2/15/08  How Life Works, Personal Growth

Becoming the Master of Time

We all live in time – i.e. the unfolding of moments. When we are gripped by time, it is an indicator that we are living in our lower consciousness. When we become masters of time -- i.e. we are able to control and overcome it -- we are living from a higher level of awareness and power.

Normally, we perceive that time has to run its course. Yet a conscious individual knows that he can control and overcome the duration of time. For example, if I decide to increase my level of organization through greater orderliness and systemization, I gain control of time because I am now in a position to accomplish more quickly. In fact, everything I do to organize myself at a higher level, improve my skills, uplift my wanting attitudes and beliefs, focus on something to accomplish, etc. tends to bring more of time under control. Through such conscious efforts at improvement, time becomes less an enemy but a friend -- as I now live under a greater efficiency in which I produce greater results in a shorter period of time with less effort. Through such efforts, I reduce the time it takes to accomplish, and thereby increase my level of success in life.

And yet if we so choose, we can also completely overcome the constraints of time. From out of nowhere, we can instantly attract results that would normally have arrived after the to-be-expected lengthier period. It is the cancellation of time expressed through the phenomenon of Life Response -- i.e. sudden good fortune. For example, let’s say I want to earn an additional $100,000 per annum. I then take up an initiative that will bring me that result through hard work and effort -- hoping it will be achieved within six months. Eventually, I may accomplish my goal in that period. And yet if I were to access the right inner lever, I can literally attract that result instantaneously. E.g. somewhere during my effort to achieve the additional $100k -- maybe right at the beginning -- I realize that I have had a negative attitude toward a co-worker. When I then overcome that attitude, within 24 hours I receive word of a job offer whose starting salary is double my current $100K remuneration, thereby achieving my goal nearly instantaneously! In this life response scenario, sudden good fortune has overcome the constraints of time, as I have essentially accomplished future-intended results in the present. Thus, by uplifting our consciousness in a certain way in a given situation, we gain control over life, overcoming the duration of time. It is a miraculous-like power that is available to each of us every minute of the day. It is just a matter of being aware of the possibilities, and making the right, conscious choice in that situation.

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Here is another approach to ultimate Time Efficiency. Normally, we live in the present, in the sense that we are preoccupied by what we are doing now. In our normal existence, the past appears ever-receding, and the future a distant dream. And yet if we were to experience life not in the momentary present, but in the Ever-Present, we would gain access to the power and knowledge of the past and future to create the time and space negating results in the here and now. Let me further illustrate.

Imagine there is an arc of time that ranges from the past to the present to the future. Normally our mind compartmentalizes these into three divisions of time, not perceiving that they are really a single continuum of existence that we have complete access to. I.e., from a higher state of consciousness, I can have constant intimations of knowledge of the influences of the past on the present. And from the other side, I can have continuous revelations of future possibilities and its implications on the now. In this way, the past and future is fully incorporated into the present moment; in the current activity I am engaged in. Thus, at any moment in time, I can know all things of the past pertaining to the present, and know how the present will project into the future. In this Ever-Present consciousness, I gain ultimate power over life. It is this life and time power that humans of an inner psychological and spiritual bent will increasingly possess in the future. And yet it is a functioning that we can each live now by elevating our consciousness -- i.e. by overcoming our personal limitations and coming in touch with the spiritual Reality.

Though I have spoken of two powerful approaches for overcoming time -- utilizing the right inner triggers to trigger invoke sudden good fortune, and bringing the knowledge of the past and future into the Ever-Present -- we have not yet considered the nature of time itself.

Imagine that there is no universe -- only an Unmanifest that is immutable, ineffable, timeless, and spaceless Being. Now imagine that there emerges a universe out of this reality, and in it, there is now extension. That extension in the manifest universe is what we know as Space. Now, within that still, extended space, movement and change takes place. I.e. the objects of space move, creating a differential between what was, what is, and what will be. Time is that measurement or perception of change that occurs through motion within extension.

