Spectrum of Consciousness

Fine so far; but we have not yet gotten to an essential part of our meaning that entails a spectrum of consciousness. Think of it as light. On our physical plane of reality, we perceive light in a spectrum of color as exemplified in a rainbow. Just as light is perceived as multifaceted, so too is consciousness. In fact, this is more than an analogy. Light and consciousness are often thought of as the same. You may have heard the phrase, “light of consciousness”.

The spectrum as applied to consciousness manifests itself in terms of perspectives of reality, which is to say that different perspectives of reality are correlated to different positions with the spectrum of consciousness. So, on this physical plane of reality, any individual consciousness can be said to be at some position within the larger spectrum of consciousness at any particular moment in time. Thus, it is common to hear phrases such as “level of consciousness”, higher consciousness”, “lower consciousness”, “limited consciousness”, “expanded consciousness”. It is also common to hear levels of consciousness described as correlating to vibrational rates of energy, i.e., “higher energy” corresponding to higher level of consciousness, and the converse for “lower energy”. You can expect to find these phrases used throughout this series, especially as we will talk about how different points of consciousness manifest.

In Part 1 we also spoke of the purpose of the individualized expressions of Infinite Mind being to contribute to the expansion of consciousness. We humans, having free will are in no way prohibited from free engagement in expanding consciousness -- in terms of outside barriers to participation, that is. However, we do have self imposed barriers. Free will means that we are free to mange our own consciousness. And specifically, what we are managing is the degree of openness / closedness of our own consciousness.

The way that this is related to positions within the spectrum of consciousness is that our freely chosen degree of openness / closedness places us at a particular position within the spectrum of consciousness. In other words, there is an interplay whereby the level of consciousness of the entity determines position within the spectrum, which correlates to one's choices in terms of degree of openess / closedness; and then going the other way, the degree of openness one chooses can move, i.e., effect, position within the spectrum. When we speak of evolving consciousness, we are referring to the evolutionary (upward) trend of this movement in consciousness.

Position within the spectrum is in no way like social status within the world. But for purposes of analogy, let me use that idea for a moment to further enhance my point. Unlike with social status, it is impossible to try to force or manipulate one’s way into a position within consciousness. A position within the spectrum is determined by only one thing -- the degree of openness one chooses to be. Likewise, “claiming” a position also will not do it. That is why we so often see those claiming a “righteous” consciousness, acting and behaving contrary to what they are claiming. There is a discrepancy because their claim does not correlate with their state of openness.

Management of consciousness then is an activity that individual sentient beings engage in, and is how they contribute to the expansion or contraction of consciousness. To further clarify terms here, openness is associated with and contributes to expansion; closed consciousness is associated with and contributes to contraction. I hope you are seeing this. The parameter of openness / closedness is applicable to the individual consciousness. The parameter of expansion / contraction is applicable to effect upon Universal Consciousness.

In Part 1, I also mentioned an evolutionary aspect to individualized consciousness. So let’s put this into context with what we have so far. Expansion of consciousness occurs by way of, and at a pace consistent with the willingness and eagerness of the masses to be open; and evolution of the individual consciousness occurs by way of, and at a pace consistent with the willingness and eagerness of the individual to be open. Thus, man has a choice regarding the pace of his individual evolution in consciousness; but also as a species, by virtue of the degree of openness of mass consciousness, mankind affects the evolution of overall consciousness.

Now, the premise stated in the opening sentences of The Preface should be coming into sharper focus. To wit: “It is said that a major shift in the consciousness of the planet will occur when a critical mass of higher consciousness is achieved. The idea is that the overall consciousness of the planet is raised individual by individual as their consciousness is raised.”

The question that arises next might be: how are we to know open consciousness from closed? What are the characteristics of each that we might recognize them, and thereby better manage our own consciousness? That is to be the subject of Part 3 in this series,The Way of Open Consciousness

Copyright © 2007, William Gunderson
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