The Intersection of All That Is

Everyone with even a slight interest in the subject of spirituality will have heard our essential nature described as being here and now. Another term for That which is indefinable is Being. Much to our amazement, spiritual teachers inform us that all that truly exists–despite the finite mind’s adamant protest of “I have a past and a future!”–is here…now. To this transcendent intersection, I dedicate this article.

If we believe (as the majority of persons do) that the totality of our identity when we apparently awaken in the morning is our wonderful human body and mind, we have not yet knowingly recognized the hidden glory that is forever present at the Intersection of our Being. This is the dimensionless crossroads that is the alpha and omega of everything that is, was, and will be. I call it God. In truth, any word used to describe “It” will always fall short; for words are only representations for that to which they refer. Due to the limitations of our human mind, we cannot truthfully describe the Holiest of Holy. No matter how many times we utter the word “water,” the definition of it will never quench our thirst. The good news is that we are–already–an aspect of that Sacred Intersection which cannot be pointed to on a map or located physically.

What’s actually occurring at the intersection of here and now? The answer to that question involves the most mysterious paradox. Here and now, the Infinite Source of our Being is expressing Itself in, through, and as the finite forms of everyone and everything. Without The Infinite, our human body-minds could not apparently exist; and without us, Infinite Source would not have agents of consciousness through which to express Its works. This is the intersection–where the finite meets Infinite–to which this article refers. The following is unbeknownst to the majority: Wherever we are, we are treading upon Holy ground. We’ve long been told that our bodies are temples of a Living God; and those who’ve shared this truth weren’t kidding.

How do we locate this placeless intersection? That, in itself, requires deeper inquiry; for the intersection of our essential nature cannot be discovered in or through a physical or mental process. We’re informed of this through Luke 17:21: “Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” This is another way of telling us that if we search for the glorious intersection of our Being through the senses…we seek in vain. All is not lost, however; for we are also told the following, in Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God.” The message can be informally expressed as this: relax, sit a spell, take a stroll in nature, meditate. The deeper dimension of our being can easily be discovered when we slow down and stop all of our doing–at least temporarily–and just be. There, in the gap between our thoughts, we may realize our true identity–AWARENESS. It shines self luminous like the sun.

What can be gained by discovering this intersection? A lot, not the least of which is the end of suffering. Suffering in all of its forms–either physical or mental–belongs to the false “i” that has been robbing our life of the natural joy that is our birthright. The false self with whom most people “i”-dentity is a conceptual self rendered by mind; our True Self is prior to mind. When we experientially arrive at the intersection of all that is, we realize a dimension of ourselves that is almost always overshadowed by our false self–the little guy or gal with all the problems. Through discovery of the Self which is the true Being of all selves, we realize that all of our fears and concerns do not belong to us. Why? Because we never were that false self; such only appeared to be the case.

When we discover the intersection of all that is, we can clearly see the insanity of attempting to live solely for the sake of pleasing the little “i.” The ego will never be satisfied. Through clear discernment into our essential nature, we can align with our true purpose–which is spirit based–and bring forth the ideals that we were intended to express for the good of all. To do so is to live abundantly and joyfully. And that’s what makes discovering the intersection of all that is so worthwhile.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

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”

My Sky is Blue

Chances are that most of us have heard the following question: What colour is the sky in your world? And chances are that whoever asked it (perhaps with a roll of the eyes) was implying that someone else was living in a delusional bubble for being happy and optimistic in the face of a negative reality. Whatever the reason, the expression usually carries a negative connotation.

I mention the question above to remind, or perhaps inform, that everyone’s experience of life is unique. It’s also important to understand that we attract experiences according to the habitual way we think and feel. Therefore, feeling good not only benefits us in the present moment but also sets the stage for future success. The fact is that the reality we experience can be very good even when everyone around us claims that the world is falling apart. This doesn’t make us foolish; quite the contrary, in fact. To be ruled by circumstance, or the predominant opinions of others, places us at the whims of the world. The opposite is true when we practice our right to govern our own perspective.

With this mindset, we may–despite hearing that we are beaten–think “I Am victorious!” With this mindset, we may–despite hearing that we look tired–think “I Am full of vitality!” With this mindset, we may–despite hearing that the state of the world is hopeless–think “goodness will triumph!” It’s this kind of optimism, combined with applied action, that actually creates a Blue Sky Reality. This doesn’t mean that we’re denying a negative situation; we’re simply choosing not to focus upon it.

Our evolution is up to us. In the same way that we challenge our muscles by lifting heavier weights, we can challenge our self growth by developing an attitude of greater kindness, courage, and optimism. Source will support our decision, whatever it may be.

