Lessons of the Soul
Part 1
Where
shall we look for meaning in this life?
Of what purpose is existence, and what part does the human spirit
have to play in an unlimited universe?
We ask these timeless questions because finding their answer
would satisfy one of our deepest thirsts…to know and understand.
The modern world advocates we look outside of ourselves to
crystallize truth.
The majority of science and religions are devoted to
phenomena and rituals, yet the most profound answers to lifes’
questions are not found in searching out the cosmos.
We need not view the electron microscope or the latest pill as
the spiritual panacea they are touted to be. This kind of wisdom can
only be found within, because in knowing our own selves we find the
clarity to know the phenomenal world we live in with accuracy.
In the quest for a deep realization of Truth, we must
turn within. It is within the
limitless pool of consciousness in the HigherSelf that we find lasting meaning and
satisfaction in life. From
the perceived inner meaning that is inherent in everyone of us, our
path to personal and collective success is made clear.
Inquiring within is to delve into the microcosm of the entire
universe. It has been said
that more important than answers found, are the relevance of the questions
asked. The right answers to the wrong questions in life are
practically useless. In asking about the reality of the Self, however,
the answers that are forthcoming give us the personal power to really
progress and evolve. At present,we find
in the modern world that the question commonly asked is “Who are you?”
Our interpretation as to what this question really asks is, “How do you compare with other
people and society’s images of ‘success’?” (by virtue of what
you do in the physical world). By
asking, “Who are you?” we respond with a job title, social
status, and to the degree to which one is recognized by people of
“noteworthy credentials”. Such
questions do not discover the deeper meanings of life.
What we find in asking “WHO?” are the relative distinctions
of a passing social phase, one that is arguably still a part of an
immature human civilization. Social status is of no real spiritual
bearing. More relevant than
asking “Who?” is to ask “What?”
What is a human being? Profound
insights result from that question. The answer to “Who?” is always
different and divisive, but the answer to “What” in the human
context, always refers to that which is universal and powerful in all
persons.
In
asking, “What am I?” the answers which begin to arise take on a far
greater scope, for they are not dependent upon any one time in
historical perspective or culture. In fact, what we are has been called
a number of things such as, “spirit”, “consciousness” and
“soul”.
What we are goes well beyond just the physical domain ... into the
realms of spiritual reality. These
have deeper implications than generally imagined.
If such implications were generally recognized by society, almost
everything which we do and identify with, would be radically changed for
the better. Wars would end,
cultural differences would be viewed as irrelevant ... religions and
governments would erode away ... replaced by the universality of
the all-pervading Self as consciousness. .
The “Who” of the human being does not truly
matter, for job titles and resumes reflect only the outer appearance ...
not the inner reality. The
“What” of the human being is that we are all conscious entities, who
are visiting this material plane only for a short while.
We are not the body, but souls with bodies.
This genuine understanding of what it is to be human, evokes an appreciation
for living from deep within. To
realize the Self as Soul, is to embrace the reality of a Cosmos
with purpose and direction. The
belief that we are confined to the material world alone, only to fade
into oblivion upon physical death, is itself a chain that binds the
mind. Such a view is indeed
easy to hold, yet it offers little in return but an empty excuse of
daily living. This is so,
primarily because it is untrue. Human
existence is multidimensional. Our
influence as centers of consciousness, spans realms which are primarily
ignored by the average person due to cultural conditioning.
Nevertheless, such realms or planes of existence are a reality,
and so is mutli-dimensional human influence.
It is commonly accepted that varying frequencies and
informational content can exist in the same space at the same time.
Radio and television technology acknowledge the reality of differing
“bands” (which are themselves composed of individual frequencies). These exist side by side in the area which surrounds your
body right now. Also
occupying your immediate area, are the frequencies of light, sound,
cosmic background radiation and an unlimited number of other spectrums
of existence. In the modern
world of technology, such facts are easy for us to accept. Yet, the same
is true of various dimensional and spiritual existences, which most of
us do not yet perceive. These
too are composed of spectrums of frequencies of varying vibratory
rates.
