and wait for another peaceful train of loving thought that may lie underneath all of the other noise.

The goal might be to make love the leading, or first, thought considered, but in my reality, it does not always automatically arise, nor should it, just because I think that it is a good idea. It is important to note here that ideas that initially appear to be counter to our prevailing philosophy may have legitimate origins, and discovery and exploration of the mind and our individual experience of it should continue without fear and self-judgement, as we attempt to discern the truths being communicated. If our prevailing philosophies are not subject to change, then we risk excess friction in all of our relationships, especially as we slip further and further away from the new, upgraded truth trying to be revealed.

Mindfulness, insight, and meditation help to create a more stable foundation for thought, feeling, and action. Remaining socially connected through real life interaction, vs predominantly through media devices, keeps the heart and mind refreshed and engaged holistically. Giving and receiving “presence” to each other has much more value than the mere information that might be exchanged. For us to continue to trust in technology solely for our heart connection is like only eating popcorn for our diet; Satisfying in the short-term, and deadly in the long run.  We need to feed each other new ideas and words from the deep storehouses within  each of our hearts, where intuition, empathy, compassion, and healing all arise from.  To continue to be fed only from the internet, is to continue our connection with cultural hypnotism, which leads in its own self-defeating directions.

There is so much more to reality than what just greets the eye, and scientists, mathematicians, theologians, artists, philosophers, enlightened politicians, and Google algorithm writers, continue to struggle towards some unknown destination that our collective search for truth continues to guide us towards as a human race. We need only watch the evening news, or read any newspaper or magazine, to recognize that we are no closer now to a consensus reality than we were before, even with the advent of the internet, with religious and philosophical divisiveness, ego aggrandizement, wealth accumulation, and personal and corporate power still being celebrated and supported as ideals to pursue by the cultural power brokers.

Love’s Reunion (excerpt)

I stumbled over the frozen wilderness for oh, so long!

With a hole in my heart that life could just not fill

Until I stopped to rest, and heard a gentle voice singing a long forgotten song

That promised of my release from this winter world of painful chill

Her lyrics spoke of the return of Life to freedom

And the release of shivering minds from darkness’ frozen, fearful hands

She drew me closer without any further verbal tethers

And prepared me for the walk back to Love’s now awakening lands

Her warming presence melted the icy hardness that I used to know

Inspiring within me the courage, to myself and my world, to say

That, to all of my past memories’ barren trees of lifeless knowledge, I now refuse to go

I will now accept only the lessons learned along Love’s Infinite Way

Our answers to some of life’s greatest questions are never to be considered sacred, or unchangeable, in and of themselves.  What is sacred is the “don’t know” space that we all can enter into, if we can suspend our need to be always right.  We don’t need a lot of new answers, we need a lot more good questions, which can direct our inquiries in new directions, and, thus, create new paths of consciousness and awareness.

Virtually all relationships and all interactions with others have a teaching built right into them.  We confirm our present reality with the interactions, or we entertain new information that needs synthesizing within our present day psychological sets to create a modified reality.  Teachers come in an almost infinite variety of forms, but I will now  mention spiritual healers and teachers, for they tend to attract the most vulnerable and receptive of all learners.  I have met quite a few healers, ministers, teachers, and the leaders for those on “the spiritual path”.  Most have the best of intentions, and their heart is in the right place, and permeated with the desire to be of greater service to humanity, and to their own spiritual evolution.

Some are quite the planners, are amazingly studious, and read everything  available to support their knowledge, or need for knowledge, in areas revolving around the main concerns in life, or in their teaching arenas. Some develop quite the rigid understanding of the facts, and, in fact, the “facts” became almost idols, of which became trusted, almost at the exclusion of any other teaching, or learning, that those around might try to impart, either unintentionally, or through a need to help to see more clearly. Some show  little or no sense of humor, and are devoid of all capacity to embrace the “unknown” or the present moment, as it tries to present itself every moment of our existence.

I have met several information “control freaks”, and their quest for knowledge had the unconscious intention to keep them in control, and to establish themselves as a teacher, so as to keep their own fears of insufficiency and inadequacy at bay in group settings. They might tend to dominate group discussions with them taking the lead role, where they would unconsciously parade themselves, and all of their self-knowledge, in front of their adoring masses, or, at least they had hoped that they were adoring.  Some want so much to be like their mentors, who they may have patterned themselves after.

Their self-righteousness is continuously displayed, as they travel from one topic to another, always showing to the world how perfect their relationship was to any issue revolving around love, healing, medical issues, social responsibility, or ecological awareness. Perfectionism and unintentional self-worship were characteristics that define them, and are traits that are immediately recognizable by me and others, who were not also participating in the parade of self.

They can be the type of person, had the Christ been before them and teaching from the Truth, they would have grabbed their phone, and Googled information to prove that their own head knowledge trumped what was being presented in the moment by Truth itself. Some of our leaders have, in a term that I coined, “spiritual dementia”. They tend to think that every moment needed to be covered by their (mis)understanding of the facts.  They may not request or appreciate feedback, and many listeners, rather than confronting the teachers about their quirks, and  their need to always be right, go along.with the show, and acquiesce to the needs of the teachers.

