Consciousness or Money? What Would You Choose?
Malcom of The Round Table in his post yesterday titled “Do We Really Want to Be More Conscious?” quoted a story from Caroline Myss’s book, “Entering the Castle” where when she asked a class of students if given the chance to become more conscious or to have more money what would you take, 99% of the class said they would take the money. While I guess that I shouldn’t be surprised in our society that most people would choose to take the money, I am still surprised and deeply bothered that 99% of the people asked, said they would take the money. Now, I don’t know how big this class was or what the make up of the class was, and as far as true statistical data, this in not a scientific sampling, however it still is such a staggering percentage that it made me think and question why.Now, I have not yet read this book, however Malcom relates that one of the students responded that being more conscious would force upon him more work and more effort and better attitudes and possibly more grief than those who are not worrying about being more conscious and that he was not willing to put that kind of work into his life. This is a very honest, well thought out answer. One, which I have heard from other people throughout my life, however I almost always surprised when I hear it, expressed.
I almost want to shake people when they say this and yell, WAKE UP!!! What do you mean you would rather sleepwalk through life than live it fully?
The truth is that many people do choose to live the unconscious life. They choose to walk this earth in a form of walking slumber and many of them do this because they view to live life fully is too much work, or may cause too much pain or they would incur too much responsibility.
Many people our comfortable living their life of discontent while they deceive themselves to believe that they are content or that to be truly content would remove them so far from their comfort zone that they fear what might happen. The fear is that they may have to admit that they are the cause of their trials and tribulations, they fear admitting what they know, knowing that they themselves are responsible for their life and they can’t point the finger of blame at anyone or anything else.
The truth is, with increased awareness comes an awakening in which we do see that we are responsible and accountable for our life an that we are more vulnerable to pain just as we are more vulnerable to euphoric feelings of bliss. The reality though is that even though we become more passionate and more vulnerable to pain, it is rarely experienced while the feeling of euphoria is experienced so much more that we are used to.
When we cross the threshold and awaken we find that we are no longer able to live lives of quiet desperation and we begin to have thoughts and take action to change our reality.
Is it more work to live a conscious life, I don’t think so, maybe at first it could seem that way because we have to be very aware of the changes we are making, however after a while, I believe it is much less work than trudging through the daily grind of living an unconscious life.
To me it is funny and very myopic thinking that the 99% of the people had who chose the money. To have the money and live an unconscious life would be the cruelest of jokes to play on one’s self. It would be like having the best car in the world and no way to get gas for it. Oh it might feel good at first, to sit in it, turn on the tunes, play with the knobs and buttons, however the frustration of not having gas to make it run would soon come into play and having the best car in the world would soon lose it’s appeal. Same thing with having all the money and living an unconscious life. As I am sure you know, there are many people in this world who have crazy money, however they are living a miserable life.
The real joke on these people who choose money over consciousness is that when you are fully awakened and everything is clear, two things will happen, one, you will lose your need and desire for money and/or the money that you once desired will come to you as you need it. You will attract an abundant life, one that is full of abundance in ways that far transcend money and material things, however you will have an abundance of money and things as well.
I read Malcom’s article as well, I was interested primarily in the response of not willing to change, giving up the emptiness for the completion, that amazed me. What I was shocked at was the percentages…But then not really. As I go through my days I see people around me, listen to what they complain about, see what they desire. I don’t think it is the desire for money, or the desire for power. It is the desire for acceptance. Why would you want so much money, you stated it clearly enough, it will not fill any inner needs, only exterior. I believe people want money for the sole purpose of acceptance, a sense of accomplishment, all these material desires are for show. In the end…money can’t by happiness. And in a sense it can’t help you live your life either.
Thank You
I love this! I’m genuinely tickled.
The reason I am, is because everything most of us know, in terms of money and consciousness, are illusions. Just like you’ve seperated the two: money and consciousness, like there’s a choice between the two.
The issue is worth. And the question is,
Do we “have” or do we “not have” and seek to “get”, instead.
How much of our economy is based on real worth and how much on credit?
What a joke. An Economy with no sense of ‘economy’ or financial discipline within it and definitions of ‘wealth’ divorced from ‘worth’.
I’m tickled.
You just gotta’ love us and our sense of humor.
Consciousness, without question . . .
