The Light of our Consciousness

A few weeks back I happened to see a film where the hero makes a simple, yet profound statement in somewhat broken english:

“What good is a light, when it don’t light”

This statement, in a way, encapsulates the state of human existence today.

By origin and in terms of our absolute reality, we are all ‘Beings of Light’.

I do not see anyone disagreeing with this core, unchangeable, divine truth.

Yet, we may see that out of our own limitations, be they self-imposed, mental, psychological, circumstantial etc., we restrain ourselves from fully being or operating out of that light.

Being and acting out of that light, appears to be a big question mark and most of us are mostly either unaware or unsure that our acts correspond to that, which comes through that light of consciousness.

There is also the possibility of total ignorance or denial, even though we inherently ‘know’ for a fact that this is truly the reality of the universe — that we are divine beings and creations of light.

Why is it that we frequently deny or ignore this reality? From one perspective, it is seen that this happens mainly because the primary entity which is being used to ‘know’ such aspects about ourselves, is our mind and by its very nature the mind is clearly limited and hence unable to gauge and know the nature of one’s true state of being. As we know, the mind’s main function is to think and not really know, unless it is guided from another dimension from within. To truly know this, one has to transcend the limitations of one’s conditioned consciousness, which have been shaped and fueled by the mind, which has thereafter created its own system of belief and operation.

We, once again, have nature as an observation point to see and know, that is, if we really choose to look at it properly. Nature is operating only through its own light of consciousness. This light appears to be dynamic and moving, but not of its own accord. It is moving through an awareness that does not need a mind to prompt it or comprehend things as it has its own inherent knowledge. Hence, all aspects about it appear perfect and in sync with everything.

The human being is no different. Having been bestowed with its own light, he appears to have clouded and covered the luminescence of his light by associating and aligning to various aspects of life, most of which are guided by the same mind into which it has fed all data, information and varied inputs, mostly relating to the fleeting and changeable world. All these have served, but a small purpose in the functioning of the human being. But for him to function through the light of consciousness, he has to seek to operate, from a dimension beyond mind, just as nature does.

We all say that we are living a life; but what really is life? Is it merely a series of events, happenings, things etc. or is life just NOW? Are we experiencing life in the present or are we seeking to ‘enjoy’ life in some unborn future which can never arrive, as the future only arrives in the present moment when one thinks of / about it.

An old Zen master always told this fable to his non-serious students:

Late one night a blind man was about to go home after visiting a friend. “Please,” he said to his friend, “may I take your lantern with me?”

“Why carry a lantern?” asked his friend. “You won’t see any better with it.”

“No,” said the blind one, “perhaps not. But others will see me better, and not bump into me.” So his friend gave the blind man the lantern, which was made of paper on bamboo strips, with a candle inside.

Off went the blind man with the lantern, and before he had gone more than a few yards, “Crack!” — a traveller walked right into him.

The blind man was very angry. “Why don’t you look out?” he stormed. “Why don’t you see this lantern?”

“Why don’t you light the candle?” asked the traveller.

Emanating from this parable, there may a simple, yet powerful question that one may pose to oneself…

- Is the candle of my consciousness a lit one, a flickering one or an extinguished one?

To those, who hold a spiritual quest or inclination, it would be relatively easier to address this question as they are expected to be largely aware of the state of their own consciousness and where it lies at present.

To those who may not be so inclined to seek or know, this would still remain a valid question to ask. Mind you, on the path of life, there is really nobody who is ahead or behind; nobody has a head start and nobody is a laggard, so if one feels that it may be late to pose this query to oneself, then it is incorrect to think so. There is also no ‘level’ of consciousness since it is not measurable, nor does to pertain to any standard. Consciousness just IS — there is no higher or lower. Either one is conscious or one is unconscious.

Yes, to be conscious of that which truly matters, is an aware choice which is presented before us daily, moment to moment.

So the question becomes — what does one need to do to operate through the light of consciousness at a more consistent level? We are all seeking to do meaningful action and have a heightened quality of thought and perception. But we also need to know that the ‘highest action’ comes from area’s way beyond one’s conditioned self. We have seen works of great art, writing, poetry, music, invention etc. coming from an area of stillness, silence and space, that the creators have given themselves before their work has manifest.

