The Importance of Self-Observation

In the 1970's Werner Erhard's seminars were intended to bring individuals from self-awareness to Self-Awareness: eliminating the identification with ego in daily life. For me, there was one concept that made a deep impression, and one exercise that I have used successfully on both self and others.

The concept states that the primary function of what we call the 'mind' is to perpetuate its own existence. Thus, spiritual practice (without the self-observation that facilitates the dissolution of the false identity) only serves to intensify the phenomenon, as the mind, believing it 'knows' something, now shows up as spiritual ego—a much more insidious creature. One has convinced oneself that one is now a 'spiritual' being—and while one has the intellectual understanding of something greater, and is able to talk the talk, the walk is often lacking, as self-identification is still running the show.

The exercise—based on the principle 'what one resists persists'—is a simple one utilized to eliminate a headache. One focuses attention on the headache, which actually dissolves in the Light of that attention. That act, of looking at the pain in one's head unflinchingly, is similar to the exercise of self-observation. By the diligent practice of observing one's thoughts, speaking and behavior, one begins the process of separating oneself from the identification with the personality.

As this separation begins to occur, a space is created that allows the Self to arise; bringing the Awareness that is its essential Nature. This Awareness, the presence of Consciousness, is expanding Itself on the planet via the Evolution Revolution. What is most remarkable is that it is happening in so-called ordinary people—usually those without great investment in self – the so-called 'meek'.

Along with the presence of Consciousness comes Love and Compassion, and a sensitivity to one's environment. One notices both the flock of birds wheeling in the sky, and the person in one's vicinity who might need a helping hand or a kind word. One recognizes one's own Self everywhere, and the Oneness that is the Truth of existence.

As a well known Master has stated: True spiritual life is that which teaches unity or Oneness, and makes us selfless and full of Love.


www.Evolution-Revolution-Handbook.com

Just ONE Degree

If a navigational heading is shifted by only one degree, and you leave New York City heading for Los Angeles, with a one-degree deviation you can end up in Oregon.

What if American society had a one-degree shift in Consciousness? What if a critical number of us not only realized but acted upon the understanding that all Life is interrelated, and that any harm done to any portion is harm done to the whole? Does anyone recall, "Whatsoever ye do to the least of these ye do to Me?"

By decimating forests and rain forests all over the world we are profoundly impacting the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere. It's as if, as one pundit put it, "We are cutting the very branch on which we are sitting." How can we imagine this is good for us? It seems like mighty questionable behavior for a society that holds itself in such high regard: that considers itself 'intelligent' 'advanced' and 'civilized.'

Exactly how intelligent is it to pollute land, sea, and air—which results in pollution of organisms at every level of the food chain, which results in disease and illness so prevalent as to be endemic, which results in the consumption of substances that may ameliorate the symptoms but might also produce a kitchen sink of side-effects that further undermine health?

Any 'intelligent' being would consider this self-poisoning to be suicidal and even insane—so who exactly considers this an 'intelligent' thing to do? The people who are suffering from these diseases and cannot afford treatment? Unfortunately these folks have been blinded by the powers-that-be and the media with the illusion that what is being done is meant to provide them with comfort and convenience: the 'good life'—and further deluded into believing that 'the good life' means consume until you puke— both literally and figuratively—resulting in a society sated to a stupor and drugged to oblivion—in a literal trance.

No. Those who consider it okay to deliberately pollute and ravage our entire ecosystem are simply those who profit the most, motivated entirely by an overweening and overwhelming greed: short term profit with no consideration of the long term loss.

But the rest of us are responsible because we allow it to happen, either through laziness, ignorance or myopia.

What is needed is for We the People to make a one-degree shift in Consciousness. A shift from 'my' to 'our'—a shift from short-term profit to long-term stewardship. A shift that recognizes we have become a global village and that our family is now the Family of Man. Not only because we are only a plane ride away from being infected by some new mutated virus, but because we recognize that (to paraphrase the Buddha) "when a butterfly flaps its wings in China, the effect is felt around the world."

Consider this: if every family treated their property in the same way we are allowing the planet to be treated, we'd be living in a sewer.

And this: if working class America had to live in the conditions prevalent for millions around the world who are treated like slave laborers so we can buy cheap goods—most of it unnecessary junk that turns into clutter all over the house and fills our closets, attics and garages to overflowing—there would be rioting in the streets.

And this: enough money has been spent every year for decades to clothe and accessorize Barbie to feed a third-world country: is this what we call intelligent?

With only one degree of expanded Consciousness we could change the world. If we shifted from 'How to Look Good Naked' to 'The Big Give' it would be a good start.

Post-religious Americana

Perhaps in the same way that President-elect Obama is intending to create a post-partisan government, it would be appropriate for We the People to create a national post-religious atmosphere of true spirituality: a spirituality that unites rather than divides. After all, at the heart of most religious concept is the same Universal theme: “Do unto another as you would be done to.”

Belief is a personal and private thing, not to be imposed on another, especially not imposed by a government on its population. On this understanding was our country founded. We can observe, both here and abroad, that the desire to impose one’s own belief on others, or that which espouses ‘our way’ as the best or only way, brings naught but suffering.

Essential human goodness is not exclusive to any group, but may be found all over the world, in every race and nationality, amongst believers of many sorts and non-believers alike.

So what if, rather than attempting to make others believe as we do, we simply accept that diversity is as natural a phenomenon in human existence as it is in Nature and begin to choose Harmony above all? After all, most humans want the same basic things: hearth & home, warmth & food, a decent education and opportunity for their children, and good health.

