Connecting to the Power of Life in the Present Moment

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Mindfulness

Mindfulness, is a buddhist term embraced by western psychology and is now a modernised term for practicing awareness of experience in the present moment or a ‘state of presence’. In the buddhist context it develops self knowledge and wisdom to achieve enlightenment and be free of suffering. In western therapeutic modalities it is used to deal with mental illness, anxiety and stress. The last sixty years it has been researched and recognised as an approach for various effective therapeutic uses, in addition to general wellbeing, performance enhancement and spiritual awakening.

The deeper art of mindfulness is in training the mind to let go of identifying with projections of self. Projections of self may be through identification with outward appearances, circumstances and material things. More primary are inner projections of identification with thoughts, emotions and bodily experience. These ever changing aspects of experiencing the world as individuals can take us on cycles of ups and downs that seem to have a life of their own. Many people’s sense of self and the world, moods and states, perceptions and opinions are reflected in their mental narrative and emotional state as an overall accumulative effect as well as acutely during intense moments. Identifying with them is considered to be the source of suffering by ancient teachings. Training our mind enables us to get beyond our projections of self, deeper into authentic states of inner equilibrium and self realisation, beyond thought and emotion and into the more stable background of consciousness from which mental activity arises.

The inner projections above are the primary ways we really get locked into egocentric identity and loose our ability to be consistently in the drivers seat when it comes to thoughts (most of which are repetitive and predictable yet filter our experiences enormously), emotions (which can really influence our perception independently thoughts and beliefs or collaboratively with them, cause us to be reactive instead of proactive, and forget ourselves when they arise intensely). Body image and inner body experience can also become part of a self-perpetual loop. Emotions, thoughts and bodily experience become illusory when based on our conditioned programming and expectations, we cannot separate them from our sense of who we are. Our personal experience of thoughts and beliefs becomes its own evidence of the reality of those same conditioned beliefs and views thus reinforcing them. The psycho-physical landscape of how we hold ourselves in body and form in the world reveals where we are balanced and life affirming. Alternatively our stress patterns will reflect imbalance, a divided mind identified with positive and negative thoughts and beliefs spliting our identity from our true state of Being.

When we are identifying with these three primary inner projections, they cease to be useful tools for embodying, expressing and sharing our true presence in the world. Instead they become a tool of the ego and in the guise of ‘adaption’, ‘protection’ and ‘self image’ and become the substance of what ‘ego’ does to separate us from a true sense of connection and oneness with life and consciousness. Ego hinders us because it involves identifying with aspects of our life and selves that have no inherent existence of themselves. Ego identification is investing our experience of self in the things and self-created images we give meaning to, rather than identification in the source of where that meaning and purpose truly comes from, our true self as pure consciousness and life.

So how do we best practice ‘mindfulness’ in a way that disengages us from this false identification? Can we be more fully and consistently in a unified state, harmonising mind, body and emotion with our true nature and values? Can we spend more time in qualitative creative and insightful states rather than mundane and habitual ruts of thinking? Is it realistic to be consistently in this space of alignment at the right place at the right time? What further aspects of life experience open up to us when spiritually mature in this way?

Mindfulness is in principle so simple, it can easily be disregarded by ego consciousness. Not only that, it can be very difficult to break old habits and so requires consistent practice, consciously with will and effort until it becomes second nature. Even then, we must be on guard when it comes to egocentric states that take us back into identification with conditioned patterns and suffering. The ego seems to resist being put in its place once we have invested in it for security, success, survival or happiness. In truth, the ego can do nothing of its own because it is our creation, our own projection of ourselves.

Practice and Application of Mindfulness

Essentially, basic mindful meditation is a practice in stillness for what is also required in action to live in a true state of presence. It is being able to subjectively surrender our complete experience in the moment to the consciousness from which it arises. It is allowing ourselves to be still, present and unified in a presence or spaciousness of being. This state is found, and not manufactured, often using breath or another single focus as a way there. We can observe each thought, feeling and data input as it arises or presents itself. Initially, many associated thoughts and feelings are are noticed like a cascade effect of ceaseless mind activity. Things can seem to get busier before they settle if we are not used to this shift.

With practice of stillness, presence and observation, these associated thoughts and feelings diminish until we experience some space between arising thoughts and observed sensations. Eventually we realise they occur in our consciousness, and we are in fact the space of consciousness in which it all occurs. It is not about understanding this intellectually, but being in it fully and subjectively. With that experiential realisation it becomes much easier to get into the zone quickly and more easily maintain it while we go about our day of tasks and communications. Thinking and feeling becomes more balanced, even minded, yet even more rich and far reaching with more choice.

