Have you ever had a moment where you felt a heightened sense of awareness in which you could tune into your environment and people around you allowing you to perceive things you wouldn’t normally? Or ever experienced becoming aware in a dream in which you were then able to start making decisions within the dream world (called lucid dreaming)?
What about a moment of love and compassion where you could actually feel what another person or animal was going through almost as if you were them?
These kinds of experiences offer us a glimpse into a profound way of being and perceiving reality that we each carry within, and that we can learn to use to bring about a more conscious, connected, and spiritual way of living that is literally just waiting for us to shift into whenever we choose.
Contents
Coming into the present moment
You may have noticed that a heightened sense of awareness is always accompanied by our perception coming fully into the present moment. It can feel a bit like switching on a light in a darkened room or focusing the lens of a camera—all of a sudden it’s like the world around us comes into view and clarity.
By coming into the awareness of the moment in whatever we’re doing, we perceive from our consciousness rather than the subconscious (which manifests as dreams and daydreams in which we lose the perception of what’s happening around us and are drawn into the self-created images of our own thoughts and emotions). 1
And because consciousness is the eternal, spiritual part of us, not only can we see physical stuff more clearly, but we can also perceive things that are non-physical too.
“…end the sleep which weighs heavily upon you. Depart from the forgetfulness which fills you with darkness… O soul, persistent one, be sober and shake off your drunkenness… Light the light within you.”
~ The Teachings of Silvanus 2
Taking control of the wheel
Although consciousness tends to get neglected—usually remaining submerged in a continuous stream of thoughts and daydreams, and forgotten amidst the concerns of everyday life—like a muscle, when we exercise it, it gets stronger, and we can feel clearer, more “present,” and “truer” to who we are.
Coming into the present moment can feel like something we have to put down whatever we’re doing to experience, but being more conscious doesn’t mean we stop acting, thinking or feeling. Instead, like a driver taking control of the wheel, it means we are able to be more conscious of our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and therefore more discerning with those we choose to have. 3
Consciousness is the point we ultimately develop spiritually from, as it’s the eternal part of us—deeper than our intellect, knowledge of facts, or personal talents, it’s the part of us that journeys through eternity and that’s why in many spiritual traditions it is the focus of their disciplines and exercises. 4
“Intellectual knowledge exists in and of the brain. Because the brain is part of the body, which must one day expire, this collection of facts, however large and impressive, will expire as well. Insight, however, is a function of the spirit. Because your spirit follows you through cycle after cycle of life, death, and rebirth, you have the opportunity of cultivating insight in an ongoing fashion. Refined over time, insight becomes pure, constant, and unwavering. This is the beginning of immortality.”
~ Lao-Tzu 5
Activating consciousness
Consciousness is something we can experience anywhere anytime. Here’s a little exercise that anyone can try, no matter what they are doing.
So for example, if you’re reading as you are now, you can begin by just becoming aware of reading these words. Start then to become aware of your own breathing, and of your body sitting in the chair. Next, become aware of the various sounds you can hear around you. Look around and perceive the light and colors of the things you can see, any people, animals and interactions, the objects and sense of space.
Just consciously perceive what’s around you without labeling. See if you can spend a few moments doing this.
Notice how thoughts start to appear. They could be about this article, or about what someone said. Just become aware of them.
Observe the state you feel—perhaps a slight tension in your stomach, or a feeling of agitation. Notice how these feelings can cause you to move in a certain way, like jiggling your legs or clenching your muscles. Don’t become distracted by them, just perceive them.
Consciousness is that which is doing the perceiving—and can be directed both inwardly and outwardly.
Notice that you can perceive without thinking—that you can perceive just by seeing. 6
Consciousness – beyond body and mind
Simply by trying this one exercise we can experience consciousness and observe how there is something within us that is beyond thoughts and feelings, and even beyond the mind. Going further, consciousness can even be experienced as being beyond the body in near-death and out-of-body experiences.
If you try this exercise a few more times, you will begin notice that there’s a permanent observer—one that is essentially always there, and always the same, whilst the different thoughts and feelings change from one moment to the next. If you recall a memory of when you were a child for example, you’ll feel that what was fundamentally having that experience then, is what is experiencing this moment now. 7
The potential to develop consciousness
Many different peoples throughout time discovered the inherent potential each of us has to develop our consciousness. They termed the outcome of this development enlightenment, awakening, self-realization etc. Using their developed consciousness, they built sacred sites, created masterpieces of art and music, and explored the mysteries of life and the universe, all of which remain a timeless testament to human spiritual potential.
