Life is a process of change like the beautiful metamorphosis of a flowering lemon tree. From the unfolding of a bud, to the subtle burst of blooming redolence comes the transformation of its bounty, a magnificent fruit. The way a blossom matures; human beings are born with an innate capacity to mature with compassion, joy, and service. However, unlike the elegant simplicity of spring’s lemon flower, the mind obstructs our true nature. The human spirit has a natural inclination for growth yet there is the tendency to resist change. The mystery of what life presents and what one is to become seems threatening, and it manifests as living against the grain. Marilyn Schlitz, PhD, and vice president of research and education at the Institute of Noetic Sciences states in her book, Living Deeply, “Where there is resistance there is stress, disease, or a feeling of being stuck.” Not that this is particularly riveting news, but she emphasizes that any one of these conditions could be a gateway to transformation.

                What is transformation? Schlitz defines it as the quality of one’s internal reality in the context of feelings, thoughts, and perceptions. Transformation involves a shift in personal identity, world view, and a multidimensional expression of the mind and spirit. Triggered by a myriad of pivotal moments, conscious transformation can surface in the form of the classic epiphany or emerge as a gradual process over time. It can manifest as a near death experience, a profound feeling of connection as with the birth of a child, or an enormous change that can spark a turning point. In an interview with Buddhist nun, Pema Chodron, she described how the shock of an unfaithful spouse was her gateway to transformation. Sometimes it’s tragedy or drama, other times it’s from the sheer beauty of a sunset vista. The trick is taking a seemingly ephemeral experience and extracting its revelation. Then, finding a way to use it to irrigate the spiritual landscape already inhabited. As Chodron proposed, “Invite the transformative discovery to become more of who you are.”

                There are elements of transformation that can be identified to help a spiritual seeker better utilize the subjective experience:

• Pathways to transformation
• Spiritual engagement
• Quantum mechanics in relation to metaphysics

Pathways to Transformation

From his course, Pathways to Transformation, educator and author Mark Thurston, PhD, and Senior Fellow at George Mason University’s Center for Consciousness and Transformation, offers frameworks for understanding the process of transformation. He describes three paths leading to potential insight and the ability to see others more compassionately.

The first one is the Path of Renunciation. It is basically a method of removing the obstacles that prevent enlightenment.  For instance, renunciation may entail shedding old habits and reshuffling priorities to catch up with a new expanded worldview. It’s like letting go of deeply worn grooves in life that no longer serve a purpose. Next is the Path of Perfection. Without any effort at all, this pathway affirms that we are already perfect. It is a confirmation that each person is unique and has a service to humanity.  It must be claimed and realized though in order for it to fully develop. Third, and for some the most difficult, is the Path of Alchemy. This approach teaches us to face our dark side. It involves wrestling with attitudes, emotions, and desires, but by facing them we learn to use that energy as a resource for renewal. It is a way of turning adversity into an opportunity to learn and grow.

Spiritual Engagement

This all embracing construct includes the material life as well as the intangible domains of the soul. “Spirituality is both corporeal and transcendent” says Dr. Elinor Powell, author, physician and founder of Physicians for Social Responsibility. Her book, The Heart of Conflict exemplifies the idea that spirituality may be expressed through a discipline of “living attentively in the present moment.” Synchronistically, Schlitz found across many spiritual traditions that there are four essential elements of practice that help implement transformation. They are intention, attention, repetition, and guidance. She also discovered that within personal growth lies an interesting paradox.  “Though transformation is a natural process, it also requires making the choice to be in alignment with who you are.” This means being open and recognizing resistance as it presents itself in daily life.

In Living Deeply, Andrew Cohen, spiritual teacher and founder of EnlightenNext was interviewed about this factor of intention. He said that “once you’ve had an experience of awakening, it’s your responsibility to join the evolution of consciousness. Intention is the thought that fuels motivation and the willingness to change.” Attention is the next element and helps to “see the world with fresh eyes.” Australian psychiatrist W. Beran Wolfe wrote in his 1932 best seller, How to Be Happy Though Human, that by paying attention in life you may find that you’re no longer as preoccupied by self-centered concerns or petty agitations. What seems more interesting is that mindfulness gives rise to clarity. It’s a recipe for happiness and a happy person is aware that it’s not some rare gemstone, but it thrives in the crowded hours of each day.

The third fundamental of spiritual engagement is repetition. It is much like a physical exercise as the transformative practice helps you live with your breakthrough. Repetitive behaviors, functional or dysfunctional, change the way the brain responds to the environment. Recent research shows that even the hippocampus, part of the brain that forms memories, experiences neurogenesis or the growth of new nerve cells. One popular transformative practice is meditation. It cultivates equanimity in the face of the highs and lows in life. Buddhist teacher and author Noah Levine spoke about waking up in a world that is mostly asleep. He said, “It can feel very isolating, and therefore more composure and understanding is needed to feel balanced and connected.” Ultimately, he said, “everyone is doing the best they can. But also, the best that most people can do isn’t very good…”

Finally, guidance from a teacher is useful for staying on course. Studying meditation, going to a yoga class, or reading books can increase the transformative potential. There is guidance in visions, voices, or the broadening sense of time. Being part of a dedicated community and joining forces with fellow seekers is not only empowering, but comforting. While it is important to practice, keep it in perspective. Getting too attached to a spiritual practice is counterintuitive and can get in the way of daily life. A good example is the adage, “pointing a finger at the moon.” A preoccupation with the “finger” can be an obstacle to the purpose and the goal.

Another consideration in the process of self actualization are the barriers to transformation. This is due to a tendency of getting locked into certain patterns as a strategy to meet one’s needs. Instead of being psychologically responsible for the conduct of our inner and outer world, we bring fragments of the past into play. The preoccupation ultimately robs energy from our conscious life. With the cultivation of insight, there is the capacity for choice beyond the powers of our past.

