How far Can You Go?

In my last post, I wrote about how all of us can change reality. By working with our perceptions, memories, thoughts, and feelings, we can change our inner realities. And, once our inner realities change, we can begin to change our outer realities.

As I’ve written previously, our perceptions shape our realities. So, if we change our perceptions and how our other inner realities affect us, our outer realities also change.

This is because we are no longer dominated by perceptions, thoughts, memories, and feelings that might otherwise imprison us. We begin to experience an inner openness and freedom.

“When we bring openness and freedom into daily encounters, we no longer need to respond to others automatically.”

When we bring this into our daily encounters, we no longer need to respond to others automatically. We are offered the opportunity to choose what our response might be. We can reflect on how we might respond in the best interests of others or of ourselves.

Some writers call this a growth in awareness; others call it a growth in consciousness.

Either way there is growth in our inner being.

This growth indicates there is much more to us than our thoughts, feelings, memories, and perceptions. Rather, there is a much larger field that includes our thoughts, feelings, memories, and perceptions.

That larger field has been called the true self, the Self, universal consciouness, and whole host of other things in a number of different traditions.

This larger field is infinite, which raises the question: how far can a person go into it?

“A person can go as far into the larger field as they want to.”

The short answer: as far as a person wants to.

But, beware, the way is challenging. It means giving up the person you think you are now. It means moving into a very different sense of self, one that is deeply connected to the infinite, one that sees your presence in external life as one expression of the infinite, the infinite of which every person and every reality is a part.

So, the question again: how far do you want to go?

Here are eight questions to help you think about how you might respond:

1. What are your deepest desires in life?
2. What has it been like for you to pursue those desires?
3. If you have achieved the things you desired, how has that felt for you?
4. What might be missing from your life, if anything?
5. How do you expect to get those things that are missing, if at all?
6. How deep does your desire for them go?
7. What is behind your desire?
8. Where might your desire take you?

Desire is the key to moving into this greater field. Desire is what keeps us moving forward through the difficult times when they inevitably come. Desire is what gives us hope for the future.

So, the question again: what do you truly desire?

Wouldn’t it be interesting to find out?

References

Bourgeault, C. (2004). Centering prayer and inner awakening. Lanham, MD: Cowley.

Lasair, S. (2019). What’s the point of spiritual care? A narrative response. Journal of Pastoral Care & Counseling 73(2): 115-123. DOI: 10.1177/1542305019846846

Wilber, K. (2017). The religion of tomorrow: A vision for the future of the great traditions–more inclusive, more comprehensive, more complete. Boulder, CO: Shambhala.

Disclaimer: The advice and suggestions offered on this site are not substitutes for consultation with qualified mental or spiritual health professionals. The perspectives offered here are those of the author, not of those professionals with whom readers might have relationships as clients or patients. In crisis situations, readers are encouraged to contact these professionals for appropriate support and treatment if needed.