Synesthesia

Here is the link to my latest article on Synesthesia

https://issuu.com/aneisdevida/docs/december_2016/58

Article on teenage problems

Readers are welcome to view my Latest article on teenagers in the Aneis de Vida magazine

What are material things?
Here is the link to my latest article in the Anais De Vida online magazine 

http://issuu.com/aneisdevida/docs/october2016/66

New website

Readers please note that my website has changed to www.discoveringyourself.co.zaYou are most welcome to visit 

www.discoveringyourself.co.za

The nature of symbols

Here is the link to my latest article in an online magazine 
http://issuu.com/aneisdevida/docs/september_2016/66 

A new spin on the parable of the prodigal son

A new spin on the parable of the prodigal son

An old man once told me the story of a younger son who was dissatisfied with the life provided by his father and decided to leave home. After a long time of wandering, he had exhausted his resources and ended up in a cesspool of debauchery and humiliation in which he suffered greatly. However, his father, who was very wise and knowing of his suffering, sent his elder brother to fetch him and bring him home. The elder brother found the younger in a dark and filthy pit, wallowing in despair. After also entering into this thoroughly unpleasant place, the elder brother lifted up his younger brother, who had since forgotten where he had come from, and reminded him of his true home far away.  

When he again came to realise who he really was, the younger son wept both with tears both of regret and joy to discover that his father was calling him home. The eldest placed the youngest on the road and accompanied him home to their father. However, the journey was still long and not easy. Many dangers and obstacles still lay in their way. The world was full of shadows and many traps were set for the travellers. However, in his mind the younger son could now see his father waiting for him to complete his journey home and this gave him the strength to continue the battle with the shadows until they had all been overcome. .

His most powerful weapon was the realisation that he was, and had always been, a beloved son of the father and nothing could separate him from his father’s love. In fact, he now understood that it had been this, his misguided wish to separate himself from his father that had caused him to leave home and enter the world of suffering. He had been misled and had not realised that having knowledge of good and evil would involve having to experience both, as well as loneliness, pain and suffering.

Upon his return with his elder brother, he greeting his father and cried out aloud; ‘Thank you Father, that I can at last see the purpose of human drama and pain.’ ‘I now know that that which at first seemed so meaningless, is all part of the universal tapestry of the unfoldment of your Being.’

Jimmy Henderson (PhD) 

www.discoveringyourself.co.za

Re-writing your scripts

Here is the link to my latest article in the Anais de vida magazine http://issuu.com/aneisdevida/docs/august_2016/64

Working with imagery and visions

This is the link to my latest published article on visions

https://issuu.com/aneisdevida/docs/july_2016/71

Meditation for wisdom

Readers are invited to view my latest article on meditating for wisdom on the following link;

http://issuu.com/aneisdevida/docs/june_2016/69

A psychological perspective on religion and spirituality

A psychological perspective on religion and spirituality

Recently I saw an internet posting that compared perceived tenets of religion with those of spirituality. According to the table provided, religion views and treats people as weak, fallen and sinful, whereas in terms of spirituality they are seen as magical, unlimited and powerful. The arguments presented are certainly reasonable and persuasive, and I would agree with most of them. However, the author of this posting missed out one important factor, that of the stages of human development.

In one of my earlier books Multi-Dimensional Thinking (2003), I compared human moral and spiritual development to the process of growth as seen in some insects, beginning with a larval stage, during which they eat voraciously and are quite destructive, and ending with a later stage when the insect matures within a chrysalis and a more perfect form emerges.

This analogy suggests that, during the early stages of our own social development, we can be quite egocentric and self-destructive, as well as being inclined to hurt others, only interested in selfishly meeting our own basic needs. In other words, a period of inner growth is required for a human being to learn to master the fundamental basic urges which relate to bodily processes, to move through the entanglements of the mind and emerge as a more spiritual being. This process can take many decades and alas, in some cases, is never completed. 

To return to the issue of the validity of religion, I would suggest that, during the phase of early moral and spiritual development, we all require some external locus of control, a framework which imposes ideas, values and behaviour on those of us who have not come to a full understanding of the nature of reality and our true, authentic selves. This could be said to be the purpose of religion, to provide a prescriptive framework of beliefs and rules meant to introduce us to the most basic principles of spirituality. It is therefore, true that religion points out our inherent weaknesses (which do exist at this early stage), and demands conformity to the authority of a religious organisation. 

However, that is only the beginning of human moral and spiritual development. As a person matures intellectually and morally, a new consciousness and understanding should arise, one which can be explained in terms of emergence, a relatively recent concept used by psychologists to explain a process during which the interaction between inner systems leads to the appearance a new and totally different state able to manifest a potential that did not exist previously. In other words, the interaction between human self-reflection, value systems and lessons learnt through experience should eventually combine to bring about a new realisation of self, that which is termed in psychology the higher or authentic self.