Enormous changes occur once this happens, this shift and new sense of inner freedom and wellbeing continues to provide greater depth, awareness and insight based on personal realisation and experience that goes deeper than our words and mind narratives can conceive. Love, receptivity and connectedness can be enriched on new levels. This space is not vacuous but full of subtlety.

With practice, the most opportune time to apply mindfulness is during highly positively or negatively charged experiences. Mindfulness is not just a neutral or numb state, although can be easier to attain in a neutral state t first. Relaxing mind and body during ‘charged’ times, and embracing each thought and feeling as a projection of who we are, help flex the muscle of consciousness and awareness. These times offer high energy that intensifies and expands our state of presence. When ego identified, we tend to energise projected thoughts, feelings or egocentric needs relevant to the time, loosing ourselves in intense moments, sensations or role playing. With mindfulness we can embrace the same content from a deepening and expanding consciousness with alignment in our true state of being and transform the energy from reactivity into a personal victory of higher consciousness and conscious action.

It is sometimes useful, while witnessing these times of highly positive or negative experiences, to affirm simply and briefly within yourself “I am not my thoughts”, “I am not my feelings”, “I am not my body”. Then simply be, observing what is going on within and without before we speak, decide or act. The content (thoughts, feelings, perceptions) are still there to be experienced even more deeply but without attachment, aversion or the dislocation of identification with them. No matter how bad or how wonderful our thoughts and feelings are as they arise, our true being is an immensely greater field and reality from which they arise. Embracing really strong thoughts and sensations in this conscious state of presence enables greater joy, true insight and reality of being.

Practices like Taiji, qigong, meditation and yoga help us to disengage from identification with our inner projections. Actually doing anything you enjoy with complete attention can be effective for many people in sport, business, or hobbies like working in the garden. The advantages of taiji, qigong or yoga is that they create a space to feel every part of the body and breath consciously and fully while relaxing the nervous system and mind. They are designed and developed over the ages to balance the mind and body energy specifically. Golf, relaxed rowing or gardening for example, can offer similar states but not necessarily cultivate the focus and quality of the conscious state depending on the intention and experience of the doer. Likewise, we see in the orient, zen walking and raking, flower arranging, calligraphy and painting done as a sacred discipline in special settings along with martial art applications like archery or taiji sword. With intentional practice, intent and setting are important combined with controlled and relaxed activities done in a state of still mind, synchronised movement and breath.

Activities that are too sedate or too stimulating to mind, body or both may not be as effective to develop the mindful state. The above are active ways to utilise inner body experience to take one out of the thinking narratives of mind. Yoga teaches one to release resistance, discomfort and disturbance by relaxing and breathing into it with acceptance and allow it to transform without having to process or ‘do’ anything with it. The light of pure awareness or consciousness itself is transformative and unifying. So it is with all things in life. This is why some non-action techniques of sitting meditation or sivasana (corpse pose in yoga) are considered as both the most simple and advanced techniques of practice. What activity incorporating these principles would make an enriching part of your daily practice?

 

Photo by Barnsjukhuset on Visual Hunt / CC BY

Three Proven Approaches to Spiritual Health and Vitality

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Three main branches of yoga defined in the Bhagavad Gita thousands of years ago, before the many diverse styles and branches (and focus on physical asanas) of modern times.  They apply universally to any faith or path as the three main aspects of spiritual practice:

  1. Alignment with divine love and compassion (bhakti yoga, devotion, worship)
  2. Wisdom through knowledge and realisation or direct experience (jnana yoga)
  3. Practical application of mindfulness and values through selfless action and service (karma yoga)

How can we utilise these principles to nurture and practice them in our modern lives?

Bhakti Yoga (The Path of Love and Devotion)

Bhakti Yoga, the way of love or devotion, can be well suited to modern life. Easwaran in his Gita companion book says it is “natural to forget ourselves for those we love.” (p.125). The challenge is to deepen our understanding and experience of love. Love is a term applied to so many deep and superficial things these days, that it is almost too crude or too common a term to apply to a more rarely experienced deep and profound consciousness that is the essence of our spiritual nature. Real love and compassion in the conscious sense, go beyond emotional or mental needs and preferences to become a state of consciousness also transcending self will.

The sanskrit word bhakti means a state of consciousness in which you forget your (ego) self. A common counsel to those practicing bhakti yoga is to practice the art of unconditional love with one relationship (a partner, intimate friend or close family relationship), then extend that love genuinely out to others and ultimately to all life.