We too have this potential, which is why spiritual truths remain timeless and just as relevant now as they were thousands of years ago.
Consciousness is what connects us all to the spiritual source, to each other, to all forms of life, to other planes of existence, and throughout time into eternity. Therefore by experiencing and developing it we can perceive, connect with, and partake in the greater spiritual reality and majesty of all that is—something truly wonderful to be alive for and to experience.
Footnotes
- My husband’s book on self-knowledge (2017)
- The Teachings of Silvanus from the ancient Gnostic Nag Hammadi Library, translated by Malcolm L. Peel and Jan Zandee
- My husband’s book on self-knowledge (2017)
- ibid
- Lao-Tzu in the Hua Hu Ching, translated by Brian Walker
- My husband’s book on self-knowledge (2017)
- ibid
Hi Daniel and everyone,
sharing an experience that might be helpful. It was a lucid experience that moved into a dream but I was still aware enough to know I was dreaming. This is what stood out from the experience – the power thoughts have over us, the way they shape our perspective, how they can obscure our intentions or our willpower. Emotions can have the same effect. They influence our belief system.
This is what happened. I felt myself in bed, but became aware that my physical body was asleep. I also felt a familiar sensation that signals that my astral body has just separated from my physical body. I know what this means. I confirm that these 2 bodies have separated from each other and then get up.
As I get up out of my physical body, I start to say the Incantation of the Sun. I start to fly upwards into the sky. I feel carefree and unlimited. I look down below to see people and side streets.
My mind was clear, free of thoughts, and I did not have any emotional states, just a carefree feeling, a lightness about me. I could keep flying upwards too.
I was up in the sky for some time when a small, innocent thought crept in ‘should I be feeling this carefree?’. It made me feel a bit heavy and I started to drop height in my flight. I fought against the effects of this thought, lifting my eyes upwards, looking at the sky and turning my intention towards gaining height again. As I started to lift upwards, another small thought crept in ‘Can I do this?’. It caused me to feel heavy again and to drop height in my flight. Then another thought popped into my mind ‘is it natural for me to fly?’ and it was enough to make me drop flight, to touch the ground and be among the people and the streetscape. They all looked at me as though I didn’t fit in with them or belong there.
From this experience, the following was reinforced – doubt seems to be a mechanism for blocking or hindering our mental processes and progress. I could see that my thoughts were enough to cast a shadow of doubt over my carefree mind/internal space, to then influence the outlook or the experience, to lower my internal state and bring me down (literally and metaphorically). Yet I have flown in the astral thousands of times! And, I’ve also gone through doors, walls, ceilings, etc.
So, is it possible that doubt becomes a stumbling block? Perhaps it can take grip over us or have more of an influence over us than we realise. I guess, if enough doubt is cast over me/us, then it can become harder for me/us to move forward or to see past it, or any other low state.
Hi SakroSawel Community,
I’d appreciate input from you guys on a matter that has been bugging me for a few years.
Hope this is the best spot for this topic – I couldn’t find any other…
As I’m not multimillionaire and I don’t have a solid passive income, I work for a tech company 37.5 hours a week (currently at age 59). I always adapted fast to whatever work I do, finding the good of it, so working was never an issue for me – and I’ve been working from home for the last 5.5 years, which is even more flexible and interesting. I believe I have a good work-life balance – my work is not fast-paced and far from exhausting.
I have been practicing awareness and self-observation the maximum possible, including at work; however, I have been criticized too often for not being able to dedicate 100% to the Inner Work, once I work for others for 37.5 hours a week and, from time to time, I study to upgrade my career knowledge about 4 hours a week. The critics even use the name of important honorable people that are on the Inner Path who, as they go, dedicate 100% of their time to the Inner Work.
Well… I wouldn’t know how to live without an income, and although we keep trying ways to increase our passive income, it’s far from the minimum needed.
If this sounds personal it is because it really is; and the reality is, I trust this Community over any other, so please feel free to comment your ideas about this topic.
Thank you so much!
Hi Daniel, most of us need to work to survive so I wouldn’t pay much attention to whoever is criticizing you for this! Besides, every moment is an opportunity to work on ourselves, which includes when we are working for money, so I don’t understand what they’re getting at.
Paid work generates many unique opportunities for inner learning, but can also be very fulfilling personally. And money generates many opportunities – such as creating good circumstances for yourself, traveling, supporting causes monetarily – that wouldn’t be possible if we didn’t work or worked the absolute minimum. But everyone has different circumstances and what might be best varies.
