Tag: True Self

Being No-Thing Incorporated

To begin, please press the arrow:

***

“You’ve reached Being No-Thing Incorporated, specializing in the business of eternal IS-ness. My name is Divine Diana. How may I be of service?”

Caller: “Oh, hello, I’m Pamela Person, and I’ve been having a lot of problems. Everything seems to be going wrong.”

Divine Diana: “Your call is important to us, Pamela, and so are YOU. Please hold the line. I’ll just need a few moments to redirect you to one of our representatives.”

Pamela Person: “Certainly.” (hums the theme from Jeopardy, while waiting).

Divine Diana (speaking offline, to her co-light worker Heavenly Helen): “You’re not going to believe this–I’ve got another Being on the line who thinks she’s a person with a lot of problems. That’s four in the last hour!

Heavenly Helen: “But our job here, Diana, is to help as many as possible.”

Divine Diana: “Yes, I know; it’s just that even a spirit can only take so much.”

Heavenly Helen: “Let’s put your caller through to Serene Specialist. She’s been with the company since the beginning; she’ll know what to do.”

Divine Diana: “Done,” she said, with an affirmative nod; and she transferred the call.

***

(Moments later)

Serene Specialist: “Hello, Pamela, I apologize for keeping you waiting. My name is Serene; I work as a specialist at Being No-Thing Incorporated. I understand that you think you’re a person with a lot of problems. Would you care to share more?”

Pamela Person: “Hi, Serene. Yes, I’m definitely a person with a lot of problems. My mind’s driven me close to the edge during the last several years. I think many of my issues began when I felt a sense of being abandoned by my mother when I was two. Can you teach me how to let go of my problems?”

Serene Specialist: “Thank you for sharing that,” Serene said compassionately. “Here at Being No-Thing Incorporated, we really can’t teach you anything. Our main intention is to help clear up some confusion and point to knowing recognition of your essential nature.”

Pamela Person: “My essential nature?” said Pamela. “Well, my mother was a McFadden, of Scottish decent, if that’s any help; and my father’s background is a mix of Dutch-Irish.”

Serene Specialist: “Thank you,” said Serene, “but that wasn’t what I meant. To get to the root of human problems, we have to dive deeper into the investigation of true Self, beyond the apparent person. It’s called self inquiry. Have you ever heard that term before?”

Pamela Person: “No, I must admit that I haven’t.”

Serene Specialist: “You’re not alone in that regard,” said Serene. “Most human beings haven’t. The root of the issue related to self inquiry is misunderstanding. It’s a case of mistaken identification.”

Pamela Person: “Hmmm,” said Pamela, “sounds interesting. How much will it cost for me to get rid of my problems?”

Serene Specialist: “At the most profound level, such requires sacrificing every erroneous belief of ever being the person. I know that sounds strange, but it’s Truth.”

Pamela Person (perplexed): “You mean I’d have to surrender myself?”

Serene Specialist: “Only the beliefs of ever being the person. What remains is real.”

***

Dear Readers: The primary purpose of this article is to relate the following: There is a great difference between believing yourself to be the conceptual “self” that’s fabricated by the mind, and BEING That which you already are. In short, the definitions “of” you can never be the “real” YOU. The idea that you exist as a “person” is just that–an assumption that’s gathered so much gravity that it appears real. To “Know Thyself,” it’s important to discern clearly. With clear seeing, the quality of life that expresses through our “I Am” perspective in Consciousness improves dramatically.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2022 – 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” 🙏🏻🧡

Moving Mountains

During the years that I have studied the law of attraction and our essential nature, I’ve faithfully used many affirmations. One of my favourites is the abridged version of the passage found in Matthew 17:20:

“If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain,

‘Move from here to there,’

and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”

If the statement that “and nothing shall be impossible for you” seems too good to be true, please continue reading with an open mind. My initial interpretation of the passage was based upon a much more limited perspective; but now I know–not just believe–that all things are truly possible through God. As each of us is unique, the circumstantial mountains that we might desire to be removed will be different. For some persons, it might be a health issue or financial problem. For others, it could be a career challenge or conflict within a relationship. Whatever the nature of mountain we face, greater understanding plays a tremendously important role in removing it.

