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

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

Q: What is your advice to a spiritual aspirant who is serious about realizing the state of enlightenment?

A: 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. All life now becomes spiritual practice because context becomes the priority that encompasses every act, thought, or moment. This poised point of view already results in a degree of nonattachment.

From this viewpoint, the emphasis in practice is to observe all the content of evolving life without making any comment, criticism, or judgment. The prevailing attitude can be stated as “That is how it seems to be.” The observer/witness becomes detached from commentary about life and is then capable of transcending opinionation, likes, dislikes, aversions, attractions, arguments, or objections.

Life unfolds of its own and does not need commentary. The habit of editorializing about what is witnessed needs to be voluntarily surrendered to God.

From: “I: Reality and Subjectivity” (2003), Chapter 17: The Inner Path, p. 300