Once in this new state of self-realisation, we are able to overcome, or at least manage, our basic instincts, urges and needs associated with the body, free ourselves from the entanglements of the mind by attaining a new understanding of our purpose and place in the world, and be able to fully acknowledge our true selves and unlimited potential. This new state of being is associated with an internal locus of control, in which our conscience alone is sufficient to align us with the highest spiritual principles and regulate our behaviour. In other words, this new state of self-realisation empowers us to stand on our own two feet without the direction of any religious institution. This ‘emergence’ of the authentic self is that which can be associated with spirituality and represents those attributes of man described by the author of the article as ‘magical, unlimited and powerful.’

To summarise, organised worship and religion should not be rejected outright, as they still play an important role in the formative stages of the moral and spiritual development of the human being, but become less important following the emergence of self-realisation, at which time the individual moves into a one-to-one relationship with a personal concept of Being, the universe or a Higher Reality.

In practice, a problem only arises in the situation in which the individual feels or knows that religion is no longer meeting his or her spiritual and developmental needs, but chooses to remain within this framework out of fear or convention.

Jimmy Henderson is a developmental specialist and metaphysician and the published author of a number of books on the power of the mind.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=jimmy+henderson

The Shadow Realms of the Mind

My latest article in Anais de Vida magazine

Shadow Realms of the Mind

Explaining telepathy

Readers are invited to view my latest article on telepathy on page 66 

https://issuu.com/aneisdevida/docs/april_2016

Conversations on the reality and nature of God.

                   

   Conversations on the reality and nature of God.

For anyone who believes in a higher form of life, having some concept of God is useful and, indeed, necessary, as this concept acts as a focus for introspective thought, meditation and prayer and forms the foundation for further development and spiritual understanding.

Throughout history, there have been a number of different ideas on God, and each appears related to the culture and level of understanding of the people at the particular time. Even today, some are quite happy to accept a simple picture of God as a loving father, which is usually the case in a paternalistic culture in which members have strong feelings on the importance of family relationships. Yet, others who are more scientifically minded may well identify God with a formless, benevolent, pervasive energy acting as a first cause for natural phenomena.

If this link between historical milieu, culture, level of understanding, and concepts of God is understood, it is clear that we cannot really judge any one as any less acceptable than the other. Each concept of God may, in its own way, be seen as useful and important for the group by which it is accepted and can bring them the power of belief which can actually assist in religious and mystical experiences. Having a belief in God, one is able to categorise inner experiences within a workable framework and more able to accept and interpret them than one who has no such belief. In other words, in having a basic formulation of the existence, reality and nature of God, our minds are primed, predisposed and more receptive to higher spiritual knowledge.

The actual conceptualisation itself is not that important, as long as it fits our current level of understanding. The problem emerges when we cling to a rigid and unchanging idea of God due to indifference or a fear of change, even though we know it no longer meets our need for growth or greater spiritual experience.

Reasoning is the method we use to make sense of our experiences in life as they occur.  In this regard, personal experience would be a good criterion of truth, and a rational approach to spirituality would begin with an acceptance of the possible existence of another (higher) reality and a simple commitment to seeking a deeper understanding of this reality. With a reasonable degree of clarity and an open mind, we should at least be able to arrive at the position where we are willing to consider the possibility that a higher level of being and reality exists.

However, the reasoning process applied in coming to an understanding of God should be deductive rather than inductive. For instance, if we decide to construct our concept of God from the ground up using different ideas borrowed from religious scriptures or other (dogmatic) sources, there is a danger that we may end up with a fragmented framework which is like a jigsaw puzzle. This can be incomplete, containing unanswered questions, or have sectors that simply don’t ‘fit’, being full of contradictions. As a result, our understanding of God may remain poor, narrow and bigoted. This problem can already be seen in the exclusiveness of many formal religions or sects, which simply refuse to acknowledge the possibility that ‘their’ God is available to others of different cultures and times and able to include them in some way or other in a greater plan of unfoldment. Wars, inter‑racial hatred and religious intolerance are often the result of spiritual near‑sightedness, or of such deficient concepts of divine mercy.

A useful initial deductive framework could be derived from the mysteries of Nature and the visible universe. For example, if we take the time to observe Nature, we may notice a number of phenomena which cannot possibly be linked to anything else other than an underlying active and guiding force. Natural laws, cycles, regularity and intelligent design all point to events being more than mere coincidence. Second, if we relate visible aspects of Nature as well as our own selves, such as beauty (perfection), intelligence (consciousness), strength (power), love and cooperation (benevolence), balance (harmony), and growth (expansion) to principles within a higher source, we have the beginnings of a workable general concept of God. Using this framework, we can begin the deeper exploration of the reality and nature of God.

