“Most people spend their entire life imprisoned within the confines of their own thoughts. They never go beyond a narrow, mind-made, personalized sense of self that is conditioned by the past. In you, as in each human being, there is a dimension of consciousness far deeper than thought. It is the very essence of who you are. We may call it presence, awareness, the unconditioned consciousness. In the ancient teachings, it is the Christ within, or your Buddha nature.”

Eckhart Tolle — Stillness Speaks

The above quote points to a powerful truth that is at the essence of living the awakened life. And that truth indicates that it will be to our benefit if we learn to transcend the world of thought, and instead enter into the realm of experience.

The importance of this cannot be overstated. And that is because if we do not learn to transcend the world of thought, we may always get caught in yet another belief system rather than actually having a powerful experience of that which is Real and Eternal. It is certainly true that, if we are to be caught in a belief system, it is beneficial for us to be caught in a positive belief system – it is better to have a belief system that works, that is life-nurturing and all inclusive, rather than one that is based upon an exclusivist mentality. Yet the truth is that, sooner or later, as we mature on the spiritual path, we must learn to move beyond mere thoughts and ideas, and turn to experience.

When you have beliefs, all you ever have is a theory. Yet when you have experience, theory begins to blossom into a way of life. And that’s why, as I’ve stated before, it is only in the realm of experience that transformation can occur. Transformation is not an intellectual exercise. Transformation does not occur in the mind. Transformation always occurs within the core of your very Being.

The topic of this particular entry is “Transcending Thought.” And this also includes transcending positive thought. Let me explain what I mean by that.

Very often we might mistake having a higher state of awareness with simply offering what we may call positive thinking. Yet there is a big difference between positive thinking and being tuned into the unadulterated consciousness of the life-giving, all-sustaining Source of All That Is. In other words, positive affirmations are good, and they are certainly useful tools as we progress on our journey into living the sacred and empowered lives we are here to live. Yet affirmations, no matter how positive, are still thoughts. And that makes them tools, much in the same way that language itself is a tool that we use in order for us to connect, to articulate and share our feelings. So too is positive thinking a tool that we may use to catapult us out of a narrow perception of fear, doubt, and worry into an awareness of Life as it really is.

And here’s how Life really is: the entire Universe is for you, and nothing could ever be against you other than your own perception. You are a creative being, meaning that your thoughts, beliefs, and expectations are always being mirrored back to you – regardless of whether or not these thoughts, beliefs, and expectations are conscious. You are fully equipped with the faculties and the qualities found within the Creative Impulse of the Universe, and you are here so you may express and reveal these faculties and qualities in your own unique way, utilizing your unique set of gifts, skills, talents, capacities, and sensibilities.

Now at first this may seem like yet another belief system. Yet as we begin to mature and evolve, and as we begin to practice certain spiritual tools and principles, we begin to realize, in our own experience, the powerful truth behind these statements. And we may also realize that this is merely one way of articulating the deeper nature of Reality. There are many ways in which we may go about putting this to words. The words aren’t really all that important.

So until we arrive at this realization, it may be a belief, and that is all well and good. Because, remember, a positive belief system is always better than a negative one. Yet, sooner or later, we will come to realize that what surpasses even the best of all belief systems is having the actual experience. Once we have the experience, belief is no longer necessary. Just as belief in electricity became unnecessary once Thomas Edison invented the light bulb, so a belief in the deeper truths of Reality becomes unnecessary once we have the experience. And it is the experience itself that will lead to a powerful transformation occurring within the sacred space of our own awareness. Slowly but surely, our lives will begin to change as we learn to embody more of our true nature.

So as you use your affirmations, as you train your mind to consciously think positive and empowering thoughts, let yourself be aware that the affirmations and the thoughts are tools that you’re using. They are powerful tools, which is why new affirmations are being posted here on Awakened Life Now every Sunday. Yet as we let these affirmations speak to our hearts and minds, let us always remember to maintain an awareness of that sweet realm that lies beyond thoughts and beliefs. For it is only in that transcended realm that we will meet in joyous communion with our sacred I Am Presence. It is in this blissful awareness where we may access the unconditioned consciousness that was referenced in the quote that began this entry. And it is in this state of tremendous peace that passeth all understanding where we find our Christ within, where we discover our Buddha nature, and where we unveil our Krishna awareness.

Fellow travelers, what a sweet, sweet journey we are on, indeed!

LET’S DIALOGUE!

What materials – such as books, seminars, or workshops – have you found helpful on your spiritual journey?

What are some of your preferred spiritual practices?

And if you are just starting out on your journey, what are some of the questions you may have? Is there anything unclear that you’d like to have clarification on?

I would love to hear from you. So please don’t be shy, we’re all on this journey together. ;)

Much Love and Blessings!