Even our
own emotions are but individual frequencies of the same life energy
within. At one moment, that
energy may be resonating with fear and the next with love, but in both
cases, the energy upon which they are built is the same.
All of the named emotions can be accurately viewed as vibratory
rates or frequencies, which form the spectrum of our felt experience in
life. This fact is analogous to how the universe itself is built into
spectrums of existence, and not just on this material plane, but in
innumerable other planes of existence as well.
Existence is filled with spectrums of frequencies which compose
bands or groupings of frequencies.
The colors of the rainbow for instance, make up an array of
visible light. The same is true of the bands of invisible light and
inaudible sound. Our audible spectrum of hearing is another such array
of vibratory rates ... formed by the scale of tones that compose all music.
All of these known spectrums or bands give us perfect analogies
for understanding the planes of existence. “Occult” texts throughout
the ages provide references to the various dimensions in a variety of
names ... the “ethereal”, “upper astral”, “lower astral”, “Buddhic”,
“mental” and a host of others. Advanced mathematics has shown that
other dimensions exist as well and our own experience of life can demonstrate this
fact beyond a doubt.
Our bodies exist on this physical dimension as a
collection of atoms and molecules, which is referred to by many
scientific texts as “dense” in nature, as compared to the “more
subtle” realms of existence. At
the same time, we have a “psychic existence” in which energies are
exchanged from body to body, and mind to mind.
The aura and chakras of the human “subtle bodies” convey our
feelings to others. These
are readily perceived in their own bodies, and vice versa.
Thoughts are transmitted from person to person on a common basis,
via many of the same principles that we find in radio and television
technology. The human
body-mind connection is in fact a multi-band transceiver of information, via all of
the chakras. Furthermore, not only do we possess physical and energetic
bodies simultaneously, we also have what is known as a “causal body”
or soul that is the true foundation for our other “vehicles.”
The causal body or soul is therefore our true identity.
It is also the one to which we return, with the entirety of our
focus, upon physical death ... the death of our body. Our true identity as souls
exists without the need for bodies. The
soul finds its’ reality by virtue of the so-called “subtle”
dimensions of existence. Therefore, our real “home” is not the
physical plane.
It is from this essential essence of soul, that the
Saints, Buddhas, Krishnas and Christs of all time, have drawn
inspiration and guidance. Through
this conduit to the Divine, God can be perceived and made visible to the
inner eye. The eye of inner
perception ... consciousness itself ... sees the realities of life, with far
greater accuracy than the outer two.
Through clear inner perception, we See the way home to the true
Self and to the presence of God. Through
introspection, we may consciously recall the greater purposes of this
current incarnation, as souls who have taken physical life for a given
period, and with evolutionary growth in mind.
We journey upon the physical plane from the soul and its pure
consciousness, as adventurers into new territory. This, we do for the sake of
experience and the gaining of greater wisdom and spiritual growth. Just as
the child ventures forth with curious attentiveness to the events of
life, so too does the soul assume a physical vehicle for itself on the
physical plane. The river
of life seems shallow to those who deny the purpose of the soul, and who
see only material purposes in living. They submerge one toe in this
river and proclaim to know it, and even uninteresting ...
because from a purely materialistic point of view, life does become
uninteresting. This is
because such a view is divorced from the deeper reality of existence.
That reality is primarily spiritual in nature. Those who know the
true self and its aims, however, dive into the river of life and its
meaning with relish. They do this because they realize the supposed
“safety” of the known is a trap to be avoided.
“Safety” becomes attachment, and attachment is not safe at
all for us as spiritual beings.
The greatest hazard of living one may ever encounter, is their own
unwillingness to change, detach from old ways, or to understand who they really
are.
Today we find much attachment to material possessions and
institutions, as a symptom of spiritual misunderstanding. To gain deep
wisdom, materialism must fall to the knowledge and goals of spiritual
purpose. It is here that
society in general is in the greatest need of change, because change is
the prerequisite for real progress.