I was surprised by the figures, too, but then there might be a reasonably explanation.
Heightened consciousness, in the mystical sense used by Myss, is very difficult to demonstrate to other people. Even the most well-respected teachers seldom come into a public arena and “show” others what they can “do” by being more conscious. There’s a sense, I think from many, that mysticism and new age persuits are basically smoke and mirrors.
Of course, dying to what you are now in exchange for a life with no known parameters is a little daunting as an idea.
Personally, though, I can’t imagine taking the money in an either/or situation.
Malcolm
Hey Mark – Life without consciousness…Some choose it for the love of the game and it is the only thing they see as real. They are forever allowing someone else’s rules to determine their game.
Life with consciousness. There is no game. You rule. More work? That is self-determined. Right or wrong? That is self-determined.
Mark,
I would be interested to know the age of the students in the class. If they were in their teens, 20’s, 30’s, etc. Our values change as we get older and more evolved. Consciousnees is worth more than gold, but some people have to go for the money to come to that conclusion.
Great post!
I remember the day I drove down this road leading to the hollow in the hills, I remembering this is home, this is paradise. The babbling brook, the hills that swallowed you up in the summer and a breath taking view in a blanket of winter white. There are many lessons that the hollow teaches, but as a friend who once came to visit said, it’s not so beautiful something is missing. The gifts of life
only bloom when shared. I remind myself that you have to appreciate self as one with the vision before you can harmonize with those around you…… Loneliness is a pain that enters so many peopled lives, young and old, shut ins etc. One gift you cannot buy is companionship on a equal terrain. I have been blessed to walk many a path and view many walks of life. The insurmountable treasures, the ones most overlooked are right in front of us.
You have a very careless style, Mark. You do not acknowledge pain as being real, or as being the problem of anyone but the sufferer. Pain causes a lot of social problems, as people inflict their untreated pain on others.
To say that people must be held responsible for their own pain is, in itself, an irresponsible statement.
I suppose, there are lots of different ways to be “happy”. One of those ways is not having to worry about anything, and taking the path of least resistance. That’s a convenient way to be happy, because if anything goes wrong, we can always blame it on other people. Pretty nifty, eh?
Another way to be happy is to let everyone do what they want and not find anything important. To ignore things and not think about them. Only think about then when someone forces you to. Again, an easy way to blame all unhappiness on others.
Disconnect, and blindness – very easy ways to be happy. Lots of people do it. Waking up is too hard. It means admitting we have faults and then having to learn to get through the immediate reaction to hate ourselves for those faults. It’s much easier to ignore it all.
As for whig’s statement, that people are shouldn’t be held responsible for their own pain. We should. Absolutely. It doesn’t mean that pain doesn’t come from the outside, but ultimately, we are all responsible for everything that happens to us because we are responsible for how we respond to that. We can have pain and let it eat us up for the rest of our lives, or have our pain (even if inflicted by others) then move on. It’s our choice to keep our pain like a rabbit’s foot, and an easy excuse for why we aren’t happy.
It’s not irresponsible, it’s the truth. Ask anyone who has had major pain in their lives and gotten through it. Ask them how they got through it. The only way to get through it is to take responsibility. It’s the only way.
I think that Malcolm puts his finger on the heart of the problem when he says that it is difficult to convey what consciousness means. I’d like to hear from those students what they think it is! If they really understood – and better still, had been given a glimpse of it for themselves – I think they’d have chosen differently.
Tammy, it is not that simple, and if you do not personally have pain that you deal with you do not have authority to speak on the subject.
Mark,
I am with you on this. I am among young people all the time. By saying young, I mean kids that are in their late teens early 20’s, even some in their mid to late 20’s and most of them have the same attitude. why work hard, why put pressure on myself so that I have to increase my effort, and easy money is the way to go. I, frankly, do not understand it. It has become a, “You owe it to me”, generation. Beyond the money it is also about heart. This same generation seems to have no heart and those that do hide it for fear of ridicule.
Now I know that I am sort of singling out one specific generation, so let me state that not all younger people are like this, so I apologize if my words came off like that. But if we were to compare the generations before, following back into the 50’s, things were just not that way. it was about life and the quality if it.