The biggest issue that all of us face is our own ignorance (meaning unawareness) of the nature of the world and our true Being. The majority of persons are unaware of their essential nature; but they’re also unaware that they are unaware. Thus, they (as the apparent person) struggle against circumstances that often seem insurmountable. This was certainly the case with me. To gain greater clarity, we must let go of our assumptions and know REALITY as it IS. Let’s dive deeper into the subject by reading the following content from various books:

The Wish Fulfilled, by Neville Goddard

***

Before I Am, by Mooji

***

I Am That, Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

***

Living Truth, by Jean Klein

***

What you have read in the quotations is true. The reason why mountains can be moved by our belief is because they are “dream” mountains, MADE OF MIND. What we habitually affirm (through our thoughts, beliefs and actions) is confirmed as our apparent reality; but when we change our beliefs and attitudes, our problems are compelled to change. The well-known placebo effect illustrates this perfectly. When a patient has absolute faith that a medication or procedure will work, the treatment WORKS! The principle related to belief is shared in the Bible in Matthew 9:29, through the following words spoken by Jesus:

“According to your faith be it unto you.”

To move our apparent personal mountains, it’s vitally important that we realize that we are–literally–not the body-mind (person). Such goes against every last bit of our mental conditioning. Therefore, we cannot possibly be the doer of actions. We are Awareness dreaming an apparently human life. This is also related in the Bible, in Acts 17:28:

“For in him we live, and move, and have our being.”

The depth of this is more easily comprehended by contemplating that we also believe, with absolute certainty, that we’re the doers during our nighttime dreams. Of course, when the dream ends, we realize that such couldn’t possibly have been the case–that all of the fantastic adventures, or scary situations, were rendered via the mind. Any actions that seemed to have been performed occurred within a dream. The same holds true in this, the waking-state dream. In Truth, we are the witness only.

Most Beings who are tightly bound to egoic identity will find the content of this article impossible to believe or, perhaps, even ludicrous; but its Truth may be known directly via the practice of self inquiry. Are you absolutely certain that you are the person? Can you actually be a name, or a body form that is changing moment to moment?

It took years for me to comprehend the nature of our mountains. The biggest challenge was my own lack of understanding. Perhaps you will also realize that you’ve been attempting to move mountains through an illusory character, instead of via the real YOU. Wouldn’t it be easier to let God within do it for you, and open yourself to life more abundant?

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2022 – 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” 🙏🏻🧡

“Spiritual High Rollers”

The majority of Beings are knowingly unaware of their essential nature; so it really wasn’t surprising to learn that Reginald still seems lost in his body-mind “story.” How can we be certain that Reginald has not yet awakened to his true nature? When he was recently a contestant on a game show called Spiritual High Rollers, the host asked him to complete the following sentence: “As it relates to your essential nature, beyond name and form…”

I

A m

A n

E T E R N _ L

B _ _ _ _

As the clock ticked down the remaining seconds (dum de dum-dum, dum dee do; dum dee dum-dum, dee, dee, dee-dee-dee-dee), Reginald’s face turned red, and he blurted the following answers:

“I am an eternal bigot!

I am an eternal beast!

I am an eternal baker!”

When the timer alarm sounded, Reginald spun on his heels and flung down his arm. It was over, and he knew it.

“I’m sorry,” said the host, as he noticed Reginald’s dejected expression, “but time has run out. Please don’t feel too sad, though; there’s good news. We’re inviting you back for another round!”

***

What about you, dear reader: Beyond belief, would you have known–directly–the answer that stumped Reginald? It’s possible to recognize a deeper dimension of Self here and now.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2022 – 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” 🙏🏻🧡

Bye, Bye, Ego–Hello “Videhi”

For many long years, I believed (as you may still believe of yourself) that I was the body-mind, aka “person.” It would have seemed insane to deny the apparent but erroneous conclusion. Thus, if Art’s body was physically satisfied and his mind mentally stable, “i” was content and happy. If such was not the case, Art used distraction, deliberate focus, and self-help books to rectify the situation. But here’s the rub, of which you’re probably well aware: At some point after circumstances slide to the polar opposite of pain and suffering (pain free happiness), the forces of this earthly realm, which are always in play, invariably slide the person back into challenging situations. Such is the human predicament.

Although none of us would choose suffering as a first (or last) choice as a method to “wise up,” it does serve a useful purpose. As I’ve mentioned previously, suffering reminds us that we have strayed too far from the Truth of our Being and need to change our ways. The degree of our suffering will be different for each of us; for although we are one in Essence, we are unique in character and form. Problems are relative to the person having them. We might view suffering as a tireless loving parent. “Be careful,” suffering shouts, “you’ll get burned if you touch the hot stove!” And time and again, we reach for the hot stove. Is there a way to avoid such needless suffering?