This world can attempt to exert a negative effect, but it can’t without our permission. On any given day, we can see the news of terrible atrocities. We can listen to neighbours and hear them complain about politics, the weeds in their lawn, or the cost of a loaf of bread. Or, we may exercise our right to view the world through our own perspective. Through the use of deliberate focus and intention, we may turn our back to dark skies and face the light. And the next time someone asks “What colour is the sky in your world?” we may confidently and unapologetically reply “My sky is blue.”

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

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” 🙏🏻🧡

Dismantling Fences

There’s an old saying which states that “fences make good neighbours.” Although this may seem a logical way to deal with conflicts that invariably arise due to the human condition, it’s a shortsighted solution. On a larger scale, building fences–even mending fences–leaves us subject to judgmental behaviour that ignores our shared oneness. Relying on the fluctuating mentality of the masses only serves to separate us from the goodness that inherently unites us. Our only hope for lasting peace amongst neighbours and nations lies in dismantling our minds’ fences forever. Below, is an example of an event that occurred because we truly didn’t know one another:

December 1, 1955: On a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, the bus driver orders Rosa Parks and three other riders to give up their seats in the coloured section because the whites’-only section is filled. Rosa refuses to do so. As a result, she is arrested for civil disobedience and later fined ten dollars for violating segregation laws, plus an additional four dollars for court fees. A court case is launched and a bus boycott ensues for more than a year. The Supreme Court finally rules that segregation laws are unconstitutional. During this time, and for years afterward, Rosa and her family receive death threats...for standing up for rights and basic human dignities that should be–Must Be–afforded to All.

At what level do we do begin to dismantle fences? Nothing short of a spiritual approach can deliver the best results. However, there’s a common misconception that enlightenment (which may be defined as waking from the dream of apparent personhood) is something that’s done; a spiritual activity that adds a better dimension to our life and make us better persons. To be interested in matters spiritual might even be branded as being namby pamby; an interest shunned by those who have better ways to use their time. Nothing could be further from the truth.

To embark upon a spiritual quest is the bravest, and most significant, journey we will ever undertake. It’s a figurative journey that involves travelling from conditioned ignorance to the awareness of our true Self. Such is a courageous act because recognition of our essential nature involves surrendering the false self, with whom we’ve identified for the majority of our so-called personal life. Such can feel like a great loss; it requires that we surrender our pride, historical story, and every triumph that we may have held dear. In short, we realize that our personal trophies never belonged to us; for there is truly no one here to receive them.

True enlightenment is not freedom as the self; it is freedom from the self.

Until we see beyond our own mask, it’s literally impossible for us to see the true nature of “others.” Spiritual teachings may, at best, lead to more civilized and tolerant behaviour; but also create a smug piousness. The solution is to directly experience our shared oneness. When such is realized, our fences fall by their own accord.

The journey to Self, and a better world, requires that we engage a deep sense of earnest curiosity; a daringness to discover That which is beyond the egoic costume that’s masquerading as our identity. this journey holds unparalleled value; for when we discover the Truth within ourselves, we are, thus, enabled to see It shining as the glorious identity in everyone of varying class, colour, and nationality. With clear insight, we realize that persons on the opposite side of the fence are, indeed, ourselves.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Haven’t Been My”Self” Lately

Through the recognition of Truth, I haven’t been my”self” for the last two years. In fact, we can never actually be the little self (the body-mind, person) that lays claim to our life; but it sure appears that way. The error occurs due to a gross assumption, which, by and large, goes unnoticed. In my case, every joy and every sorrow, every failure and success sure seemed to belong to me–Art Russell, the little guy in the photo above. We can never actually be the bundle of sensations, images, feelings, thoughts, memory, and perceptions (the little “i”) that perpetually masquerades as the sum total of our identity. The little self is only the costumed actor who plays our role during the current performance of “My Life.” The Real “I”–Spirit–has always been with us; off stage, behind the scenes. It is safe, secure, and untouched by any of the human drama.

My little “self” (the apparent thief of identity) did an incredible job of fooling me. Deep within, I had a strong lurking sense that there was far more to us than meets the eye or psyche; but, by and large, I was knowingly disconnected from awareness of my True Self. As a result, there was a significant degree of suffering. That’s what occurs when we’ve strayed too far from the Truth of our Being, to turn us in the right direction. Attempting to keep the costumed “actor” happy is a full time job. It is exhausting; for the false self is rarely content for long. It judges every situation and circumstance; and any happiness that it apparently experiences is always of a relatively fleeting nature.