I sat through literally, hundreds of groups, with many types of teachers and leaders over the years.  If the speaker, teacher, or leader does not capture the energy of the moment, the listeners will become fatigued, and lose interest.  There is also a temptation to just sit back, and offer up an occasional barbed remark (typical passive/aggressive communication style for me), without adding much to the flow of the group energy.   I did not come into this world just to “bow down before excellence”, in whatever form it might appear in, though that is the implied need expressed through many teachers’ outward behavior.  Without an interactive approach, the teacher or teaching will have a more difficult time keeping the listener engaged.

Why would I withhold myself, and my truth, from situations that should have demanded my participation in it? Why would I withhold my own assessments of what is real, and true, and right, in the face of this assault upon my own sensibilities? Why would I devalue myself, and my own truth, so much that I would carry the perception that “I have nothing to say”, or that “nobody would ever listen to me because I do not have a college degree, or I am not a therapist or respected spiritual advisor”? Why do I sometimes unconsciously believe that nobody would ever listen to what I have to say, anyway?

It has taken me nearly sixty years to become willing to speak my truth to the living human representatives of our collective consciousness.  I was never insightful enough to fully recognize that the world that I was adopting, and adapting to, as a child was an inaccurate representation of a more fundamental truth.  But like many other children, I rebelled at the fake news and pseudo-science that churned out of the religious mills and minds of Americans.  I took a very passive/aggressive approach to the spiritual lie that we as Americans are living.  The pain of the lies that I cultivated prior to any spiritual recovery necessitated that I medicate myself out of the pain of separation and loneliness.  I no longer punish myself by negating my own self worth, yet our culture continues to unconsciously spawn millions of suffering people who also question their own value, which is the origin of insanity.  Our cultural spiritual dementia needed to be challenged, lest I lapse into deeper degrees of anxiousness, powerlessness, and unreality. Confronting a difficult reality takes more energy than most of us care to bring to the table, yet, not doing so diminishes our own standing in Truth, Life, and Love, and that has been my experience

i had very poor training since birth in how to successfully navigate group energy, up to, and including, the whole of society that we all participate in. As a boy, when family discussions turned into arguments, many times I found myself either raising my voice against the angry voice of my father, or retreating into submission and fear at the threat of being attacked for being contrary to the flow. And, I internalized that I was probably wrong anyway, and would be punished if I stepped out and asserted myself too much. I learned that I could undertake less obvious means of rebelling against authority, sometimes through indirect, or obvious, self, or other, destructive behavior.

Passive/aggressive tendencies have haunted me most of my entire life, and becoming “self-aware” has gone a long way to keep me from employing those unskilled coping mechanisms unconsciously, though I am still occasionally haunted by their presence. Having undertaken the inner work of insight, and maintaining mindfulness, and identified those sources of suffering within myself, does not instantaneously remove all of the darkness within. But is also does not remove from me the responsibility to call out those who are the external agents of oppression and repression, no matter how much I might love them or want to protect them, or even to protect myself from the ramifications of asserting what is right, true, or proper in any situation.

Knowledge is power only if man knows what facts not to bother with.

—Robert Staughton Lynd

We need better brains to manage the deluge of information we consume on the internet, on social media, on our smartphones today — as well as the new technologies we’ll surely encounter tomorrow. We need to elevate the maturity of our collective consciousness in order to thrive in this new environment.

This calls for something big: coordinated effort by major actors, from the White House and the National Institutes of Health to the United Nations and the power brokers at Davos. Indeed, addressing the cognition crisis should be positioned as a grand challenge, on par with other pressing global priorities, such as eradicating infectious diseases and disseminating clean water.

We have all been victimized by the cultural and familial conditioning of the information processing centers of the brain that cause certain streams of awareness to be represented by erroneous concepts, or attenuated or terminated prematurely by fear before any reasonable assessments can even be made. Our cultural “headlights” for looking into ourselves have had much of their light blocked by years of unacknowledged road debris accumulating on the lens. Yet, we first have to “see” that there is a blockage, as it will not clear on its own. Our own internal “seeing” can ultimately liberate us from the erroneous views foisted upon our innocent hearts and souls by the well meaning but often times ignorant teachers of our pasts, and those who may not have yet cleared up their own internal lenses of perception. But we each must look, acknowledge what appears to be there, share our perceptions with others, learn from each other, and thus create more accurate, updated knowledge.  Sometimes, just accepting the fact that we only truly know a little bit, compared to the whole of knowledge available, will keep us humble enough to remain open to the vastness of the unknown.

The unknown is the opening in our mind and heart that God (or change to higher power, or whatever represents love, beauty, and healing to you) speaks through, so that we can find the truth and spirit of this new moment. Do not fear the unknown, as it can be so much more than we could ever anticipate or imagine.  Even after our most sincere and deepest prayers, there still must be an opening created within our minds where we can listen and watch, without fear or judgement, for the “answer”, which is always provided, and rarely understood. The unknown can be a long neglected best friend even for the curious and the conscious.  An overactive mind runs over the quiet truth that is revealed in each moment, so take off those mental workout clothes, and take a breather!

