looking at the Banks models, I would say that Mind, as shared wisdom; Consciousness, as shared experience; and Thought as compassion or love can all create shared culture of great value. Of course, in duality, the opposite aspects of culture can also be created.
Banks seems to be saying in this simply synopsis of his three principals, that thought creates the form of our experience, and we have thoughts beyond our own personal thought systems (egos that include identification and attachment), common thoughts about life that pertain to all. The simple exercise of examining our own thoughts, finding their origin, filtering, housekeeping, letting go of self defeating thoughts - this is one of the first and most important practices used for knowing ones self. If we can originate and organize our thoughts into systems that create lives better aligned with our highest potential, (that aspect within us we need to explore and become intimately familiar with), what how we live with mind and consciousness will also change immeasurably. I will note that this simple exercise can take a lifetime to master, but is ultimately worth trying - like learning language and reading. On Aug 29, 2:03 am, rigsy03 <[email protected]> wrote: > 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