Hi Daniel,
In my opinion we’re responsible for our well-being, so need shelter, safety and food. Which means to receive an income of sorts for which we need to give/work in some way.
Abandoning that to awaken ‘on a mountain’ somewhere is not generally the way. What’s within yourself is seen in daily life, and can be observed and changed.
Abandoning it to dedicate your full time to spiritual projects(?), if it is at the detriment of your ability to look after your well-being won’t work long term and seems irresponsible.
If the job is making an inner work impossible (doesn’t sound like it from what you wrote) then it might be worth considering if there are other work options available.
I feel I’m not saying much, just common sense hehe.
The question whether we’re just ‘trying’, but not doing. Whether were living day to day within ‘comfortable efforts’ rather than that fully dedicated and serious focus — That’s a question, but one answered only towards oneself, no one else. (apart from the divine.)
Some other little points. Work behind the screen, though often a necessity nowadays, is not beneficial for our efforts and brain in my opinion.
It’s always good to do our best, with whatever we have that is within our control. And there can be great differences between one person’s circumstances and another. And if you’re 59, biological factors are certainly also a reality.
Hope your issue gets resolved and you extract/learn from it what you can, all the best.
Hi Daniel!
This is an interesting topic to discuss and im glad you brought it up.
I think for each of us and for those that are working on themselves this concept of dedicating 100% has a different meaning as we are all doing what we can at any given time regardless of how it looks like on the outside to others.
For example, i always feel that i could be doing more but often find myself concluding that this is as much i can do right now after a moment of realisation where im shown that there’s a road block that needs attention before actually moving on and doing more.
As if our thoughts and feelings aligned because I just came out from one of those reflective moments where I was considering options to do more but soon realised that my circumstances won’t allow for that to take place and that’s ok for now (in respect to doing more externally), which however adds to the internal efforts. So for me it’s often coming to terms with that, which seems to be quite a common occurrence in this life.
Hi Daniel,
your struggles are not so foreign to me. Others may also relate/resonate with you on this too.
Not sure if my perspective will help but here goes.
I have adopted the following ideas to keep me going…it is not a formula but an attitude, a mindset:
I can only do my best each day, and there are better days than others.
Keep going…(continuity, persistence, etc as best you can)
Do something spiritual each day – it becomes uplifting.
Strive for a bit more each day, if possible.
Watch for pride – it can be subtle and influence efforts in small ways such as thoughts (eg I didn’t do enough, what’s the point, why bother, etc), emotions (eg sad or disappointed about the level of effort), or a sluggishness in energy levels (eg feeling tired so I’we don’t apply ourselves) which can feed the cycle…
Do as much as you can and as best you can each day. This community has been saying all along that this spiritual road is a process, we’re all at different levels striving for the same end point – the Source, back home, spiritual awakening. But, we need to do this within the context of our life. It has been set up this way…So, keep going…
Hi Daniel,
I randomly (or serendipitously?) came across these 2 passage from The Kailedy and thought to share them with you. These are said to be Jesus’s words.
The first one is in Ch 25, passage26:
“Now you must take up the burden, for if you would become children of God and reclaim your lost heritage, you must prove yourselves worthy heirs. Let not all the suffering be in vain”
The second one is in Ch 25 also, passage 29:
“ Think not that God will descend from heaven to do the work of men. The world is yours, but life is with God; in the end, there is the accounting. Man must be responsible for his own destiny, so seek no divine intervention while men remain apathetic. God comes to the aid only of those who strive, who surmount the difficulties and obstacles of Life”
Thanks very much for sharing those two excerpts, Dimi. I can particularly relate to the second one.
I know relatively few quotes from sacred texts, but as music has always been a big thing for me,
the second quote reminded me of the opening line of a song you may have also heard (Into My Arms by Nick Cave, which he wrote upon returning to a rehab facility after attending church).
I can relate to his sentiment “I don’t believe in an interventionist God”, as I’ve also found through bitter experience over many years that change is more often the result of persistent hard work and struggles than divine intervention.
I still see a value in praying for guidance though. And in some ways, I admire the ability of some people to maintain an immovable faith, when circumstances remain the same, despite fervent petitions for divine help.
I’ve found that my prayers were always answered but sometimes I would not be able to accept the help in the form it was presented to me or it took some considerable time to reach that point of relief.
