The Uncharted Pathway to Spiritual Enlightenment

In the heart of every vibrant, evolving religion lies mysticism—a profound, personal interaction with the divine that transcends structured teachings and societal constructs. Mysticism is not for everyone; its allure is potent yet esoteric, appealing to those willing to traverse uncharted paths in search of spiritual consciousness. In the year 2017, I had an amazing dream, experienced after a seminar with the Master Spiritual Teacher Matthew Fox, which encapsulates this spiritual quest and serves as a deep well of teaching and insight.

On April 1, 2017, I had a remarkable dream that left an indelible mark on my spiritual consciousness. It began after a seminar on mysticism with Matthew Fox, followed by a restful sleep. In this dream, I entered a well-lit room where a man greeted me, offering me a cup. I knew the cup’s contents would intoxicate me in a way that aligned with my current path of sobriety, so I accepted it. We then walked to a table with a topographic map, showing two distinct areas.

One side of the map had a single, dark, solid line, while the other side featured several dotted lines that intersected without crossing the solid line. This map symbolized the dual pathways in life—the conditioned, structured path and the unconditioned, exploratory path.

At the Cosmic Christ workshop the following day, Matthew Fox encouraged dream sharing, but I hesitated. Later, I shared the dream privately with him, only to be told to seek its meaning myself. During the drive home, the full realization dawned on me—the dream was a powerful spiritual teaching.

The solid line represented the structured, conditioned pathways many of us follow, guided by societal expectations and fear of the unknown. The dotted lines, however, symbolized the uncharted, individual paths driven by curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to explore life’s mysteries. By choosing the dotted paths, one embraces the unknown, which is a constant companion on the spiritual journey.

Mysticism offers a pathway to experiencing a deeply personal reality that defies the constraints of structured religion and societal norms. It invites us to consciously wander through the divine fields of personal destiny, driven by curiosity and creativity. Mysticism is not for those content with the predetermined routes of life but for those who dare to question, explore, and evolve.

This dream and its lessons intersect profoundly with the philosophical debate between free will and determinism. Free will suggests that individuals have the inherent ability to make choices independent of external coercion—a belief deeply rooted in our moral and legal frameworks. On the other hand, determinism posits that every event, including human actions, is the result of preceding events and natural laws, challenging the very notion of personal responsibility.

For spiritual seekers, this debate is not merely academic; it is a quest to understand our existence. Free will aligns with our sense of autonomy and our belief in shaping our destiny. Determinism, however, offers a perspective that our choices are influenced by genetic makeup, environmental and economic factors, and past experiences.

A middle ground—compatibilism—suggests that free will and determinism are not mutually exclusive. It posits that we can act freely within a deterministic framework, exercising control while acknowledging external influences. This nuanced view provides a richer understanding of human actions, recognizing both personal agency and the impact of external factors.

The dream serves as a metaphor for the tension between free will and determinism. The structured path symbolizes the deterministic route influenced by societal constructs and expectations. The dotted paths represent the exploration of free will, where curiosity and creativity drive conscious evolution.

For spiritual seekers, the dream underscores the importance of breaking free from conditioned pathways to experience personal spiritual enlightenment. For human potential advocates, it highlights the necessity of exploring individual agency and creativity to unlock true potential.

Mysticism, the heart of all vibrant, evolving religions, invites us to wander beyond the confines of structured understanding and engage with the divine personally. It challenges us to drink freely from the chalice of the Spirit, where curiosity thrives in an unconditioned mind.

In the ongoing debate between free will and determinism, the dream teaches us that the most powerful tool of oppression is the daily struggle that keeps us from connecting all the dots and engaging with our authentic selves. By choosing the uncharted, dotted paths, we invite the unknown into our lives, fostering a vastly enhanced spiritual consciousness.

For those willing to take the risk, the reward is immense—a profound, personal connection with the divine and a life lived in alignment with our true spiritual potential. This is the path of conscious evolution, where curiosity and creativity drive us to create new pathways of consciousness, transcending the expectations of society, church, and family.

Not all who wander are lost. Instead, they find deeper, richer meanings along their uncharted journeys, guided by the Spirit within.

All that is gold does not glitter,

Not all those who wander are lost;

The old that is strong does not wither,

Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

From the ashes a fire shall be woken,

A light from the shadows shall spring;

Renewed shall be blade that was broken,

The crownless again shall be king

by J. R. R. Tolkien (1892-1973)

Even if you remain lost in the shadows, having vainly pursued the mythical Garden of Eden, the dangerous Minotaur in the labyrinth, or the dark kingdom of Mordor, there still is hope. To be insane in an insane world, to be a stranger in a strange land, is the true new normal for many people presently wandering upon the face of this troubled planet. How we deal with the insanity determines whether we remain imprisoned, or eventually find our freedom. Blaming others for our present station in life is self-defeating. Yet, that is the first response of an immature mind, a mind not ready and willing to make the necessary adjustments in course to create a new life experience.

Awakening from the Nightmare of Mass Hypnosis and Oppression

Mass hypnosis, driven by media, politics, and societal norms, is an insidious force shaping our collective consciousness. For centuries, these external influences have perpetuated oppressive and divisive narratives, embedding themselves deeply within our psyche. The results are devastatingly clear in the growing rates of mental illness, addiction, and even the most extreme acts of self-destruction—suicide and murder.

In our relentless pursuit of meaning and validation, many of us have lost the ability to make clear, life-affirming choices. This loss creates a void filled with depression, alienation, isolation, anxiety, despair, and loneliness. We become trapped in a vicious cycle, where our suffering morphs into a toxic force that can drive us to the edge of annihilation, be it self-inflicted or targeted towards others.

Mass hypnosis begins subtly, often from a young age. We’re bombarded with messages from the media, influenced by political rhetoric, and coerced by societal norms. These external forces shape our beliefs, behaviors, and perceptions, pushing us further away from our true selves. This detachment from our authentic identity leads to a loss of self-esteem, mutual respect, and personal meaning.

The consequences are dire. A society steeped in confusion and oppression breeds individuals who struggle to find clarity and purpose. The resulting mental turmoil can manifest as substance abuse, mental illness, and, in the worst cases, acts of violence against oneself or others.

The link between mental illness, addiction, and societal alienation is cyclical, with each factor feeding into and exacerbating the others. Our societal structure often alienates those who don’t fit into the cultural “in” group. This exclusion fosters feelings of unworthiness and despair, driving many to seek solace in drugs and alcohol.

Addiction then becomes both a symptom and a perpetuator of mental illness. Substance abuse further isolates individuals from their support networks, deepening their sense of alienation and hopelessness. This cycle continues until the individual reaches a point where suicide or murder appears to be the only escape.

Suffering need not lead to death. For those willing to awaken, there is a transformative path to confronting and overcoming suffering. This awakening is not passive waiting for external conditions to improve but an active, introspective process.