I share this information to attempt to lighten the load that you may be carrying unnecessarily. When we discover our True Self, everything about our life and the world becomes so much lighter. We regain a playfulness and contentment that we may not have felt since childhood. Yes, there will still be work required to be done–and it will be; but it will be performed with a sense of detached lightness. The perspective that “is” our True Self allows us to view the world and our place within it from a position of wisdom. We live with trust in our heart; rather than by mind-dominated fearfulness. We feel expansive and free; rather than isolated and in competition.

What do I hope that readers may take away from this article, beyond a cool lesson in rocking horse technique? The following:

We are all children of One Creator.
We are all deserving of Love and respect.
We are all on an incredible journey—the story of our life.
Each and every one of us has purpose; we are here for a reason.

The journey to recognition of our True Self is one of the most exciting journeys that any of us will ever undertake. It is beyond comparison. It need not be overwhelming. During the process, you’ll most likely realize that you’ve been carrying a lot of negative baggage that, in honesty, belongs only to the false self. You are not the body-mind. On a given day, you may experience startling revelations; or weep tears of joy as you let go of painful emotions. You might begin by nurturing your earnest curiosity and asking: “Who Am I—really?” Hint: It’s not who you think you are.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

The Echo of “I Am”

In wisdom teachings about our essential nature, which is identical in quality and nature to God’s, an analogy is sometimes used of the sun shining as a reflection in water-filled pails. The sun, which is self-luminous and requires nothing else by which to shine, refers to Consciousness; and the water and the pails refer to us, the body-minds or persons. In the analogy, the unaware person assumes that there’s an individual sun in each pail. We, of course, realize that this isn’t the case. The analogy is intended to help us understand that each of us (water-filled pails) is not a source of consciousness unto our self. We shine (or know) by the light of the one-and-only true Sun, Consciousness.

Another analogy came to me this morning. Imagine the following, if you will: In the beginning: Consciousness, All That Is. Eternally and silently, It thinks, hums, and knows “I AM.” Through its creative faculties, It creates all that apparently is, including us. In our mind, we hear the echo of “I Am“–The Creator that logically would have to be within each and every one of Its creations. The confusion arises when we assume that the echo is generated by, and belongs to, our little “i” that walks this Earth. Consciousness is not personal; It is Universal. In John 10:30, Jesus is attributed with stating the same message: “I and my Father are one.” Through innocent ignorance, the majority of humans believe they’re limited to the body-mind that will surely die. This erroneous belief leads to tremendous suffering.

In case this seems like a whole lot of mumbo jumbo, it may help to know that scientists have been unable to identify the biological processes which they assume give rise to a supposedly personal sense of “i” within the human being. They never will. Why? Because the Consciousness which creates, and with which experience is known, isn’t personal. In other words, it doesn’t belong to the body-mind. The story of the little “i” that most persons believe themselves to be is known through Consciousness, the only one there is. A quote from Joel Goldsmith, who was a noted spiritual teacher, beautifully relates this Truth:

“Take off your shoes in the presence of the word ‘I’ because you are speaking the holy name of God.”

There are tremendous benefits that arise through understanding the nature of our True Self; not the least of which is fearlessness regarding death. When we know that the true “I” within us, that “is” us, doesn’t die, we realize that there’s nothing to fear. With this understanding, we can live–fully–here and now. The only self that dies is the fictional “i” of name and form, which is rendered by the mind. The Real “I” is all that is…eternally.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

One Without a Second

If you’re still one of the vast majority who believes that you’re a little self born of flesh and bones, you may benefit from reading this article. Why? Because all of us–no matter how spiritual–realize that the body-mind (aka person) comes with an expiry date. This may not seem important now, but someday it most certainly will. The heart of this article revolves around an assumption that by and large goes unquestioned: Am I truly who I think I am?

Our ego would have no part of an article like this; for it believes that it’s in competition with, and disinct from, all of those other selves. It views the world from the perspective of separation, not unity. It sees humans of different colours, forms, and shapes–and conceptualizes them as different from itself. This is no wonder; for we’ve been conditioned to believe this since infancy. As we see ourselves, so we see the world. When we identify with this view of the world, our little “self“judges everyone as a potential friend or foe; or worse, as something that can be used for its own gain. The ego believes that it must fight for its right to survive; and that means defending itself at all cost. When this perspective dominates the collective consciousness, humans go to war…in the name of peace.

The good news is that we can recognize the Truth of your Being without intensive study; neither does such require that we attend a church, a synagogue, a temple, or a mosque on a regular basis (although doing so may prove beneficial). The Truth of our Being cannot be realized by the mind; for the Truth is beyond the mind. As Sadguru so wisely stated: “Truth cannot be interpreted; it can only be experienced.” To realize our authentic Self all that’s required is to withdraw from the sense world on a regular basis, by stilling the body and the mind. There, in the gap between two thoughts, we may glimpse the still Presence which is the Truth of our Being.