A spiritual or religious view helps by providing a sense of a shared source and destiny of life and consciousness as the means of connection and unity with others. A transcendent foundation to reality helps one understand inherent unity beyond the conflict and diversity of the material world. Authentic love and devotion to a divine or universal being (bhakti) must come from a deep personal truth and connection which requires spiritual effort and the ability to get past the conditioning of differences in appearance, gender, culture, religion and ideologies.

If we can regularly connect from within to a presence or field of love in and around us, with no labels attached, then we can better learn to consistently identify with it in place of identification with the little ‘self’ by consistently aligning our actions and state of consciousness in this state, in the present moment, throughout all that we do on a daily basis. This in turn produces the ability to remain in the flow of universal or connected consciousness. In A New Earth, Ekhart Tolle describes in depth, three states that allow this connection and flow: enjoyment, acceptance or enthusiasm. Bhakti is possible anytime by connecting within in the correct state of consciousness that we are capable of at the time and situation.

Therefore, while religious chanting, singing and dancing are traditional and common practices for surrendering into a bhakti reverie, so to can quiet and private worship or meditating, walks and time in nature, as well as quality time and intimacy with friends and loved ones. Intimacy here means communication and connection that is truly an authentic sharing of each other in a selfless way, where we have the safety and understanding to be frank in sharing values or uplifting views and heart felt thoughts with each other. 

Bhakti is not about a purely moralistic universal love or a romanticised emotional ideal. It is a transformative and heart felt experience of a profound connection and oneness of divine love that expands ones view, understanding and compassion for all life. It is spiritually significant where it includes a sense of a greater reality and presence than the material world before us. Thus, relationships gain a deeper meaning when their purpose includes affirming and expressing this universal sense in each other for the benefit of all.

Jnana Yoga (The Path of Wisdom through Realisation and Knowledge)

Jnana Yoga, the path of wisdom or knowledge, is not just about intellect . Easwaran describes it as “direct, experiential knowledge of the unity of life, attained by progressively seeing through the layers of delusion that glue us to the body and mind – something that is simple to talk about but almost impossible to do.” (p.118). (also see the Gita 12:3-4)

Scripture and teachings in spiritual traditions can be a means of obtaining tried and true guidance, especially with guidance from a teacher. For most people in modern times, access to quality information is now huge from many channels, but still requires discrimination of quality. However, jnana is really about the inseparableness of knowledge and experience. Especially when it comes to authentic states of consciousness, our own nature of being (spirit and consciousness) enables us to recognise truth when we experience it. There is a deep capacity of recognition of profound reality and divine truth when we experience it. The deep wisdom of masters is not from dry intellect but hand in hand with love of God: “to know is to love, and to love is to act” (Easwaran, p.119, also see the Gita 18:54-56).

Karma Yoga (The Path of Spirituality through Action and Service)

Karma Yoga is the path of selfless action. It is more than service, which is most important, as service becomes yoga “when we forget ourselves in that work and desire nothing from it ourselves, not even recognition or appreciation.” Therefore, the quality of consciousness in which an act is done, is an integral part of the spiritual value of performing actions and service to others. Many who receive great recognition have done great things for the world, so this distinction is not at their expense. Rather, it highlights the importance of people doing acts in ways that shrink or dissolve egotism and separateness. “The question is what effect this work has on them [the doer]. If it loosens egotism, pride, and the bonds of separateness, it can be called karma yoga, but not if it is making these bonds stronger.” (Easwaran, p.120).

Sri Krishna says true selfless actions alone will help free us from the results of past karma (Gita 4:22-23) which is why this approach of service is called karma yoga. In his autobiography, Gandhi spoke about how difficult it was to tirelessly work for others without getting attached to things turning out his way. Since we can’t control so many factors in life, Sri Krishna affirms it is in our power to act wisely, but wise not to be anxious about the outcomes so we may live and act with an evenness of mind (Gita 2:47,48). Caring about our actions and motivations without getting entangled in our own personal investment of the outcomes is a fine line to walk. Gandhi summarised this famously with: “Do your best, then leave the results to God.” This is the secret to Karma Yoga – using the right means to achieve the right end without attachment to the outcome.

Dhyana yoga or meditation is the foundation of all yogic paths in order to train our minds to get to deeper levels of consciousness. In these busy times of materialistic distraction, such a regular practice becomes all the more valuable. It is our own personal and direct connection to spirit or the divine that really determines the spiritual quality of our life. It can only be found by being fully aligned in the present moment. Krishna in the Gita says:

Meditation is superior to asceticism and the path of knowledge. It is also superior to selfless service. May you obtain the goal of meditation, Arjuna! (Gita 6:46)

Love, wisdom and service exercised throughout life from deep consciousness and connection to the whole, obtained through worship or meditation, is our ultimate purpose in being here and all we do. So, create a little checklist and see how you exercise these three aspects in your life.

