We have formed concepts and beliefs based on our upbringing, environment, and how we have experienced life thus far that may not be serving us well. They may be limiting, narrow in scope, or just plain wrong. Yet these perceptions inform our lives and if we never examine them or open our mind to newer and more expansive ideas, we may never grow.
It is not too difficult to look at everyday life and see examples of transcendence. Let’s consider, for instance, the law of gravity. We all became familiar with this law early in life from the first time we tried to walk and quickly discovered that if we didn’t succeed, we landed squarely on our bottom with a thud. The law of gravity also keeps us from flying off the face of the earth.
Yet every day we see massive tons of steel rise into the air, transporting people from one place to another, boldly defying the law of gravity. In fact, this defiance of the law of gravity has become so commonplace that we rarely give it a second thought as we fly around the planet.
Over the centuries, those with an open mind have challenged some of the “reality” that we believed to be true and have made outstanding discoveries that have propelled our civilization forward. To name a few: the earth is not flat, the sun doesn’t revolve around the earth, matter is not really solid, and on and on.
Just as it is important for scientists to keep an open mind when investigating natural laws, it is likewise important that we keep an open mind while investigating what the human spirit is capable of. If we are so set in our ideas that we will not allow ourselves to see other perspectives, we are hindering our own progress.
This, of course, does not mean that we set aside the discriminating mind while investigating spiritual dimensions and understanding. Rather, keep a healthy balance between the two and maintain the openness and wonder required of a scientist who is on the verge of making breakthrough discoveries.
And keep in mind, there are only so many words to describe spiritual concepts. My terminology may not be what you are used to or be comfortable for you. But again, keep an open mind and be willing to look at new concepts for the words you have always used or heard rather than reacting to the terminology used. If necessary, substitute the terms you are comfortable with using. Not a problem at all.
So let us begin by examining some of the disempowering misconceptions that may no longer serve us and consider new perspectives and wisdom that can set our spirits free to transform ourselves and the world we live in.
