A lot can happen to a human being to derail this view- optimistic as it is, Molly. At any rate between you and Slip I was reminded of Emily Dickinson's poem, as follows:
I'm Nobody! Who are you? Are you- Nobody- Too? Then there's a pair of us? Don't tell! they'd advertise- you know! How dreary- to be- Somebody! How public-like a Frog- To tell one's name- the livelong June- To an admiring Bog! c.1861 How do the values and expectations of a culture shape what is expected of an individual and what happens when there is a dramatic turn of events? Is ego strength "fixed" to cope or does it have "limits", the latter which might explain many behaviors. I can think of such stresses and imagine you can, as well. On Aug 26, 8:56 am, Molly <[email protected]> wrote: > Mind: All human beings share in being a part of, and connected to > Mind, the universal Life energy and source of intelligence beyond the > brain. Because of Mind, we share in an endless flow of wisdom—each of > us equally capable of being wise. > > Consciousness: All human beings share in the principle or fact of > Consciousness. We experience life. We also experience life from > different levels of consciousness—from truncated and fear-based, angry > and insecure “levels” to grounded, secure, safe, wise and even > enlightened states (Buddha Mind, Christ Consciousness, the “Father > within,” the Kingdom of Heaven.) If humans lived even a little more > often in this last state of mind, the impact on world peace, from a > personal to a global level, would be significant. > > The principle of Thought, as a universal function, guides humans > either toward or away from non-violence, love and compassion. The > existence of a personal thought system, or “ego”—which we see as > simply being a sticky attachment to, or identification with thoughts— > trips up our noble aspirations for peace. Yet we have found that > teaching people about the neutral fact of Thought, and how it creates > reality for each of us (rather than attempting to change “content”), > allows people to shine the light of this principle on all their > thinking. Levels of consciousness jump as people gain understanding > about the formless source of all ideas, beliefs and opinions. > > When humans understand that a thought is just a thought, just a > creation from formless energy, the iron grip the ego can have on us > begins to lessen. Lighter, gentler, more inspired feelings arising > from impersonal, or universal thoughts create kind and selfless > behaviors. We begin to realize we are so much more than our limited > thoughts. So much more than we ever “thought”! While respecting our > own and others’ traditions, cultures and preferences, we see beyond > the forms that humans have created—and to the deeper truth of our > common divinity, our shared existence in universal Mind, Consciousness > and Thought … or in Life. From this vantage point, there is no reason > to argue, to fight, to hurt another. When I hurt you, I diminish me. > > So, our personal answer is to share with people these simple > principles that govern their states of mind. Because, beneath it all, > all humans are already wise, good, generous, kind and even > enlightened. When the clouds of thought begin to part, they each take > their unique and radiant place in being one in “six billion paths to > peace. > > What do YOU think? > > See also Sydney Banks, “The Missing Link: Reflections on Life and > Philosophy” & other works. > > http://www.centerforsustainablechange.org/principles.php
