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
The search for enlightenment is a timeless pursuit, transcending cultures and epochs. At the heart of this quest lies a deep yearning for connection—to the Earth, to other beings, and to the cosmos itself. But what might a personal experience of this “Universal Ground” look and feel like? Join me on a reflective journey to Lookinglass Lake in the Mt. Adams Wilderness Area, where one summer weekend in 1992 unveiled profound insights into universal consciousness.
It was a typical summer morning when I awoke with a sense of heightened awareness. My partner Sharon and I were preparing for a backpacking trip to Lookinglass Lake, a ten-mile trek into the heart of the Mt. Adams Wilderness Area. From the very start, my senses were unusually sharp—I could see, hear, and taste with an intensity that far surpassed my usual experiences. Little did I know this was just the beginning of an extraordinary encounter with the essence of being.
Upon arriving later than expected, we set up camp in a snow park area for the night. As we settled into our tent, I felt an even more profound shift in perception. It was as if sensory receptors had sprouted in the dirt, trees, and sky around me. This wasn’t merely seeing or hearing; it was feeling the landscape as an extension of myself. My consciousness seemed to stretch infinitely, merging with the elements in a transcendental symphony.
Later that night, I awoke to a brilliant light enveloping our tent. Stepping outside, I was met by an awe-inspiring sight—a radiant light in the sky, illuminating the entire area and eliminating all shadows despite the midnight hour. Sharon joined me in witnessing this inexplicable phenomenon. To this day, I remain uncertain whether this was a manifestation of my heightened state of awareness or a serendipitous encounter with something otherworldly. Reports of similar lights in the region only add to the mystery.
This experience at Lookinglass Lake offers a glimpse into what I refer to as the “Universal Ground.” It is a state of being that transcends individual perception, tapping into a collective consciousness shared by all living entities. Mystics and saints, as well as electricians and scientists, each have unique interpretations of their encounters with this profound ground of existence. But the essence remains the same—a deep, unyielding connection to all that is.
Nature has an unparalleled ability to transform human consciousness. At Lookinglass Lake, I experienced a visceral connection to the Earth and the cosmos, a reminder that we are not separate entities but integral threads in the fabric of existence. This heightened sensory perception often accompanies spiritual awakening, serving as a catalyst for personal and societal transformation.
Personal experiences like mine shape our worldviews and inspire others towards a more interconnected and sustainable way of living. My encounter at Lookinglass Lake serves as a testament to the power of nature in fostering a deeper sense of unity and awareness. It challenges us to look beyond the tangible and explore the infinite possibilities of universal consciousness.
There is only One Creator, and by attuning ourselves to its creations, we open the door to a richer, more enlightened existence. Whether through mystical experiences or everyday moments of connection, the whispers of the cosmos invite us to recognize our place within the grand tapestry of life.
If this exploration resonates with you, I invite you to share your own experiences and insights. Together, we can cultivate a community of seekers dedicated to understanding and nurturing our connection to the Earth and the cosmos. Join me in this ongoing journey towards universal consciousness and spiritual growth.
Looking back at my life’s history, I remain immersed in the light of its Mystery.
I leave you with this thought-provoking quote from Thich Nhat Hanh:
“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.”
May we all find our Lookinglass Lake and listen to the intimate whispers of the cosmos.
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?
Extra Sensory Perception And Mysticism
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.