Recommended Reading:

Essence of the Bhagavad Gita -; A Contemporary Guide to Yoga, Meditation and Indian Philosophy, by Eknath Easwaran (Nilgiris Press, Tomales, CA, USA, 2011)

God Talks With Arjuna: The Bhagavad Gita, by Paramahansa Yogananda (Self-Realization Fellowship, USA, 1999, Second Edition)

The Bhagavad Gita, translation & commentary, by Sri Swami Sivananda (The Divine Life Society, India, 2015, Fifteenth Edition)

A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose, by Eckhart Tolle (Penguin, 2008)

Photo by Eddi van W. on VisualHunt / CC BY-NC-ND

Your Guide to Meditation and Conscious Wellbeing

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The Twelve Principles of Meditation

A peaceful and calm mind, along with a peaceful and calm heart brings a sense of wellbeing, relaxed focus, and increasingly produces a feeling of happiness. Brain wave patterns, happy hormone production accompany many benefits to mind and body. With practice, as the sense of thought and body dissolve into an open and spacious fullness and stillness, a spiritual benefit arises as we learn to achieve a state of presence that is found rather than manufactured, that is beyond thoughts, feelings and changing perception. This state of unified consciousness is the real essence and preparation of true yoga practice and meditation which go further with focus.

“The Self is not the individual body or mind, but rather that aspect

deep inside each person that knows the Truth.”

Swami Vishnu-devananda, renowned Hatha and Raja Yoga authority

and Founder of Interntaional Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres.

The state is best achieved by attaining steady observation of the mind in equanimity and calmness. With practice the benefits can be felt throughout the day and the meditation becomes the anchor point for continuous practice when in action. This is when we gain more freedom from reactivity, changing moods, stress responses, imbalance and disease. Meditation is showed to significantly reduce catabolic decline that accompanies ageing and assist in mental stability and wellbeing. In observing our inner life along with our outer life, we gain more choices in how to respond, so the doing and the being of living becomes a more conscious, progressive and enjoyable journey. We can feel more present and experience things more serenely and deeply.

The key to enjoying and developing this skill is to practice for the sake of practice. You just do it daily and let the results occur in their own time. Like sleep, meditation cannot be forced but allowed to happen. In the meantime it is a short time spent regularly for yourself that will eventually bare ‘flowers and fruits’ of immeasurable benefit.

It is not essential to still the mind completely as a beginner or even intermediate, so do not let ongoing thoughts discourage you. Sogyal Rinpoche, a renowned authority on Tibetan Buddhism, uses the analogy of letting your consciousness be like an old grandparent sitting calmly watching the children (your thoughts) at play. He also has used the analogy of sitting strong and stable, lower body a base and body still like a mountain, your mind the sky and thoughts clouds that come and go. Let them be and if they distract you, then when you realise it just let them be and come back to your practice.

Developing a calm mind is more likely with technique. Therefore a simple technique that provides a focus, synchronicity of breath focus and an inner object of concentration, is the best place to start.

There are many forms and styles of meditation, most of them eventuating in the same result. Swami Vishnu-devananda (pictured) formulated the following Twelve Principles which provide the key points in most meditation approaches and for beginners to achieve gradual results.

  1. Location – have a dedicated place where you practice regularly to build an atmosphere and place where you will quickly feel the right state with time.
  2. Time – choose a regular time once or twice a day, when you can switch off from daily concerns during your practice. Dawn and dusk are traditionally ideal times or early pre-dawn and last thing at night.
  3. Same time and location each day conditions the mind to slow down more quickly and deeply.
  4. Posture – spine straight and erect but comfortable. Use a meditation cushion for cross legged options can help align the hips and spine, or a firm chair where you can sit upright free of back or arm rests. Feet flat on the floor for chair sitting. Hands are best positioned in cupped the lap or palms up on the thighs where elbows are relaxed, and the shoulders a little back to open the chest slightly. The traditional meditation position is facing North, East or somewhere between.
  5. Instruct your mind to remain quiet for the duration of your practice. When thoughts do arise, observe them without attachment and maintaining focus as described in the following points.
  6. Regulate your breathing – start with three to five minutes of deep relaxed breathing, being mindful of each inhale and exhale without any forced holds, and then let it calm down into a natural rhythm. Build up to 30 minutes or more.
  7. Establish a comfortable contained pattern of gentle inhales and exhales of about three seconds each.
  8. Once you establish the breathing pattern, maintain this pattern consciously but also let the mind relax and wander a little as forced concentration will make the mind restless.
  9. Then choose a focal point either in the heart centre (anahata chakra) or between the eyebrows (ajna chakra). You may want to try a session on each until you decide which one is best for you then stick mostly to one location in your practice.
  10. Hold your attention in one of the above chakra (energy centre) points throughout the session while also moderating the breath as above.
  11. Allow meditation to come in glimpses and gradually more sustained periods. It will come when the mind is in a state of a clear non-verbal thought as you do your practice. Other sensations will occur which can be noticed and let go of like any random thought. You will still be aware of your practice without mental narrative or wandering.
  12. After long practice, duality of this from that, of the doer and doing, disappears and samadhi, the superconscious state is attained.