Steps to Awakening:

  1. Self-Reflection:
  • Examine Your Beliefs: Identify the external influences shaping your thoughts and behaviors. Question their validity and relevance to your true self.
  • Acknowledge Your Suffering: Accept that suffering is part of the human experience. Recognize its sources within your mind, memory, and heart.
  1. Empowerment:
  • Take Responsibility: Understand that you have the power to change your narrative. Shift from a victim mentality to one of empowerment.
  • Set Intentions: Define clear, life-affirming goals that align with your authentic self.
  1. Community Engagement:
  • Seek Support: Connect with others who share your desire for awakening. Build a supportive network that fosters empathy and understanding.
  • Contribute to Your Community: Engage in activities that promote collective well-being. Empower others to break free from the chains of mass hypnosis and oppression.

Breaking the cycle of oppression and repression requires collective effort. Communities must come together to create environments that promote mental health, empowerment, and empathy.

Our society is at a critical juncture. The rates of mental illness, addiction, and acts of violence are rising at an alarming rate, driven by the insidious forces of mass hypnosis and oppression. Yet, there is hope. By awakening to our true selves and fostering communities built on empathy, empowerment, and mental health support, we can break the cycle of suffering.

Suffering need not lead to death. For those who choose to awaken, there is a path to healing and transformation. It begins with self-reflection, empowerment, and community engagement. Together, we can create a world where every individual has the clarity, purpose, and support needed to thrive.

Awaken. Empower. Transform. The time for change is now.

The Transformative Power of Accepting Defeat

Life, as we experience it, can be an extremely humbling endeavor. It is a continuous dance of triumphs and setbacks, moments of clarity, and periods of confusion. For those few who courageously stop resisting the flow of life and develop the capacity to accept “defeat,” a unique opportunity for profound healing and growth emerges. It is in our moments of perceived failure that we become most open to life-affirming change.

Accepting defeat is not a sign of weakness but a testament to our willingness to change. This grace of willingness is innate within us, waiting to be embraced. When we finally surrender to it, we can begin to accept personal responsibility for our lives. We learn that the willingness and capacity for changes in our attitudes and behaviors can become our guiding force, our “higher power.”

Our journeys are deeply personal, and when our goals finally appear before us, we each forge a unique path towards them. The trail that each one of us blazes is as significant as any path made by historical icons such as prophets, saints, or saviors. It is only our ego, or the egos of those who worship other heroes, that might say otherwise.

For dramatic changes to occur in my life, the desire had to come from a place deep within myself. It wasn’t because of external pressures from my family, friends, minister, employer, or societal expectations. The transformation began when I started to value myself differently and became conscious of the harm my behaviors were causing—to myself, to others, and to the environment. Recognizing the insanity of my actions and the dormant death wish within me, I sought a higher power to overcome this madness.

Bringing healing to any situation starts with recognizing our shortcomings and accepting where we can improve—right now, in this moment. Positive change follows the heart’s intentions, provided the heart is pure. It is essential to understand that if a desire arises from the heart, one should never stop seeking what seems unattainable, for it is the heart itself striving for its highest expression.

True healing begins with recognizing our current limitations and consciously setting holistic intentions to improve. It is about understanding that our personal growth is intertwined with the well-being of others and the sustainability of our planet. This interconnectedness calls for a deep, introspective look at our motivations and behaviors.

Each of us possesses the potential for significant personal transformation. Our journeys may be challenging, filled with obstacles and moments of doubt, but they are unique and essential. The pursuit of our highest expression is not just a personal endeavor but a contribution to the collective growth of humanity.

When we accept the grace of willingness to change, take personal responsibility, and set holistic intentions, we align ourselves with the profound forces of life. This alignment opens the doors to unimaginable growth and healing, allowing us to become our best selves.

In your quest for personal transformation, remember that life’s miracle is within reach. By accepting defeat, embracing the willingness to change, and setting pure-hearted intentions, you can unlock the potential for profound growth and healing. Your path is as significant as any, and your contribution to the world is invaluable.

The Cycle of Renewal and Transformation in Our Lives

Life is an intricate dance of creation and destruction, where the very essence of our existence is woven from threads of both life and death. Just as one hundred trillion cells within our bodies die and regenerate to sustain us, so too must our thoughts, behaviors, and perspectives undergo a constant cycle of renewal. This process is not merely a biological imperative but a spiritual and psychological necessity for growth, evolution, and transcendence.

In the grand tapestry of life, old ways and outdated thoughts must perish to make way for newer, more vibrant creations. This cycle of shedding and regeneration is fundamental to our well-being. Those who cling to outdated beliefs and incomplete perspectives become the “poor among us,” susceptible to the ravages of disease, aging, and the deterioration of both mind and body.

This isn’t just an abstract concept but a tangible reality. Our mental and emotional health is deeply intertwined with our capacity to evolve and grow. Insight, meditation, and the process of making amends are powerful tools in fostering this personal transformation and healing.

Most forms of insanity do not require a lifetime of therapy or medication. At their core, these conditions arise from habituated thoughts, feelings, and actions born from our unconscious accommodations to trauma. Insight holds the power to break these cycles.

Insight changes attitudes. It alters behaviors. It transforms lives. To change the world around me, I first had to change myself. Through deep introspection, meditation, and making amends to those I had harmed, I embarked on a journey of recovery and healing. This path not only transformed my life but also allowed me to carry the message of healing to others.

Meditation serves as a gateway to deeper understanding and self-awareness. It allows us to quiet the noise of the world and listen to the whispers of our true nature. By making amends, we confront the repercussions of our past actions, offering and seeking forgiveness, and releasing the burdens that weigh us down.

This process is not about dwelling on guilt or regret but about recognizing our humanity. It is about understanding that we are all interconnected, and our actions have ripple effects that extend beyond ourselves. Through this realization, we can begin to heal the collective trauma that permeates our existence.

One of the most profound aspects of personal transformation is the recognition and dissolution of the illusion of self. We often present a version of ourselves to the world that is shaped by societal expectations and past experiences. This false self can become a barrier to true happiness and fulfillment.

In my own journey, I have come to see the good that is genuinely good, and the illusions of self that others—and even past versions of myself—offer up to the world. These daily “prayer offerings” for conditional acceptance or rejection are mere shadows of our true potential.

Though I once dreamt of becoming a space traveler to “get off this fucking rock,” I have come to realize that true adventure lies within. My spiritual launching pad awaited only my willingness to “let go of the controls” and be catapulted into the unknown, mysterious, and transformative potential of inner space, or Consciousness itself.

This transition from a living hell to a peaceful paradise was not achieved through pills or philosophical ideas but through a commitment to daily renewal. I continue to die daily to all that is not like my true nature, allowing the infinite possibilities of life to unfold.

Built right into the very fabric of life is death itself. The cycle of renewal and transformation is not just a biological process but a spiritual and psychological one. By shedding old thoughts and behaviors, we open ourselves to growth, evolution, and transcendence.

Through insight, meditation, making amends, and carrying messages of recovery, we can foster personal transformation and healing. This process not only enhances our mental and emotional health but also contributes to the collective well-being of humanity.