I’ve learned over the years that if there’s a lot of prayers towards something specific to be open to any signs or symbols that i may encounter. It could be something very simple and not so obvious at first but to be prepared to look into it further.
On the other hand, Michael,although i know which prayers you are referring to, im sure you have mentioned that you noticed some of your inner states reducing, which is the result of your own prayer.
I think it’s really hard for most of us to perceive the workings of divine forces around us but sometimes people are reminded of it either through dreams or other experiences and it is just so remarkable when one is shown or realises the scope of their involvement in our lives. For example, i was astonished some years ago when I was shown in a dream that the divine was arranging for my accommodation for a few days that I urgently needed.
Hi Tina, that’s very good you find your prayers are eventually answered. I can imagine it must have been astonishing for you regarding the indication of divine intervention
for the accommodation you needed.
Yes, that’s right, I have seen a definite reduction in various inner states, which, as you said, is also the result of asking for divine help. I don’t think I would have managed in my current circumstances without it.
What I was referring to though, was more when external circumstances
remain static over years or decades. For instance, I have seen some overall improvement
with one disabling symptom, but it’s taken nearly 30 years to get to that point.
I can think of other instances of people who held a strong Christian faith, but found themselves entrapped within
difficult circumstances over years or decades.
For instance, Terry Waite, who was a special envoy to the Church of England, was held as a hostage for several years, including four of those years in solitary confinement. I mentioned a while back some comments from his fellow hostage, John McCarthy, about how he coped with that experience.
Another famous example that springs to mind is Nelson Mandela’s imprisonment
for nearly three decades.
In these cases, the entrapment eventually passed,
but it was a lengthy process, requiring much endurance and faith.
Hey Daniel,
I’ve thought about this a lot, as there have been times that I’ve been very poor ha ha, and it’s hard not to think about it in those circumstances. I think in a perfect world, the things we need for life, such as food and shelter, would be the things that are most valued, and we would share them with each other and have abundance. For various reasons, we don’t have that, and the karmic result is that in order for society to function, we have money, and the means of getting money.
It’s interesting to note that the root words for money actually have deeply spiritual meanings. If you’re interested, I can find the essays I have that talk about this and get some quotes from it.
Some time ago, Lara recommended a text called “banus the essene “. I found it to be profound in how it describes society. I believe it describes a law of nature, or humanity, which is that we have to contribute value to society to receive physical necessities and even luxuries, and that by and large what we receive is in proportion to the value we provide. I find this to be a good way to measure the value of things, asking myself what kind of value they provide to people. For example, a business provides a lot of value to society, so a business owner has the capability of making more money. However, because it’s hard to determine what provides real value sometimes, because of how complex our economy is, a business owner is much more likely to go bankrupt (by not providing enough value).I also work with computers, so I try to think: how can what I’m making make someone’s life better? How can the code I write make Another developer’s life better? Ultimately, this makes me a better employee, and worth more financially. I’d say it also makes me a more caring person in general.
I’m personally a big advocate of following your own heart, listening to what it says, and acting on it. I think each person has a different way, perhaps a unique way, that they experience spirituality, growth, learning… what does your heart call you to do? How does it call you to improve the world, what is it that you can contribute? Lately I’ve felt called to get out of my comfort zone and work towards building And running a business of my own. It will take time, planning, personal growth and change, becoming more disciplined, and generally require more from me than I thought was there, all of these things to me are very spiritual. I don’t feel like there’s any point in sitting in silent meditation, if I’m not also growing and changing, learning new things about myself. For me, none of those things are currently possible without “work”. Although I clock out when a workday is done, I don’t consider there to be a significant difference Between work for money and work for spirit. Ultimately all work is sacrificing one’s time and effort for the betterment of others. We are very lucky that we know how to sacrifice the ego, so we can sacrifice that too 😉
Anyway, that’s just my experience, I encourage you to find a way to get the answer for yourself. Do dream, incubation exercises, meditate on it, do whatever you can to get a clear answer for yourself. Guidance is available when you need it.
I think if not having to work to survive was a prerequisite then we’d all have been born with trust funds :)
Hey Daniel,
Thank you for sharing your struggles so sincerely, as I believe this is a very common problem that many of us face… And to say the truth, I don’t think there is any “universal” answer to this, as everyone is in a different situation in their life, and on top of that, the spiritual Path itself has many stages from what I can see, and different things are demanded at different points. That’s why, I think, it may not be the best idea to compare ourselves with some spiritual figures and how they lived their life, as their circumstances may have been different and they may also have been at a different stage of spirituality in their lives.