Some people who get agitated with a really active mind can include a mantra, like the sound of OM, to quietly repeat with each exhale and then, after a period of deep relaxed breathing, do silently within. This combined with the breath and point of focus at the anahata or ajna should help occupy the mind so it becomes more single pointedly focused and progressively relaxed. Otherwise the above points should be sufficient to build a good base with time and repeated sessions. There are various techniques to help calm the mind and focus that will be touched on in other articles. However, keep it simple at first and enjoy the journey the above approach will take you on.

Happy meditating!

Authentic Being, Love and Bliss is Closer than You Think!

Posted on by colinchenery

Much of spiritual experience seems to be about finding a place within ourselves that is less of our own conscious manufacture, and rather a place within ourselves that is there already when we let go. If there is truly a deeper more authentic inner presence and higher Self, then we all have an intrinsic capacity to not only recognise it, but to actually feel more at home there, as it is by definition who we really are.

It is here we must realise the bedrock of deep and abiding peace. This is opposed to fleeting glimpses of insight we may get when identifying with transient moods and mindsets that are geared around adjusting and surviving or thriving transient outer conditions. It is from this deeper sense of self we can discover our own love and a universal unconditional love as one and the same.

Personal spiritual experience at its beginnings, during its progress and maturing must include regular times of relaxing the mind and body completely. Our intent and personal insight are key, as are teachers or sources of inspiration, along with learning to put what is important to us into action. Yet the quiet private moments is where we can learn to rely on the full experience of what remains when everything to do with the body and thinking mind have fallen away.

This is getting beyond thinking and conditioned self identity to experience the substance of simply being, connecting with what many teachers and masters of all traditions refer to as the higher Self, spirit or changeless self which where our true sense of completeness and connection lies. It is so close, we can miss it, for it is within the consciousness with which we think and do. The trouble is we focus on our projections of consciousness and identify with them.

If we strip back the teachings of Jesus to the essentials and modern language, he taught the only way to spiritual consciousness and God-consciousness is to be in constant contact and identification with it through faith and authentic receptivity while living from good-will to all. Many teachings provide hints on developing this through prayer and meditation or communion, as well as applying this developing awareness to value-based thinking and living.

This approach is a universal approach, at the heart of all spiritual practices. It is independent of what we do in the world but not independent of how we do things. Naturally, the ideal of constant spiritual consciousness means doing all things, big and small, with a certain quality of mindfulness and soulfulness. It is a lofty ideal that is extremely difficult yet the practice yields great benefits. The path and destination then become one and the same. Love and goodwill in a mindset of service is harmonious to such a great desire, ideal and goal. It takes regular and committed practice while we attend to the tasks of living.

Our existential nature is an inseparable part of the universal source of life and consciousness. This ideal we can imagine and gradually understand more through experience. Personalising it as a cosmic parent, in whatever form we relate to, helps connect our personal human nature with this transcendent yet intimate state of consciousness. It helps open our mind beyond our separate and conditioned thinking to deeper and greater subtleties of love, joy and good-will to all life and creatures. It takes us not only beyond conditioned mind narratives, but beyond the intellect itself to a consciousness that includes intuition, creative and spontaneous realisation and gradually calm bliss and joy.

The Divine as ‘Father’ or ‘Mother’ invokes a personal love that is more than dissolving into a void or mindless mindfulness. This personal invocation encouraged by many masters and seers of all religions and persuasions harmonises our human nature with our cosmic nature which is of causeless pure love and pure consciousness. Aligning as a child to a parent creates humility, so we can drop our own narratives of the experience itself. This is necessary so we can be fully present and experience rather than intellectualise. With faith this approach helps us to step from searching to finding and being.

We can feel gratitude for life and awareness in any given moment, rather than the forgetful arrogance by the conditioned mind and manufactured ego that operates as separate self and self-made. The higher self is inseparable from the parent consciousness where child and parent, creator and created are one, just as in meditation the observer, observed and observing all become one.

