Tuesday, September 29, 2009

How Far Can You See

Those who follow my Urbanology column know that I’ll start my Introduction to The Book of Changes (I Ching) workshop next week as part of the City College of New York’s Adult and Continuing Education’s Fall Personal Development curriculum. You may remember that in my July Forgiveness article I wrote I planned to conduct the I Ching workshop this Fall because it would help me to jumpstart my life-long journey of exploring the mysteries of one of the world’s most amazing books.

Over the years, Thomas Cleary has been my choice as the best translator of Taoist classics like I Ching. I’ll use his translation of Cheng Yi’s Tao of Organization: The I Ching for Group Dynamics, as one of three reference books for the workshop. I’ll also use the I Ching Workbook by R.L. Wing. The third book I’ll use is a wonderful book I discovered over the summer by Wu Wei called, The I Ching Handbook: Getting What You Want. Wei writes about the mindset necessary to not only improve your ability to use the I Ching, but to improve your whole life.

Wu Wei answers the question of “How far can you see?” by writing: “Every thing we see is inside of our heads. Inside of each eye are about one hundred million rods and cones. These rods and cones are stimulated by the rays of light that enter your eye which, in turn, create impulses that travel along the optic nerve system to the brain.”

The brain receives those impulses and forms a picture. That picture is inside your head - formed by your brain, within your brain. Wei also writes that, “We never actually see an object, the only thing we see are light rays being radiated by, or reflected from objects. The view you have of the world is simply a picture that appears to be outside, but actually is inside your head.

When I started thinking about this the first thing that came to mind was the Magic Eye 3D computer-generated illusions. If you look at them for a period of time a 3D image seems to “magically” appear. According to Wu, “Changing the way you see things is much easier than changing the things you see.” One important point in this is that we react to the pictures we see in our heads, based on past experiences. That’s why some will see a glass as half full, while others see the same glass half empty.

One of the other important concepts I got from Wu’s book is that events are the language of the Universe. The essence of that communication is what we call “coincidence”. If you’re still reading, perhaps you should pick up the Wu book. You might also want to join my workshop. If so call 212 650-7312, or register on line at www.ccny.cuny.edu/ace. You still have time. The workshop starts next Tuesday, October 6th. You might also want to visit my blog at www.theartofwarogers.com How far can you see?

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Synchronicity

In 1949 Swiss psychologist Carl Jung wrote the foreword for one of the first Western translations of the I Ching. Richard Wilhelm’s translation of this Chinese classic got the attention of the science community because one of the world’s best known psychologists provided credibility to the 2000 year old book. A book that many considered too abstruse to be intelligible, or of no value at all. In his foreword Jung introduced the term Synchronicity, which he described as a concept that takes the coincidence of events in space and time as meaning something more than mere chance.

The Amorillum Spiritual Dictionary www.amorillum.com states that Jung considered synchronicity to be a term that could be used to explain the alignment of universal forces with the life experiences of an individual. Jung believed that many experiences we perceive as coincidences are not coincidence at all, but rather the alignment of these forces creating the situation we find ourselves facing. The I Ching was the foundation of not only Jung’s theory of synchronicity - it also served as the foundation for German philosopher G.F. Hegel’s dialectical theory of history which became the foundation for Karl Marx’s theory of dialectical materialism. The theories of Hegel and Marx made a tremendous impact on the philosophical direction of Western civilization.

I am amazed that a book that is over 2000 years old could serve as the foundation for information technology (Gottfried Von Leibniz’s theory of binary mathematics 1675) and the discovery of the genetic code by James Watson and Francis Crick in 1953. In the last paragraph of his famous introduction Jung writes “As to the thousands of questions, doubts, and criticisms that this singular book stirs up, I cannot answer these. The I Ching does not offer itself with proofs and results; it does not vaunt itself, nor is it easy to approach. Like a part of nature, it waits until it is discovered. It offers neither facts nor power, but for lovers of self-knowledge, of wisdom - if there be such - it seems to be the right book.”

As many of you know, I will conduct a four week introductory I Ching (Book of Changes) workshop during the month of October at the City College Adult and Continuing Education program (ACE) www.ccny.cuny.edu/ace. If you are interested call
212 650-7312. If you have thought about developing a better understanding of the I Ching and you are reading my column for the first time by chance - you could be having a synchronistic experience. When you are aligned with the mind of the universe there is no such thing as a coincidence.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Life is What You Make It

According to Wu Wei in his book, The I Ching Handbook, what we call a coincidence is really the Universe using events to communicate a message to us. He also suggests that we communicate to the Universe through our thoughts, actions and words. The way you think has a lot to do with how you live your life. The old saying “Life Is What You Make It” takes on greater meaning when you accept the concept of thought manifestation.

If you don’t like the way your life is going - change the way you think. Many of us spend our time thinking about the problem and then wondering why it’s so difficult to find the solution. It’s because we attract what we think. Our internal and external environment develops around what and how we think. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everything was perfect? What would your day be like if every event you experienced benefited you? It is possible to connect to the mind of the Universe if you allow yourself to believe that the mind of the Universe is perfect - and that every event you encounter is perfect and beneficial. To you!

Wu Wei addresses this concept when he writes, “If you feel that you are a victim or have had bad luck, made a mistake, or been ill-used, you may become angry, curse your luck or feel frustrated.” The events that caused your feelings are beyond your power to alter. What can be changed are your feelings. Each time an event occurs you channel the activity into a negative or positive track. The way you channel your thoughts and feelings will determine its future outcome. Have you ever had something happen to you that you thought was a misfortune and in time realize that what you thought was a misfortune was really a blessing?