Yes! The solution (which is seemingly insane, yet paradoxically beautiful) occurs when we transcend the perspective of the person and recognize our essential nature. We discover the Truth: That we are in the world, but not of it. Problems are inherent to the body-mind perspective because the person is a creation of mind and, therefore, unstable. One minute, the person is happy; the next minute sad. To overcome suffering, we must realize that the body-mind is not who we are; it’s a constume that’s worn during this incarnation.

Let’s now investigate the Marathi term videhi from the title of this article, in the hope of gleaning more understanding. I was unfamiliar with the word until I noticed it in a book entitled Amrut Laya, The Stateless State by Shri Sadguru Siddharameshwar. In the book, he shared the account of a king who sought a guru to help him recognize his essential nature beyond name and form. The king eventually did; and thereafter the king was referred to as a videhi, meaning “he without a body.” From an online Marathi-English dictionary, we find the following definition: 1. Disembodied, released from the body. 2. Weaned from bodily and earthly enjoyments and pursuits. Please don’t be alarmed by the term disembodied; it’s not as ghoulish as it may seem. Such only means that you realize–here and now–that you’re not the body-mind. You know that you can’t possibly be who you think yourself to be.

Truth: You are Consciousness, Itself–an immortal Being, beyond this place called Earth. Your true Self is of the same quality and nature as that of God, only varying in degree. Your entire life story is but a divine play of God. To realize this directly, I earnestly suggest that you enter the stillness of meditation on a daily basis; for it’s in the placeless place beyond the mind that you will discover that, indeed, you are now–and always have been–a videhi. Awareness is commonly assumed to arise due to body-mind functions; but such has never been proven by science, and it never will be. The Truth is that the body-mind arises due to Consciousness; not the other way around. Bye, bye, ego. Please take your suffering with you.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2021 – 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” 🙏🏻🧡

Beyond “Mice and Men”

John Steinbeck, who is one of my favourite authors, won the Nobel Prize in literature in 1962. His novella entitled Of Mice and Men would undoubtedly be considered one of John Steinbeck’s literary gems. Although shorter than some of his other masterpieces, which include Grapes of Wrath and East of Eden, it is on par with their greatness. This morning, I was struck by an epiphany, which I believe may be at least part of what dear Mr. Steinbeck desired to share with the reader. The revelation relates to the subject matter of my blog and my passion for sharing knowledge related to our higher nature. For those who may not be familiar with his novella, the plot is summarized as follows:

***

The protagonists of the novella, which is set in Soledad, California during The Great Depression, are George Milton and Lennie Small. George is an intelligent man and plays the role of a brotherly figure to Lennie, who is big, strong, and mentally challenged. They both work as migrant farm labourers whenever opportunity presents. We first meet them in a secluded setting down by a river. Lennie has convinced George to retell the details of their dream to one day own a little place which they can call home.

The following day, they begin work on a nearby ranch. As usual, George guides Lennie forward, and all goes well for a while. Key characters are introduced, including the bosses’ son, Curley, and his wife. As the plot unfolds, we’re given a glimpse the characters’ underlying hopes, fears, and dreams. It’s also revealed that Lennie enjoys petting mice, which he often likes to keep in his pocket. At one point, George discovers that Lennie has accidentally killed another mouse; an issue about which he has previously warned him. Within a few days, Lennie accidentally kills a puppy he’s been given, which foreshadows more drama to come.

The suspense builds towards climax when Lennie accidentally kills Curley’s flirtatious wife by breaking her neck. He’s clearly incapable of controlling his inherent nature. When her body is discovered, several of the farm workers form a lynch mob and search for George and Lennie, who have fled the ranch and sought refuge back at the secluded location by the river. The book ends with George mercifully shooting his friend before the approaching lynch mob have a chance to hang him.

***

Although the specific details relating to characters and goals differ from ours, are the general ones really that dissimilar? Don’t all of us desire to find our place in the sun and feel content and at peace? However, all of our hopes and dreams–even if one day achieved–will eventually pass away. To the masses, this may seem tragic; but such will appear particularly so if we’re deeply attached to the person, which is our false identity. Buddha referred to the human condition as dukkha, which basically means suffering or frustration. Jesus endured persecution by the ignorant masses in an effort to reveal to us our true nature. Must we die, as did the helpless mouse and puppy? Human incarnation is a precious gift; for it provides a unique opportunity to recognize our essential nature. Unfortunately, such is often squandered by the masses. Is there an escape from such a seemingly tragic predicament? Yes.