We will never change “God’s mind”, or collective consciousness but we just might change our own, and, in that change, the real miracle of life can be revealed, and our lives healed and renewed.  The “One Mind Of God” and our collective human consciousness have little relationship to each other, though the conscious, healing traveler of new paths of consciousness can become a connecting link between the two.  Truth can only be experienced in each new moment, in the ever-unfolding unknown and unknowable moment that is now.   This unique new moment can only reveal itself to a mind no longer burdened by the past, and its version of knowledge..

Of course, once “new ideas” become integrated, they can be just as resistant to change as old, damaged, worn out thoughts, and the new synthesis will require continuous further revision until some sort of all-encompassing uniting philosophy arises (or God-consciousness, for those who like to tie spirituality and religion together).

Truth?

Where does our reliance on technology connect with a search for truth? Like I previously mentioned, search engines now serve you up what they think you are looking for.  A quick type into Google, and you are being fed an illusion, and/or probably just another Capitalist and/or Christian theory.. If the truth that we find on Google brings pleasure to us, remember, it is somebody else’s truth, and not necessarily our own.

Is truth to be relegated to our history, or to some distant past?  Is truth somehow trapped in ancient scriptures, or in the ghosts of long deceased prophets? When Jesus supposedly stated “I am the way, the truth, and the life”, was his message misconstrued? In truth, is what we share with Jesus, or any other sentient being,  the “I am”, that I am, and not all of the volumes of  historical nonsense?  When Moses stated “I am that I am”, was he making the same statement that each of us could be or should be making?

What if I were to tell you that everything that you think you know about yourself is only a theory, and potentially an unproven one, at that? What if I were to tell you that everything that you think you know about your significant other, your children, your parents, and even your best friends are only theories, and potentially unproven ones at that? What if I were to tell you that everything that you think you know about your planet, including the plants, animals, insects, oceans, rivers, and the rocks and dirt, are only theories, and potentially unproven ones, at that? What if I were to tell you that everything that you think you know, or believe, about God, the Bible, Christianity, or other religions are only theories, and potentially unproven ones at that?

Truth is the antidote for all inaccurate, second-hand, toxic and limiting theories.  Truth is not just for the saints and sages. Yet, very few people have any interest in it, because of the belief that they are already covered by their “religion”, or that only their “savior” has the truth, or is the truth.  There are others who believe that they already understand it, or, for others, that there is no such thing as “truth.  Sadly there is also a category of human beings who are so absorbed with their material world existence that the search for “truth” never even begins, because it does not sound very interesting or entertaining.

One cannot possibly find the sacred, using only the searchlights provided for by the profane.—Elisha Scott

So, just what is “Truth”, anyway?

A fact might be that there is only one mind, to be experienced in the unknown, yet to the uninitiated, that statement would sound vague and esoteric.  Another fact might be that it is up to us to determine what is real, and what is not, yet that might sound threatening to those who cling the strongest to their culturally and religiously inculcated theories and dogmas.

Truth is extremely difficult to conceptualize, because truth is elusive, and exists above and beyond all of the words used to chase it with descriptions.  Truth is often times best described through poetry and music, where more of the brain becomes engaged to the energy attempting to be shared.  But our words still serve a valuable function, yet forever remaining only pointers, or place-holders, for the energy that must be personally experienced, or it will never become psychologically real to the witness.

So, again, what is Truth?

There is only a “God” when there is no longer a “me” questioning “what is” while still trying to justify one’s own opinions or ignorance. In that silence, Infinity finds its expression, and the observer is the observed. And there is no longer a need, or a desire, to find God, for God has found us. Yet, there is no longer the “us”, only the witnessing of infinity, by one no longer limited by a verbally intoxicated mind. It is in this silence that love flourishes, and moral and ethical action becomes spontaneous and natural.  All that we will ever see, unto whatever eternity that we can perceive, is our Self.

How will we see our Self today?

“Know thyself, and thou will know God, and the Universe” ——Attributed to Pythagoras, and the Oracle at Delphi

“It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it”——–Aristotle

The final two quotes sets the stage behind the eternal tension between what is truth and what is falsehood, and the spiritual requirement not to create and worship idols, physical or verbal. They also point to the supporting conditions behind one’s potential for spiritual evolution and final ascendancy out of false knowledge and the suffering that results from entertaining such thoughts..

Life is always a self-fulfilling prophecy, yet whose self are we fulfilling?

What if your life is fulfilling the prophecies of your religion and culture, rather than that of your true self?

While unenlightened forces dominate human consciousness, oppression and repression are born, and nurtured.

This creates more damaged human beings, who continue to remain unconscious, and thus overpopulate this planet with more unconsciousness.

The fate of these damaged people is to continue to damage themselves, each other, and the very planet that supports and sustains them, until they find their self and its truth.

Find the self, and the life that has a great future, and discard the one that will die with our rotting civilization.

Life is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Whose prophesy are you now willing to fulfill?

Wouldn’t you prefer to live on universal bandwidth, the highest frequency of being?