By Jimmy Henderson (MA psychology), FRC
‘My
true consciousness is like the wild deer, full of life, vitality, purity and
perfection, but as it passes once again into the forest of shadows, it is
swallowed up by the darkness and the world of forms.’
J. Henderson
An important question that we should all ask ourselves, is who we really are. When we look in the mirror we see a
body. But is this really ‘us’ in the true sense of the word?
The most common scientific belief is that we
are only physical organisms and that the human mind is only a ‘phenomenon’
brought about by the activity of the brain. It is true that that which we see
and experience is our body, and it is very easy to accept that this is who we
are. However, this presents a difficulty (which has still not been
satisfactorily resolved), in understanding how the brain, which is a physical
neurological structure, can produce an inner experience in the form of self-awareness,
or a level of consciousness which even our most sophisticated technology is
unable to reproduce.
The issue becomes easier to explain if we
accept the possibility of a higher level of consciousness from which our present
self-awareness originates, a conscious state which is merely being stepped down
or mediated by our neural structures. There are obviously also philosophical
problems associated with this idea, such as how a non-material substance
(consciousness) can be taken up and transmuted by the brain structures.
However, it is clear from everyday life that our physical bodies and
(non-material) minds do affect one another, and until our research and
technology has evolved sufficiently to fully explain this interaction, the
latter view still provides the most practical benefits for our thinking.
For example, believing in a higher world of
mind and consciousness opens the door for a new view of mankind as multi-dimensional
beings with an almost unlimited potential, and would explain our almost
intuitive belief that we all have a deeper spiritual side to ourselves, a
higher or more authentic ‘self’ from which our present ethics, morality and
higher mental faculties are derived, that which, in religious terms, could be described
as the ‘soul’.
However, if we are intimately connected to a
more perfect self or soul, how do we explain the present state of mankind, the
greed, the thirst for power and the violent, destructive force of human
actions? When contemplating this question of the nature of my true being, I was reminded of the
analogy of the caterpillar and the butterfly.
In Nature insects often
go through a larval stage, engage in a struggle for survival and later emerge
from their chrysalis having evolved into adults. In the larval stage, the
insect is very primitive and destructive, devouring all in its path. Only
later, as it matures and the outer casing falls away, does the ‘inner being’
emerge, which is more perfect.
I was able to relate this
analogy to ourselves, in that, in our casing of humanity, we also struggle
to learn and grow. Like the insect larva, the ego of the undeveloped human
being can also be very destructive, selfishly using and devouring everything in
its efforts to meet its most basic needs. However, in line with the caterpillar
analogy, we will also one day evolve to become a new being, full of light and
power.
The limitations of our physical bodies and our
imperfect minds suggest that we are still in the early stages of this process,
and busy with the struggle that is necessary when the butterfly leaves its
chrysalis and strengthens its wings in order to fly. In our own lives, this
struggle translates into many painful and life-changing events, but also
includes times which bring joy, happiness and success.
Sometimes we feel lost in a world which, on
the surface at least, appears to be spinning out of control. However, if we
look more carefully and deeply, we may see that, on a broader level, the
Universe is still unfolding as it should, even if we are not able to understand
the entire process at present. Being active participants and integral players
in this ongoing drama, it is extremely difficult for us to step ‘outside of the
box’ and find the universal perspective that is needed.
So how can we explain this idea of a more
authentic (or higher) self in the light of our present human limitations and
propensity for error? Many ancient texts, including religious scriptures,
suggest that we have ‘devolved’ (or fallen) from a superior race of Man, far more
perfect than today, one which was ‘of one mind ‘with God and part of the
original plan of divine self-expression. This is discussed in more modern terms
by the author Soozi Holbeche in her book, Changes (1997), in which she explains
that we need to understand that we are actually spiritual beings having a human
experience and not vice versa.
In other words, at the centre of our beings
we are still that original perfect creation, but due to a separation from our
true or authentic selves, we are now clothed in our present (human) form with
an accompanying loss of consciousness and understanding.
Adapted from the e-book 'Living on the Edge of Darkness' by Jimmy Henderson
http://www.amazon.com/Living-Edge-Darkness-Jimmy-Henderson-ebook/dp/B00L73YJG0/ref=sr_1_13?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1437170591&sr=1-13&keywords=jimmy+henderson
Jimmy is a cognitive researcher and metaphysician who is the published author of a number of books on the power of the mind. His books are available through his website www.jimmyhendersonbooks.com or directly from him at jimmy@jimmyhendersonbooks.com
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