One:The Universal Consciousness by Gary Hopkins
September, 2008
Ok, this topic has been giving me quite the brain cramp lately, so I thought I would address it here and see what develops.
First let me start by saying that I am a great supporter of the belief that our "reality" is really the illusion that resides in our mind. You may have heard of this idea discussed by some of the more popular mainstream gurus of our time (The Chopras, Dyers, etc.). This is an idea that I resonate with. So for me, it just feels right (Just as the teachings of Jesus or Buddha would feel right to a lot of folks).
Those of you who know me also know that I use the help of spirit guides in my work. I can tell you that before I learned how to tap into this side of me (the spirit guides) my energy work seemed to have hit a wall. It became stagnate and limiting in many ways. Once I embraced my guides, it seemed to breathe life into my work with infinite possibilities. So, I am very much in line with a lot of the healers out there that have given identity to the hereafter and the help we receive from the "Other Side".
Over the last year, I have given much consideration and thought to the numerous possibilities that are being presented to us by the holistic community today. Some of these ideas include: Spirit Guides, Faeries, Galactic Beings, Midwayers, Travelers, Watchers, Soul groups, Councils, Elders, Soul colors, Multiple lifetimes, old and young souls, and the many layers and levels of the soul itself. (And the list goes on and on and on).
In fact, the list of possibilities of the "After Life" or "Spirit Realm" is quickly becoming just as detailed and intricate as our own deemed "reality". There are so many layers to this information and so many people channeling this stuff now, that it is becoming (in my opinion) quite cumbersome, especially to all of us just getting into the self exploration phase of our lives.
The funny thing is… its all conjecture, every last bit of it. It is all based on personal experiences/perception and opinion. Don’t get me wrong, I am the type who likes to dream of possibilities so I resonate with a lot of these ideas. However, the point is, no one really knows for sure of any of it. Still, we all eat it up and get caught up in it as if it were our daily lives.
I bring all this up because another infamous idea keeps presenting itself to me. This idea is known as "We Are One". This idea of oneness negates just about every other aspect of the holistic community’s ideas of the spirit realm. If we are truly ONE being or consciousness, then its obvious that individuality cannot exist. Spirit Guides, entities, and so on, cannot be, simply because, we are ONE.
Something else occurred to me recently as well. This oneness (often referred to as God or what I like to call Source) is always described as perfect. If Source (this oneness) were perfect, then it would not be capable of creating imperfection. There would not be a need to reproduce if one is perfect – such as a newly developed soul or young soul. However if this perfect conscious energy were reproducing then there would be no distinction between the offspring and the parent (Source). Therefore negating young and old soul status. This paradox seems to be growing every day our community.
I guess my biggest concern is that we, as an evolving consciousness, might be creating an entirely new illusion for ourselves, An "upgrade" (as Dr. Chopra would put it). However, along with this upgrade we are imprinting our own limiting beliefs in this new realm. For example, why would our spirit guides be similar to our own character? Seems pretty convenient some times.
I think the reason for this might be as simple as making the transition (to whatever we are becoming) easier for ourselves. Think about it, it would be much easier to accept a spirit guide, who acts and speaks like us, than one who is completely alien - wouldn’t it?
Now, I am all for the "Upgrade" that we seem to be creating. However, another aspect to all of this is that sometimes we get so caught up in the analysis of it all, that we may inadvertently forget to pay attention to the illusion (our day to day life) that we are all so a part of. I know I have been sidetracked on many occasions, trying to find a place in the universe where my ego can respectfully reside.
So, are we all ONE, or are we on some lower plane of existence trying to evolve to our higher self? I’m not certain. Since there is security and comfort in both ideas, I guess I will live the paradox of both for a while and see what presents itself. Although I do have to say, when I am just walking around in life I tend to lean towards ONEness. During my work however, I do call upon my guides, since they are so skillful at what they help me do.
September, 2008
Ok, this topic has been giving me quite the brain cramp lately, so I thought I would address it here and see what develops.
First let me start by saying that I am a great supporter of the belief that our "reality" is really the illusion that resides in our mind. You may have heard of this idea discussed by some of the more popular mainstream gurus of our time (The Chopras, Dyers, etc.). This is an idea that I resonate with. So for me, it just feels right (Just as the teachings of Jesus or Buddha would feel right to a lot of folks).
Those of you who know me also know that I use the help of spirit guides in my work. I can tell you that before I learned how to tap into this side of me (the spirit guides) my energy work seemed to have hit a wall. It became stagnate and limiting in many ways. Once I embraced my guides, it seemed to breathe life into my work with infinite possibilities. So, I am very much in line with a lot of the healers out there that have given identity to the hereafter and the help we receive from the "Other Side".
Over the last year, I have given much consideration and thought to the numerous possibilities that are being presented to us by the holistic community today. Some of these ideas include: Spirit Guides, Faeries, Galactic Beings, Midwayers, Travelers, Watchers, Soul groups, Councils, Elders, Soul colors, Multiple lifetimes, old and young souls, and the many layers and levels of the soul itself. (And the list goes on and on and on).
In fact, the list of possibilities of the "After Life" or "Spirit Realm" is quickly becoming just as detailed and intricate as our own deemed "reality". There are so many layers to this information and so many people channeling this stuff now, that it is becoming (in my opinion) quite cumbersome, especially to all of us just getting into the self exploration phase of our lives.
The funny thing is… its all conjecture, every last bit of it. It is all based on personal experiences/perception and opinion. Don’t get me wrong, I am the type who likes to dream of possibilities so I resonate with a lot of these ideas. However, the point is, no one really knows for sure of any of it. Still, we all eat it up and get caught up in it as if it were our daily lives.
I bring all this up because another infamous idea keeps presenting itself to me. This idea is known as "We Are One". This idea of oneness negates just about every other aspect of the holistic community’s ideas of the spirit realm. If we are truly ONE being or consciousness, then its obvious that individuality cannot exist. Spirit Guides, entities, and so on, cannot be, simply because, we are ONE.
Something else occurred to me recently as well. This oneness (often referred to as God or what I like to call Source) is always described as perfect. If Source (this oneness) were perfect, then it would not be capable of creating imperfection. There would not be a need to reproduce if one is perfect – such as a newly developed soul or young soul. However if this perfect conscious energy were reproducing then there would be no distinction between the offspring and the parent (Source). Therefore negating young and old soul status. This paradox seems to be growing every day our community.
I guess my biggest concern is that we, as an evolving consciousness, might be creating an entirely new illusion for ourselves, An "upgrade" (as Dr. Chopra would put it). However, along with this upgrade we are imprinting our own limiting beliefs in this new realm. For example, why would our spirit guides be similar to our own character? Seems pretty convenient some times.
I think the reason for this might be as simple as making the transition (to whatever we are becoming) easier for ourselves. Think about it, it would be much easier to accept a spirit guide, who acts and speaks like us, than one who is completely alien - wouldn’t it?
Now, I am all for the "Upgrade" that we seem to be creating. However, another aspect to all of this is that sometimes we get so caught up in the analysis of it all, that we may inadvertently forget to pay attention to the illusion (our day to day life) that we are all so a part of. I know I have been sidetracked on many occasions, trying to find a place in the universe where my ego can respectfully reside.
So, are we all ONE, or are we on some lower plane of existence trying to evolve to our higher self? I’m not certain. Since there is security and comfort in both ideas, I guess I will live the paradox of both for a while and see what presents itself. Although I do have to say, when I am just walking around in life I tend to lean towards ONEness. During my work however, I do call upon my guides, since they are so skillful at what they help me do.