Then how does this relate to our own lives? We humans are fully influenced by Space and Time. In fact, we are a product of it. We ordinarily function from a limited consciousness in which we are ruled by the exigencies of Nature, including its slow and difficult methods of progress. However, we can overcome the influence of Nature --including its unhurried, deliberate unfolding; its slow ticking and marked out moments of time -- and greatly facilitate our progress. How can we do this? One approach is to bring duration under control by using our inherent organizational and psychological powers. E.g., I can plan my future so that it occurs much faster. More particularly, I can organize my disorderly files so I create greater work efficiency that speeds up my level of success in life. And yet it is not until we go beyond our normal mental functionings that we can truly overcome the grip of time. How do we do that?

If I live on the surface of life, I will surely be caught up in time. I will tend to be preoccupied by the superficial events occurring around me -- in particular, the visual and auditory sense data that is streaming into and filling up my mind, keeping me from perceiving the big picture, the subtle possibilities unfolding in that moment. As a result, I will be entrapped in those moments of time. However, if I move to a deeper consciousness within, I develop a “witness consciousness” in which I more readily perceive the subtle unfoldings of life, the variety of possibilities around me from which I can make the best, the most conscious choices. With this deep moment-to-moment knowledge, I am far more likely to take to right decisions and actions that produce the most efficient results -- hence abridging time. Interestingly, included in these result will be powerful instances of sudden good fortune, where positive outcomes arrive instantaneously from out of nowhere, overcoming the drawn out unfoldings of time. From that deeper poise, I also have intimations of the past influence on the present, deep insights into present conditions, and intuitions and revelations of future possibilities. I then have an arsenal of insight that enables me to move quickly, and in the right direction, attracting rapid and powerful positive results.

There is one other aspect of time I would like to share with you: that our perception of it depends on the consciousness or plane from which we are perceiving it. The higher the plane we are in, the quicker time seems to unfolds; the lower, the slower. Have you ever sat somewhere with nothing to do -- perhaps waiting for an important client who is very late to a meeting, or you have run out of things to do on the job? In those physical-like scenarios, time seems to slow down, unfolding at a snail’s pace. On the other hand, when we are very busy, time seems to fly by. It is particularly true if our minds are engaged. E.g. if you driving a long distance with a friend, and engage in a stimulating conversation, time seems to pass by very swiftly, as if several hours went by in half that time.

In general, time moves slowest when we are in the physical, material consciousness; somewhat faster when we are in our vital, emotional center; and faster still when our minds are fully engaged. For example, I am often amazed at how fast a class I am leading unfolds when I lose myself in the needs and thoughts of my students.

Interestingly, there is a mode of being in which time moves faster still. When we experience Spirit -- either within, or opening to it above -- the drag of time all but disappears. Those who take to deep meditation know very well that after coming out of that state, several hours will have seemed like minutes. It is the experience of the timelessness of pure Being within. Likewise, those who have taken to spiritual technique of “consecration,” in which you open to the Spirit before undertaking an act, life tends to quickly come under control, cooperating with you from all quarters. It is the ultimate power of the spiritual Force that overcomes the constraints of time.

Finally, it is worth noting that our moment-to-moment experiences of time originated in the Timelessness of the Infinite consciousness. We miss that timelessness behind the moment because we live in our lower nature. However, when we move to our higher and deeper nature, we feel that timelessness in every moment. We then experience the deep bliss that is inherent in the unfoldings of time.

Additional Information: Space and Time for the Individual, The Origins & Nature of Space and Time

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2/1/08  How Life Works, Personal Growth

How Life Responds to Focus, Interest, and Aspiration

Every day I have one or more “life response” experiences -- i.e. startling instances of sudden good fortune. Sometimes the miraculous-like result comes because I had earlier opened to the spiritual Force, while other times it comes because I had earlier reversed a wanting attitude or habit. Just as often, it comes as a result of taking an interest in a matter or focusing on a thing, or having an intense desire and aspiration for something to come about. It is the last three -- interest, focus, and intention -- that I would like to concentrate on here.

