Category: Thoughts & quotes from Sir David R. Hawkins, M.D., Ph.D. & Susan Hawkins

Q: Is the purpose of becoming familiar with the ego to disarm it and open the way to acceptance?

A: We see that trying to ‘overcome’ the ego without really understanding it brings up guilt, self-condemnation, and other negative feelings, which is one of the main reasons why many people are reluctant to become involved in spiritual work.  Because of this, people are afraid to be honest with themselves and tend to project the downside of the ego onto others or even onto God.  Jealousy, retaliation, vengeance, partiality, etc., are all attributes of the ego and not of God.

From a greater, context, we can view that the ego is not ‘evil’ but is primarily a self-interested animal.  Unless the ‘animal self’ is understood and accepted, its influence cannot be diminished.  Like a pet, the inner animal can be comical and entertaining, and we can enjoy it without guilt and look forward to getting it trained and properly house broken.  This training is what is meant by the word “civilization’.

From I: Reality and Subjectivity, ch. 9, pg. 178-179

Inner satisfaction becomes more important than worldly gain or the desire to control or influence others. Attraction replaces promotion. Eventually, resistances are no longer related to worldly life and its perceived values. Instead, the inner intention is one of purity and selflessness. Thus, evolution becomes the consequence of the process itself rather than as a consequence of seekingness or acquisition.

With spiritual evolution, nurturance is no longer sought from the narcissistic ego but instead from the Self. Fulfillment of potential is rewarding in and of itself and is not needful of recognition or gain. Pleasure at gain is replaced by gratitude for the unfolding of the inner process itself. The need for externals disappears spontaneously. The evolutionary process requires less and less effort as it becomes a way of being in the world.”

From  Discovery of the Presence of God: Devotional Nonduality, p. 100-101

Q: What is a workable goal?

A: To verify spiritual truth experientially and to become it rather than just conform to it. The process is an unfolding of discovery resulting in greater happiness and diminution of fear, guilt, and other negative emotions. The motive is inner development, evolution, and fulfillment of potential, which is independent of the external world. Life becomes progressive rather than just repetitive. All experience is of equal value and innately pleasurable so that life stops being an endless sequence of alternating pleasure and displeasure. With inner progress, context expands, resulting in greater awareness of significance and meaning, and, therefore, gratification of potential.

Q: Inner spiritual work seems to require discipline and endeavor.

A: These requirements are activated by intention. There is an innate gratification in spiritual growth and the evolution of consciousness itself. Progress is the consequence of clarification and greater understanding that arise from the expansion of context. Recontextualization then results in transcending the distortions of perception.

From: “Discovery of the Presence of God” (2006), Chapter 2: The Inner Path, pp. 56–57

 

Forgiveness is an aspect of love that allows us to see life events from the viewpoint of grace.  We forgive ourselves for the errors we made when we were less evolved.  It is helpful to see the ego or small part of ourselves as a cute little teddy bear.  The teddy bear is not “bad”; we don’t hate or scold the little bear.  We love it and accept it for what it is: a cute little animal who doesn’t know any better.  We transcend the smaller aspects of ourselves by accepting and loving them.   We see the ego as “limited,” not “bad.”

In the energy field of love, we are surrounded with love, and that brings gratitude.  We are thankful for our life and for all the miracles of life.  We are thankful for the doggies and the kitties, because they represent love.  We are grateful for every act of kindness from others, their affection, caringness, and thoughtfulness.

From Letting Go: The Pathway of Surrender, ch. 12, pg. 175-176

The way out of conflict is not to try to eliminate the negative but instead to choose and adopt the positive. To view that one’s mission in life is to understand rather than to judge automatically resolves moral dilemmas.

… Much relief is experienced when we realize that by adopting a spiritual life, righteous condemnation and the hate that ensues from it can be left to others. This pursuit of the spiritual ‘good’ benefits all mankind, and it could therefore be said to be the most praiseworthy vocation of all.

The spiritual commitment then defines a distinct role that differs from that of the uncommitted person. It implies a different set of standards and focus of energy and attention from the ordinary seeking of the vanities of the ego and worldly accomplishments. One sacrifices material or egocentric gain for spiritual progress, and in so doing, the transient is subordinated to the permanent, and that which is of true value is chosen over that which is only an illusion.

From  The Eye of the I: From Which Nothing Is Hidden p. 67-68