As we continue to explore the infinite regions of inner space, we must remember that the most profound journeys are the ones we undertake within ourselves. It is through this inner exploration that we can truly transform our lives and the world around us.

Always question prevailing attitudes and philosophies of the people in power, be they politicians, employers, pop psychology or spirituality gurus, or religious figures. Healthy skepticism is warranted whenever a person or organization tries to exert pressure on individuals to conform to certain beliefs or traditions. If our internal bullshit detector is sounding off loud and strong, our external voice should be speaking our truth to whatever power is promoting lies or half-truths, thus affirming to all what we know to be true,.  Never sit idly by while witnessing injustice or unfair and hurtful judgement and action meted out by the people in power against innocent people. By your silence, you are supporting the ignorant and the evil doers. They will use your silence to claim that you were in full support of their abhorrent behavior.  Do not join in their conspiracy of silence. 

The closer I get to my “God’, or the creator of my creations, the more anonymous that I become, and the more my story becomes about the truth of life, and, a little less about myself..My story may have little or no value to you, yet, there is a story, long neglected within your own heart and soul, patiently awaiting its delivery to our world.  Your world awaits the King or Queen within you ..You only needs to pick up your own unique crown of the truth of being, and wear it with integrity and love.  Take that MAGA hat off, and throw it in the dumpster, the corruption of thought and heart that this hat represents exists at a level far below your real nature.

Never let someone speak for us, we are responsible for bringing our voice into the world, and having it heard. Never take for granted our right to freedom of speech and its expression, both at home and in the marketplace.  Find the way to express yourself without sacrificing your integrity, and stand up tall and strong in the face of any ignorant,  unfair or unwarranted criticism.  You will “cast your pearls before swine”.  Our hard-earned deepest truths have little value to those who are considered hypnotized, which are many of the “civilized” and “normalized” citizens within this diseased culture of ours.  If they cannot see how your wisdom will increase the size of their bank accounts, increase their prestige and popularity, get them more or better sex, or just generally appeal to their ego, it will have little value, except “laughing value”.  “A prophet is never respected in their own hometown”.

Healthy anger at people, situations, politicians, religious figures, and abusive family members is not only acceptable behavior, it is required for honoring the truth of the moment, and to retain spiritual integrity.  Do not follow those well-meaning souls who claim that all anger is hatred, for that is simply not true.  Anger becomes dangerous when it does not naturally arise from the moment, but instead from animal/tribal instinct, memory and religious and cultural conditioning. 

Oppression and repression are birthed through incomplete and prematurely aborted responses to environmental threats.  Institutionalized anger, or hatred,  arises from memory, inadequate education, and emotional immaturity, and can be stoked by politicians and religious leaders with ignorant and evil agendas, and it is dangerous, being the source or racism, war, hatred, alienation, and cultural insanity.  The insight gained through mindful, non-judgemental self examination, is our clew/clue for how to escape the confusing labyrinth of the mind. The clues gained will advise us to avoid the road blocks to enhancing our awareness of Love, and the integrity of our self. The expression of love INCLUDES the conscious expression of anger, whenever it is appropriate. Those who can consciously and skillfully express anger are the game changers for our age. Nearly 80, 000, 000 Americans appropriately expressed their anger at a corrupt president through their vote for an alternative. 3000 Americans expressed their anger on January 6, 2021 in a self-destructive manner.

Unaware Ignorance and Spiritual Awakening in a Troubled World

In today’s world, it is crucial to examine the “unaware ignorance” that pervades many sections of our society, particularly within the American Christian church. While Christianity brings comfort through its historical and cultural familiarity, it often serves as a clumsy vehicle for consciousness. With its restrictive dogma, Christianity can sometimes delay spiritual awakening and environmental preservation by postponing the idea of “heaven” into a fantasy future after death. This essay aims to explore how this ignorance hinders our collective consciousness, the environment, and our spiritual evolution.

Unaware ignorance is a state where individuals are oblivious to their own lack of knowledge or understanding. It is prevalent in many societal sectors, including religious institutions. This ignorance can severely hinder spiritual awakening and the drive for environmental preservation. Within Christianity, traditional dogmas and teachings can create a barrier, preventing believers from questioning and exploring deeper truths.

One of the pressing concerns is whether Christianity’s teachings align with the preservation of our planet. Historically, the dominion theology—interpreting God’s directive to “subdue” the Earth—has been misused to justify exploitation. This viewpoint has contributed to significant environmental degradation. The greed and self-serving interests of our Christian ancestors have been glorified, overshadowing the essential need to cultivate harmony between humans and nature.

At the core of all true religions lies mysticism—a profound, direct experience of the divine. Mysticism transcends dogmatic boundaries and opens the door to personal and collective enlightenment. Each of us has the potential to become a mystic, shedding the oppressive energies of cultural and religious conditioning. By doing so, we can lead our internal movement toward truth, beauty, love, intelligence, awe, wonder, grace, and miracles.

Breaking free from societal and religious conditioning is essential for spiritual growth and environmental stewardship. This liberation allows individuals to explore the stark difference between the “mind of God” and the “mind of man.” The mind of God represents infinite wisdom, love, and interconnectedness, while the mind of man often reflects limited understanding, selfishness, and disconnection.

We must become the leaders of our own spiritual evolution and environmental stewardship. It is time to question outdated dogmas and practices that no longer serve humanity or the planet. By embracing mysticism and breaking free from conditioning, we can pave the way for a future where truth, beauty, love, and harmony prevail.

The difference between the “mind of God” and the “mind of man” is profound. It is a discovery each individual must undertake. By acknowledging and addressing unaware ignorance, critically examining religious teachings, and fostering a mystical approach to spirituality, we can drive meaningful change. Our collective future depends on our ability to evolve spiritually and protect the environment. The path to enlightenment and preservation lies within each of us. It is time to take the first step toward a more conscious and harmonious world.

It is revealing to note how the experience of “enlightenment” allows for the love for all people, and respect for all love based philosophies, yet promotes no dogma, religion or philosophy, as such, for its own support. The prerequisites are a desire for change, self-honesty, insight, mindfulness, meditation, and the developed ability to see beyond the controlling mirages of cultural and religious conditioning. Yet, religions, and their followers, tend to strongly move in tight circles around their own adherents and practices, and often exclude others from their spiritual “inner circles”. And those who point to the benefits of non-religious, spiritual enlightenment are regarded suspiciously, and, in some cases, as manifestations of Satan, or are seen as Infidels, by those who claim to be “religious”.

This story has presented a small portion of my own journey towards healing. As each individual is unique, please do not use my experience to minimize, or maximize, your own. We must eventually find our own direction for life, and not only learn how to think for ourselves, but also to learn how to think and feel with others. We can truly be one with others in a non-controlling, NON-JUDGMENTAL manner, and be with each other with compassion and in communion. It is healthy to acknowledge that we all need each other.

