Consciousness

Consciousness is awareness; awareness of self, the world and its possibilities, and our extraordinary capacity (possessed, as far as we can tell, by no other species) to examine, evaluate and modify our own thoughts, feelings and behaviour. When we say a person has lost consciousness, we mean he has lost awareness of himself and his surroundings.

Consciousness is also about our ability to experience. The world we live in is a product of our consciousness. If our consciousness is limited, then our experience of the world is too.

As long as we have the ability to think for ourselves, we can lift ourselves up to a higher level of consciousness. As we do so, the world around us changes – and not just in our perceptions. It is scientifically proven that when our thoughts about things change, they change.

Once we grasp the truth that we create our world from the inside-out we are empowered. We know we are no longer controlled by outside circumstances, but by our own inner values and desires.

Paul Twitchell wrote:

 ‘Until you can understand that nothing can happen to you, nothing can ever come to you or be kept from you except in accord with your state of consciousness, you do not have the key to life.’

 

©David Lawrence Preston, 26.7.2016

Facebook and Twitter

Follow me on Facebook and Twitter @David_L_Preston

Visit blog.davidlawrencepreston.co.uk

365 Spirituality book

How to Books, 2007

 

 

What does it mean to be ‘spiritual’

Spiritual means non-physical. Appearances are not our essence. We’re paradoxes – we live in visible, touchable mortal bodies and are at the same time non-physical. Something we can’t smell, taste, touch, hear or see brings life to our bodies. This is consciousness the only part of us that is real and unchanging.

Most science fiction fans are familiar with the notion of alien life forms that suddenly vanish into a point of light. Perhaps you would like to think of your spiritual essence this way.

Awareness of your spiritual nature makes a huge difference. When you consider yourself to be nothing more than a physical being, your identity is based on the body and its needs. Your self-image revolves around its size, shape, age and colour. You compare yourself with other bodies, categorising and labelling them. You describe yourself in terms of your roles. Your values are based on material things. Happiness is gained through material security and sensory stimulation.

Contrast this with how we feel about ourselves when we know we are spiritual beings. Now, we describe ourselves in terms of our character, aptitudes and talents. When meeting others, we look beyond appearances to the reality of who they are – spiritual beings just like ourselves. Above all, we don’t need to rely on things to be happy – we are happy just being.

©David Lawrence Preston, 25.7.2016

Facebook and Twitter

Follow me on Facebook and Twitter @David_L_Preston

Visit blog.davidlawrencepreston.co.uk

 

365 Spirituality book

How to Books, 2007