Safeguards against being programmed by society are (1) emotional detachment, in which all information is viewed as provisional, (2) awareness that ordinary mentalization is unable to discern perception from essence, and (3) knowing that the wolf often hides beneath sheep’s clothing. This suspension of belief is the practical application of the basic dictum to “wear the world like a light garment.” To “be in the world but not of it” is a mode of attention that nevertheless still allows spontaneous interaction and function in society.
Category: Thoughts & quotes from Sir David R. Hawkins, M.D., Ph.D. & Susan Hawkins
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Discerning Truth from Falsehood
The human mind presumes that the commonality of a belief system is evidence of truth, and, of course, history is full of obvious examples to the contrary (e.g., Extraordinary Popular Delusions, Mackay). Some centuries ago, everyone believed that the sun rotated around the earth and that the earth was flat. These examples merely demonstrate that all information is presumptive and not absolute because even the ‘laws’ of science are constantly changing (e.g., there are now only eight planets instead of nine as of August 2006.)
…Historians have noted that democracies seldom last more than a few centuries for the same reasons that were initially pointed out by Socrates. He viewed that integrity would unlikely prevail as the voting masses would award themselves more and more benefits to the point of eventually losing their freedom.
…Modern man is profoundly influenced by the media whose presentations of ostensible truth include even extreme falsehood, which is then given publicity as thought it were of equal, integrous validity…Because the mind is intrinsically unable to discern perception from essence or truth from falsehood (as detailed in Truth vs. Falsehood, Section 1), a common presumption of the naïve mind is that truth is established by popularity and commonality of agreement. Thus, the mind looks for confirmation and searches for reliable information.
From Reality, Spirituality and Modern Man pg. 151, 155-6
Shift of Paradigm
Importantly, level 500 indicates that the subjective condition called Love has now become not only significant but also dominant, not just as a feeling and emotion, but as the guiding principle. While the energy of Love may be focused as a consequence of interest or motive, it represents a breaking away from restriction and limitation of self-interest. Love serves, whereas ego seeks to be served in its pursuit of gain. To Love, the long-term satisfaction and pleasure of givingness replace the evanescent, short-term ego satisfaction of gain.
The energy of Love has a unique, timeless quality that gratifies potentialities that are subtle and difficult to logically describe. As Love becomes progressively spiritualized, it emerges as an alignment with Divinity, which is the ultimate source and province of Love. It thereby becomes viewed as holy, sacred, and the substance of devotion, religious faith, and mystical awareness.
From Transcending the Levels of Consciousness, Section Three-Overview, pg. 242
Every Step You Take…
“Every step you take forward spiritually, benefits all of mankind. One person that you forgive, already affects the conscious level of all of mankind. … Therefore, everyone is a potential savior.”
Spiritual commitment simply means to recontextualize the goal and meaning of one’s life. This needs to be done totally, all inclusively, so that life does not become segmented into spiritual work versus ordinary life.
Ethical sense results in fairness, reasonableness, and a modest diplomacy, which are evidence of respect for the feelings of others. People who are the ‘salt of the earth’ are friendly, polite, considerate, and have a sense of balance. In addition, they are generally benign and supportive and refrain from dumping their negative emotions on others or acting them out.
… Collectively, these positive attributes are called ‘character’, and indeed, their acquisition does require personal effort, self-control, and patience.
Keeping One’s Own Counsel
Spiritual views are not very popular in society in general. It is not necessary to impose one’s views on others. Proselytizing is best done by example rather than by coercion and lapel grabbing. We influence others by what we are rather than by what we say or have. To express views that are contrary to public opinion may be sociologically praiseworthy but to do so leads to conflict and enmeshment in the arguments and discord in the world. The pursuit of ‘causes’ is the role of the social and political reformer, which is an activity different from that of the seeker of enlightenment. Praiseworthy endeavors can be seen as deserving of sympathetic support, but they are also perceptually defined positionalities with intrinsic limitations and agendas. Embroilment in the issues of society is a luxury that the seeker of spiritual enlightenment needs to forego.
… The calling of the private-life aspirant is more socially humble but equally important and of service to the whole of mankind. The social saint uplifts by external action and example. The devotee uplifts by internal progression. Every increase in the level of consciousness affects the consciousness of all mankind in a manner that is unsung but discernible and demonstrable by spiritual research. The calibrated level of the consciousness of mankind is a composite resultant of everyone’s stage of evolution, and the higher calibrated levels are immensely more powerful than the negative ones.