I can’t do this life alone, nor would I ever want that for myself. We are here to help and support each other, and to love each other. Each moment can either be a new beginning, or just the continuation of a painful past where all of human suffering arises from. It is our choice as to how we will experience this moment. I must be willing to travel new paths of consciousness, and never to become too attached to any particular memory, or teacher and their teachings, as it is up to me to work out my own “salvation”. When I let go of the controls, including my own internalized forms of institutionalized thoughts, when I let go of time based thoughts and expectations, when I respect the truth that many times the presence and wisdom of the Great Unknown, rather than just more information and knowledge, is what I am best fed with, that is when I am truly trusting the life force which has always supported me, whether I have recognized its presence or not.

While incarnated into human form, with our poorly illuminated human minds, we can only witness the projections of our minds. All that we will ever see, unto whatever eternity that we can possibly conceive of, is our self, so the most important question for each day is “how will I see myself today?” The answer to that question determines whether I can see through the eyes of the truth of this moment, or just the limited eyes of the past. Each person that I meet either is one of the infinite manifestations of God, deserving ultimate respect and love, or they become just another dead illusion of my aging, conditioned mind.

Why would anyone just settle for the “finger pointing at the moon” or the verbal description, when one could walk upon its very surface, and be one with it?  Sucking more meaning out of someone else’s “finger” will never replace the direct personal experience of our deepest desire, the underlying truth of our own nature. Be ever vigilant with the internalized image of anything, or anyone. Note how the desire for the image, rather than the truth that underlies it, will attempt to take precedence, and will distort one’s view of the world. The image plays to a small part of fragmented being where the search for pleasure and the avoidance of pain rule our decisions, whereas the truth plays through the wholeness of all beings, uniting us in a collaborative, uniting experience..

Lust, greed, selfishness, hatred, and judgement of all others unlike oneself all play to the structure of internalized individualized images. Seeing each other through wholeness and love and thus disempowering the fragmenting images, which is another way of saying “giving forgiveness” allows for right action and healing in the otherwise chaotic and broken world created within the mind of individual self. The ultimate truth is that “you can’t be real”. For in God’s eyes, there is only one self, one love, one existence, with an infinitude of manifestations. There is no room for “you and me” in ultimate truth, though we must continue to make room for that “illusion” in the relative truth of this world, through practicing forgiveness and letting go, until the final ascension into “enlightenment” or complete spiritual understanding.

Finding the true connecting link is the journey into wholeness that our human race must undertake, if it is to survive. When we see our brother and sister as our own self, then we are home. This connecting link is not to be found through our digital devices, or through our “best thinking” or philosophies. It will unfold when we learn how to no longer think time based thoughts, but, instead, eternity based thoughts. That is the only place where Unity will ever be experienced. To see eternity, is to first witness the self without fear and judgement, and then see through the illusions of self to the Heart of Truth.

MOUNTAINS IN THE DESERT

While in realization of Truth,

God’s High Mount is found to be just another illusion to climb

The idea infects like a virus to control the innocent, and all fearful, desirous minds.

The non-illuminated, restless mind remains forever devoid of Love’s Rhyme and Truth’s Reason

With its fruitless chasing of desert mirages,

Until it looks within, and sees the movements that are guilty of treason.

The quickest way to prepare for the new world order (which was once the old world order, by the way) is to get outside of the house, the computer, the movie theater, the Facebook pages, etc. and start getting acquainted with the great outdoors. Once we are free from the encumbrances of our daily lives, we may be more receptive to the call of our spirit. We are not connected to God through our technology. In fact, most of our media related technology has separated us from the quiet state of being that allows God’s will to be readily accepted into consciousness.

Our mother Earth, Gaia is a living being, and is the true “son-daughter of God”. And yes, we are children of that sacred child. God’s face is seen clearly, once the detritus of human misunderstanding is moved aside long enough so that Reality may emerge, once again.

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, realise you are the Earth and your consciousness is also the consciousness of the Earth.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh

Technology is only a tool, though it has become another new world religion, a way of life for far too many people. Our country, and our world, shows the collective effects of falling far short of meeting or even acknowledging the existence of our spiritual needs, or attempting to meet our spiritual needs through illusory processes. Most of our media devices have continued the promotion and distribution of cultural hypnosis, and most people continue to be separated from a greater good through that process. The world exists in a state of hypnosis, and it is easy to see that truth when the mind finally takes itself off of the grid of shared cultural and religious misunderstanding. We can pull our eyes off of the phone display for a moment, and engage the person next to us in conversation. We will all benefit from the exchange. We do not benefit in any spiritual or social way by remaining glued to our phones.

Someday the rest of the world will wake up, and realize that all of our technology is only a symbol for the true power that we all have access to, if we only were to fully explore the full range of our consciousness. My closed mind and heart was eternally grounded, and would have NEVER freed itself from darkness’ grasp, until I accepted personal responsibility for the brokenness, and self-destructive and other-destructive life that I had co-created for myself and with others, see the damage that those illusions caused, and became willing to have a different, more spiritually oriented type of life experience. Freedom may not be for everybody now, but it certainly is for me, now, and for all of eternity. I am grateful for my wife Sharon White, who shares in the new/old insight. May all sentient beings be freed from their suffering. But first, all sentient beings must become conscious enough to be aware of the options available to free themselves from their suffering. Pay attention to the man behind the curtain! Get to know him at the deepest level. And then, don’t give up finding truth, beauty, and love until the real Miracle appears in your own life, OK?

Like my father asked, when I was nearly four years old, and finally learned how to talk,

“Will that boy ever run out of things to talk about?” and

“Bruce, would you please shut up!”

Once I started talking I proved that I had the capacity for speech, and A LOT OF IT. Both of my parents wondered, at times, if I would ever shut up. Once a person touches Consciousness, Infinity is the limit to our potential.  Yet, my own voice disappeared, after many years of oppression, and repression. The long-term oppressive effects of the conspiracy of silence that plagues most men will continue to limit our potential to experience happiness and longevity, and love for our life.  That certainly was the case for my own life, and nearly eventuated in my early death at thirty years of age.

I am humbled and amazed by both the miracle eternally embedded in SACRED SILENCE, as well as its bridge to human consciousness through the Word. May the Word take a form unique to each of us in all of lives, and lift all of us together into a unity of love, thought, action, and a new shared story of world healing and wholeness.  May the Word spontaneously arise from our SACRED SILENCE, and not from the chaos of our troubled past. As I contemplate the entirety of my life, I see a simple truth arising from the complexities of the details. Silence born of ignorance and oppression brings suffering and disease. Silence born of healing brings joy and love into the world. This same Silence brings forth the capacity to listen with the heart for the deepest meaning embedded within All of Life, in All of Its infinitude of forms, and return the dignity back to each sacred manifestation of life. Is anybody really listening to each other?

Those who have learned how to really listen, hear the “voice for God”. And, we finally get to live in the creation that Love provides for us all, when we accept Love’s vision as our own.