This Oneness to which I refer, can–and will–give us anything that we desire: health, wealth, and success beyond measure; but It asks–nay, demands–that to receive such favours, we must pay a price in return: We must surrender our erroneous belief of being a separate self. Why? Because as long as we’re filled with what’s false (the ego), we have no room to be filled with the Truth of our Being. Any associated pain or loss that we may feel when we contemplate surrendering our self may be lessened when we realize that what we’ve called “me” has no actual existence apart from the mind. It is wholly a conceptual self. A verse from Mark 2:22 can add to our clarity: “And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.” That new wine is found when we recognize (to know again) our true Self.

To my knowledge, Rupert Spira offers the best definition of Consciousness: “That with which all experience is known, in which all experience appears, and out of which all experience is made.” Contrary to popular misconception, the True “You” is neither personal nor mortal. You are like in nature and quality to That which gives birth to universes and human hearts with equal ease.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

This Mental Universe

In this article, we’re going to depart from our inquiry into the nature of our true Self and examine The Law of Attraction in greater depth. For persons who are unfamiliar with the subject, the law is basically summed up as follows:

“We bring about what we think about.”

One well-known example of the law at work is related in Job 3:25, through the account of Job: “For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.” That to which we give our attention, whether favorable or unfavorable, manifests in our “reality.” If you doubt this can be true, please read the following photo-quotes from various books:

Socrates (470 – 399 BC) was no slouch when it came to philosophy. He was also an idealist, which basically means that he believed that everything is a concept in mind. Think opposite of a materialist; a person who believes in a discrete world made of “matter.” Before scoffing at the idea that matter doesn’t exist in the “concrete-real” way that most persons assume, please contemplate the following question: “Do you believe that you actually come into contact with matter?” If so, please consider this: All that we experience directly are our perceptions; which basically means sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell. Beyond these, we’re only assuming that a correlative world made of matter actually exists. Quantum physics has yet not discovered the tiniest bits of matter; and it never will.

A few quotes may help us understand how the Law of Attraction really works, beginning with Socrates: “To be is to do.” Mahatma Gandhi pointed to the same understanding through his famous quote: “Be the change you desire to see in the world.” Bob Proctor, who studied the teachings of the Law of Attraction for almost sixty years, said: “If you can see it in the mind, you’re going to hold it in the hand.” Mike Dooley, who is a noted speaker and author about the Law of Attraction, states it this way: “Thoughts become things.” Neville Goddard, who was a Barbadian-born mystic, lecturer, and author of many books about deliberate creation, stated: “Things have no reality other than in consciousness. Therefore, get the consciousness first and the thing is compelled to appear.” Andrew Carnegie, who was once one of the wealthiest men in the world, stated the premise the following way: “Any idea that is held in the mind, that is emphasized, that is either feared or revered will begin at once to clothe itself in the most convenient and appropriate form available.”

If all of this sounds ludicrous, I hear you. At one time, I would have definitely agreed. If we engage in even a little self-inquiry, however, we can realize that we are neither the body nor the mind. In other words, you’re not the person you have assumed. Through time spent in stillness (Psalm 46:10: “Be still and know that I am God“), we can directly experience a deeper dimension of Self; one in which we recognize that we are the witness of sensations, images, feelings, and thoughts. All of these arise and subside; we, however, are the eternal witness of all that appears. Persons are appearances in consciousness that are known by Awareness. Our true nature is Awareness, or Spirit. Just for the record, science has not yet determined how the body-mind gives rise to consciousness (coined The Hard Problem of Consciousness by David Chalmers), and it never will be. Why? Because the body is rendered by the mind.

We are co-creators, not persons. We create by imagining what we desire; and it manifests in our reality through our belief that it’s already ours. Our “world” is not made of matter; it’s made of mind. This explains why Nikola Tesla stated the following: “If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration; “and why James Jean, noted astrophysicist and author of The Mysterious Universe, stated “The stream of knowledge is heading towards a non-mechanical reality; the Universe begins to look more like a great thought than like a great machine. Mind no longer appears to be an accidental intruder into the realm of matter… we ought rather hail it as the creator and governor of the realm of matter.”

As much as it might seem that we are the doers and the personal knowers of the world, we are not. Those effects are produced by Maya (Sanskrit, meaning illusion). There is One Knower and One Doer (God), which is manifesting through a multiplicity and diversity of beings.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Think2wice

CONSCIOUSNESS, SPIRITUALITY, & LAW OF ATTRACTION

Category: Freedom

The Intersection of All That Is

My Sky is Blue

Dismantling Fences

Haven’t Been My”Self” Lately

The Echo of “I Am”

One Without a Second

This Mental Universe

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