Perhaps in this era of change, we can finally put aside that which divides and focus on that which unites. If We the People universally embrace compassion, kindness, harmony, philadelphia, and selfless service, it would go a long way toward creating Peace in our hearts and minds, and in our world.

Evolution Revolution Redux

See original post and Evolution Revolution: RAP May 2007

Punditry & Problem Solving

All the sophisticated posturing and punditorizing about the sorry state of our country and planet misses the point completely.

As Albert Einstein said: We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them. The Intellect just doesn’t cut it—we must move to the next evolutionary level of perception and behavior.

All the ranting, all the money and all the scientific studies are as naught in the face of our essential dilemma: as a species, we don’t have a clue about our True Nature. And so we are like buffoons, blind and deaf, stumbling about in the dark imagining we are sighted and clever.

The singular root of all the problems we face—as individuals, as a nation, and as a civilization, is—we don’t know who we are.

It’s something like an actor playing a part and not coming back to his own identity: being stuck in the role and not recognizing friends, family or his own home. Everything he proceeds to do is then based on this false identity, the proclivities of a fictional character.

We humans are unaware of our True Identity and so believe ourselves to be the roles we find ourselves playing: President, prostitute, pundit, poseur; patrician, painter, playboy, prole; professor, playwright, punk, Pollyanna or philanderer…

In fact, we are not the roles we play, and whatever the part, it will be played with greater mastery than we can imagine when we are in touch with the Genius behind every role.

When we recognize our True Nature we recognize that every human that exists embodies that same Nature—that we are not disparate beings separated by language, geography, religion or race, but essentially and exactly the same in the most important way: we are both extensions and embodiments of a singular Consciousness.

So the answer to all our problems is the same: we must awaken to our True Nature.

An awakened Consciousness understands that whatever It does to or for another It is only doing to or for Its own Self—therefore Awakened Consciousness is naturally Loving, selfless, harmonious, considerate, cooperative, compassionate and wise.

Awakened Consciousness wouldn’t even think of harming the ecosystem on which It depends for Its existence.

So instead of complaining or criticizing—which creates a miasma of negativity similar to (Charlie Brown) Pigpen’s cloud of detritus—clean up your own act by taking a practical step toward our collective enlightenment. Practice the Three Little Steps of the Evolution Revolution and discover your True Self: a shining Light.

www.evolution-revolution-handbook.com

Evolution Revolution: RAP

Evolution Revolution/One Soul, One Essence, One Being*

Rap to a slow groove

©1999 saharadevi

The Evolution Revolution is our only solution

‘for we kill ourselves with our insanity

The nuclear madness, environmental sadness

all the actions that deny our Unity—

The Evolution Revolution’s what we need

We better recognize the simple truth before we go too far

we better act as if we all, are One

Our possession/obsession has brought us to the brink

a chain is only strong as—its weakest link

What makes us think we can progress

as others sink in need

We are drowning in the quicksand of our greed

The Evolution Revolution’s what we need

We're driving down a lonely road without a spare tire

we are bound by our anger, and by our desire

We’ve come to a crucial time for the human race:

tinkering with technology can blow us into space

or viruses could kill us all and not leave a trace

We better face it: we’re children with matches

We are drowning in the quicksand of our greed

Te Evolution Revolution’s what we need

Each idea that separates is what we must release

if we want to change our ways and start to live in peace

All worry/pressure/conflict, comes from ‘yours’ and ‘mine’

Life is a process—it’s happening all the time

We can do it differently - there is a way ‘out’

the Evolution Revolution is what it’s all about.

Who you really are—who you choose to be

this is the secret that will set us all free

The Evolution Revolution’s what we need

Change yourself and change the world—the power’s in your Mind

Acknowledgment of Oneness will lead you to find—

everyone is ‘you’—just havin’ a hard time.

Everyone is ‘you’—just wantin’ a fair chance—

So wake up! and lighten up! get out of your trance!

You can make a difference—we can get it right

we don't have to struggle, we don't have to fight

We are One and there’s enough, so let go of your greed

The Evolution Revolution is what we need

Who you truly are, and who you choose to be

is the fuel that drives the engine of change

If you don’t like the way it is, get up off the ground

do the hokey-pokey, and turn yourself around

Embody the consciousness, the sacredness of Life

we don’t have to live in fear, or live in stress and strife—

We’re One Soul, One Being, One Essence

so open up and step into your Presence

It’s the Truth and the Wisdom, of what we’re meant to be

give yourself a break, and set your Self free

We are One and there’s enough, so let go of your fear

The Evolution Revolution, has started to appear

You are not your body, you are not your mind

you are Infinite, Eternal—out of space and time

Tune into your consciousness, you will surely see:

pure spirit, the All in All - that is what we be

BE Love, BE Light, BE Kindness

acting like you’re not is just blindness

We’re One Soul, One Being, One Essence

so open up and step into your Presence

It’s the Truth and the Wisdom of what we’re meant to be

you are Light, you are Love —et your Self free

We are One and there’s enough, so let go of your stuff -

The Evolution Revolution is happenin’—sure enough!!!

**************

March 1999/Whitefield

*Inspired by the last few chapters of ‘Conversations With God” Volume III

By Neale Donald Walsch, Hampton Roads Publishing, Virginia

Phrases from the book used with permission

Listen:http://www.saharadevi.com/home/the-evolution-revolution