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

Hello, we want to share thoughts and quotes from Dr. David R. Hawkins and his wife, Susan Hawkins. We will keep you informed of upcoming events, as well. For available books, CDs, DVDs, and the Map of Consciousness, visit the Dr. David R. Hawkins product page. Find a Dr. Hawkins Study Group in your area.
The Still Presence of Awareness
What of Daily Life?
There is a shift of values from worldly accomplishment to spiritual realization, which colors all activity. It places it in a different context. The overreaching goal of life becomes altered, and life’s events take on a different significance and meaning as though placed in a new dimension. Eventually, the focus is on the inner, silent, motionless, still presence of Awareness itself rather than on its passing content. Suddenly, the sense of ‘I’ shifts from the content to the context, which is the universal ‘I’ of the Self.
From The Eye of the I p.187
Perception is Always Partial
Q: “What, then, is illusion which we hear about so much?
A: The entire perceptual illusion which the ego claims to be reality is completely and totally the product of positionality. This is very important to unravel and understand in one’s own experiential awareness. If you observe carefully, you will note that at the time the mind is taking a position, that position stems from choice, training, desire, emotion, or political or religious viewpoint. From the arbitrary positionalities of moralizing, all actions and events can be categorized as right or wrong. From that positionality stem all the pointless sacrifice and sufferings of the world.
Q: What is the cause of this error?
A: Judgmentalism. This is the great vanity of all egos. Scripture says, “Judge not, lest ye be judged.” Also, “Judgment is mine; sayeth the Lord.” Christ said to forgive. The Buddha said there is nothing to judge because perception can only see illusion. Perception is always partial and limited by an arbitrary context. In truth, no judgment is possible.”
… The swiftest way out of problems and ignorance is by acquiring an understanding of the nature of consciousness itself. Awareness of the nature of consciousness catapults one through all problems, limitations, and human endeavors. It is the most important subject of all subjects to be learned because it underlies all human experience and enterprise. Science itself has progressed only to the point where it can advance no further without understanding the nature of consciousness.”
The Benefit from a Life Crisis
One benefit from a life crisis is greater self-awareness. The situation is overwhelming, and we are forced to stop all of our diversionary games, take a good look at our life situation, and re-evaluate our beliefs, goals, values, and life direction. It is an opportunity to re-evaluate and let go of guilt. It is also an opportunity for a total shift in attitude. Life crises, as we pass through them, confront us with polar opposites. Shall we hate or forgive that person? Shall we learn from this experience and grow, or resent it and become bitter? Do we choose to overlook that other person’s shortcomings and our own, or instead do we resent and mentally attack them? Shall we withdraw from a similar situation in the future with greater fear, or shall we transcend this crisis and master it once and for all? Do we choose hope or discouragement? Can we use the experience as an opportunity to learn how to share, or shall we withdraw into a shell of fear and bitterness? Every emotional experience is an opportunity to go up or down. Which do we choose? That is the confrontation.
