Breaking Free of Our Trance, Escaping The Gordian Knot: Summary Part 13 - 2 (Transcending Paradigms)

Eventually, our experience of ourselves and the world can be analogized to being a wave on an infinite ocean. Over time, we realize that we are not merely a separate, defined, yet ever-changing ripple, but are (and always were) the ocean itself. While maintaining our own autonomy and humanity, we also act as an integral part of our larger identity - the ocean. The idea that the control paradigm can control the world becomes laughable, absurd. We recognize that others are seeking power that actually exists within themselves.

Even though proponents of the old system will inevitably kick and scream - top-down habits are gradually becoming outdated and obsolete.

The idea of cooperation or partnership with others becomes an obvious option and we become committed to making this a reality on our planet. In doing so we can seek to join with, and gently help others break out of their control-paradigm jails, if they are open to this.

I sometimes picture our relation to the universe as analogous to a flower on a plant that is radiating life energy. The plant (say, a tree) is universal consciousness (or "G-o-d"). We are the flower - and simultaneously, the tree as well. The flower will eventually grow into a ripe, juicy fruit.

At one level - there is nothing we need to do, as we are already an integral part of the tree of consciousness. Yet, due to our habit of living in the isolated illusion of separateness (which Alan Watts called our "bag of skin"), prayer allows us to real-ize this fact - and to be nourished by the energy of the entire tree.

While meditation involves the intention to see things clearly through a non-conceptual, silent, focused awareness, prayer is based on the intention to actively re-link ourselves to universal awareness through words, ideas and images.

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When we begin to experience ourselves as an integral wave in the ocean of consciousness, prayer can be seen as a form of awareness - a way of linking our individual consciousness with that of the ocean. We intentionally seek to break through our habitual prison of separateness and very gradually become linked to infinite awareness.

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Paleontologists have designated our species as "Homo Sapiens Sapiens" - the human that is "doubly wise." Given our large cerebral cortex - prayer and meditation allow us to utilize a uniquely human gift - our ability to be aware that we are aware. Practicing this "double-awareness," we are empowered to experience both the lucidity of our own awareness and its contents.

To return to the image of an aquarium: "being the water" enables us to step back and clearly perceive our breath, thoughts, emotions, sensations, intentions and decisions in a way that a dog apparently cannot. We experience the inner space between thoughts, choices and actions, which transcends the fight or flight, act-and-react-cycle.

Over time - and with relaxed effort - we may come to experience the "one-mind" that physicists are discovering. We then naturally transform our view of the world and focus on the need for harmony, rather than control.

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