Finally, the divine as parent connects us to our shared source and destiny as brothers and sisters. Humankind is aligned in spiritual unity which transcends differences of gender, race, culture, socio-economic status and even religious or idealogical affiliation.

Only through experience of our own true nature can we connect with the true nature in others and recognise our natures as one and the same. Nonetheless, integrity to basic morals and refined values are the foundation and framework in which we find fulfilment of quality and personal experience in this connection.

The realisation of being spiritual beings as brethren, not orphaned in a vast empty universe, but each a small yet integral part of a living and conscious evolving universe is at the core of true teachings beyond commentaries, rituals or institutions built around them.

Personal spiritual experience allows us to consciously commune and nourish ongoing personal experience and truth in life and with each other. Applying this in thoughts and actions, privately and with others, we can embody our own spirituality, yet be united at its depths -the spiritual ‘kingdom’.

Only spiritual realisation can truly transcend and harmonise the many persistent and inevitable divisions in the world. Personal spiritual practice is the means to harmonise and realise these ideals. Personal sovereignty lies in the true freedom this provides.

What Is Spirituality?

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spirituality      (spɪrɪtʃʊˈalɪti,spɪrɪtjʊˈalɪti/ )

noun :   the quality of being concerned with the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things.

Religion (the institutions and established systems of belief in a divine power) and religious belief should cultivate spiritual experience. Spirituality itself is a subtle distinction to define and can be found in the simplest moments in life.

Not all spiritual practices or approaches are religious, such as yoga practiced with traditional authenticity and many techniques of meditation. Some sects of Buddhism can also be classed as non-religious. Many cultures cultivate spirituality in a great range of traditions, cosmologies and paradigms that may or may not include their connection to nature, celestial forces or the practitioners own inner transcendent nature. There is a common thread in what is characterised as sacred and spiritual.

Like many saints, masters and poets, we can contemplate such attributes as love, bliss, purpose, friendship, uplifted beauty transcendent and in nature and the sense of selfless service. Or we can delve directly into the most profound way we connect with the essence of existence and reality. Contemplating meaning in such moments helps us to align with a greater sense of goodness and connection in a living and friendly vast reality. Universal truth and being can be no less than the sum of all our most true and noble insights and experiences of life. It is also obviously much more. Personal or impersonal, a greater or pure consciousness beyond our sense of self is a subjective experience of vast potential just as love is.

The conviction or even the idea that the universe is living and conscious, is expressed inspiringly in Deepak Chopra and Menas Kafatos’ 2017 book “You are the Universe”. In this book they conclude with a theory of “qualia” which acknowledges ‘qualities’ of experience as fundamental to the observer and the observers existence and reality. Everything we can conceive and perceive is inescapably our own subjective view and experience, even through our man-made devices and equipment. ‘Quanta’ (the smallest sub-atomic unit) and Newtonian laws are discussed as two distinct levels or frameworks of laws and observations of the known material universe only, and so far short accounting fully for unanswered questions let alone the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of continued existence and experience. The ‘quantum’ realm particularly reveals the relative and surprising aspects of time, space and the interaction between the observer and reality itself.

Essentially, the book puts forward that our universe being random and stable from the big bang is against vast odds that would have it imploding or exploding, never forming even molecules if a vast array of variables of were even minutely different. Even more freakish is that such an unlikely random event evolved self-consciousness beings from only matter. Much is discussed along these lines drawing on known science theory and many new conclusions about how the universe formed. An existing but refreshed and interesting argument embracing science and philosophy is then presented that the universe arose and is still evolving from cosmic consciousness experiencing itself through a multi-dimensional universe of energy, matter and conscious beings.

Human unconditional love or compassion, self-less friendship and the vital essence of being alive is as much a part of the absolute and infinite consciousness as is our sense of profundity, divinity and sacredness. These are attributes experienced universally among all cultures, ages and people in many forms and guises. They are a few of many attributes of subjective reality and conscious awakening (becoming more aware of our ‘true’ nature) connecting us closer to a qualitative and subtle sense of universal consciousness. Conscious awakening is often associated with a realisation and identification with the observer of experience (experience including thoughts and feelings). The observer is unchanging pure consciousness compared to observed experience. With this shift of awareness comes a sense of presence, greater mindfulness in each moment. Identification with the observer gives a sense of blissfulness and freedom from physical and worldly attachments and aversions. It frees us from being at the effect of thoughts, feelings and experiences yet able to be present in them more fully.

The contemporary view of spirituality as quoted in the dictionary definition above, associates soul or spirit with a quality of being. It indicates a shared recognition in our society of a quality of consciousness or sense of being with soulfulness or spirit. This recognition is not intellectual or emotional yet is a subtle depth and quality of being widely accepted despite diverse beliefs about its meaning and implications.

