Simon couldn’t remember a time when he hadn’t loved to read. It seemed as though his passion for reading and books was woven into the strands of his DNA. When he was a young boy, the stories of Robinson Crusoe, Treasure Island, and The Hardy Boys had transported him into fictional worlds in which he experienced great adventures and solved crimes that puzzled adults. Now, at fifty-two, Simon’s love of reading was as strong as ever. For the last twenty years, his focus had been directed to books about the law of attraction and our spiritual nature.

In the fall of 2017, Simon’s logical mind was not prepared for the revelation that occurred during an evening flight from Toronto to Vancouver. He was in a window seat, reading The Power of Awareness, by Neville Goddard, when a quote leapt like a lion of realization into his awareness. In the depths of his being, beyond the level of his personality, he understood it fully:

“However much you seem to be living in a material world, you are actually living in a world of imagination. The outer, physical events of life are the fruit of forgotten blossom-times–results of previous and usually forgotten states of consciousness.”

Simon’s breathing had slowed, so much so that his body inhaled a deep breath to compensate. He had previously read the book at least twice, but the meaning of the words hadn’t registered. This time was different. Consciousness was awakening to Itself. For unknown seconds, he gripped the armrests tightly. When his attention returned to the book, the following quotes lighted up his awareness:

“Nothing has existence for man save through the consciousness he has of it.”

***

“Your assumption of the wish fulfilled is the ship that carries you over the unknown seas to the fulfillment of your dream.”

***

“The present moment is always the most opportune in which to eliminate all unlovely assumptions and to concentrate on only the good.”

***

Simon was staring out the window, at clouds that seemed mystically surreal, when he suddenly heard, “Can I get you anything, sir?” Shaken from thoughts that were vying for his attention, he turned and saw a flight attendant, with her hands on a service cart. “No, thank you,” he said with a faint smile. As he settled again, all of the information that he had read about spirituality and the law of attraction began to make sense. Consciousness, “I Am,” was our true nature; the body-mind, “person,” an appearance. It also explained why the teachings of the law of attraction stated that we could be, do, and have anything we desire. The Bible verse from Mark 11:24 called out to him: “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Soon after, the verse from Romans 12:2 crossed his mind: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

***

Dear Readers: I realize that it doesn’t take a sleuth with Hardy Boy credentials to conclude that Simon is playing the role of “Art.” Although the account is fictional, there are pointers to Truth in the quotes from Neville Goddard. In the case of Art’s story, as he continued to meditate and read books about the law of attraction and our spiritual nature, I, Awareness, awakened in the dream of life. This means that I knew my Self as the Self; the Dreamer at the foundation of all dreams. To state that this was a surprise is an immense understatement. My interpretation of reality gradually shifted from one based upon physical “matter” to that which is founded in Consciousness only.

For those who are earnest about self inquiry, I ask this: If space-time isn’t fundamental, where is there “room” for discrete persons and objects that stand apart from the mind that perceives them? Do the persons and objects within nighttime dreams truly “exist?” If you’re interested, you might find my YouTube video entitled To The Point: “I Am” helpful.

Dare to Dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2026 – 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), press here. My YouTube videos can be found at Think2wice@I-Am-Aware. May the content of either or both help you along your spiritual journey. “Thank You” & “Note to Publishers” 🙏🏻🧡