Knowing this, we settle for much less in terms of what we create or manifest because of our reliance on all other aspects about us, apart from our conscious self. We have failed repeatedly to see that the real ‘driver’ of our being is this very consciousness which is the same source from which universal consciousness operates.

The times we live in are becoming more and more challenging. We also see that all those in power and lofty positions, are really incapable of dealing with the human condition or quality of life, which appears to be deteriorating by the day. We may scream ourselves hoarse by raising our voices and objections both internally and externally on various platforms. Yet the solutions do not seem to be coming forth.

What then should we do to change or enhance the quality of our consciousness that permeates life as we see it today?

As has been stated above, we all know that we, as humans, operate through a ‘belief system’ which is based on a continuous chain of thoughts, feelings, words etc. that make us function as we are today. However, the more our belief system is rigid or fixed, the more we are bound, both internally and externally. The more we allow our belief system to be dynamic and fluid, the more we are free and uninhibited. To make our belief system one that it doesn’t bind, but frees us, we need to release it from our conditioning (the fixed beliefs we hold) and come to a state of dis-belief. This is not a conventional dis-belief, but one which arises when one’s consciousness is free and released on account of an awareness created, by relating to the absolute truth about ourselves and of life.

One therefore needs to change focus and do it soon. The only focus that would make a real difference is self-focus or focus of the self. To attune to this focus one needs to take a lot of pauses and stock check into the state of one’s own being to really get to know how we tick, function, live.

Becoming conscious of all this, through our own light, is perhaps one way one can begin to look at things afresh. There is no shame in admitting this to oneself — about the need to stock take and refresh one’s outlook.

One may ask — but how can this be initiated/done in a simple and easy way?

There could be several ways, most of which the mind would call difficult or inconvenient, since the way to spirituality always appears to be a difficult one to navigate through.

I would suggest a really simple start to this. If we could set a small chime/alarm on our clock or mobile device which rings at a specific time once in the hour or once in two hours. When this chime happens, just take a minute to pause, take a deep breath, and then just look at yourself. See what the mind says, as it always likes to be the first to say something. Disregard it and then just see what else comes from within. Try and be conscious of the quality of that thought. Do not make these thoughts personal but just look at them objectively and compassionately.

If you can, do something really different at that time like whistle, laugh (or chuckle), hum a tune, smile or make a face at yourself as if you are facing a mirror J J J ; anything different and unconventional which would break and release you from the present thought patterns. Doing this may appear silly or stupid to you but I suggest you go with it. You will see that when you do this, you create a space between you and your thoughts and this space thereafter leads to the freeing up of your consciousness as you have broken the chain of repetitive thinking patterns which run you. You will actually ‘see’ yourself becoming conscious at another level altogether.

If you can do this even a few times a day, giving just 4–5 minutes in totality, you are creating a platform of a new awareness for yourself. It only takes a minute or so to do this. Just doing it voluntarily and whole heartedly is enough. The more you do, the more you gain. This gain is totally intangible and immeasurable so don’t try and comprehend this gain.

Another small way is to sit alone in nature (without gadgets and other interferences) at least 3–4 times a week and just observe it, and, if possible try and have a conversation with it and see what it is conveying in silence to you. A suggestion is to try doing this observation without giving names and labels to nature. In silent observation you will realize that it is communicating with you at a level which is beyond mind. If you have created adequate patience to do this, you will soon realize some amazing truths which nature is sharing with you.

Gradually, you will realize that some aspect of your conditioned consciousness is dissolving and another aspect — that of your pure consciousness, is emerging. This is a truly wonderful and liberating feeling.

Sometimes, we may need just one way or method to open that which is locked-in. These are very simple ways to unlock and free one’s consciousness to an extent. Once you get this benefit you may wish to invest more time and/or investigate into other ways to enhance your conscious state on a regular basis.

I am sure that all those reading this are more than capable of elevating to that which matters. It just needs a small tweak, a small shift and re-focus and you would be on the way.

Life is not the year gone by or the year ahead. Life is always Now and Present.

Let’s gift ourselves with the gift of an aware consciousness this time. I am sure that this candle will never go off as it is always being nourished with a power that is true, omnipotent and everlasting.

Wishing all a Wonderful, Conscious New Light.

With Lots of Love and Blessings!