Nonetheless, whatever one’s beliefs, personal spiritual experience transcends ideology and is arguably the domain that unites all true spiritual and religious paths but is not restricted to them. If ‘soul’ or ‘spirit’ are truly part of our true nature, then this level of ‘being’ is available to anyone and everyone. Buddhist and psychological approaches associate meditation in mindfulness or the pure conscious background to mind activity with bliss, wellbeing and enhanced levels of documented levels of consciousness.

Not only spiritual practices can cultivate a persons sensitivity and awareness on a ‘soul’ or ‘spirit’ dimension but so can lifestyle (choices of music, foods, environment) and social life (friends with whom one can share reflections and experiences ‘soul to soul’). In India, the term ‘sattvic’ is used to describe such harmonising and more spiritually aligned influences and vibrations.

Spiritual experience transcends thought and beliefs. Beliefs may determine what we make of it, and like meditation even pave the way for a clear personal experience and conscious shift. However, the experience freed of interpretation and mental-narrative is where many spiritual practitioners aim to immerse themselves when in communion or meditation, or through prayer, then eventually attain it continuously. It is possibly what Christ referred to as approaching God like a child. Opening ourselves to feeling close to a greater universal presence or consciousness, albeit through glimpses and intuitive knowing, is a mark of progressive spirituality.

So to, is the recognition that it is a shared and existential nature we all share. Pure spirit or pure consciousness at a spiritual level can provide an authentic sense of brother-hood and sister-hood. It is a real transcendent nature, consciousness of the pure subjective experience beyond all human doctrines and beliefs. As more people recognise the essence of a living personal spiritual experience holds a truth and absoluteness that cannot be contained by our unique and conditioned interpretations and beliefs we can respect differences in ideologies yet know when we are aligning in the same essence and reality.

Progressive spiritual attributes are also indicated by enhanced appreciation of beauty and goodness underlying the negatives and positives of worldly appearances. A universal theme in spiritual and religious practices is living from values of love and compassion, support and service to others, and removing ones self from purely selfish desires.

The bottom line universally is that of harmonising ones self and as a society by cultivating the primary drive of intent and action from love or compassion.

The dictionary view above connects “quality of being” with attributes of “soul” or “spirit”. Based on the discussion above, spirituality, as concerned with ‘spirit’ and ‘soul’, can be extended to being concerned with ‘consciousness, life and energy’. Distinguishing it as “opposed” to anything concerned with “material and physical things” may be an old distinction. I would suggest spirituality is concerned with realities beyond ‘purely material and physical things’ yet inclusive of physicality. To the spiritually awakened, all things are spiritual. To the spiritually deprived, nothing is spiritual.

Thus ‘spirituality’ represents a holistic and contextual knowledge and understanding of existence and life.

Crisis can also harness an instinctive need to develop our sense of ‘the whole’, so spirituality out of necessity can develop as we collectively gain greater maturity and knowledge as a global society, along with the issues that we have created.

From contemplating the big bang and the ensuing universe to each and every daily action, can we attune to the wholeness and profoundness of conscious existence – something coming from nothing and, nothing we can grasp with the intellect, mysteriously being behind everything. We must re-attune ourselves beyond material wonders and distractions to that which is soulfully known and felt without form. In this way we can redefine the simple presence of consciousness practically. We can rediscover humility, wonder and a sense of sacredness towards the power, profoundness and infinite potential which is our gift of life and consciousness. Being authentic with this as part of the art of being more fully ourselves, we find our own pathway through our unique life and practices. Connecting beyond our conditioned ideas of self to Divine Mother or Father can still be a high and powerful concept during such intimate and personal moments of insight, awareness and revelation.

Key Points

  1. Religion and Spirituality are not the same thing.

  2. A spiritual universe is a living conscious universe.

  3. Universal consciousness is no less than the most noble attributes of human nature.

  4. Spiritual practices, lifestyle and social factors can cultivate values, spiritual meanings, communion or alignment towards a transcendent or cosmic consciousness.

  5. Nearness to the presence or sense of a higher presence or universal consciousness is indicative of spiritual experience as is recognising it.

  6. Enhanced appreciation of beauty, goodness, truth and meaning come with spiritual awakening.

  7. Engaging in higher values through support and service to others, especially through love or compassion is central to spirituality.

  8. Unification of mind and soul tis through a sense of universal love.

  9. Our inner nature and global circumstances combine to create greater tension, prompting many to instinctively attune more to their spiritual personal nature and shared well being with others.