Evolution implies transformation. Thus, change is the essential
reality for this spiritual journey of life.
Through it, we gain the wisdom which the soul seeks out.
To acquire wisdom and greater consciousness is to carry out the
aims of our true Selves ... as spirits in bodies.
Human personalities
often believe themselves to be the ultimate pilot of the river of life.
A personality after all, is really only a collection of memories and
beliefs, which form the “Who” of social status.
But we are much more than a simple “Who”, just as the
carpenter is more than the things he builds ... . for the potential of the
creator can never be measured by the things created. This is why human potential can never be measured by the
learned patterns of personality and culture. Those people that embrace
only a materialistic, social-status view of life, believe only in what
they can see ... as in “Seeing is believing” ... through the physical
senses. This view neglects the essential reality that the direct,
intuitive perceptiveness of consciousness, is a far superior mode to
memorized, conditioned procedures and programmed living.
The materialistic frame of mind also sees only effects and not
causes. Even more
importantly, it sees only those effects which it is trained to see
according to vocation, specialization, social training and “higher”
education. The materialist
sees leaves blowing around in the air, but hesitates to acknowledge the
wind itself, so to speak. We
study disease and pollution as separate cases involving separate
solutions, without ever stopping to think that the cause of these
problems are originally man-made through a materialistic life view.
The same is true of the modern mind itself. We become immersed in
our thoughts, but fail to see the consciousness ... the soul ... behind them.
The
perception of reality has much more to do with the willingness to absorb
what is seen, than it does the ability to perceive. Knowledge is thus
not the essence of wisdom. Going beyond the phrase “seeing is
believing”, it would be even more accurate to say “believing is
seeing” in the modern world. As
long as we believe that the universe is simply a collection of molecules
that interact without ultimate direction or spiritual purpose, we will
“see” (perceive) only material remedies for the problems of the world ... for it is
our beliefs that form our perceptions. In materialism, our minds will be
limited to temporary physical achievements, rather than eternal and spiritual
ones.
Conclusively, the truest and only lasting remedy for the world
crisis is to completely change how we have been taught to view life.
Stated more fundamentally, this means we
need a change of consciousness. Each
of us is fully capable of changing our own consciousness for the better.
However, this requires an inner focus rather than a purely
external one, in the realization that the answers we need are found
within. Meditation is a
premium tool for such a critically necessary self-transformation.
In meditation, we gain the ability to transcend the
past ... to find that we are more than memories or beliefs.
This is true also, even of a computer.
A computer is more than a given set of stored information.
It is also more than specific programs which determine how to act
upon that information. Similarly,
our personal identity is not limited to our learned behavior and
beliefs, any more than a computer can be defined by any one program it
happens to be running. We are more than our memories, just as a computer
is more than its currently loaded files.
As we learn to live beyond memory and traditional thinking, we
regain our inherent mode of direct perception and intuitiveness.
We learn in essence ... “to transcend our life program”
(ego) and achieve beyond the confines of learned, cultural
behavior. To do this effectively, we must identify ourselves with soul.
To navigate the river of life, we need the direct and
natural perception that is the property of the soul within.
This perceptiveness is also known simply as clarity. Clarity is the premium navigational guide for right living.
Through the clarity of soul do we begin at the headwaters of
birth, and return to the ocean of consciousness at death.
Yet our essence ... consciousness ... is preserved throughout each
life. The universe is an
intelligent structure, and it preserves those things of most value to
it. It stores information
at all levels, and applies that knowledge with greater and greater
wisdom through new forms. The
knowledge stored and applied by each soul, simply reflects this
universal principle. Regardless
of occupation or social position, it is to this source of inner wisdom
we inevitably return, when a given physical life is ended.
All that remains upon death of the worldly, are the spiritual
gains made in personal consciousness of which the soul is composed.
Thus, in Spirit, all of humanity is ultimately equal and of the
same ultimate cause. Our
joint purpose and heritage is evolutionary spiritual progression.