And, no, Father, in whatever form Father may take, I will never “shut up”

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

We all have had problems listening to each other. We all have had problems listening to ourselves. Yet, our stories must be told, and we must listen to the “other’s” story, with respect and compassion for ourselves, and for the other. Every good story has an ending. And, so do our bad stories. What value is a story, if it is never told? What value is love, if it is never shared? What is the value of speaking, if nobody is even listening? What is the value of writing, if there is nobody left to read? We all have infinite value, whether it is ever recognized by another, or not. Discover, enjoy and celebrate INFINITY, rather than the limitations thrust upon us by the deafness of our culture and of our families of origin.

Sing your song, like your life depended on it, BECAUSE, IT DOES! All of our lives depend on each others stories. Those who will not listen to our story, and in turn, will not share their own story with us, are still stuck in their own story of repression and oppression. They are still unconscious participants in the Conspiracy Of Silence.

The sun shines, and the artist interprets its light upon the beautiful landscape, and paints a classic piece of art. The wolf howls in the lonely, cold, snow-covered wilderness, and, miraculously, another wolf a great distance away howls back at him, reassuring both that each other is still there. The bird sings alone in the forest, yet, a hiker stops for a moment, listens, and her heart begins to sing and soar with the bird. The divorced and lonely man sings in the shower, and the salesman at the door hears him, and is so impressed by the man’s voice that he encourages him to try out for a local band. An isolated man stumbles upon the miracle of silence within his being, and a resultant bridge of words subsequently connects this sacred silence to his latest writings, creating beloved poetry and healing balms for all.

As I look at my life’s history, I bear witness to Love and its healing Mystery.

I have penetrated the Conspiracy of Silence, and I have lived well beyond my expiration date. 

My “miracle experiment” continues in earnest.

My world can never be the same

How about yours?

Blessed Longing, by Goethe (Translated by John O’Donohue)
Tell no one else, only the wise
For the crowd will sneer at one I wish to praise what is fully alive,
What longs to flame toward death.
When the calm enfolds the love-nights
That created you, where you have created
A feeling from the Unknown steals over you
While the tranquil candle burns.
You remain no longer caught In the penumbral gloom
You are stirred and new, you desire To soar to higher creativity.
No distance makes you ambivalent.
You come on wings, enchanted In such hunger for light, you
Become the butterfly burnt to nothing.
So long as you have not lived this:
To die is to become new,
You remain a gloomy guest On the dark earth.

Enlightenment

If we awaken from the dream of separation from our true and noble nature, we become spiritually healed, and life’s beauty, awe, mystery, and majesty can predominate.


With our awakenings, the one true God witnesses life through our eyes with us..

Otherwise, our lives remain dimmed while we live a secondhand life experience.

So, let us consider some general questions.

  • Why do so many people suffer from poor self-esteem?
  • Why is there so much pain, suffering, loneliness, and disillusionment in America?
  • Why is America enveloped in such divisive and hateful political discourse?
  • Why is there so much disease, mental illness, alcoholism, addiction, suicide, and murder?

And, let us consider some personal questions.

  • Do you understand that we all have an innate capacity to make dramatic, positive life changes?
  • Do you have an intense desire to help yourself and your world?
  • Do you know who you are beyond what the family and culture think and what you came to this planet to do?

Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the living God? Don’t you know that you are the light of the world?—Jesus of Nazareth

Who does not want to be a light in their world?

Do we even know what that question indeed implies?

The art world has attempted to capture what an individual living in the light might look like. Over many centuries, we have seen artist’s renditions of saints and sages, with paintings often showing the blessed person as having a golden light about them, usually concentrating around the head.

Is this “divine light” phenomenon real, or only the artistic interpretations represented within art, science, religion, and philosophy?

The physiological Truth about humanity is that humans can emit light through bioluminescence, yet that light is not readily witnessed by normal human eyesight. Humans do not innately embody luciferin, which would give us the capacity to glow like fireflies. Yet what about that inner glow that erupts within one’s heart and soul when finally touched by transcendent spiritual power?

This book has presented my evidence for an experience of power and life more significant than any limited, personal sense of Self. I no longer look to the darkness for the light. I found my light, a light that dispels the darkness of others, their religions and economic philosophies, and the darkness of my historical Self.

As we find the light of Truth, there is a release from the controls of the crowd, whether it is the crowd of old thoughts or the crowd that blindly follows others.

Strange, mystical, exotic, transcendent, and mysterious describe phenomena associated with discovering such light and freedom, a spiritual liberation that words struggle to define.

“Set your course by the stars, and not by the fading lights of passing ships“—-Omar N. Bradley.

As the 21st century rushes forward, humanity is becoming increasingly dependent on its technology for communication while not concurrently developing the sensitivity to connect with the “energy” that we all share and with which we communicate continuously, albeit mostly unconsciously. Our technology, especially the hand-held media devices that we use to entertain and hypnotize ourselves, only continues the energy of the past without offering alternatives to the present collection of corrupted choices that humanity has seemed eternally resigned to making.

Though able to define relationships and the laws that dictate behavior between all observable and quantum phenomena, science is only now beginning to understand the ramifications of the fundamental law of our existence:


“All that we will ever see, unto eternity, is ourselves.”


Theoretical physicists now understand that there are possibilities for alternate universes, yet they still have yet to fully define the opportunities for enhanced connections with the one we all currently reside within. Science provides laws for what we see, yet, unlike enlightened spirituality, provides no laws predicting or supporting what is possible for humanity. Quantum mechanics cannot be fully understood until the self-centered perspective towards infinity is replaced with the understanding that the collective and the individual are present in each of us, in each moment of existence, and influence all of our observations.

Ultimately, science, religion, medicine, and technology will all unite as manifestations of humanity’s expression of our highest potential, and then the miraculous potential of a healed collective consciousness will be evident to us all.

The impacts we all have upon each other are not yet fully understood, yet prayer, meditation, and mindfulness prepare the mind for the unknown, where all true creation springs from. Because of the nature of consciousness itself, it is a much more collaborative effort being a human, and any other form of conscious life on this planet, than our minimally conscious minds understand now.

It is incredible how much of the human ego is devoted to recognition when there were shortages of loving attention early in life. We create our ego from our desperate call for Love from a world that has not yet learned how to love. Our world has over eight billion human egos, all seeking the fulfillment of their desires. Which of our desires bond us together in Love, and which separate us in mutual antagonism?

The most significant question remains: why care, or why bother? Our universe’s sacredness and sanctity depend on our recognition of who we are and how we express our understanding of that connection.

Therein lies the absolute necessity that members of the human race seek true enlightenment.

If we can’t drill down to the foundation of our world and our problems and find and replace the foundation, there is little long-term hope for us.

If the desire for liberation from our deteriorating society’s damaging and fatal illusions is strong, we are ready for a transformation. By letting go of the societal controls that imprison us in an outdated image of ourselves and the unrealistic and unhealthy expectations of others, we become ready to travel onto new paths of consciousness and a new era of transcendence in our lives.

Why create and nurture a belief in some unknown God or savior, which is only just another idea in an unawakened mind, when we can live a life immersed in the beauty, awe, and Love available to a mind liberated from its bondage to selfish fantasies and unhealed sufferings?

Are we ready to let go of the controls?

What is the difference between believing we can fly and finally spreading our wings and flying?