I also note that you are referring to spiritual growth. This too follows the same pattern, except it wasn’t really called enlightenment. instead it was family closeness, the contentment and cohesiveness of the family. With that anything was possible and there was peace.
Personally, I think we begin our growth at birth, but for many of us we do not recognize what it truly is. We do not even sense it. For me, one day I was standing in front of a mirror and when I looked in it, i barely recognized who I was. In mind I had this image, but all of a sudden that image was not what I was seeing. I remember asking myself outloud, “Who are you”? From that moment on I knew my life was changing. At first it was small changes. Things that I really never paid attention to became more important, more intriguing. People that I probably walked by a million times I noticed and smiled at and realized how much that small gesture made a difference. Things that bothered me before were not even noticable anymore. I treated people different, it was like I had new eyes and I was finally seeing the truth. Seeing life as it should be not what I was taught to see. I gained a new side of myself and like then, I am still in awe of what life can be and is.
I did notice that one comment agreed with Malcolm about understanding or conveying consciousness. I do not think that is the problem. Part of the problem in my humble opinion is we have taught our children that we will give them what they want without them having to earn things (not all, just some have), also we live in materialistic world and, like one of your other posts talks about, instant gratification is key. We have become numb to the humanity of us and eager to have what the Jones’ own. Sad, but true.
Just my take on it.
Great post mark. Mind winding, love it.
Soft love,
Tara
Ego.
“If you do not personally have pain then you cannot speak on the subject.”
“I’d rather have the money, consciousness would give me too much work and too much to worry about.”
Ego.
We hold on to a sense of self; it’s hard wired and embedded in us. Something is ours alone, you can understand! or I just want to take care of me and not worry about everything and everyone else.
Ego.
I’ll say this much… it is work. Have you ever woken from a long, deep sleep? One that tried to cling to you? Without some effort, you could easily drift back into slumber.
How much more work must it be then to wake from the dream of life? One that’s kept us slumbering for years.
I’m still trying.
I liked Whig’s commenet above because I could relate to it. It’s easy so say “forget about money” when you have it. But when a person is cold, or hungry, or living without meeting certain basic needs, when they need a shower, and they know it–conversations like “consiousness” sound a little . . .well, lame.
A great story related to this is Christopher Gardner’s, the once homeless father of a 2yr old turned multimillionare in San Fransisco. Fascinating story–inspiring life. I heard him speak recently. They made a movie from his story a couple of years ago–can’t remember the name just now.
So, anyway . . .having experienced some pain related to money–I can sort of relate to the, “show me the money” crowd.
On the other hand I’m starting to realize something else. And again, it’s related to integrity. I’m starting to realize that the richest lives are lived and the purest actions are taken and the wisest decisions are made without money or other people in mind–completely independent of result or expectation.
Lives, actions and decisions made for one purpose–the joy of selfish creation.
Christopher, apart from the selfish part of what you say, I agree. The idea of selfishness is contrary to the idea that we are all ultimately one consciousness. When one of us suffers, we all suffer.
Mark seems to believe that he can put suffering out of mind, to let others suffer that he may experience joy and his own untrammeled glory. This is why I disagree with him. He will feel the karmic consequences of his own actions as we all do.
Whig,
I think suffering is a choice. I don’t care how bad it might seem. The reason I choose to believe this is that it empowers me.
When I choose this mindset, my suffering or my joy is not dependent only upon me. I’m in control. Not person or situation I may find myself in at the moment.
For the ultimate example of how much control you actually have, read Viktor Frankl, a man who learned to endure, and even find joy, within the context of the torture of a Nazi concentration camp.
Additionally:
“When one suffers, we all suffer.” If you follow this logic, you must also come to the conclusion that, “When one feels joy, we all feel joy.”
It depends upon what you are giving your attention.
Crud–2nd paragraph should read:
“When I choose this mindset, my suffering or joy is dependent only on me”
Not the other way around. Sheesh
Sorry.
Christopher, you are a solipsist, I think. The world is larger than you are conscious of. When you feel joy, the world does feel joy, but it also feels pain even when you ignore it. Untreated pain is the worst kind.
Are you/were you a teacher by profession
…. There is such a great lesson is your post.. . . . Now if we could only get those people wearing the blind folds to take them off. I am going to leave my opinion out of this one. lol ….
Wicshing you the best!
