AH! A new day; the sun rises, reflecting the splendor of the dew on the grass and flowers, rosebuds flowering, birds expanding their wings and freely soaring over the tree tops.
From this state of mind, we might perceive optimistically the state of humanity and the world as a whole. We may see our paradigm of thinking changing towards a global consideration of human beings. More people seem to talk about themselves as interrelated entities, rather than as individuals. Indeed, many of us feel we are progressing, getting better, because we are more considerate of the earth (we recycle, we are more careful about pollution, the extinction of species of animals, trees, medicinal plants etc.). We are more interested in researching the nature of consciousness, and spirituality seems to be on the rise.
Conversely, we may see the sunshine as a burden on our eyes, the dew as unnecessary humidity that wreaks havoc on our aching joints; the budding flowers as a burden (a big job to keep them up) and the birds as a nuisance when they come down to the ground.
When looking at the world from this state of mind, we could be very pessimistic and see ourselves getting worse; there seems to be no end to violence on the planet (escalating terrorism, retaliations and small wars of one kind or another). We seem to be more at risk than ever in public places or on trips abroad. Drug abuse is expanding to children at the age of eleven. Young children are murdering adults and other children as well. The pessimistic view is dismal.
We keep the opposites alive in our paradigms of thinking, not able to agree with one another, often being at odds even within ourselves; and of course, we suffer.
In a consciousness of opposites there is always an opportunity for conflict; it is inherent within this way of functioning. When we have opposing views within families and organizations, conflict is always lurking around the corners.
If we extend these views to the level of humanity and the patterns in consciousness, we can observe that there are trends, which are also at odds. When one of them becomes more popular (selling better) the people supporting opposing trends either acquiesce, joining the winning trend, or stop altogether. This is easily seen in fashions—one couturier imitating the other (going with the trend) to maintain the profits; or designing a more fantastic trend to be followed or they collapse for lack of support by the public.
Can we look at any situation without being positive or negative?
Is it possible to be impersonal, dispassionate? Is it possible to look without rationalizations, justifications, all of which are within our ordinary divided consciousness?
Is it possible to see clearly, and experience the consequences of any situation at the deepest level of the compassionate heart, without the emotions of opposites?
Is it possible to experience deeply the spiritual truth of our lack of experiential awareness of the interrelatedness of consciousness, and truly see our divided thinking? Is it possible to see how separation brings us suffering?
The experience of this truth would be transcendence from our ordinary way of functioning, an experience beyond opposites. This may be interpreted as tantamount to the experience of emptiness of the Buddha’s Sutra:
“Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva,
When practicing deeply the Prajna Paramita
Perceived that all five Skandhas are empty
And was saved from all suffering and distress.
Shariputra, form does not differ from emptiness;
Emptiness does not differ from form.
That which is form is emptiness that which is emptiness is form.
The same is true of feelings, perceptions, impulses, consciousness.”
There is no separation, no duality in the spiritual experience of emptiness, or in the experience beyond opposites; therefore, no suffering.
Given the fact that most of us on the planet are prone to react emotionally to any situation from one extreme or its opposite, to experience neutrality, then, means we need a state of mind that is silent. For this to happen, we would have to experience a transformation in the consciousness of humanity. This may sound like an enormous undertaking for an individual mind, but in oneness there is no difference, no separation—no singularity.
Perhaps at this point in our spiritual unfolding we can be responsible for experiencing the need for transformation in humanity, and trust spirit—creation, our true nature—to do the actual transforming. In the meantime, we can align our minds with this process of creation by practicing silent meditation, contemplation, and becoming more aware of our own human way of functioning.
By transformation, this author does not mean just another change. We already know how to make changes. Transformation, or transcendence, has to be a very radical shift at the molecular level.
We are ©Spiritupsychophysicalness—undivided process of spirit/mind/body; thus, any radical change would be at the creation level (molecular arrangement) in spirit, as well as in body/mind. Until this occurs, humanity will continue to be pulled by the unexamined forces, like helpless bubbles in the immense ocean of our consciousness. We may continue to be in a consciousness of opposites, at risk of falling into the forces that are devoid of the brotherly love and compassion that have no opposites.