- Absolute Consciousness: consciousness itself is not an object, but the vast open emptiness in which all objects arise. But this emptiness is not a vacuum or a void. It is filled with energy. The energy that absorbs our love/hate consciousness. The energy that manifests what is taking place in our lives and the world around us today.
- Relative Consciousness: depending where you are on the scale from archaic to integral, each will have a relative point of view.
Humanity has a Creative Impulse; A Desire to Exist. This creative impulse expresses itself at all levels of the human experience, no matter the circumstances. A Desire to Exist! Humans are compelled to innovate and create, ...and with a sense of urgency.
We appear to have two primary impulses: 1) Sexual Impulse, similar to the Big Bang of Existence and 2) A Compulsion to Innovate
- we evolve at the level of consciousness itself which is really the spiritual impulse
- all humanity has had a spiritual impulse through out the ages
- currently "non-religious" (traditional religions) types are the ones who are seemingly more compelled toward this awakening of consciousness.
We want to know...Where did we come from??? ...and Where are we going!!! Enlightenment Evolves, it just does.
Wilbur's comment on page 46, when Cohen answers "Absolutely" was almost too difficult to understand, but when I got to the end it was orgasmic .
..."We get directly in touch with passion and inspiration and conviction of the evolutionary impulse itself". That is what I feel when I say that I've taken the higher ground, and once there, you cannot go back. For instance: War doesn't work; social justice and equality for all ....women and children included; killing has a trickle down affect, per Wendell Barry ...if a societies government condemns the killing of war, then communities, families and individuals will continue to justify killing to obtain a goal. (ie: a court will allow the death penalty, a man will kill his wife, or neighbor, a mother will kill her child..........etc.)
But be careful. We might just be lost in an experience. Yes, the Ego loves eversomuch to be Right!
Experience & Interpretation. Where are you right now? Wilbur says the the old styles of religion/spiritualism would be more concrete and literal, where the newer styles more accepting or have a wider view. "Available to all sentient beings" he said. But I say "sentient beings' is a value judgement in itself, isn't it?
If found myself saying: the traditional person will say they are right. That is their perspective. The post modern person will say that they are right. That is their perspective. Then I said Ah Ha!!! The Integral person/consciousness is the first stage that realizes the importance of the previous stages, not just that is is right, but that it is a growth pattern.
Okay, we finally get to what to DO. Wilbur says we must find ways to have our culture governed by Integral Values. Values that are truly comprehensive and truly all embarrassing.
This unfolding value structure has gone through or grown through the ages and is "unfolding", the tree of life so to speak. Tolle begins his book "The New Earth" with the example of what it must have taken for the first plant to create a blossom. Out of the crystalline or molten earth, something caused a seed to sprout and grow into leaf and eventually produce a flower. Eons pass. (It's the Garden of Eden story I suppose.) At any rate, we are here on this edge of humanity poised to bloom. We are on the delicate edge of the cultural evolution of mankind. There is a sense of urgency. We must step out. Become Pioneers. Risk judgement....yet with a sense of restraint also. Our ego, as Tolle so aptly describes........will lead us into never ending conflict. We must learn to create a quietness around us. Move and act with kindness and respect. "Love and do what you will" St. Augustine.
It seems to me we are on the delicate edge of two very important suppositions: 1) do no harm through thought word or deed and 2) take action, risk, to move our cultural to the next level. The monumental leap. You/I cannot pound seemingly good information into someones head who does not want to hear it any more than you can occupy a country that does not want it! Consequently, it appears imperative that persons who are on this quest, must indeed hang out with like minds.....and that is why you are on this list! I believe...that each person who received this gift from me is "somewhere" out on the edge, even if just a little bit. The challenge then is to determine your own sense of urgency and pursue that level of ACTION! Ahau and Amen my friends...........