It may not be easy to accept every event that you experience as a benefit but, when you think about it, you only have two ways to react. To think in a way that will bring out the potential good of the situation. Or curse your luck and bring out the negative side of the experience. Life is what you make it. I challenge you to join me in exploring the philosophy of viewing all events as being beneficial. I assure you that if you try this way of thinking the quality of your life will improve.

Wu Wei writes that, “Most of the time when a difficult situation arises we see it only for what it appears to be, and fail to see it for what it really is: an opportunity for benefits of self awareness and personal growth.” In other words: Life Is What You Make It.

I will discuss this concept in more detail during my Introduction To The I Ching workshop this October at the City College Fall Adult and Continuing Education Program. If you’re interested, call 212 650-7312, or go online at www.ccny.cuny.edu/ace to the personal development section.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Coincidence

Today there are many people in the world who believe that there’s no such thing as coincidence. The concept of a pattern and reason for everything we experience is very ancient. But I believe human evolution is moving to the next stage of consciousness - where coincidence has a place. Which is why I often write about the spiritual/science movement that is bringing ancient wisdom and modern science closer together.

I recently picked up a book entitled Atlantis by David Gibbins. It was interesting to me because, like Dan Brown’s work, David Gibbins tells a story loaded with real facts. I was planning to take a trip with my family so I packed the book. I also picked up The I Ching Handbook, by Wu Wei, since I’ll be conducting a four week introductory workshop to the I Ching this fall at The City College of New York’s Adult and Continuing Education Program www.ccny.cuny.edu/ace .

I immediately opened the Handbook to a page that read, “Because you are reading this, be aware that the Universe, in its complete awareness, has brought you together with what you need.” I bought the book. Due to bad weather our travel plans changed overnight. After spending hours working with the airlines and hotels the only place that was available within our travel itinerary was the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island in the Bahamas.

I was always intrigued by the legend of the advanced human minds that ruled a land called Atlantis in 5500 B.C. with technology as advanced the twentieth century’s. Somehow the continent and technology of Atlantis was destroyed, only the legend remains. There are many theories as to what could have happened. The one that fits best here is that “the human evolution” was too fast and technology separated the Atlantiens from the mind of the universe. Some believe we may be close to a similar fate if we aren’t careful. That’s why I believe that the spiritual/science movement is very important.

Wu Wei writes, “It is of utmost importance that you become aware that you and your Universe are in constant communication…we speak to the Universe with our words, thoughts and actions. The Universe speaks to us with events.” Wu goes on to say “Events are the language of the Universe, an example of that communication is what we call coincidence.”

If we can accept what we call coincidence as the Universe talking to us, and our words, thoughts and actions as our way of communicating to the mind of the universe, our ability to improve the quality of our life and the lives of others will be enhanced. I’ll be the first to admit that this is not an easy concept to grasp. If you’re reading this article the Universe is communicating to you based on your thoughts, actions or words. We’re connected because it was the same universal communication that motivated me to write this article from Atlantis. Perhaps in time we will understand the
Message.

Or not.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

God is Love

I often write about my views concerning the difference between religion and spirituality and find it encouraging how science and spirituality now seem to be coming closer together. It’s never been my intention to disrespect any religious beliefs when I write about the politics of religion. I believe God is Love in the earthly form of energy. Everything in our world vibrates, I believe that in humans the higher the frequency of that vibration, the closer one is to the mind of the universe.

Science now understands that the brain is an electrochemical organ. When the brain is in an Alpha state, a frequency of about 9 to 14 cycles per second, the body’s relaxed and capable of internal and external healing. Meditation, Tai Chi, Yoga, Ki Energy training and treatments, are excellent ways one can use to reach the Alpha state. Mother Clara Hale proved that the human frequency of unconditional love was healing in her noted work at Harlem’s Hale House program. Many heroin-addicted babies were saved by Hale house volunteers coming to the hospital just to hold them. In Korea this is called chunsoo (Heavenly Hands): the power of healing by touch.

It’s my belief that Jesus was a spiritual person who provided evidence of the power of unconditional love. I also believe it was the politics of religion that had him killed. Eckhart Tolle writes in his best selling book A New Earth, that the politics of religion provides a foundation for some to equate truth with thought, and as they’re completely identified with thought, they claim to be in sole possession of the truth. Unless you believe exactly as they do you’re wrong.

Tolle goes on to say that more and more people are starting to understand that how spiritual you are has nothing to do with what you believe, but everything to do with your state of consciousness. This, in turn, determines how you act in the world and interact with others. I remember as a child I lived with my grandmother in South Carolina until I was 5 years old. A lady lived up the road from our house who we called Miss Mary. She washed clothes for a living, she was good with herbs and animals. I liked Miss Mary. She didn’t always go to church, so some people talked about her.

Miss Anderson was one of those people. She always had a Bible in her hand and was always in other people’s business. Her family had a good business and she gave a lot of money to the church because God had blessed them. But Miss Anderson could be very mean to be so close to God. One day I asked Miss Mary why God was so good to Ms. Anderson when you are so kind and helpful to so many people. Miss Mary smiled at me and said “God is Love”. I’d forgotten about that talk with Miss Mary until I started writing this article.

Miss Mary was a wise lady.