In this amazing experiment of our lives, we carry on by trial and error. Occasionally we may reflect on some of the things we’ve learned that work better than others. One of those things that we yoga students have learned is that awareness is more than “half the battle” in virtually every success.
As I imagine you agree, I find it hard to overstate the importance of awareness in having a healthy and happy life.
In contrast, we see people spinning their wheels because they aren’t aware of something that’s key to the issue they’re trying to overcome… like all those students new to yoga who didn’t realize how their daily habits involve excessive forward bending and spinal mis-alignments which have led to bodily imbalances that can be neutralized and countered with simple postures… or the students who weren’t aware that repetitive mental patterns are correlated with their anxiety and illness and how new awareness can empower them to change their lives with yoga tools. In these examples, as in our own lives, we see that people’s satisfaction and health before and after awareness are completely different.
So, really, awareness is just key, right? Well, I’ve come to believe there is something simple and practical that in many cases is a precursor or bridge to awareness. I’ve found that this bridging activity brings increasing success in learning, teaching and communicating.
I’ve been doing the work of making teachings accessible and practical for many years now. It’s been quite an immersive experience and as a result, I’ve come to realize many things I wouldn’t have otherwise. Here’s one: the simple act of defining terms as you are using them is key to increasing understanding. And at the same time, it diffuses the vast majority of drama that may arise around subjects that may be associated with untold distractions in the other’s mind.
I’m not just talking about technical or archaic terms. I’m talking about all terms fundamental to the subject at hand.
If you’re going to communicate in the first place then no matter the potential interest level of the participants, it’s worth trying to be the most effective you can be. And so I suggest trying out this new tactic: define the terms you’re using and see for yourself how your communications are received.
Just as distraction is a primary obstacle of awareness, so sloppy word use inhibits mutual understanding and peaceful communications, no matter the other’s state of mind.
Clarity of word-use, on the other hand, enables participants to identify where there is common ground and where various perspectives diverge and converge.
It’s the convergence that’s got me in awe lately.
I’d love to share with you an example of how simply defining terms can bring together seemingly disparate quests and perspectives into a cohesive whole.
I’ll note that this isn’t just any ‘ol example. To me, it’s a shining example! It’s one of those eureka moments where I saw something I hadn’t seen before, a peak moment that opened up my view for vast new exploration. Here’s what happened.
In early 2019 I set forth on the seemingly gargantuan task of making Consciousness, The Nature of Reality and the Science of Oneness more accessible and teachable subjects for yoga teachers. (As an aside, one of my reasons for persisting in such a daunting task was because I was really tired of hearing teachers who didn’t have experience with the reality of oneness nonetheless speaking of it as if students should take their word for it. I thought, if they aren’t transmitting the frequency of having experienced oneness and teaching from that place, then, to me, they’re simply a talking head with no substance. But there are ways to do it better. They can learn more about the subject philosophically and scientifically for their own support and to share with students.)
But it was hard to know where to begin. And then I realized that, virtually always, the best place to begin is by simply and clearly defining key terms.
It was very satisfying to get clear on exactly how to define consciousness, nonlocality, the quantum field, “raise your vibration” and all the rest. But I didn’t foresee how taking the time to methodically create simple and clear definitions for every key term would lead to profound aha moments.
As I researched, I kept those simple meanings in my mind as opposed to the labels (names, terms) that different groups have used. Suddenly I was able to see profound overlap of concepts in places I hadn’t seen before.
I’m talking about a lot more than the idea that all religions are pointing to the same thing, for example. I’m talking about specific terminology like aether, consciousness and your true essence that all actually have the same definition… who knew?
There was so much overlap that I began creating a list of synonyms. And that’s when a light went on and the door opened wide for me to more easily understand virtually every science and philosophy on the planet that touches on Consciousness or The Nature of Reality because I found all the following to be virtually identical:
- Aether
- Quintessence
- The Field
- Quantum Field
- Plasma
- Spacetime
- The Fabric of the Cosmos
- The Void
- Akasha
- The Universe
- Spirit
- Consciousness
- Fabric of the Universe
- Primary Principle of Existence
- Universal Phenomenon
- Eternal Driving Force for all that Exists
- True Essence
- True Nature
I remember the day I realized plasma belongs on the list. That was a big add.* And the latest aha occurred just yesterday when, thanks to the Peter Russell video below, I added true essence. That has to be the moment I was the most gobsmacked since my original realization that aether and consciousness have the same meanings.
Clearly, not all those words can be used in place of the other in the many contexts in which they are used. Some have aspects of meaning that are much more applicable in some situations than others. But let’s take a moment to consider how many, many people have needed a name for this important “thing” they wanted to describe, explore and discuss.
Those different words have value in conveying distinctions that represent bodies of knowledge that provide different lenses or perspectives. Some of the perspectives seem very different and some seem only subtly so, and surely the depth, subtlety and pervasiveness of this thing we call consciousness and our true essence is worthy of so many amazing words and perspectives. Whether the source is ancient wisdom, yogic philosophy, quantum physics or other science, the variety of offerings contribute so much to our world.
However, if we think those 18 words speak to unrelated subjects, we remain ignorant of how many people are actually in near-total agreement about the core knowledge at the heart of this vital subject of Consciousness and the Nature of Reality…. which is what again? Oh, right, the essence of who we are and the essence of every “thing” that exists.
How many other things are people in agreement about or open to, but didn’t know it because they’ve not had a bridge? From my perspective, A LOT.
* As used in mainstream science terminology, plasma is defined as a state of matter (along with solid, liquid and gas) that makes up 99.9% of the universe* (NASA). Like gas, plasmas have no fixed shape or volume, but unlike gas which is neutral, plasma is charged. (Live Science) The sun and stars are comprised of plasma, and in addition, plasma forms a “soup” or “field.” Thus, we can deduce that plasma is synonymous with aether.
Free Downloads
- A Simple Bridging Activity to Increase Learning & Teaching Effectiveness, and Peaceful Communications – DOC (Coming Soon)