“Wishing” I can’t spell tonight
Hi Mark.
Although I wasn’t surprised by the 99% choosing money over consciousness, I think it mirrors a serious sense of emptiness that is sadly widespread. Some people with that mindset may feel like they’re in a rut, yet don’t choose to get out of it. As you say, they only fear waking up to become responsible and accountable because they haven’t yet learned about laws of attraction you describe in a joke. Its like, if you chase what you want, it always seems a step ahead. Yet, if you decide a thing is unimportant, it will surprise you when you least expect it and jump right into your lap.
Money can buy a bed but not a good night’s sleep.
Great article and I think you’re right on the money, so to speak. All the old cliches apply here – money can’t buy you love, can’t buy you happiness etc. If you don’t believe that, just look at most celebrities – they have everything and anything a person could want, yet are plagued with unhappy marriages, children constantly in trouble with the law, accidents, substance abuse problems and so forth – and presumedly they are doing what they want/love in life.
Although I don’t think money is the problem, moreso, I think it’s the perception that money will solve things, resolve issues that is the problem. Having money will not make you saner, kinder, more lovable, smarter or a better human being. It may help remove some barriers to getting somewhere or attaining a goal but if you aren’t there doing it, the money won’t do it for you.
Great post.
Annie
Mark, before I even read your post, I’m going to choose consciousness…
ok…I thought that maybe it was a trick question…
I still choose consciousness…
Although I’m one of the fortunate ones to have woken up. Some never do…and I don’t believe it’s because they don’t want to…it just never happens…or that Life has raped them of the ability to even look…
Hell yes, I want money! I’d rather not have to choose between feeding my toddler or paying the rent…my spiritual awakening won’t feed her…
But my ability to have faith…to have that knowing that there is a greater purpose other than my anxiety over living a meager life, offers me the ability to also know others who struggle with the same issues. And it’s the people whom I have that spiritual connection with that pull me through…a meal offered, money lent…shoulder to use as my pillow…a kiss of love…
I still choose consciousness…
Peace in,
Lil
I liked this article when I read it first on Knight’s site as well. And while I agree with most of what you are saying, Mark…there is this one portion I really struggle with. It’s from the hardline Law Of Attraction camp:
“The fear is that they may have to admit that they are the cause of their trials and tribulations, they fear admitting what they know, knowing that they themselves are responsible for their life and they can’t point the finger of blame at anyone or anything else.”
If this is Truth, I’m going to stay in the Dark of ‘unenlightened’ for awhile longer. Because I never want to look someone in the face and tell them, “Oh yes, well, you know you are the cause of your breast cancer, your rape and subsequent PTSD, your child being murdered, your wife cheating on you, that tsunami that wiped out your village, the hurricane which destroyed your home….”
And while it is not my intention to speak for Whig, I think there are hundreds of thousands of people out there that are trying to deal with severe chronic ‘incurable’ physical pain – who may take issue to this comment:
“The reality though is that even though we become more passionate and more vulnerable to pain, it is rarely experienced while the feeling of euphoria is experienced so much more that we are used to.”
If I were to try to interpret what you are saying here in mathematics, it would look like this:
Enlightenment = a relatively painfree existance
OR, conversely: If you are experiencing great pain, you must not be very ‘enlightened’…
Is that what you are saying here?
Thank you Grace. I agree, and I do have an incurable genetic condition. It may be that for good and proper reasons I chose to have it, but I cannot fail to deal with it. Nor can anyone similarly situated. Pain cannot be ignored. It should not be ignored. It is a message to tell you something is wrong.
If someone would like to claim I am not very enlightened, have at it.
Have to say my family and I, given the realities of health care and the enormous financial burden of incurable illness, have often said – not really meaning it – we wish we’d focused on money. We were always middle to working class, none of us wanting more from money than the basics – never into accumulating wealth.
To me it looks like those who tend to accumulate the most wealth are precisely those who aim for that – lawyers, CEOs, business tycoons – often it’s a major driving force for physicians in choosing that career.
There was a book that came out 20 or 30 years ago “Do What You Love and the Money Will Follow” – it would be nice. If this were truly a society with a level playing field, maybe that would happen more.