The true self is literally made of consciousness. All
else, including the mind and body, are but the tools that this
consciousness uses to carry out its evolutionary purpose.
This means the body and personality-mind, are but temporary
abodes of less than ultimate importance. “Of what is this true Self or
consciousness composed?”, you may ask.
What are we really, at the most basic level of Self?
How may this essence be described?
All of these questions may be answered through deep meditation.
Only through your own direct perception will you realize the full
truth of what is about to be said.
Nevertheless, it is useful to speak of such things, even when
they are not immediately validated;
The true Self as consciousness, or by another name “Soul”, is
composed of three primary elements.
These three may be referred to as Intent,
Awareness and Energy. The realization of the Self as consciousness becomes an
implicit realization of Soul. Self-realization
then, is an experiential understanding of the components of
consciousness of which we are made. These are the real basis for everything we do. The soul is
composed of none other than universal (Life Force)Energy, held in place and patterned by Awareness,
which is then given direction and purpose by Intent.
Through deep self-reflection we come to realize that;
the terms “Soul”,
“Consciousness” and “true Self” are synonymous.
A
simple exercise in self-realization is as follows.
Place a pen or other object in front of you on a table. Before
reading any further past this line, look at the pen for a moment, and
then follow this instruction; “Intend to pick up the pen”.
Those of you who simply reached out and picked it up, followed
this seemingly simple demonstration flawlessly.
This was an exercise in Intent, and therefore consciousness.
What in fact, did you learn about intent? The answer should be; Intent involves action. Also,
all action is preceded by intent.
To
truly intend something is to act upon it, as demonstrated by changes
made. In this case, the
changes made included a movement of the arm, and a lifting of the pen.
To explain the significance of this, is to say that your
consciousness took action. Your
inner Intent directed your awareness to first focus on the pen, and then
the hand that lifted it. Energy
was employed to make this happen. Interestingly,
this is also the process of CREATION and CHANGE in all parts of the
universe. Intent directs
awareness, which then coordinates energy, in all things and at all
times. Just contemplate the simplicity and deeper implications of
this for a moment. Everything
we do in life is based first upon our intent, which is then focused by
awareness, and made manifest through energy.
Everything.
This includes the drive to work,
the blink of an eye, observing a sunset, talking with the neighbors and
reading these words.
The quality of our lives is proportional to the quality of the intent we
hold within.
In
expanding our consciousness, (intent, awareness and energy) through
meditation, the mind and body are refined. They are made more efficient
and capable. Yet, this is
not the only advantage gained through such practice.
Greater rapport of the body/mind with the soul is also gained,
which is itself pure consciousness, in essence.
“Have awareness of
awareness”
“May the soul contemplate
its own nature”
“A/A=C, whereas, “A”
is awareness and “C” is clarity”
“Meditate”
Please contemplate these five for a moment.
We find that the purpose of the true Self, or Soul,
holds the same purpose of consciousness everywhere in the universe. The
evolution of inner qualities, paralleled by outer forms, is the
expression of that universal purpose. Through greater realization of the
Self as Soul, we find that there is purpose, wisdom and intelligence,
underlying our daily existence. By
the same token, these qualities underlie our very being.
Upon realizing these things, it is then that the real potentials
of life begin to be revealed to the conscious mind.
The revelation of spirit as the guiding factor in living, is
itself both a surprise and a familiar relief, to the troubled ego.
Even more belief-shattering is the fact that not only are we
guided by spirit, we are
spirit in the truest, most fundamental sense.
Thus we are not emotion, memory, thought, self-image, job title
or nationality. This material body is worn for a lifetime only, and is
likewise not of the true Self. It
is a garment convenient for a physical existence.
The ego which inhabits the mind is also only a temporary
resident in the trinity of body, mind and soul.
