Phase One
When ethereal spirit projects into dense matter a fracturing occurs. Awareness splits from Super-conscious into conscious, subconscious and unconscious. The ego is a product of this separation. The problem arises when the ego forgets its identity beyond form.
The ego is a fear-based thought system. Its mechanisms are based on avoidance of pain and the experience of pleasure. It is a learned system based on trial and error, and therefore keeps our awareness trapped by the past. It is of this world, it is the dualistic mind. Its true purpose is to be a tool of awareness.
Our goal is to rebuild our consciousness to operate as a more integrated Whole. For this to happen, we must release our attachment to the ego mind so that it may step aside and find its true place. As long as it is at the forefront, other layers of awareness and function remain in the background. We want to regain conscious access to the immense power which is the connected Self.
The first step is for the ego to understand that it, alone, is powerless over the immensity that is existence. It must, in order to evolve to the next stage of development, accept its limits. Only at this point can consciousness begin to integrate Higher Mind.
The second step is to come to an understanding that it is through reconnecting with Higher Mind that we move into the connected Self. Its the flip side of the coin. By releasing who I think I am, I find my true Self. And as such, the degree to which I find connection is directly related to the degree to which I admit and accept the powerlessness of the ego mind. Its a God paradox.
The third step of this phase is to give our self to Higher Power. There are many names given to Higher Power, but here the name is unimportant. The important thing is that we abandon our self to that Higher Being. So whether we call it God, Goddess, Allah, Krishna, Buddha nature, Gaia, the Tao or the Universe, we surrender ourselves.
From this point on we can release our opinions, preferences, and striving for some particular outcome. Our existence is an extension of the will of the Universe. In effect, it always has been, but now we become conscious participants in the unfolding. The source of our life becomes the Source of all power and all wisdom. Little me becomes the connected me, the agent of God. This is liberation from limitation.
Here we take our first physical action along the pathway. We follow the decision we've made with a prayer, spoken aloud (something to do with the vocal vibration). I use the words “Father/Mother God” in addressing Higher Being. You may choose to substitute any words that work more in conjunction with your faith. The prayer follows:
“Father/Mother God, I offer myself to you - to build with me, and to do with me as you will. Relieve me of the bondage of self. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help, of your power, your love, and your way of life. I ask that you guide my thoughts and my actions this day, and that you make me sensitive and obedient to your will. May I do your will always.” And so it is.
I encourage you to begin each day by saying this prayer, or a version of it. It puts the day in perspective and allows us to move forward in a new direction. Your life is now in the hands of God.
Also, life gives us the opportunity to put the meaning of this prayer into action every day. My favorite place to practice it is when standing in a long line at the grocery store. Rush hour driving provides ample opportunity as well. A “practice” of this principle is the greatest remedy you will find to life in our modern culture.
This completes the first phase. In the next, we begin to get to know the ego mind and its operation, so that as we move forward we can better understand its traps and pitfalls. And as such, we will begin to answer Apollo's call from his temple at Delphi to “Know Thyself”.
from the Lachlen Paul French translation of The Gospel According to Thomas, passage 60
Remember the parable: Except a seed-shell rots away from the SEED
when it’s fallen into the SOIL, the seed shall not bring forth FRUIT
[bring forth its transformation].
It must let go of its identification with the hard exterior and its old nature before it can expand and grow into its transformed state. Just so, if an individual remains focused on the temporary body-personality of this world, and remains un-initiated to his divinely birthed true soul purpose; and if he remains unaware of the power of his divine Breath and its fiery cleansing purpose, then in this life he shall simply age, shrink and wither
as the un-evolved ego personality he received at birth,
not realizing he was something magical.
So the system will eat him up in his striving in the ego-darkness
and he will die like a human.
However, when he attends to the Inner Life, he will live like a child of God.
The key is the transcendence, expansion, and transformation from the old ego [the outer personality’s habits and identifications,
inherited at our DNA birth and built up throughout life]. Then his greater Self within will become his external self.