BELIEF

God is our eternal path and needs no belief in any concept. Yet, we must learn to cultivate and practice the actual presence of our own unique, innate connection to the mystery behind the name “God” until our life blossoms into the divine flower that it truly is.

Live life fully and wholeheartedly, keeping one’s eyes and ears open to the mystery of the moment and listening deep within our hearts for our true mission.

Religion is institutionalized ignorance of our true nature, only pointing to historical interpretations from others.

As the experience of the Trump era shows, the collective racism, immorality, and unethical behavior of America’s Christian understanding is now an institutionalized disease within its body of thought and its shared narratives.

Our self-image is quite similar, being our memory’s institutionalized historical ignorance of our potential for freedom.

Like our Christian understanding, our ethics and morals remain based upon past wounding rather than the higher ideals that are attainable through enhanced self-awareness and healing.

Therein lies the challenge and the opportunity for enlightenment.

What would Jesus do?

He worked out his salvation. He confronted and overcame the darkness (satan in the desert) in his own mind.

He would want you to do the same.

The things that I do, you shall do, and even greater things—-Jesus of Nazareth (John 14:12)

No teacher may bring to us our freedom; it is our work that gets us there.

What will we do?

Men have created, maintained, and sustained our civilization for thousands of years. And, toxic masculinity with its most oppressive spawn, PATRIARCHY, has established most of the rules of engagement for all of us in the world during this epoch. Patriarchy sets the rules for our religions and our economic systems.

Trauma, immense trauma, has characterized man’s domination over nature and each other. Even our most innocent of beings, both human and animal, are persecuted by patriarchal attitudes. Our families are now one of the most significant sources for the spread of trauma. The children now even try to traumatize their parents once they become adults. It is all so unnecessary and deplorable.


Humankind has so much more spiritual work to be completed before peace and mutual respect are a universal experience.

Concurrently, It is incredible to note the preponderance of teachings that continue to emanate from the male component of the human race. Toxic masculinity creates an oppressive reality, and then those who have a measure of healing from it attempt to offer to the rest of us solutions for our release.


LIFE IN HELL. Spiritual freedom has never been about guns, money, or religion, Toxic men have their weapons in one hand, their penis in the other hand, and no room for a bible, let alone understanding of its fundamental message.

We need more empowered women to stand up and be counted. Our world can only come back into balance once our feminine nature’s divine aspects are recognized as an integral part of our Self.

Let’s fly united in our potential for healing!

The human race is like a bird with two wings, male and female. If one wing is broken, the bird can’t fly.

Will we remain hypnotized by more “mans-plaining” from ministers, avatars, gurus, therapists, and religious texts.

Should we remain a sheep in another shepherd’s flock?

Should we become a shepherd of our flock?

Or should we become a liberated human being?

It is our choice.

For liberation, there must be the deepest of desires.

Wait, wait, we don’t have to be just sheep.

We must be vigilant in protecting ourselves from the oppressive forces of our economic philosophies. Capitalist economics has monetized the resources of our planet and our human soul. And, in a most oppressive, distressing turn of events, Capitalism and American Politics have become married to Christianity so that all of the evil inherent within the unawakened elements of this triumvirate has created a world-threatening menace. We all have witnessed its catastrophic effects on our planet and each other’s health.

Lao Tzu briefly comments on these seemingly changeless forces, as the following story indicates. Lao Tzu was walking with his disciples, and they came to a forest where hundreds of carpenters were cutting trees because a grand palace was being built. So the whole forest had been almost cut, but only one tree was standing there, a big tree with thousands of branches. Lao Tzu asked his disciples to go and inquire why the entire forest had been cut and not this tree.

The disciples went, and they asked the carpenters,

“Why have you not cut this tree?”

The carpenters said,

“You cannot make anything out of it because every branch has so many knots in it. Nothing is straight. You cannot make pillars out of it. You cannot make furniture out of it. You cannot use it as fuel because the smoke is so dangerous to the eyes – you almost go blind. This tree is absolutely useless. That’s why.”

They came back to tell Lao Tzu, who then laughed and said:

“Be like this tree. If you want to survive in this world be like this tree – absolutely useless. Then nobody will harm you. If you are straight you will be cut, you will become furniture in somebody’s house. If you are beautiful you will be sold in the market, you will become a commodity. Be like this tree, absolutely useless. Then nobody can harm you. And you will grow big and vast, and thousands of people can find shade under you.”

Lao Tzu has a logic altogether different from the conditioned mind. :

Be the last. Move in the world as if you are not. Remain unknown. Don’t try to be the first. Otherwise, you will be competed against. Don’t try to prove your worth. There is no need. Remain useless and enjoy.”

To understand Lao Tsu is to find that he is practical on a deeper layer of understanding than most people can recognize. Life is to enjoy and celebrate and not to become solely a servant to the needs of others. Life is more like a song or poetry than a commodity in the market; it should be like a flower by the side of the road, flowering for nobody in particular, sending its fragrance to the winds, just enjoying itself, just being itself.

Our culture will take advantage of our talents if we succeed in being clever and useful. If we try to be very practical, somewhere or other, we will be harnessed like an ox because the world needs our functionality, needing us to become just another “somebody.”

There is nothing more problematic and traumatizing than a nobody being forced to become a somebody, a somebody that we don’t want to be.

Drop all these ideas. If we want to be a poem, a song, a flower, or any other manifestation of our creative spirit, then forget how others see us and what value we may have to them. Do not despair about embracing the energy of a nobody. Some of the most influential people in our world are “nobodies” who have been assigned the role of a “somebody” by our culture. Those who remember to remain a “nobody” and stay humble can be collaborators and healers.

While civilization encourages all of us to travel on its competitive superhighway to its image of a “somebody’, our neglected spiritual nature silently attempts to create a path back to where we can become a humble “nobody” again.

Who, or what, will we listen to?

The ultimate trauma to the human spirit is to be somebody we aren’t.

We die of fatigue created through the endless parading around of our new, Self-deceptive image, an image easily discounted by the innocent child within us, should we become quiet enough to listen to our essence.

No need to hurry. No need to sparkle. No need to be anyone but ourselves.—Virginia Woolf

Self-deception takes on added importance and danger in the mirror of relationships. Only crazy-making communication can result from exchanges between our illusions of Self.

As Jesus stated:

My kingdom is not of this world.

Remain true to ourselves.

Be our Self.

We will find what we are looking for if we sincerely seek the Truth of who we are.

When we find our authentic Self, the trauma and suffering of our human condition is seen for what it is.

And, we can finally consciously decide as to what, or who, we shall serve:

Somebody, or

NOBODY.

Serving somebody else’s agenda keeps us on the same historical path.

Serving NOBODY places us squarely on the path back to the Garden of Eden, and we begin our Hero’s Journey back to our true nature.

Accepting that the world can do fine without us allows us to put down the burden of being corrective heroes and simply concentrate on absorbing the journey of being alive.—Mark Nepo.

