Thoughts & quotes from Sir David R. Hawkins, M.D., Ph.D. & Susan Hawkins – Page 67

You Don’t Have to Give Up the World

To survive, the ego has to believe it is real, and that it has a separate, independent existence…

At some point, the illusion breaks down and the opening for the start of the spiritual quest commences. The quest turns from without to within and the search for answers begins. With good fortune, one comes upon the teachings of true enlightenment…

… Does spiritual commitment mean one has to give up the world? No, of course not. It means merely that worldly life needs to be recontextualized, restructured, and envisioned differently. It is not the world that is a trap, but one’s attachment to it, along with one’s observations that cloud the search for Truth.

From The Eye of the I p. 115-116

What Can We Do?

Q: So what can the spiritual seeker do to be of help to society?

A: To endeavor to evolve spiritually is the greatest gift one can give. It actually uplifts all mankind from within because of the nature of power itself. Power radiates and is shared, whereas force is limited, self-defeating, and evanescent. All society is subliminally and subtly influenced by every kind and loving thought, word, or deed. Every forgiveness is a benefit to everyone. The universe notes and records every action and returns it in kind. Karma is actually the very nature of the universe because of the innate structure and function of the universe itself. In the universe time is measured in eons. Beyond that, it does not even exist at all. Every kindness is therefore forever.

From The Eye of the I, ch. 13, pg. 268

The Pursuit of Enlightenment

Q: The pursuit of Enlightenment appears to be a very major decision with possible major impact on ordinary lifestyles.

A: … The Self manages the transition. Most questions about adjustments or seeming sacrifices do not take into consideration the power of decision itself, which increases in intensity as the barriers are removed. Devotion dissolves fear, doubt, and hesitation and clarifies uncertainty. Intention also becomes ever stronger as does trust in God…

The evolutionary pathway is self-reinforcing and self-confirming as it progresses. The ‘you’ that anticipates the future now is not the same ‘you’ that will have to later adjust to very different conditions. Identification shifts from the content of personal self to the contextual field of transcendent Self. What is seemingly impossible to the self is easy and simple to the Self.

… Therefore, all anticipations and projections into the hypothetical future are illusory because the Self that emerges becomes progressively dominant and is free of worldly attachments or projected values. … A butterfly no longer needs a cocoon.

… Resistance is to be expected and accepted as an innate quality of the ego. … It does not like to feel out of control or off balance and is thus resistant to being questioned or examined, which is perceived as a potential threat to its sovereignty.

The ego has a vested interest in its positionalities, presumptions, and assumptions. There is therefore an ambivalence regarding change…

From Discovery of the Presence of God p. 219-221

Karma Yoga

In addition to inner-directed spiritual effort, the ‘karma yoga’ of selfless service is also supportive of the evolution of consciousness. 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.

… 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.

… An unseen benefit of spiritual endeavor and evolution is its positive influence on the collective level of human consciousness itself. Each evolving spiritual devotee counterbalances the negative effect of great numbers of people of a considerably lower consciousness level.

From Discovery of the Presence of God p. 100-102

Human Error

The naive seeker is fair game for any and all would be captors via various ideologies through the sheer influence of numbers, persuasion, and charisma. Peer pressure for the gullible is also prevalent so that finding one’s way through the thickets of profuse religious and purportedly spiritual teachings becomes hazardous and problematic. It requires some inner conviction and means of guidance to not follow the throngs of worshippers because the herd instinct is so strong. Surely, one’s mind says to itself, ‘All those millions of people could not be wrong or misled by error.’ To find the answer to this paradox, we merely need to examine the makeup of those throngs of often-zealous believers. That human error is not only possible but also certain and probable becomes evident…

From The Eye of the I p. 61