It increasingly is not. In fact I heard a report on NPR several months ago on how the notion that the US stands out as a place where you can “pull yourself up by the bootstraps” has become a complete myth when compared to other developed countries. As I recall, only the UK surpassed the US in the primary determining factor for large wealth being inheritance.
I used to think I lived life to the full, but then I came down with chronic fatigue syndrome, and realised I may have lived life, but didn’t appreciate it. Now I live a more sedate life and it is brimming with appreciation of it, though much less money.
To become truly conscious, slow down.
Enreal,
I like your thoughts on the possibility that people who desire money are people who seek acceptance and in many ways our modern society does accept you more when you have money. I will be thinking on your thoughts, thanks for sharing!
Sue Ann,
You make a great point about money being an illusion and that money and worth in our society are two very different things. Thank-you for throwing that thought into the mix!
Oceanshaman,
Thanks for chiming in!
Malcom,
I like your thoughts on this. I agree, consciousness is a very abstract term and when initially asked, most people would have a hard time defining what that means plus there is the stigma of “new age” and many people do not want anything to do with that, so your explanation makes sense. I do think, even if those polled fully understood consciousness, the high percentage would still choose the money. Thanks for your thoughts and your inspiration.
Mark, (smiling), if we really felt worthy, if we ‘have’ a solid sense of self worth and self esteem, an inner sense of this worth, then we have to cause, no reason, no appetite, for the appearances of worth that money buys.
There is a difference in feeling, between ‘having’ and ‘getting’. Money is for ‘getting’ but after all our ‘getting’, we still don’t ‘have’. For whatever we ‘get’, can be taken away, so we not only have to expend time and energy maintaining what we ‘got’, we also have to protect it, from being ‘taken’.
What we ‘have’, we have.
I’ve watched over the past couple of decades as books and books came out talking about ‘abundance’. While me, being me, was talking about addressing our ’scarcities’, that all the flap about ‘abundance’ was trying to whitewash.
Our inner nature is what is bringing into manifestation, our experiences. ‘It’ is what is ‘drawing’ situations to us, by the loa. But most of us are afraaid of intimacy, so we’re scared to look.
Talkingtonightlights,
Both good points! Thanks for sharing!
Alexys,
I agree, I would also like to know the ages of those in the class, for this would color the results. Thanks for your thoughts!
Rachel,
It is true, we often miss the treasure that is with us all of the time. We must learn to love our own company, we must cherish all that we are and love all that we touch! Thanks for sharing your story. Love the thoughts that you shared, thank-you!
Whig,
You have many comments on this post. I will respond to each one in the order they were written. I want to thank-you for your presence. You challange my thoughts, this is good, an opportunity for me to grow. Your thoughts are always welcome.
You accuse me of having a careless style. You feel that I do not acknowledge pain or the ill effects it has on society. I believe I do acknowledge pain and suffering. Pain is very real, however I believe that pain to a pain of our form, a pain that can be transcendend. Pain does have ill effects on our society, mostly because the person with the pain wants to share that pain with others, wants others to feel their pain. This is driven by the ego, not the spirit.
I stand by my thought that people should be responsible for their pain, if not themselves, then who should be?
Thanks for your thoughts.
Tammy,
Your thoughts were very well organized. We are responsile and accountable, no one else can be held responsible for our pain and suffering. Thank-you so very much for your wisdom!
Simon,
I agree that it would be helpful to understand what the students understood, however at the end of the day, I suspect that the percentages would not have changed very much. Thanks for sharing our viewpoint.
Whig,
In your response to Tammy, you state “if you do not personally have pain that you deal with you do not have authority to speak on the subject”.
I think it is safe to say, that in one form or another, all of us have had pain in our life, although it may be in varing degrees, if we are human, it is most likely that we are in a position to speak to the subject of pain.
Tobeme, you are so arrogant it is nearly frightening.
Tara,
I don’t think that the preference for wealth and fame is that much different than it was in previous generations. It is much more in our face now than it was in previous generations. Looking back, it is easy to wax nostaglic and see the values of those generations as better, however in many ways they were not.
I understand what you are saying about the nuclear family and the closeness of the family compared to now, however I don’t think that correlates to what we call spiritual growth or enlightenment. In many ways the generations of the 50’s were very backwards in the realm of spiritual growth.
I love what you shared about your personal awakening and how that has started a change process within you and how it has impacted every aspect of your life. You now know that you are a beautiful soul and you allow that beauty to spill over in everything you do.