One day recently while surfing the Internet, I learned about Google’s new initiative Google.org that has been established for investing in worthy global and regional causes. One such cause is called 'RechargeIT,' in which Prius and other high-mileage automobiles are modified to collect the sun’s energy through solar power modules mounted on its roof, enabling the car to extend its mileage capacity. This unusual technology enables the car to get 100 miles to the gallon, while becoming an energy giver to the electric grid, rather than a taker -- reversing the normal relationship between vehicle and society. As it turns out, solar energy is an area I have had a deep interest in for quite some time, beginning decades ago when I first researched the subject at Temple University for an article I was writing for a major youth-oriented magazine. To see a major innovative company like Google getting behind an innovative initiative like RechargeIT is in one sense the fulfillment of a long-time personal dream. I was therefore thrilled when I watched a Google UTube video on the subject.

Then something interesting happened. When I got up from that energizing experience, I looked outside my office window. Across the way, there is usually a series of cars parked in parallel formation in front of a number of businesses. However, this time I noticed that there was only one solitary car parked there. It was a shiny new red Toyota Prius!

Such miraculous-like experiences happen to me with considerable frequency -- perhaps 3- 10 times a day. And those are just the ones I notice. As I mentioned earlier, these startling life response results  normally comes as a result of offering an activity to the Spirit, or shifting from a wanting attitude to a positive one. Yet other times they come as a result of focusing on a subject or taking an interest in a matter. The Prius incident I just described is a case in point. When I focused my interest on Google.org’s initiative to retrofit Prius car’s with solar collectors that feed rather than take from the energy grid, life conspired to present me another iteration of it in the form of a sole bright red Prius parked in an area normally packed with vehicles.

If that is an example of life response through mental focus and interest, then, then what about a life response that comes as a result of our aspiration and desire for something to come about? It turns out that a close friend of mine had one just the other day; mirroring similar experiences I have had many times along the way.

In this instance, it turns out that my friend was listening to a local radio show. In a particular daily segment, the host plays songs in alphabetical order. That is, the first day he plays songs that begin with A, the next day the B tunes, and so on. On that particular day, he was going through the G selections. In fact, when my friend tuned in, they were playing ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,’ a song from the 1970s by singer-songwriter Elton John. As a result, she realized that she had missed the Beach Boys song ‘Good Vibrations,’ also from that era, which disappointed her. Later that day she settled down to watch a movie. About half way into the middle of it, she realized that they were playing ‘Good Vibrations!’ Out of the millions of songs in the world, it was this one that had come up! Then later on, she settled in to watch the finale of the 3^rd season of the ultra-popular TV series ‘Lost’. In the episode, a man sacrifices himself for the welfare of his compatriots on the island. To do that, he taps in a code into a power system. As it turned out the code was based on the notes of the song -- you guessed it -- ‘Good Vibrations!’ 

When we focus on a thing, take an interest in a matter, or desire for something to come about, life tends to conspire with our thoughts and emotions by attracting iterations of it. Very often, what comes is pleasing to us and brings substantial benefit -- material or psychological. That benefit is proportional with our desire for something tangible to come about. The more intensely we want something, the more likely we receive back substantive and beneficial results. When it comes in the form of a life response, we are utterly dazzled.

The other day my friend was attending a three-day workshop where she was required to travel daily over 50 miles round trip in the pouring rain. I wanted to tell her that rather than make the commute back and forth in the downpour, and particularly at night, that she should try to stay overnight somewhere. Unfortunately, at the time, I was ill and could not communicate with her; plus, I did not have the phone where the affair was taking place. Well wouldn’t you know it, shortly after I received a call from her informing me that someone had invited her to stay over at their home! I had not even conveyed my intent to my friend and yet she informed me that she was going to do the very thing I had hoped for. That is the power we have to attract the very things we yearn for without the need for any outer action. It is the inherent power we have to move life outside ourselves from within.

In the end, what will make these possibilities real to us is to have these sorts of experience ourselves. Once we begin having them, we will see that they are a real phenomenon of life, and therefore we will look out for them in the future.  We will also begin to develop the subtle sense to know how to invoke them on demand.

For nearly a week recently, I wanted to inform a new client that the training session we had planned would require more than the normal 7 hours to complete in order to accommodate all of the items on the agenda. I felt that it needed to be longer, although I could probably make do with the current allotted time if I had to. I did not raise the issue with the client. Suddenly the next day, I received word from her that she felt that the hours need to be extended a bit, and didn’t I agree with that idea! I nearly fell over as I saw that she had read my mind; or rather she had picked up my vibration of intention. She had responded to my aspiration, though I had never expressed it to her in any way. It also demonstrates the power that silence generates. That when we withhold a thought from expression, it causes others to speak it out. It is a magic-like power that I call “Silent Will.”