We need not lament the loss of the physical garment or ego,
(mental software) ... but we
may opt to cultivate and strengthen both mind and body for the sake of
spiritual progress. This
better enables our soul to fully manifest its purposes while in physical
existence. Mind and body are but the vehicles or tools of the soul in
the ultimate sense. This
fact is made a practical reality for the self realized person, thus becoming
a major intellectual and spiritual advantage.
It is an advantage because we are no longer limited to time,
place, culture or personal history, as we realize ourselves to be souls
of a cosmic purpose.
The
focus and Intent of soul is to evolve, to learn ... to become ever more
capable. As we evolve and become more adept in our understanding of
purposeful living, our consciousness expands.
We learn to use higher and higher levels of spiritual intent.
Our awareness is
refined and carefully focused upon truth itself, as the energy within grows and multiplies. The expansion of consciousness
is the primary foundation for unlimited
self-transformation.
As
souls we take these Earthly forms to carry out evolutionary goals. As meditators we realize that the evolution of consciousness
is the purpose behind life, and even matter and Energy themselves, in
all places and times. Just
as consciousness, [or that which is called the Will, (Intent) of God]
moves through these physical bodies we wear, so too does it move
throughout all of the cosmos, ever defining and shaping existence.
This is done for the sake of creating ever more capable and
self-realizing forms. This
“Divine Intent” if you will, is the very motive or cause, for
biological evolution. The Intent found in the universe is the basis for
intelligence in nature, and the advancement of all universal forms.
Consciousness thus defines the ultimate organization of matter.
In the same way, the true Self ultimately defines the life of the ego.
This it does even when the ego mistakenly takes over the role of
decision-making in our life. To spiritually advance, it is useful to
remember that life decisions are better left to the spiritual intent of
the Soul, which is itself a larger part of a Cosmic Whole.
"We
are One" is more than just a platitude ... it is a fact within the
communality of all souls made of a common essence…consciousness.
Intent,
Awareness and Energy are common to all consciousness, everywhere in the
universe. They manifest
themselves according to Cosmic design. This design is commonly called
"natural law" by science, and similarly "The Hand, (or
Will) of God" by Christianity.
By another name, it is the "manifestation of consciousness in
nature", which serves as both the foundation for human action, and
all other living things. Our
birthright is indeed That Which
Moves and perceives, (Intent
and Awareness). This
essence catalyzes and patterns the prevailing Energies of the cosmos,
into both the recognizable, and as yet unrecognizable. It also patterns
our own lives, each second of every day.
The named and unnamed mechanisms of cosmic order,
brought into existence by "blind" natural forces, (according
to traditional scientific views) may be better referred to as, “the actions of the Intent At Large”. The meditator eventually confirms the fact of the intelligent
guidance of the personality, by the soul.
They also confirm by the same token, that there is an underlying
intelligence in nature, that accounts for its own self-modification and
adaptation. Through soulic influence, the meditator eventually perceives
the sentience of the universe in general, which is of the same essence
as that which is within. This
realization accounts for the traditional Vedic exclamation; “I am That”. Purely random cosmic order, made possible only by
mathematical probability, is a fiction created by minds which prefer
conveniently linear models of existence.
The
universal macrocosm is governed by the same essence of Energy, Awareness
and Intent, as is the human microcosm.
This primary natural fact of human existence, can be validated by
the spiritual seeker regardless of the prevailing culture or time.
The consciousness within, or the "Inherent Buddha
Nature", or "Christ Consciousness" underlying the
superficial layer of personality, is none other than the Soul. Just as
the terms "God" and "Consciousness" are synonymous
at the level of the macrocosm, so too are "Soul" and
"Consciousness" at the level of the human being.
Our attunement to the true self is of primary importance in the
practices of meditation and contemplation, as well as physical and
mental purification. This
Self is the one which possesses wisdom and connection to Wisdom.
When we transcend all cultures, all times and inhibiting
conceptual barriers, it is then that the seeker of Truth is rewarded
with none other than a complete return to Soul, or "That
which Moves and Creates” in all things.
We are
then returned to a clear picture as to our purpose in life, and in fact,
all life itself.