The solution is to discover (re-cognize, know again) the true Self that transcends the “person,” which is actually illusory. We are so much more than body-minds. Discovering Truth requires that we become earnestly curious about our essential nature. In a strange paradox, we discover What–not who–we are by shedding the layers of the false self. Our true Self is eternal, immortal, and irreducible. And that, my dear friends, is a glorious non-end worth realizing before your character’s life draws to a conclusion. Here and now is a great place to begin.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2021 – 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” 🙏🏻🧡

Founded Upon The Rock

If we were building a house, how meticulous most of us would be about its construction. At the very least, we would do our best to ensure to employ a great architect, an honest supplier of quality materials, and a builder with a great reputation. Most important, however (as real estate agents inform us) is location, location, location. As such relates to the title of this article, we’re not referring to the superficial appeal of a potential neighbourhood; we’re referring to the foundation upon which we build our home. How ironic that the majority of us pay great attention to the foundation upon which we plan to build a house; yet remain unaware of that upon which we base our life. Perhaps the following passages from Matthew 7:24-27 will help us become curious about our essential nature:

24“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house upon the rock.

25The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against the house; yet it did not fall, because it has its foundation on the rock.

26But everyone who hears these words of mind and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.

27The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Without being aware of it, most of us have been building our life (the house referred to in the passages) upon the shifting sandy foundations that ultimately lead to its destruction. Those foundations are false assumptions related to the nature of our Being. We have assumed that we are the person that we believe ourselves to be. Thus, we’re happy when the conceptual person is experiencing situations labeled “good;” and very unhappy when suffering those labeled “bad.” Due to identification with something we are not (and which ultimately proves to be illusory), many of us will spend our life chasing the good times–no matter how much energy is required to do so. We will sacrifice our health, our family, and all of our resources in the pursuit of happiness. And once we finally arrive we are content…until we are not.

In desperation, most persons attempt to correct their unhappy situations through the usual means. Those means (which almost always entail external behaviour), lead persons to believe that having an affair, purchasing a shiny new red sports car, climbing the corporate ladder, having another baby, moving to a new house, becoming more spiritual, or buying another twenty pairs of shoes will correct the underlying dissatisfaction. On and on the not-so-merry Ferris wheel spins, until the person cries, “Stop the ride! This isn’t working anymore!” Suffering, although extremely painful at the time, finally leads us to turn away from the phenomenal world and seek a better foundation upon which to build our life.

What is the rock to which the scripture referred? Nothing less than the very Source of our Being. It’s not something acquired through accretion of mind-based knowledge; it’s heart-based recognition of That which we have always been. Contrary to what we have been conditioned to believe, the phenomenal world, which seems so real, is not the Absolute Reality of our Being–not even close. It is appearance only. What’s Real is Consciousness (aka God). It is That which creates and knows all apparent phenomena. The Infinite cannot be defined; but It can be known directly when we become still. We are not the person we believe ourselves to be. We ARE–period; but not as a “thing.” We are That which cannot be forgotten. To know our essential nature is to build our life upon The Rock.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2021 – 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” 🙏🏻🧡

Working For “The One”

The following fictional account didn’t take place–ever; but for fun, let’s go with it and pretend that it did. Special Note: The characters and events depicted in this article are fictitious. Any similarity to persons, either living or deceased, is purely coincidental. No persons were harmed in any way during the writing, editing, or subsequent publishing of this article. 🙂

***

“Have a seat, Bob,” said Mr. Swanger. He descended from a long line of Swangers, before swanging became a cultural phenomena in certain circles.

“Thank you,” said Bob. He slowly stepped forward and settled himself in the chair across from Mr. Swanger’s desk. He tried to appear calm, but his fidgetting fingers gave him away.

Mr. Swanger leaned forward over his desk, which was distracting because he had a mole on his left cheek the size of Saskatchewan. His computer screen was open to Bob’s profile. “How long have you been with us at The One?”

“Little over a month,” said Bob.

“I’ve brought you in here today,” said Mr. Swanger, “because there’s been a nasty rumor circulating, at the yellow ticker tape that surrounds the previously available water cooler.”

Bob leaned forward, an expression of innocent curiosity pasted on his face. “About what?” he said.

Mr. Swanger sat back and arched his hands together in the stereoptypical teepee power position. “This makes me very uncomfortable,” he began. “Rumor has it that you actually believe that you’re ‘Bob.’ That’s incredibly awkward, given that we all work for The One. See my point?”

“Can’t say that I do,” said Bob. “I’m not Bob?” He patted his knees; they certainly felt real.