What is the essence of enlightenment? It is similar to metamorphosis, which brings forth the butterfly from the caterpillar. If the butterfly could talk, it would much rather talk about its new freedom and ability to fly than its previous form of life sliding over the dirt. Yet, the only life that the butterfly arose from was with ground dwellers, where it created all of its past stories. Could you imagine that butterfly returning and telling his caterpillar friends about the potential for a new life and what the “ground dwellers” might say in response? How about:

“get lost, you were never one of us, anyway?”
or
“well, it must be nice for you to fly, but it is just not for me right now?”
or
“have you heard about the great tasty leaves that parsley plant has?”

These are potential responses from those who think that change is threatening, unnecessary, irrelevant, or impossible for themselves.


Enlightenment is not for everybody; it is for nobody.

New life is available to all, yet I won’t devote too many words to that. The word will forever remain a shadow, cast by the light built into the divine heart of humanity, as it tries to define the “undefinable.” Yet, if the heart is in the right place, the words formed and delivered will become more attuned to and resonant with the energies pointing to the healing of the Self and the other.

“If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is, Infinite. For man has closed himself up, till he sees all things thro’ narrow chinks of his cavern.”
― William Blake, The Marriage of Heaven and Hell

All that we now see, or will ever see, unto eternity, is our version of our Self.

How will we see ourselves today?

That vision, our vision, limited or limitless, determines the quality of our life experience.

And if we are on life’s healing path, that vision directly impacts the world in wondrous and sometimes miraculous ways.

There is no greater joy in the universe than finding our authentic Self.
We will find what we are looking for.

What have you found so far?

Are you your authentic Self?


Are we ourselves?

Liberation is not an idea but a living reality for those who have found what their heart was genuinely looking for.

It is time to make our waves MATTER! (Quantum physicists will love this pun!

More than ten thousand times, certain members of the human race have had mountaintop experiences where they gained true insight into understanding life, Love, and both the ephemeral and eternal natures or aspects of reality, or That One.


That One becomes the source for all future understanding and engagement with the world.

  • That One saw the unity of all creation and how all systems of thought tend to separate us from each other rather than unite.
  • That One saw how the limits of Love shared were typically tribal in nature and rarely extended beyond the imaginary boundaries of their perceived communities.
  • That One saw how organized religion had become a tool for the political powers of the day and no longer existed to serve the needs of the spirit but instead to follow the dictates of those male power figures who inaccurately, and sometimes falsely, interpret the scriptures to control people, and arrange selfish outcomes.
  • That One saw how the rich and influential within the religion used its Truth to dominate and control others.
  • That One saw these religious power figures monetize their brethren to see how their “flock” could bring them wealth through superstitious tithing or offerings to their “God.”
  • That One saw that the poorest in spirit occupied the most fertile ground for healing yet were the most separated from any benefits of their religion.
  • That One saw that the religious power of the day was corrupt beyond repair.
  • That One saw that all sense of religion needed to be “born again”.

That One came down from the mountaintop to bring the good news to the people, that they did not need their religion anymore to keep them philosophically imprisoned.

That One then advised the world:

If their “religion” does not allow for them to love another as themself, then discard those dark aspects of their religion, honor the underlying spirit of Love, and affirm the dignity and value of the human being through the healed human heart (which is the source of all true religion).

That might mean removing the log from our own eyes (even if the log is our very own religion) before attempting to remove the splinter from another.

  • It means stop monetizing humanity for business purposes.
  • It also means separating the Church from the State.
  • It means taking personal inventory, and when wrong, promptly admit it!
  • It means lying, cheating, stealing, destroying, murder, greed, selfishness, destroying the animal and plant kingdom, and the like are antithetical to the spirit of Love that has created this universe. These are unacceptable behavior patterns for those who have chosen to stay asleep.

You know who That One is because It lives today and has never been just the Buddha or Jesus.

  • That One has existed since the beginnings of the illusion of Self and other and the illusions created by competing philosophies.
  • That One has the voice for God, Truth, Love, and Life, bubbling up inside their hearts, waiting to be listened to and obeyed.
  • That One understands the difficulties in bringing Truth and Love to the masses because the masses are where corruption of thought gets institutionalized and normalized. Instead, That One opts to bring it to humanity one person at a time.

Please listen within yourself.
Tune out all others, no matter how well-intentioned they may appear to be.

Be yourself!
.
When we touch ourselves with deep awareness, we touch everything,

.

Set out into the freedom and the wandering. Find your people. God is much bigger, wilder, more generous, and more wonderful than you imagined. Sarah Bessey

I have attempted to “capture lightning in a bottle” by articulating this message. May we never despair of our faltering attempts to reach this infinite energy and express its Love and wisdom. To have a better life, we have to access new parts of our infinite Self and travel on new paths of understanding. A primary law of consciousness is that “we find what we are looking for,” so make sure to look for what we want and not fall victim to the suggestions of others who don’t always have our best interests at heart.

Do you have your best interests at heart?
Does your creator within have your best interests at heart?
Do you understand that you and your creator are ONE?
Do you understand how immense of a being that you are?
Once we understand the Truth, the closer we get to life’s meaning, the disturbing revelation thawein our ignorance we have only been dreaming becomes our healed understanding.

Dream on or strive for awakening; it is our choice.

The Buddha was asked:

What is your religion?

He then stated:


I AM AWAKE.

The salvation of the world and ourselves depends upon our decision to be either the dreaming, walking dead, or the awake.

I no longer run in packs of “wannabees” or “somebodies.”
I no longer walk in my sleep.

I am not Jesus, I am not the Buddha, I am not Mohammed (whew!)

Like millions of other human beings,

I AM AWAKENING

I AM ( world tour version)

I am all waters, the rivers, and the bays.
I am the infinite ocean from which all my children are born, live, Love, and play.

I am the dolphin and whale; I am the mangrove and sand-lined shores,
I am the waves crashing against rocks that photographers adore.

I am the wind and the sun and all warm, soothing breezes,
I am even our allergy-inspired, most raucous cleansing sneeze!

I am the blue sky, the weather changes, and the gathering of clouds,
I am all lightning storms appearing so dangerous and loud

I am the bird’s call, its flight, and the wind beneath its wings,
I am all music and its spirit that makes our hearts soar and sing.

I am the brightest of all mornings, yet I am also the cloudiest of all days,
I am also that altar within, upon which humankind prays and PREYS.

I am the grief, the pain, and the sorrow,
I am the bottomless well of hope from which all eternally borrow.

I am the COVID, bronchitis, and pneumonia; I am the movement toward health
I am the healing balm that works mysteriously in stealth.

I am our lifetimes; I am our bodies and our breaths,
I am all of the suffering and the blessed last moment of our deaths.

I am the death of the false Self that leads to the only true heaven,
Our denial of this Truth leads to channel two news reports at eleven.

I am the Biden’s and the Harris’s, I am the Desantis’s and the Trumps,
I am Love’s warrior, and I am also Hate’s chumps!

I am the boisterous protests, and I am the crowd made quiet,
I am everyone 6witnessing the white supremacist riots!