And so another 24 hour period had come to an end with a blizzard of life response events, too numerous to enumerate here. Once again, I was reminded of the power we generate from within by focusing and taking an interest in a matter, or aspiring intently for something to come about. It was further demonstration of the subtle power we have within to attract the infinite potential of life to the here and now.

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1/15/08  Personal Growth

Keys to Infinite Success in Life

Often when people reach the pinnacles of success it is because of a special gift or talent -- such as the ability to lead and inspire, or the capacity to develop a breakthrough product, or because they are driven to succeed. Other times, people reach the top simply because they make a steady, plodding effort in the course of their careers.

In research on what enables achievement in life, I have identified three levels of determining factors. The first contains the foundation -- i.e. the essentials for success. The second contains the more subtle, psychological factors that bring it about. And the third are the inner spiritual-like determinants of achievement. Let’s examine each of these more closely.

The first level contains the foundation and essential determining factors for success in life. They include our ability to target specific goals we aim to accomplish; our intense desire and will that they come about; our level of personal organization; the talent and skill we bring to bear; and the psychological strength we demonstrate in the face of life’s challenges. Aspiration, focus, will, organization, skill, and strength are thus the basic building blocks of success. Together they release enormous physical, vital, and mental energy that tends to attract vast success for that individual. Let’s examine several theoretical examples.

Consider the case of Eliza Gonzales, who currently demonstrates these capacities in spades. She has a keen interest in becoming a project portfolio manager; has the intense drive to make it happen; is fully organized in all aspects of her life; has all the necessary skills to accomplish; and has an innate ability to persevere in the face of life’s challenges. As a result, she has reached the very top of her field.

On the other hand, her collogue David Montaigne has not risen very far. Though he has had the aspiration and drive, he never developed the skills required of his position. Likewise, Sandra Lee, a co-worker of his, had the skills, but lacked the will and drive for achievement. Sanjay Aziz, a fourth member of the group, had the will and determination, but lacked focus in his life, as he was unable to formulate what he really wanted out of his career. Thus, where Eliza succeeded beyond measure, David, Sandra, and Sanjay plateaued at only modest levels of success.

The second group of factors that engender success are even more subjective and psychological. They take shape as our attitudes and personal values. In fact, if we examine Eliza’s great success, we see that she excelled in both areas. E.g., colleagues often described how positive her attitudes were -- in particular, how she always looked on the bright side of things; how full of self-confidence she was; how she always took responsibility for problems rather than blaming others; and how she always happily accepted what life had put before her. In this way, her attitudes -- about herself, about others, and about life -- will exemplary.

That cannot be said of the others in the group, each of whom had one or more significant wanting attitudes. One colleague had problems getting along with several staffers; another was consistently unhappy with the work assigned to her; and a third had a cynical, constricted view of what he could accomplish. As a result, each were burdened by psychological constraints that prevented them from reaching their full potential.

In addition to her very positive attitudes, there was something else Eliza had in abundance -- highly developed personal values. Everyone noticed how tolerant she was; how she encouraged others’ to express their opinions and make contributions; how committed she was to bridging the gap between the company and the surrounding community; and how dedicated she was for social change and improvement. Eliza’s values and beliefs sharpened her aspirations in life, gave her focus and energy, and enriched every activity she engaged in. On the other hand, her colleagues had trouble formulating their guiding principles and values, which created an intensity and energy vacuum in their careers. This conspicuous absence of clearly defined and applied personal values kept these members of the group from ever moving beyond the mediocre.

Finally, the third group of factors that determine our success level consists of spiritual-like behaviors and values that tend to attract ultimate achievement. Among them are-

• Our capacity to consciously seek out and embrace all sides of an issue, rather than just the one we are attached to.

• Our ability to respond calmly and with equal poise to the difficulties and challenges that come our way.

• Our ability to see negatives as positives in disguise, and adjust our behavior accordingly.

