Many beliefs, one reality

Many beliefs -one reality 

By Jimmy Henderson FRC

We are daily faced with the paradox of so many different religions and belief systems which all lay claim to the truth. Yet if we accept the idea of a single reality, this paradox can be explained in terms of a metaphor in which, what each of us, either as individuals or groups, see or understand of the world, can be seen to be only different pieces and shades of cloth cut from one universal fabric.

Perhaps I can explain this better by also using the analogy of a puzzle. If we present a 3000 piece, complicated cardboard puzzle to a group of small children, due to their immaturity, inexperience and limited ability to reason, it is unlikely that they could ever complete it. However, if we separate the puzzle into much smaller pieces and give each child a section to complete on his or her own, be it a corner, a border or a certain patch of colour, it is quite possible that they will all be successful in putting together their small sections. And later, as long as they agree to work together and combine their different sections, the entire puzzle will take form.

This analogy implies that each school of scientific, psychological, philosophical or religious thought in the world today could be said to be holding a small piece of the great puzzle of reality and have at least some answers to the mysteries of life and the existence of mankind and the universe. However, the problem at present is that each group believe that their small section is the completed puzzle and are prepared to vigorously defend their views. This leads to the ongoing arguments and strife we see in the world as to who is right and who is wrong. The groups are all unable to see that what they each have is only a small part of a universal, many-faceted and multi-layered explanation of Mind and reality. 

Jimmy Henderson is a cognitive scientist and metaphysician, His books are available on Amazon.com (Jimmy Henderson) or through his website www.jimmyhendersonbooks.com 

The law of attraction

The law of attraction and the self-fulfilling prophecy

Jimmy Henderson (MA psychology, FRC)

It is often believed that our thoughts can attract favourable or unfavourable life-experiences and circumstances into our lives. This idea is given a mystical or magical tone in many spiritual publications. However, this can also be explained in psychology as a ‘self-fulfilling prophecy’, which occurs when our beliefs (especially about ourselves), result in attitudes and actions which draw us precisely to those things we desperately seek to avoid.

For example, consider a young man who was humiliated by his friends as a child and entered adulthood with major insecurities. He will now, in all likelihood, entertain ideas such as ‘I am not popular’, ‘I never get invited to parties, ‘I may just as well stay home’, and so on. The problem is that these beliefs eventually filter into his subconscious and become ‘schemas’ or ‘scripts’ which shape his social behavior. In other words, as a result of these beliefs, he now projects a total lack of self-confidence and is unwilling to involve himself in social activities. This is noticed by others (especially women), who eventually start to disengage from him and he is no longer invited to social events, which only further reinforces his deeply-held belief that he is unpopular. His negative beliefs about himself have now become a self-fulfilling-prophecy.

Fortunately, this same type of programming, if used correctly, can become positive and help to manifest one’s desired reality. In other words, it is partially true that we can improve our chances for success simply by removing our negative self-beliefs, but it is probably a bit more complicated than this, as there are always other factors involved that need attention, such as our personalities, attitudes, and motivations, as well as the realities of our personal, home and work situations. 

Jimmy Henderson is a cognitive scientiist and metaphysician who combines psychological research with metaphysical principles. His books are available on Amazon.com or through his website www.jimmyhendersonbooks.com

Lower realms of the mind

Lower realms of the mind 

By Jimmy Henderson FRC

 ‘Evil can be likened to a low level of energy and consciousness that brings out the worst that already exists in us’ 

J. Henderson  

The expansion of the mind can be likened to a flower which is in the process of blooming and exposing itself to the Sun. 

However, even as the petals begin to open, the center of the flower is still largely bathed in shadows. 

The idea of a ‘shadow realm‘of the mind symbolically represents those areas of the Jungian Collective Unconscious which have not yet fully unfolded and still embody elements of the principle of original primal chaos. 

This less-evolved area of the collective unconscious, to which we all have access, is sometimes called the abyss, the arcane shadow, or the astral realm, and would be home to the more primal energies involved in human development, including basic instincts and drives.

According to those who have experienced this level of mind, it appears as populated by a host of elemental beings and archetypal personalities which I have chosen to call ‘shadow-entities’, and whom are certainly not hospitable. Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, including chaotic states of mind or drug usage, the human consciousness can sometimes regress to these levels, which can be quite frightening.

As human beings, our present consciousness has now evolved to occupy its present position on the threshold of this realm. However, some more robust individuals are suited for work there, being able to move around within in the shadows and effect real change in those places where consciousness is trapped or not yet fully unfolded. Here I am referring to those who work tirelessly to reduce crime, violence and mental disorders.  

As mentioned, this area of the mind is usually populated with oppressively negative mental patterns, thoughts and emotions which can take on grotesque archetypal forms during dreams or visualisations, due to our symbolic processes of interpretation, and can include some of our more primitive archetypes, as well as other (mental) forms which embody the principle of chaos and thus remain on this level. This reminds one of the idea of the ‘underworld’ in mythology, as well as the notions of Hell or Purgatory as described in religious scriptures.

Here one may also encounter scattered disembodied images and personality-patterns of deceased persons still trapped in these deep recesses of the collective unconscious, and when it comes to meditation and deep mental processing, this area is best left alone (unless one is called to work on this level). 

Jimmy Henderson is a cognitive scientist who uses psychological principles to explain metaphysical phenomena. His books can be found on Amazon.com. 