I am the wealthy, the hurt, the oppressed, and the poor,
I am your past, present, and future until we all are no more!

I am the Cretians, Egyptians, and Africans of times old, recent, and new,
I am all civilization ruins and the ever-evolving life that regrew.

I am the mind and the end to its lonely thoughts,
I am the hearts-loving web in which we are miraculously caught.

I am the Christian, the Hindu, the Muslim, and the Jew,
I am an Atheist and a Buddhist; you never thought that you knew.

I am the sacred, the mediocre, and even the profane,
I am the source of spiritual treasure; resisting me adds to life’s pain.

I am not the movement of our thoughts while clinging to concepts of time,
I am emerging from all shadows as we reach for the sublime.

What is my name, and where is my home place?
Being ONE is to see me in every suffering and smiling beings face.

Spiritual Awakening:  Embracing the Divine Within

Spiritual awakening is a profound journey of self-discovery and enlightenment. It is the recognition that our identity is not solely rooted in our cultural or family-created constructs, but rather in our deep connection to the universe and the divine.

While personal experiences of spiritual awakening vary, they often occur unexpectedly and can be triggered by life-changing events or even the simplest of everyday moments. It is usually a gradual process that involves self-discovery, self-awareness, and personal growth.

One may encounter moments of profound connection with the universe, such as having visions of the divine mother holding a baby, seeing the world without the limitations of past beliefs and traumatic wounds, or perceiving life without the constraints of time-based ideas and memories, among many other percrptual, emotional, and psychic phenomena. These experiences open our hearts and minds to a greater understanding of our purpose and place in the grand tapestry of existence.

To aid in our spiritual awakening, there are practical exercises and daily practices we can embrace. Meditation helps quiet the mind and fosters a deep sense of connection. Mindfulness allows us to be fully present in the moment, recognizing and releasing limiting beliefs. Journaling provides a tool for self-reflection and personal growth. Yoga and physical exercise balance the body and mind, creating a conducive environment for spiritual development. Engaging in compassionate actions towards ourselves and others promotes a sense of universal connection and love.

Personal anecdotes often illustrate the power of spiritual awakening. For example, a man washing dishes mindfully found a profound connection to the universe in that simple act. This story reminds us that spirituality can arise in mundane moments when approached with presence and mindfulness. Another anecdote tells of a woman who experienced spiritual growth through forgiveness, finding peace and universal connection by releasing resentment towards her estranged family.

The key takeaways from this exploration of spiritual awakening are:

  1. Spiritual awakening is a deeply personal and unique journey that often occurs unexpectedly.
  2. It involves recognizing our true identity as interconnected with the universe and transcending limiting beliefs.
  3. Practical exercises like meditation, mindfulness, journaling, physical exercise, and compassionate actions can aid in spiritual growth.
  4. The journey often leads to profound experiences of peace, connection, and a more compassionate outlook towards self and others.
  5. Spiritual awakening can be found in the simplest of daily tasks when approached with presence and mindfulness.

Embrace your own spiritual awakening, for within it lies the path to profound self-discovery, inner peace, and an expansive connection to the vast universe. May your journey be filled with love, light, and an unwavering sense of oneness.

Awakening
The slowly shifting desert sands of time
Once created ever taller dunes for this lost soul to climb
Until within my selfish, ignorant world of limited reason and rhyme
I sought the way of Truth, and its Love, Sublime.

As a seeker of Truth, on God’s High Mount, I continue to climb
And no longer stumble through the valley’s shifting sands of time.
I stopped confusing myself with our culture’s worn-out rhyme and reason
Finding that Truth has eternally charged them with treason.

Once only a marathoner on just a treadmill, could I run or stand
Because second-hand knowledge made me just another of life’s also-rans
While I endlessly chased Love’s all-knowing voice
But when I became still, I finally found the Word that is true cause to rejoice.

As another marionette on the stage of our corrupted world’s mind
Dangling on its strings of mind control, so there was no freedom I could find
Until I found release from its mind-controlling and heart-numbing strings
Which prepared me for the new wisdom that Liberated intelligence brings.

As a shadow boxer of this world’s incessant evil, I was always tired
Becoming the champion of a disfigured dream world sure kept me uninspired.
When I stopped resuscitating dead illusions with those constant mental pugilist blows.
A peaceful mind came to rule, with the intelligence that Love knows.

I finally woke up to Love’s voice, though once only a somnambulator
And realized a transformative truth that Love’s reason is greater
Than any capitalist or religious image I could ever form or learn
And now my world reflects to me the One for whom I have yearned

To be in realization of timeless Truth, is to find God’s High Mount just another illusion to climb
Continuously created by overly fearful, desirous minds caught on the merry-go-round of time
The unillumined, restless mind is forever bereft of Love’s rhyme and Truth’s reason
Endlessly chasing the latest popular mirage, until it sees the mental movements that are guilty of treason.





Bruce

Presently, I am 67 years old, and I am learning how to live the life of a retired person. I am married to Sharon White, a retired hospice nurse, and writer. Whose Death Is It Anyway-A Hospice Nurse Remembers Sharon is a wonderful friend and life partner of nearly 30 years. We have three grandsons through two of Sharon's children. I am not a published writer or poet. My writings are part of my new life in retirement. I have recently created a blog, and I began filling it up with my writings on matters of recovery and spirituality. I saw that my blog contained enough material for a book, so that is now my new intention, to publish a book, if only so that my grandsons can get to know who their grandfather really was, once I am gone. The title for my first book will be: Penetrating The Conspiracy Of Silence, or, How I Lived Beyond My Expiration Date I have since written 7 more books, all of which are now posted on this site. I have no plans to publish any of them, as their material is not of general interest, and would not generate enough income to justify costs. I have taken a deep look at life, and written extensively about it from a unique and rarely communicated perspective. Some of my writing is from 2016 on to the present moment. Other writing covers the time prior to 1987 when I was a boy, then an addict and alcoholic, with my subsequent recovery experience, and search for "Truth". Others are about my more recent experiences around the subjects of death, dying, and transformation, and friends and family having the most challenging of life's experiences. There are also writings derived from my personal involvement with and insight into toxic masculinity, toxic religion, toxic capitalism, and all of their intersections with our leadere. These topics will not be a draw for all people, as such personal and/or cultural toxicities tends to get ignored, overlooked, or "normalized" by those with little time for insight, introspection, or interest in other people's points of view on these troubling issues. There also will be a couple of writings/musings about "GOD", but I try to limit that kind of verbal gymnastics, because it is like chasing a sunbeam with a flashlight. Yes, my books are non-fiction, and are not good reading for anybody seeking to escape and be entertained. Some of the writings are spiritual, philosophical and intellectual in nature, and some descend the depths into the darkest recesses of the human mind. I have included a full cross section of all of my thoughts and feelings. It is a classic "over-share", and I have no shame in doing so. A Master Teacher once spoke to me, and said "no teacher shall effect your salvation, you must work it out for yourself". "Follow new paths of consciousness by letting go of all of the mental concepts and controls of your past". This writing represents my personal work towards that ultimate end.