Tara, you make a good point about the expectations which we have set for our children and how our culture caters to the got to have it now attitude. This without a doubt is a contributing factor to the response of this class.
Tara,
I don’t think that the preference for wealth and fame is that much different than it was in previous generations. It is much more in our face now than it was in previous generations. Looking back, it is easy to wax nostaglic and see the values of those generations as better, however in many ways they were not.
I understand what you are saying about the nuclear family and the closeness of the family compared to now, however I don’t think that correlates to what we call spiritual growth or enlightenment. In many ways the generations of the 50’s were very backwards in the realm of spiritual growth.
I love what you shared about your personal awakening and how that has started a change process within you and how it has impacted every aspect of your life. You now know that you are a beautiful soul and you allow that beauty to spill over in everything you do.
Tara, you make a good point about the expectations which we have set for our children and how our culture caters to the got to have it now attitude. This without a doubt is a contributing factor to the response of this class. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Sibbia,
Ego, ego, ego. Well said! True, we must learn to differenitiate bewtween our ego and our spirit. Hard thing to do when the ego is overiding! Thanks for your thoughts.
Chris,
I appreciate all of your thoughts. I will respond to each one seperatly, in the order they came in.
I like your thought process. True, when we are without, our ego will point out what we lack and it is easy to say that we would choose money, for money at that time seems to be the immediate answer to our woes. As you stated though, we soon realize that money is not the answer, the answer is much deeper.
It has been my experience that people who materially have less, seem to share more. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Whig,
I agree, when one of us suffers, we all suffer, when one of us is joyful, we all are joyful. We are one and share in all that is. Thanks for your thoughts.
Lucid,
I have never been a formal teacher. I have taught many informal classes and I have done a lot of technical training within various fields I have worked. On that note, I have been asked to teach one hour of a Business Communications course at a local university, which I will be doing two weeks from now.
Thank-you, I am glad that you find value in my writings.
Liara,
I think one of the hardest lessons for me to learn has been to not chase after what I want, rather attract it. There is much emptiness and people living life’s of quiet desperation. It is sad! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Whig,
I am not sure why you think that I do not acknowlege the pain and suffering of others or why you paint me as being heartless. Interesting perspective you have on me. It would be great if you would cite specifics.
Christopher,
I agree. Suffering is a choice. It’s a choice of responsibilty and accountability. Your example of Frankl is excellent, he is one of many who have transcended the horrors of the situation he was in. Furthermore, he did not come out of it and use this as an excuse to not to be able to properly function in this world. Great thoughts, thanks for sharing.
Whig,
Not sure why you feel the need to resort to name calling or lableing of people. Chris and others should be able to have an open discussion without feeling the sting of your name calling. You are an intelligent being and need not use name calling as a way to express yourself. This is very limiting of your self.
CuriousC,
I like that quote! So very wise! There are many rich people who have to take pills to get to sleep! Thanks for sharing!
WriterChick,
Annie, yes, the misperception that money will solve your ills is a huge problem.You stated it very well, money will most likely not change who you are and if it does, it won’t be in a good way. Thanks for your thoughts.
Lil,
Great choice! I understand what you are saying and where you are at. It is wonderful that you are aware that while more money may make you more comfortable it is not he answer to happiness or fullfillment! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Grace,
Of course I am not saying if your enlightened you won’t feel pain. Phyical pain is part of the human form, however physical pain and spiritual pain are two different things. Physical pain can be and is transcended by our spiritual self. Awareness/enlightenment does not remove physical pain, it does change how we deal with that pain and what we do not to perpetuate the pain.
I understand your thoughts on LOA and how difficult it is to accept that we may have brought a disesae on ourselfs or set in motion things that happened to cause something bad to happen to us. It does happen, I have seen it over and over again where some people have thought themselves into a disease or an accident.
Your thoughts are always appreciated, thanks for sharing them.
Whig,
Of course pain must be dealt with, the key is how we deal with the pain.
Whig,
I don’t believe anyone is challenging you on your level of enlightenment, nor should they. This is your perception. Only you know where you are at.
Seems like you are looking for conflict.
((( Mark ))) I didn’t think that’s what you meant, so I thought some of that ‘reflective’ listening I learned somewhere might come in handy
Sometimes a little more applification helps me.