Mr. Swanger rolled his eyes. Inwardly, he wondered how Bob had slipped through the hiring process. “No,” said Mr. Swanger. “These bodies are what show up in the waking state. Contrary to public opinion, they’re not your essential nature.” He turned his attention to the computer screen. “It says here,” he said, “that there’s evidence that you still believe you’re the doer.”

Bob crossed his legs and gripped the arms of the chair firmly, knuckles blanced. “I’m not?” he said.

“No,” said Mr. Swanger. “Not now–or ever, for that matter. These,” he said, moving his arms about with floating ease, “move by one power alone–Consciousness. This is idealism, Bob. We gave up that old software called naive realism years ago. That’s when we formed the new company–The One.”

Bob began to fidget; he needed this job. He had nowhere else to go. Everyone these days was talking about the wonderful living immediacy of the present moment; the “Here and Now,” they called it. “What can I do to make it right?” he asked, learning forward. “I could stay late, make coffee. I have an advanced degree in Modern Sychophancy,” he offered. “Would that help?”

“No,” said Mr. Swanger, with a wave of his hand. “Groveling is passé–went out with landlines and the notion of personal consciousness. Since enlightenment, we don’t work that way; we’re all equal here. I think it best if you go home–now, of course–and spend some time in silent solitude. If you do so often enough, you’ll see that the true You isn’t Bob at all. This company is founded on the principles of The One. There’s no room for a bunch of persons running around like egoic chickens, thinking that they own the place. We work for The One; and the world functions a whole lot better when all of us know It.”

***

The meeting concluded a few minutes later, and Bob departed with a fearful I-could-soon-be-walking-down-the -road-kicking-my-lunchpail expression. He was almost out of the building when he became curious about the note that Mr. Swanger had handed to him before leaving. Politely but firmly, he had told Bob that if he wanted to continue working for The One, he should follow the instructions on the note closely. Bob’s pace slowed as his hand fumbled to remove the note from his pocket. It read as follows:

  • Meditate for ten minutes, once a day. Increase to fifteen minutes, twice each day.
  • Earnestly ask the question (“Who Am I?”) and don’t settle for the story self.
  • Read about the teachings of Buddha, Jesus, Ramana Maharshi, Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, and similar sages.
  • Watch this presentation on self-inquiry by Rupert Spira.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2021 – 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” 🙏🏻🧡

Through The Times

Times change; they surely do. In fact, change is paradoxically one of the constants in this changeful realm. On a daily basis, all of us witness the perpetual changing–minute to hour; morning to evening, and year to yesteryear. We know with absolute certainty that’s what fashionable today–in science, medicine, politics, and culture–will surely go out of style. It’s just the way of expression here.

When I was a teenager, I wrote a poem about the subject of time. Curious then, as I still am, I expressed that I didn’t want to know what made the clock tick; I wanted to know what made the tick tick. I suppose I was searching for meaning in this clockwork mechanism in which we’re seemingly enmeshed.

Initially, we may be somewhat unaware of the flow of time’s river; for we, being swept along in it, barely notice its movement. From that perspective, our attention is almost always focused on objects of fancy along the riverbanks. One year, such may be a goal to achieve business success; the next year, a romantic relationship; and the following year, plans to travel the world. Change, change, change.

To the best of my knowledge and understanding, there’s only one thing (not a thing) that holds eternal value. The knowing of it, at least to me, is what makes the tick tick. Through all of the changing times and seasons of our lives, I believe the only tick that gives meaning to our lives is this: to share, express, and exemplify the qualities of our true Self, which is LOVE.

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), 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” 🙏🏻🧡

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 the Bible, through the account of Job, who suffered tremendously: “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-messages 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 world made of apparent 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, you might want to think again. All that we experience directly are our perceptions–basically sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell, which are modulations of thought. 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 like lunacy, I hear you. At one time, I would have definitely agreed. However, if we engage in even a little self-inquiry, we can come to 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 (Universal Consciousness) of all the effects that appear. Persons (aka body-minds) are appearances in consciousness that are known by Awareness. Our true nature is Awareness–Spirit. Just for the record, the source of consciousness due to biological functions has never been found in the body (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 to manifest, and we do so by believing that what we desire is ours already. This 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 term, meaning illusion). There is One Knower and One Doer (God), which is manifesting through a multiplicity and diversity of beings. With regard to our waking dreams (which the majority of persons assume to be reality), if we persistently hold onto our visions, and imbue them with feeling, they will manifest. Just know that the effects will be made out of mind stuff–Consciousness.

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), 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” 🙏🏻🧡