By Gregg Sanderson
“I am continually calming the restless scanning of my rational mind in order to perceive the finer energies that enable me to unitively merge with everything around me.”
The Twelve Pathways are from the Handbook to Higher Consciousness by Ken Keyes, Jr., and this is a pathway I get to travel often. It relates to the past and future—guilt and worry.
“Blah Blah Blah” goes the mind after that argument when you think of what you should have said.
“Chuckle Chuckle Chuckle” goes the mind when you think of getting even with the one who done you wrong.
“Wah Wah Wah” goes the mind as you realize the consequences from a choice you made or something you did.
On and on and on goes the mind chatter in response to the thousands of stimuli it gets each day, often without any connection at all. It isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it’s usually irrelevant.
The idea of “unitively merging” is part of the state Keyes calls “Cosmic Consciousness.” In a nutshell, we’re all one—everybody and everything—because we’re made of the stuff of the Universe. I don’t know how long it will take to perceive it, but your chances increase as your rational mind slows down.
Think of your rational mind as a symphony orchestra, and the musicians in the brass section have their music upside down.
“I am continually calming…”—It’s not just occasionally, continually.
“…the restless scanning of my rational mind…”—the noisy brass section.
“…in order to perceive the finer energies…”—the strings and woodwinds…
“…that enable me to unitively merge with everything around me.”—that carry the melody of love and happiness.
To carry the metaphor further, the brass is playing fortissimo while the rest of the orchestra is pianissimo, and the conductor has left the podium.
So how do we “calm the restless scanning…?” One way is to focus on something in the moment. Consider a tree.
Most of the time we see a tree as part of the scenery. Instead, find just one and think of it as yours for the moment. Notice the whole tree, then the branches and leaves in constant motion. Hear them rustle in the breeze, and perhaps even feel the roughness of the bark. Does it have a fragrance? If it’s a fruit tree, can you taste the fruit?
Consider the context. Think of its age, and all that may have changed around it over the years. How might you interact with it? What would happen if you chop it down? Will it become part of somebody’s house?—or in a fireplace keep a family warm?
As you do the tree exercise, your mind chatter slows down. Occupy yourself with something of the moment, and the chatter fades.
This gives you the chance to “unitively merge.” Give your tree a hug and hold it for a full minute. You might just get a taste of merging.
Now try it with people.
Gregg Sanderson, one of our long-time contributors, passed to spirit in September 2021, and we are continuing the 12 Pathways Series in his honor. He also authored Spirit with a Smile and The World According to BOB.
During his life, he was a licensed practitioner in the Centers for Spiritual Living and a Certified Trainer for Infinite Possibilities. His earlier books include What Ever Happened to Happily Ever After? and Split Happens—Easing the Pain of Divorce.
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