Mark….I also know people who have ‘thought’ themselves ill, into bad situations, etc. Our thoughts are very powerful and it’s been proven scientifically that the way we think about life changes our experience of it. However, I’m not ready to say that 100% of people do this 100% of the time for 100% of their experiences. That may change some day, but not just yet
Transcending is definitely different than ‘eliminating’….I would like to think that if I were ever faced with horrible physical pain, I could transcend it. I’ve only come close to it once – when I pinched a nerve in my neck and felt hot fire in my back, arms and legs, unceasingly, for about 3-4 weeks. I would just lay there and cry, begging for relief. It’s interesting what happened in me, mentally & spiritually, during that time. Have you had the experience of transcending great physical pain yourself??? Sometimes it helps when someone who is such a great teacher as yourself, can also relay how they have applied the principles/concepts they are teaching on to their own ‘real life’ experiences.
I find that when people who are in pain (of whatever sort) know that I have experienced something similar, there is a respect born in them for me and what I have to say. Walking a mile in the mocassins of another vs. describing the way they are walking hold very different dynamics.
Namaste, Mark
Love and Peace!
Paul,
I appreciate you insight. Like you said, money would make it easier, however knowing what you know, would the money make you any happier? Money would indeed make aspects of your care and your life much more comfortable and maybe easier. I sense that you are blessed with a wonderful family and much love. Thanks for your thoughts.
Sue Ann,
You are so right! I love your thoughts on “having” and “getting”! This is a very valuable lesson, one which we all need to be reminded of! Thank-you so much for imparting your wisdom!
Anthony,
Sage advice, we gain much by taking a slower pace! Thanks for your thoughts.
Whig,
Name calling is the last resort of a desperate person or that of one who does not have the ability to effectivily communicate their thoughts. I don’t believe you are either of these. Not sure why you have come to call me names. Your thoughts are appreciated, when they are specific and link back to something I or someone else has expressed. I look forwad to a more mature discourse going forward.
May you find peace and love!
Grace,
I understood where you were coming from. I have transcened both physical and emotional pain in my life. I will have to think on how I can effectivly share that with you. I know that I do transcend pain, however, to explain my process will be a challange. The reason it will be a challange is because much of what I do has become second nature to me. It is a way of living, not a process that I pull out as I need it. Hope that makes sense.
I agree, it does help to hear of real life examples. Thanks for that suggestion. I will comptemplate this over the next few days.
“She asked a class of students if given the chance to become more conscious or to have more money what would you take, 99% of the class said they would take the money.”
What struck me about that statment is the use of the word “more.”
Choosing *more* money over *more* consciousness, doesn’t mean they were forgoing consciousness or that they didn’t already have it. The use of the word “more” is a significant factor.
The question posed to the students does not say they would lose the levels of consciousness they already had, nor does it say that choosing more money would prevent them from continuing to be conscious. Based on those factors, I can understand why they would choose more money.
I’ve known the deprivation of impoverishment, so I know that the lack of money is dangerous to one’s health, safety, and wellbeing. I’ve been poorer than dirt, unable to afford health care, dental care, transportation, and a safe place to live.
Perhaps many of the students were financially struggling. Perhaps many were having difficulty paying tuitions. Perhaps some were facing the possibility of not being able to continue their education due to lack of money. Perhaps some had parents and siblings that were poor and suffering, and they were thinking of all the things they could do to improve their quality of life with more money.
Because we don’t know the reasons why each of the 99% chose more money, we don’t know if choosing more money was actually a decision based on higher consciousness. There are many productive and constructive things they could with more money. I do not see why choosing more money is not the more conscious and conscientious choice. Looking at the wording of the question and all the factors that could be involved for each individual, I believe it is.
I’d choose money. I can work on my conciousness and elightenment while I play. =) ::big grin:: besides working on your conciousness must be more gratifying then having it gifted.
(((hugs))) and may your day be filled with laughter!
I took the long around to say it Scarlet
, but yes, I’m with the 99%, that would be my choice too! I actually thought more money was the more conscious choice, because it opens up so many opportunities, and doesn’t exclude consciousness or continuing to grow in consciousness. You can do tremendous good with more money, for yourself as well as for others.