James Hollis, Ph.D., Jungian analyst and author of the book, Finding the Meaning to the Second Half of Life, explains how our past writes messages all over us. It’s in our neurology, behavioral patterns, and in our repetitive choices. Our value systems are influenced by what life has presented and often pinch the soul. Though it seems we are simply prisoners of our past, conscious engagement helps to release more of our true nature. It doesn’t take much to trigger the stimulus response of our history either, but at this point we ask ourselves, “What can I learn from this?” As Hollis puts it, “shine a light on the shadow side, because whatever we are not aware of, owns us.”So too, it poses the impossible question, if we are not in charge, “who is?” Only with observation can there be any real capacity for choice beyond the powers of our history.  

Quantum Mechanics and Metaphysics

The 2004 docudrama, What the Bleep Do We Know? is a fascinating collection of interviews by physicists and spiritual teachers who illustrate the link between quantum mechanics, neurobiology, and human consciousness. Though criticized as pseudoscience, Bleep defines spirituality in the measured terms of quantum psychics.  It is where reality dwells on an sub-atomic level or the “invisible,” where the term metaphysics often appears. New theory reveals a universal connection, which has been a leading principle across many spiritual philosophies for centuries. Basically, the experimental methods vs. experiential practices (like meditation) both contemplate the connection between us and the universe in relation to time.

There is an interesting chapter in Mark Thurston’s book, Willingness to Change, regarding the transformation of time. He said, “Transformation awakens a deeper understanding of time.” Recent discoveries in sub-atomic physics show how time appears to be more complex than just linear events. Christian spiritualist, philosopher and clairvoyant, Edar Cayce, (1877-1945) produced much of his work from this multi-dimensional place. Thurston explains that traditionally we believe anything that can be known is within the range of our physical senses. It’s called “local awareness.” “Non-local” awareness is usually a territory relegated to clairvoyants and mystics. The three dimensional world as we know it is thought of as matter, space, and time, however; Cayce’s unique perspective about time classified the three dimensions as space, time and patience. In this sense, patience is not about waiting, but being in the present moment. It’s steeped in a presence of attention and intention. Since patience is connected to ideals and values, there is an expansion of ourselves across time. We allow things to be as they are and miraculously frustration, fear, and resistance dissipate. Patience is a response to what is happening in time, not our history.

Basic science tells us we are separate. This is an unhelpful paradigm because the way we think, is the way we behave. It’s been the source of most war and conflict. The feeling of separateness begs for ego-eccentricity. Profound transpersonal experiences repeatedly convey a sense of interconnectedness that inspires compassion and altruism. As Trappist monk Thomas Merton said: “The whole idea of compassion is based on a keen awareness of all living beings. Think of it as coming home to yourself and your own true nature.”

Collective consciousness was a term coined by the French sociologist Émile Durkeim (1858–1917) in reference to a unifying force within society. The upshot of transpersonal experiences is breaking down the walls between “us and them.” Schlitz offers a model of transcendence: “As you let go of self-importance, a deeper sense of self emerges with the feeling of belonging.” The more you feel connected, the more you are able to appreciate your unique role in life.

Waking up to what we are capable of becoming is the essence of transformation. It’s the shift in perception that changes the way we relate to ourselves, others and the world. Empowered by the willingness to change, we facilitate transformation with practical theories and frameworks. A new understanding in the concept of time facilitates passage through the narrow channels of the ego where intuitive knowledge opens into a sea of light. By approaching the nature of human consciousness with research and methodology, sustainable self-actualization can shine as a hallmark of the human potential movement. “Coming home to yourself” as Thomas Merton expressed it, is really where hope and possibility for humanity may finally bloom and correct the social and ecological wrongs created by short-term thinking. As the fruit of a lemon tree may fall to be digested into the earth, with it are new seeds for growth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Arntz. W. (2004). What the Bleep Do We Know? Down in the Rabbit Hole. Ca. Roadside Attractions/20^th. Century Fox. 

Cayce, E. (March 18, 1877-Jan. 3, 1945) Christian Spiritualist, Clairvoyant, Philosopher.

Cohen, A.  (2003). Interview by C. Vieten. Video recording. Sept. 22. Emeryville, Ca. 

Durkeim, E.  (1858–1917). French sociologist.   http://www.bolenderinitiatives.com/sociology/emile-durkheim-1858-1917

Hollis, J.  (2005).  Finding the Meaning to the Second Half of Life. New York. Gotham Books.

Levine, N.  (2003). Dharma Punx. San Fransisco, Ca: Harper.

Moyer, B.  (2006). On Faith and Reason. Interview with Pema Chodron. WETA. http://www.pbs.org/moyers/faithandreason/print/faithandreason107_print.html

Merton, T. (2007).  Echoing Silence. Boston: Shambhalea Pulications.

Powell, E  (1984). The Heart of Conflict. Canada. Zondervan Publishing House.

Schlitz, M.  (2007). Living Deeply. Oakland, Ca. New Harbinger Publication and Noetic Books.

Smith H. (2006). Interview by M. Schlitz andt. Amorok. Vieo recording July 18, Berkeley, Ca.

Steindl-Rast,  D. (1984). Gratefulness, the Heart of Prayer: An Apporach to Life in Fullness. New York: Paulist Press.

Thuston, M.  (2005).  Willingness to Change. Rancho Mirage, Ca. We Publish Books.

                        (2010). Course, Pathways to Transformation. George Mason University. Fairfax, Va.

 Wolfe, W.B.  (1932).  How to be Happy Though Human. Retr., London: Routledge, 1999.