As a cognitive scientist, I have personally found the idea of a ‘universal mind’ particularly useful in understanding existence and reality, in that aspects of a higher source can be seen reflected within our own minds. For example, our ability to form three-dimensional mental images can be related to an act of creation taking place in a universal mind, and we ourselves, could be seen as archetypal expressions of this one universal mind.

Jimmy Henderson is a cognitive scientist, but also a metaphysician with a holistic view of life and reality. This article is based on his book ‘In Search of The Oracle’ available online through his website www.jimmyhendersonbooks.com.

Meditating for Wisdom

Meditation for wisdom 

By Jimmy Henderson

Our inner being is a source of knowledge and power which we can approach daily in an attempt to answer many important questions on the meaning of life, on who and what we are, our ethics and morality, our world with its natural laws and so-called supernatural events and the existence of a higher spiritual reality and God. How we access this knowledge has been for many centuries the subject matter of science, psychology, philosophy, Theology and mysticism. I believe that these are ultimately all different approaches or paths to the same source of knowledge and revelation that is available to us deep within the levels of our own consciousness.

In this regard, we can make use of advanced techniques such as meditation. One such exercise, a visualisation called the “Oracle”, has proved to be extremely powerful. This particular technique was used extensively as a basis to my book "In Search of the Oracle" (2002) and is presented here. The technique is quite advanced and is recommended for those who have already performed inner work.

This is first an exercise in imagery and visualisation in which you use a very light meditative state to form a mental picture of an "oracle". This should be an old man or woman who symbolises to you, “God ", "wisdom ", "inner guidance" or merely a wise person whom you can trust and respect. A suitable simple imaginary context is also required for this visualisation, such as seeing yourself slowly climbing a mountain to visit this oracle who is seated in a cave, or on  a rock on top of this mountain. This exercise can be accompanied by suitable soft, background music.

After you have entered a meditative state, visualise yourselves initially standing facing the mountain and slowly beginning the climb towards the top. As you continue with the climb, note any vegetation, trees, flowers or rocks which spontaneously appear along the way. These images are placed there by your subconscious mind, and indicate that you have attained its cooperation during this exercise. 

Once you reach the top of the mountain, imagine the oracle sitting a short distance away in front of you. You should see yourselves moving towards him (or her) with your head bowed and pose your question simply and unambiguously. The answer will generally be short and will simply "pop" into your mind, but do not consider it immediately, but merely give thanks, walk backwards away from the oracle and descend the mountain. Once you have returned to your starting point, consider what was said and write it down for further interpretation. If you have more than one question, it will be a good idea to prepare them beforehand on paper, in which case, do not descend the mountain immediately, but merely withdraw from the oracle, write down the reply to the first question and then proceed to approach him or her once more for answers to the other questions (one at a time).

If you wish to gain maximum benefits from this visualisation exercise, return to it regularly over a few weeks or even months, and extend the context to include yourself as one of a group of  students serving the oracle, in which case you can continually return to where you left off on a daily basis and pose further questions as the opportunity arises. Once you have mastered the technique, you will begin to experience yourselves as actually becoming one with the oracle and receiving inner guidance directly, but this comes much later. 

Jimmy Henderson is a mystic and metaphysical teacher. This article is an extract from "In Search of the Oracle" , published by Jimmy and available online at htpps://www.amazon.com/Search-Oracle-Book-Spiritual-Philosophy-ebook/dp/B00LI91HHC/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1456146680&sr=1-8&keywords=jimmy+henderson or through his website www.jimmyhendersonbooks.com

Indigo and crystal children

Indigo and crystal children

http://issuu.com/aneisdevida/docs/february_2016?e=13670524/32997893

Readers are invited to view my article on page 62 

Who are we?

                                    Who are we?

 ‘I turned my face away only for a moment, but in this moment I lost sight of my Father and my God. Living as we are, on the fringes of both the spiritual and material worlds, we fulfil a divine purpose, as active agents of God’s Will, by finding ourselves at the forefront of this battle to expand the light of His presence. Unfortunately, due to our present state, we have for the most part forgotten our true origins as a being of light and are not fully aware of this drama which is being enacted and in which we are active players. In this way we are caught up in a situation which we do not fully understand, with spiritual, intellectual and emotional tools which are presently inadequate. Fortunately, it is also true that we are now finally evolving more fully after living in ignorance and darkness for many eons. It is this history of which we must now speak’.

J. Henderson

                                             

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 computers are unable to mimic.

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 the Father 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. Our goal in life should therefore be one of regaining this lost connection, and returning to a state of oneness with our true selves.   

Extract from ‘Living on the Edge of Darkness’ by Jimmy Henderson. Available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Smashwords in e-book format via his website

www.jimmyhendersonbooks.com

Latest artlcle-The Power of Ritual (Aneis de Vida magazine)

Latest article on the Power of Ritual in Aneis de Vida online magazine -see page 70

Complete e-book available from Amazon.com (Jimmy Henderson)