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Consciousness and energy

Consciousness and energy from the viewpoint of quantum physics 

Although scientists have identified various modes of energy in the Universe, many quantum physicists believe that there is only one source, that of consciousness itself. 

It is a well-known scientific fact that energy is never lost, and is merely transformed. If one accepts the argument that consciousness is merely a highly active mode of (conscious) energy, it is not unreasonable to believe that a superior universal consciousness would also be able to produce lower forms of energy able to flow through its structures, even to the point of providing the underlying energy-templates for that which we experience as ‘matter’.

When engaging with the universal consciousness, any experience would have to be adapted to ‘fit’ the human biological, neurological and mental structures, which are actually very slow in comparison to the movement of unimpeded energy (the speed of light). This ‘adaptation’ would account for the loss of consciousness experienced during physical embodiment and this would be even more the case with less-evolved biological systems such as animals, plants and minerals.

Exploring higher dimensions of the mind demands extremely high levels of mental energy. In fact, the deeper one connects with the universal consciousness, the more energy is required during meditation and spontaneous imagery (advanced visualisation) for one's symbolic processes to construct a workable sense of reality and to structure archetypal energy patterns into recognizable forms.

This energy-depletion will be experienced as a wandering focus, an inability to maintain concentration and physical fatigue. When engaging in these complex mental processes it is therefore important to monitor one’s state of mind and level of energy, and when these symptoms become apparent, begin a slow, controlled, safe return to normal consciousness, as terminating the process too suddenly could result in disorientation and confusion.

However, mystics maintain that these energies can be replenished by means of certain meditations, prayers or petitions. For instance, those who are able to connect with their higher selves (which they sometimes refer to as their ‘souls’), report a sudden unexpected deep breath and rush of energy which causes them to gasp.   

Even from a psychological point of view, a thought alone can unlock huge amounts of physical energy and activity, such as the excitement produced in a person learning that he or she has won a large amount of money. In this same way, during meditation, the energy of the mind can be increased dramatically by any positive thought which generates a powerful emotion such as joy or excitement which is then transformed into energy and can be harnessed for inner work.   

Jimmy Henderson is a cognitive scientist, metaphysician and published author of books and e-books with a psycho-spiritual emphasis. His books are available on Amazon.com or via his website www.jimmyhendersonbooks.com.  

The power of ritual

 

            The power of ritual

               By Jimmy Henderson FRC

The pathway to divine revelation by way of the mind was hidden in ritual by the old masters until candidates were ready to understand and appreciate their true meaning. In other words, it could be said that ritual is a symbolic representation of the great truths regarding man, soul, God and reality.

Normally, divine revelation only takes place during meditation, an altered state of consciousness in which our brainwave patterns are slowed down by means of physical and mental relaxation. In this state the subconscious mind opens, and we experience a 'mindfulness' in which the God-mind can be more easily accessed.

The effect of the solemnity, focus, actions and gestures of a ritual, which is full of symbolism, is such that it can also produce a similar introspective state of mind, one which also allows for access to the subconscious mind and the transfer of inspired thoughts and hidden truths.

The aim of ritual is therefore to prime our minds for the inflow of sacred knowledge and divine revelation. However, this normally requires a certain preparedness and state of readiness in which the mind is gradually unfolded through guided study and discipline, as would be provided within the framework and teachings of fraternal organisations based on the ancient mystery schools.   

This readiness can be explained firstly as being fully open to new knowledge and experiences. A closed mind and a critical, judgmental attitude will certainly not be conducive to spiritual revelation. Second, the mind should be clear and not cluttered with emotional or psychological baggage from the past. Strong negative emotions such hatred, intense anger and festering resentments will block any subtle impressions from the deeper levels of the mind.

In other words, in order to experience the true power of ritual, an initiate should have a reasonable level of emotional wellness and be able to maintain a relaxed, peaceful state of mind which will allow him/her to hear the whispers of divine revelation as they pass through his/her subconscious mind.

Ideally, the images, symbols and gestures of the ritual will impress themselves upon the fully receptive mind, pass through and resonate with their hidden meanings existing in the subconscious, and lead to powerful emotional or spiritual experiences and revelations of truth. 

Jimmy Henderson is a cognitive scientist, metaphysician and well-known author. His books are available on Amazon.com and through his website www.jimmyhendersonbooks.com 

Spiritual Truth -a metaphor of the sea

Spiritual Truth 
-a metaphor of the sea
By Jimmy Henderson 
Hons BA (Phil), MA Psychology, FRC

I would describe spiritual truth in terms of a metaphor of the sea, in which the extent of spiritual experience, knowledge and understanding we gain would depend on the depth to which we are prepared to go. 

Accessing spiritual truth through emotions would be limited to that which is on the surface, with the turbulence of the waves being likened to the raised hands of the joyous and exuberant spiritual charismatic experience. However, during a calm the waves quickly subside and we find that we may need to dive below the waves (move beyond pure emotion) into the depths of spiritual contemplation in order to gain insight into the underlying truths and laws of spirit.  

Moving down even further into the depths during meditation, the experience of revelation becomes greater as we penetrate the darkness of the mysteries of life and reality, until in reaching the bottom, we discover the treasures of gold, silver and pearls of wisdom that lie hidden in ancient cities covered  by the seas after many thousands of years, the knowledge that was once known to man, but is now lost except to those who are prepared to seek deeper. 

Jimmy Henderson is a cognitive researcher and metaphysician who has published a number of books and e-books on Amazon.com. Also see his website www.jimmyhendersonbooks.com