Oh, how we’ve become accustomed to existing in the shallows; the superficial strata of life in which we accept circumstances and events as they appear! Habitually, we believe without question; assume without knowing that we assume; complain or celebrate based upon ingrained attitudes about the relative mirage in which we live–blindly accepting it as real. This is the burden for the majority of apparent human beings, and we–Spirit–carry it (Maya, illusion) without knowing. If the content of this paragraph seems just too far “out there” to consider, please read the following few lines from the spiritual classic I Am That:

Questioner: “What am I if not human?”

Maharaj: “That which makes you think that you are human is not human. It is but a dimensionless point of consciousness, a conscious nothing; all you can say about yourself is: ‘I Am’. You are pure being–awareness–bliss.”

“I Am That,” Talks with Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

Isn’t that an eye opener–a far different version of the story called “my life” than the one we’ve been told! It’s certainly different from the story that I was subliminally and explicitly conditioned to believe to be true. We were programmed to believe that we were everything human; so much so, that there was no absolutely no choice but to accept that we were mere flesh and bones; that we were born and would surely die. Not so. Contrary to the story believed by the masses, we are neither the body nor the mind–literally, here and now. I offer you another passage for contemplation. It’s from The Gospel of Thomas, which contains 114 sayings attributed to Jesus that were discovered in 1945 in caves near Nag Hammadi, Egypt:

29 (1): Jesus said: “If the flesh came into being because of the spirit, it is a marvel, (2) but if the spirit came into being because of the body, it is a marvel of marvels.”

The Nag Hammadi Scriptures

Can you see where this article is leading? If you think it’s heading fullspeed off of Nutbar Cliff I understand, but please continue to read with an open–inquiring–mind. This article is intended to present a case for the idealist paradigm of reality; that which is opposite to the materialist paradigm which claims matter as its foundation. With the idealist paradigm, everything and everyone is a concept in Consciousness; that is to say that so-called matter is rendered by the mind. In the passage above, you’ll notice that Jesus seems astonished that persons could believe that the body could ever give rise to Spirit, aka Consciousness. He knew, of course, that the Truth was the other way around–that Consciousness gives rise to the body via the mind. Here’s a question that may help: “What is the only ‘thing’ (non thing) required to have an apparent experience?” Answer: Consciousness. We can’t possibly have an experience without consciousness. Here are a few more quotes from the Bible that may cause you to investigate your assumptions:

Mark 9:23: Jesus said unto him, “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”

Job 22:28: “Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.”

Mark 11:24: “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”

King James Bible

The implications of this are profound. It will undoubtedly take those of you who are earnestly curious (to even consider that the materialist paradigm of reality is erroneous) several days to assimilate the information you’ve just read. Just so that you know, science backs this claim, perhaps if only indirectly: Despite earnest efforts, scientists have been unable to determine how biological processes give rise to consciousness (they don’t); and if you delve into research about quantum physics, you’ll see that it has long been known that mind and matter are inseparable. Paramahansa Yoganda stated: “Mind is the creator of everything.” Another of my articles, This Mental Universe (press here to view it), may help increase your understanding. You are an eternal spiritual being having an apparent human experience. This, my dear friends, opens up a world of possibilities.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2020 – R. Arthur Russell

P.S. Please share this article if you enjoyed it. If you’d like to view my latest book (This Taste of Flesh and Bones–released September 8, 2020), press here. May it help you in your spiritual journey. 🙏🙏

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”