On examination, we see that power arises from meaning. It has to do with motive, and it has to do with principle. Power is always associated with that which supports the significance of life itself. It appeals to that in human nature which we call noble, in contrast to force, which appeals to that which we call crass. Power appeals to that which uplifts, dignifies, and ennobles. Force must always be justified, whereas power requires no justification. Force is associated with the partial, power with the whole.
Category: Thoughts & quotes from Sir David R. Hawkins, M.D., Ph.D. & Susan Hawkins
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Acceptance of Self and Others
On the level of acceptance, because of the major change in the way we perceive others, we now become aware of the inner innocence behind the frantic, fear-driven struggles that have obscured it in ourselves and in our neighbors, friends, and family. The great teachers have said that the negativity which we see in a person or in society is really due to blindness, ignorance, and unconsciousness. This inner innocence, once it is perceived in others, is also perceived in ourselves. All that we did was done because we didn’t know any better at the time. If we had known a better way at the time, we would have done it that way. “It seemed like a good idea at the time,” we say. We see that same blindness operating in others, and we can look past their character defects and see the innocent child within.
The Surrendered State
What is the surrendered state?
It means to be free of negative feelings in a given area so that creativity and spontaneity can manifest without opposition or the interference of inner conflicts. To be free of inner conflict and expectations is to give others in our life the greatest freedom.
The Work
Q: “Why Is ‘Work’ Even Necessary in Spiritual Endeavor?
A: The ego can be thought of as a set of entrenched habits of thought which are the result of entrainment by invisible energy fields that dominate human consciousness. They become reinforced by repetition and by the consensus of society.
A: The ego can be thought of as a set of entrenched habits of thought which are the result of entrainment by invisible energy fields that dominate human consciousness. They become reinforced by repetition and by the consensus of society.
… To overcome the gravity of worldly thoughts and beliefs requires the work of implementing the decision of the spiritual will to deprogram consciousness. This includes the refusal to accept the ego/mind’s presumptions and statements as though they were reality. Instead, there is an insistence on a higher understanding.
The Infinity of Always
Like all of time, even the ‘now’ is an evanescent illusion. To merely notice something does not create some self-existent, objective reality called ‘now’. There is neither ‘now’ nor ‘then’, ‘past’ nor future’. For example, a road is already complete from beginning to end. The traveler does not create some special place in space that becomes ‘here’.
Q: If the ‘now’ disappears, then the infinity of Always takes its place. If the ‘now’ is an illusion, then when does one supposedly have existence?
A: Even to think ‘exist’ is to grab at a passing split second in consciousness. The absolute Reality is beyond even existence. To ‘exist’ is again a passing notion. There is a presumption that some independent, objective reality is depicted by that statement. All such statements are merely products of consciousness. Reality is beyond even existence itself. Existence is only possible as an evanescent experience in consciousness within consciousness itself, with no independent beingness or independent reality.
Q: If there is no actual ‘now’ or ‘past’ or ‘present’ and Reality is completely outside of time, then when does the ‘I’ exist?
A: The answer now is obvious; it doesn’t. The absolute Reality is forever, always. Note that the words ‘is’, ‘was’, ‘exists’, and ‘beingness’ are all denotations of time. All these statements are merely mental categories of thought.
Q: Can you please explain more about identity?
A: The ego fears dissolution and therefore resists giving up the illusion of a separate existence in an imaginary ‘here’ and an imaginary ‘now’. It fears it will dissolve into being nothing and, therefore, the conscious awareness will also cease. With examination, it will become clear that one’s reality is not a ‘who’ at all, but instead is an intensely loving Allness, which is realized and known to be much closer and more comforting and fulfilling than the prior sense of ‘I’.