• Our capacity to be selfless and self-giving towards others, instead of acting out of ego and selfishness.

• Our ability to express our gratitude to others and towards life for all they have given us.

• Our faith that all will turn out well; that in fact a Higher Power is working on our behalf.

• Our ability to open to the spiritual Force before engaging in any act, which has the effect of bringing life under our control.

• Our ability to think for ourselves, instead of being influenced by the herd.

• Our capacity for self-scrutiny; i.e. our aspiration for personal growth and improvement.

• Our desire to seek out life in full, and live a life of adventure and challenge.

All of the factors described above have one thing in common: they lead to ever-greater success in life. Taken together however, they generate an overwhelming power that brings about ultimate, infinite-like achievement. In fact, if we examine how such success comes to us, we will see that it arrives in two distinct fashions -- through the “to-be-expected way” and through the “life response way.” The former means that as we embrace these achievement factors, we move ahead in a logical and practical way. E.g., people will take notice of our new behaviors, skills, actions, etc., and we are rewarded through the to-be-expected channels and unfoldings of life.

The life response method on the other hand operates much differently. In this reality, when we embrace one or more of the success factors -- particularly ones we are deficient in -- life instantly responds in kind, I.e. the very moment we change our inner orientation, life suddenly moves on our behalf, bringing us overwhelming good fortune. For example, if I shift away from my hostile attitude towards a co-worker, my boss suddenly appears in my office with word that I have been promoted to a much higher paying and satisfying job. This indicates the subtle, miraculous-like relationship between our inner selves and the world around us. When we change the inner, the outer instantly responds in kind.

If we can attract such powerful results by making these changes, then it only makes sense to take up the challenge. Therefore, why not review the success factors listed above, and come up with several areas where you are deficient. Then make the concerted effort to implement that change in your life. If you do, life will immediately start working on your behalf. That’s precisely what happened to Eliza when she made the decision to both improve her level of cleanliness and orderliness, as well as reverse her negative attitude toward her boss. From that day on, her career began to really take off. You can do the same thing in your life, and you too will be taken to the stars!

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1/1/08  Personal Growth, Society’s Growth, How Life Works

Moving from the Part to the Whole

We perceive life as a part, not as a whole, in an endless variety of ways. For example, we readily accept life in the form of matter -- as material formations such as the earth and our bodies -- but we tend to close ourselves off from the non-material existence, including the subtle and the spiritual. On the other hand, there are spiritual aspirants and seekers who live a cloistered existence and commune with a Higher Reality, but are unable to integrate their experiences into normal, everyday life -- i.e. in the world of matter.

And yet we are fully capable of bringing the parts together and living the life of the Whole -- of an integral existence; of full knowledge that when applied tends to attract vast success and individual fulfillment. For example, in the example above, if I were to connect with spirit, and then bring that truth and power into my work, I would accomplish it much more quickly, and far more effectively. When we embrace all sides of a matter or subject or aspect of life, we have far greater insight and knowledge, and are therefore able to produce infinite-like results. On the other hand, when we embrace only the part -- i.e. the limited view -- we constrict life; we reduce our effectiveness, blocking true insight that can breed abundant success.

We can see this principle at work in many areas of life. For example, at the level of society, we value progress -- in particular, economic progress and development that brings material well-being. We -- especially Americans and Westerners -- like anything that speeds up that process; while disdaining things that slow it down. Thus, we rush to market an ever-growing array of products and services. This acceleration is a fine development at the material level, but it embraces only the Part. The Whole includes consideration of the effect of that process on the well-being of Man. E.g., when we bring products to market rapid fire, we would also consider whether the workers are being treated right; whether the products safe; whether the environment is maintained or degraded; whether it is creating disruptions and displacements in society; whether it meets the real needs and aspirations of the people; whether it reflect important individual and social values, and so forth.

The Whole then addresses not only material, but the psychological and social factors as well. It considers and embraces all sides, all interests, all concerns -- not just the limited things we are aware of, or are overly attached to. It in essence includes the gamut of human values -- from the material to the spiritual. Interestingly, when we widen ourselves and embrace the multiplicity of truths related to a matter, we not only understand it better, but when we act from that knowledge, what we produce is of a far superior quality. In addition, negative outcomes are avoided.