  10. Identifying with our sense of spiritual connection authentically and beyond our own conditioned thoughts and habits can provide the basis for our inner practice.

WELCOME

Posted on by colinchenery

A hearty welcome to ColinChenery.com!

My intention here is to connect with a readership of like minded souls, in an exploration of the nature of our reality and life in a way that is useful and thought provoking, especially to you the reader through the themes of consciousness and health.

We are all fellow travellers in this amazing existence. In the hustle and bustle of life we can loose sight of the big picture and the true essence of what our real sense of purpose and meaning is in existing and living here and now. However, taking time to be still and fully present in ourselves on a regular basis, can be done in a great variety of ways and provides many benefits that will be part of the content in this site. In addition, these practices and benefits must also connect with our daily lives, our sense of self while in action, especially in our relationships and quality of connection with others.

To nourish greater awareness, self-realisation and personal experience of a spiritual dimension there is so much in ancient teachings that can be rediscovered when we redefine many of the ageless gems in a modern context.  Principles and wisdom from holistic traditional and ancient teachings of mind, consciousness and health are beginning to be redefined and verified in new sciences like epigentics, quantum physics, neuropsychology as well as functional and integrative medicine.

An example on a huge and vast scale is the suggestion in new science theology that quantum level reality is, at its foundations, much more mysterious and different to the Newtonian laws that characterise the universe we perceive with our normal physical senses. Once we get to sub-atomic levels of existence of ourselves and the universe we live in, more mysteries than answers are changing the way leading minds view reality, time and space, energy and matter. Many science writers are asking deep questions about the existence of consciousness in reality as a fundamental factor like energy or matter.

Deepak Chopra in his 2017 book “You are the Universe” encapsulates much discussion in a proposed model of logic that asserts we are in a conscious universe that is experiencing itself through a purposeful evolutionary process that includes infinite forms of energy and matter. This is compared to the idea that we are in a random universe, which its advocates agree is an improbability, where a stable system of energy and matter arose by accident from the Big Bang, while also freakishly and randomly creating diverse life forms and self conscious beings. While various specialties of maths and physics can now explain many universal phenomena, many fundamental and observable aspects of our reality remain unexplained while the how or why it is here in the first place remains elusive to materialists.

On this site I will be exploring the themes of us each being purposeful focal points of consciousness in a living and conscious universe. We are not just biologically evolved automatons. We are each unique and inseparable parts of a universal manifestation and expression of a shared consciousness that can be referred to as cosmic mind. Living in physical bodies also connects us to the material reality around us as we share compounds and molecules, genetic information and micro-organisms with each other and nature around us in ways science is only beginning to understand. Understanding our existence on mind, body and more profound levels also gives us insight into who we are, why we are here, as well as points of view on purpose and destiny in life for each of us.

While some information can get abstract, it can be very practical and relevant in each moment if we combine an increased understanding with deep contemplation or meditation in still moments of relaxed mind and heart. We all have an ability to recognise what feels true to us beyond logic and tangibility. In addition, it is a yogic principle confirmed by experience that a sense of oneness and connectedness arises when mind and heart are in stillness, open and alert, accepting and relaxed.

Add to this conscious intent in our daily activities based on values, meaning and purpose and we can become increasingly aligned with our own nature and that of life around us. Present time consciousness and alignment brings incredible value in life experience, as well as new horizons of what is possible. We can truly be and create whatever we want when we gain an increasing sense of our true nature which is of the intelligent force of life and consciousness itself. Taking ownership of these new insights and personal horizons by applying them with conviction opens up a new sense of freedom, happiness and love.

I truly do not seek to convert and influence anyone to my way of thinking, but rather to put forward view points from deep contemplation and various sources of knowledge and ideas to inspire and be of service to others.

Our awakening is a living process that is both deeply personally and fulfilled when shared. Each of us has a unique take on reality, so sharing insight and universal truths is not about achieving a false uniformity or ideological agreement. Sharing insight, knowledge and ideals can bring us closer to a profound experience of unity underlying the wonderful diversity and expression of universal truths embodied as individuals, cultures and as humanity.

What are your passions, hopes, vision of what life is truly about, and your vision of what ultimate destiny is possible for each of us? What gets you up in the morning and is your underlying ‘why’ or purpose for engaging fully in life?  True knowledge is not a static set of beliefs but an ever transformative experience of being engaged in a living and conscious universe or reality.

I hope you will find some gems of inspiration, good sources of information and thought provoking insights as this site develops. Please let me know what really interests you in gaining a deeper understanding of your own purpose and inner nature, health and consciousness, life and relationships.

In love and service,

Colin Chenery