But as others have shared their personal approaches, I can also share mine, which has always been that I try to tune into my inner guidance, which manifests either as a strong, intuitive feeling about what I should do, or a direct astral/dream guidance (which, of course, must make sense in the physical world too). There have been times where I needed to spend almost all my days on work (money-earning activities), only having little time in the evening maybe to check some emails and discussions, and then there have also been times where I could devote almost all ty time to spirituality and helping others, in one way or another. So the times change, situations change, opportunities change, but I always try to do all I can. This can be tricky too though, as in the past I have also been involved in the activities that even though looked like something spiritual on the surface, were not necessarily tuned into what was really needed at that time. Since then, I made praying about this matter a regular part of my prayers, asking for opportunities to help in a way that would be in-line with the Divine will, so that I can help in the best ways, and not to be side-tracked into something that may not really be beneficial in the truest sense.
Also one last thing I thought I would mention that also helped me a lot was to always take part in whatever little spiritual opportunities are there to help out, and try not to miss anything, not to brush anything aside like “ahh, thats nothing, I may as well not do that as its such a small thing”. I have learned that whatever small thing counts, and may lead to further opportunities that feel right and are within my capacity. For example I have decided to translate Lara’s videos into the languages I can speak, because even though there is already an option to auto-translate on Youtube, those are often wrong, especially when some more complex principles are explained, so I decided to make sure I dont miss this small opportunity, even though it sometimes takes me quite long to do, but its a way to help people understand this religion, and it actually helps me too, to understand those concepts better myself. Then there are talks with people, sometimes friends, sometimes family, about the Path of the Spiritual Sun, which can be very inspiring and again, I feel like we all gain a lot from them, as if the Divine was present during those discussions, shining some Light on the matters. Kind of like when we discuss things here, on this website too. 😊
Anyway, those are some of my thoughts on helping others spiritually and external spiritual activities, I haven’t mentioned the inner, personal efforts, as that is a topic in itself! ⭐
Hi Daniel,
While spiritual principles are common and universal, everyone is in their own circumstances.
For some, working long hours with the computer would be a disaster in terms of Inner Work; while for orhers, this is what they really need at their respective stage of inner journey.
Having more money can be very helpful too, for yourself and the others.
There are examples of spiritual figures living in extreme poverty, while other spiritual figures operating in high circles and having the means to affect social changes.
Just like Mark and Lara explain in their works, apparently the origins of true nobility were spiritual, the ancient “wisdom bringers” were not a bunch of college drop outs and hippies. They had the material means to change the material world.
We can just do our best to live a spiritual life and learn from other peoples criticism, if they have something substantial to say.
May God help us all. 🙏
Being in the present moment is being so hard for me.
This article has been an inspiration – I come to it from time to time; I really need to get this right, in practice.
I believe it’s simple and natural, but I complicate it all.
Anyways, thanks so much for this article, Lara.
Thanks for this beautiful article Lara, it inspired me reading it, giving me some hope and light to try to re-new the way I try to activate consciousness and be aware in my day. Lately I feel being clouded and stuck.The example you gave is very inspiring, describing this practice and way of being, simple, giving the picture very alive.
Belesebuub’s teachings are a unique source towards gaining information in how to connect and develop our consciousness, inspiring and learning us how to search and see in us, to perceive the world around us, giving another perspective to life, more profound, and anyone has the chance to ascertain this with his own experiences, just trying to put the information into practice. I’m very grateful I came across his teaching..
Thank you very much Lara once again.
Thank you, Lara, for this article. It’s a strong article and helpful to practice be more aware and conscious if you try and interested in.
It’s worthwhile for living through consciousness your daily day. Like that, when you are in the pleasant situation to exercise it correctly, it gives meaning and value to everything you do with a feeling of peace and calmness that gives strength to overcome difficulties and negative situations around and inside you.
I am also grateful to Mark that gave me this insight and inspiration with many ways to exercise and understand this properly.
Thanks to Mark, I’ve learned to understand, active, and develop consciousness. Therefore, this information is certainly something that I’ve verified many times in my life.
In those moments of activated consciousness, I’ve experienced real happiness and love in my life. Today I seek to make the real changes in my life to increase those moments of consciousness and hopefully one day have that connection in every moments of my life.
Thanks for sharing this information Lara, hopefully many people in our world will discover this ancient wisdom to connect to the spiritual Light.