“When we quit thinking primarily about ourselves and our own self preservation, we undergo a truly heroic transformation of consciousness.” — Joseph Campbell
In our experience we meet many people from various walks of life, that may or may not impact our existence. All of us at one time or another have known individuals who are completely disconnected, detached or distracted from reality. They may exist within our own circle of family, friends, loved ones and acquaintances. Of course, when we find ourselves in crisis situations precipitated through employment, health, extremes of weather, loss of loved ones etc., we may be shocked into a consciousness of survival which may lead us to an awareness we never experienced previously . . . or not. When the fog of disbelief and shock dissipates, for which there is never a time-line, we find ourselves in a different place of recognition. Through those stages of ultimate confusion, conflict, fear, instability and weariness many individuals cross our path. It has been a journey of constant enlightenment for many of us, when we finally come to understand that those that we may have believed are connected with us on a level of understanding, courage, responsibility and commitment . . . are not nor will they ever be. It is just not part/parcel of who they really are. In those instances when personal consciousness becomes illuminated, we find out a great deal about ourselves as Herman Hesse suggests . . . “The true vocation of man is to find his way to himself.”
We will continue to meet many people in our lives who have an abundance of conscious awareness and mindful presence, and those who are just not there . . . yet. The journey for all of us is as unique as the universe itself . . . beyond eternity. There exists no timeline of awakening for anyone. Once we grasp this fundamental truth, our own personal path becomes less burdensome. Letting go of what we cannot cure, change, transform, awaken, or illuminate frees the direction of intent regarding your own consciousness. The challenging part of this requires each of us to realize our limitations involving other human beings, and Laurens Van Der Post reflects another thought, “Human beings are perhaps never more frightening than when they are convinced beyond doubt that they are right.”
We’ve all been there. Acknowledging that we are not correct, mistaken, and dead wrong takes courage especially when you believe you are unequivocally absolutely right. Conscious mediocrity when recognized very often leads to conscious mastery, without fanfare, parades, applause or recognition. It’s a quiet thing between you and your consciousness when that illumination takes place. Taking this just one step further, my experience dictates that . . . “Consciousness at the point of creation, is the catalyst in acknowledging your existence.” JLR