Here’s another example. America is a great country with powerful material values. Through those values, she has brought out the infinite in matter, and enjoys unprecedented economic success. It is also, however, an example of the limitations of the part. As a result of focusing on the material alone, she struggles at the non-material level -- including the psychological, the social, and the political. Her limited view not only creates harmful side effects such as pollution and proliferation of weaponry, but psychological instability as well. If she were to embrace the full spectrum of values beyond the material, she would not only expand on her physical abundance up to infinity, but would enjoy profound social harmony and deep psychological fulfillment.

To see the Whole is the integrative view of life. It creates the most benefit with the least negative effect. If this is so, then why are we not able to embrace this many-sided, integrative view of life? It is because we are limited in consciousness. Driven by our negative or false attitudes and beliefs; by our ego that creates rampant selfishness; by our preoccupation with the surface of things, we are cut off from the many-sided view of life. We miss the variety of truths that surround any subject or matter that are essential for integral, moment-to-moment comprehension.

The truth is that we like what we know, and are indifferent to or reject what we don’t know. As a result, we live in ignorance and falsehood. I.e. we have an exceedingly limited understanding of a matter, which limits our scope for success, while also attracting unintended negative consequences. (One principle of life is that when we embrace the part instead of the whole, the parts we overlook manifest as negative outcomes.)

One way out of this conundrum, is to step back and look at any endeavor or matter, and consider it in terms of four essential aspects -- the material, the vital, the mental, and the spiritual. Doing so will tell us if we are embracing the whole or just the limited part. Let’s define each and see how they serve our purpose.

By the material, I mean matter -- i.e. the physical component, in any subject or undertaking. The Vital is the movement of life, including the effects on our emotions and feelings; our desires and needs; as well as our associations and interactions with others and the world around us. The mental is knowledge and understanding; our ability to comprehend; the thoughts and ideas we have; the values we cherish and the goals we subscribe, to name several. The Spiritual is beyond all of these. It is a subtle power that permeates all the other planes, and can be experienced as Oneness and Unity with environment; as feelings of Love towards our others; as creations and expressions of Beauty; as utter Delight in being alive; and as Timelessness, Infinity, Silence, and Goodness.

Let’s say that I am embarking on a project. At various points, I decide to evaluate the undertaking from each of the four planes. For example, I have obtained all the material resources required to get the work done – including machinery, funding, etc. Thus, the material view of things is in good order. However, when I consider the work from the vital standpoint, I realize that I have been unwilling to listen to others; that I guard my own entrenched view of things feverishly; and, in general, I am not very communicative. In addition, when I consider the social aspect, I realize that I have didn’t really consider the impact of the project on the people who were working on it. These are additional vital aspects or parts at the social plane that haven’t received proper attention.

Then I consider the next plane up -- the mental. I wonder if the essential assumptions I have made about the phases of the project are accurate; or whether the completion date is reasonable; or whether its achievement will truly meet the goals and values of the company. Finally, there are the spiritual aspects to consider. For example, I wonder if I have been self-giving on the project; and whether I have demonstrated a level of gratitude towards others for the work they have done; and whether I have been calm and equal when big changes come, or when difficult situations arise.

As I consider my reality from each of these planes -- material, vital, meant, and spiritual -- I begin to move out of the limited part view, and embrace the whole. Along the way, I even come to perceive the true Essence of the matter – including the true purpose of my undertaking has served; what it indicates for the future; even what it has brought out about my own character and what that means in terms of my future progress.

As a result of making this effort, I acquire a more integral view of the things I am engaged in. Through my comprehensive understanding and knowledge, I become more aware of the multiplicity of truths I am grappling with, of the variety of factors that are at play in any given situation. This in turn gives me the knowledge power to make the right decisions that lead to powerful positive results.

As I follow this thread and seek out the multiple dimensions of any matter, I begin to truly value the power of the Whole. Also, as I obtain vast positive results by acting on that knowledge, I feel a deep sense of fulfillment and joy in life. As a result, I am energized to no end, and eagerly look forward to the next challenge.

Additional Information: Overcoming Mind's Limitations, 4 Planes in Life, of the Individual