If you will see all things are now, you don't become, you simply select the state that you would occupy. Occupying it you seem to become but it is already a fact, every aspect of that state in its most minute detail. It's worked out and taking place. You by occupying the state seem to go through the action of unfolding that state, but the state is completely finished and taking place.
So now you can choose the being you want to be and by choosing a being other than what you are now expressing you start the change of the feeling of "I".
Now, how will I know that I have changed the feeling of "I"?
By beginning first with an uncritical observation of my reactions to life and then noticing my reactions when I think I am identified with my choice. If I assume that I am the man that I want to be, let me observe my reactions. If they are as they were, I have not identified myself with my choice, for my reactions are automatic and so if I am changed I would automatically change my reactions to life.
So the changing of the feeling of "I" results in a change of reaction, which change of reaction is a change of environment and behavior. But let me warn you now. A little alteration of mood is not a transformation; it's not a real change of consciousness. Because as I change my mood for the moment it can quickly and rapidly be I would say, replaced by another mood in the reverse direction.
And so when I realize that my feeling of "I" is not congruent with my desired state I must change it and occupy that state, think from it and not of it, and keep on doing that until the transformation is complete.
My inner reactions and conversations indicate whether I have fallen asleep again or if I am awake and assuming I am what I desire to be. That's why it's so important to be present in the here and now rather than let myself be carried away on the back of my monkey mind.
Comments
Sophie here. I enjoy this blog. This particular post "All Things are NOW, " has been so helpful! The need to occupy the state and REMAIN in it until it is the state FROM which we view life is the key. Also the "monkey mind" needs to be silenced by living the new state as if it were already so. For somethings it may take several tries. :)
When I was 16 years old, circumstances were such in my family that I had to live with an aunt. It was a foreign type of neighborhood, a bit ghettoish. On my way home from school, I would walk through the neighborhood as if I was living in a beautiful community. I knew nothing of wishing or imagining making so. At that point, the world hadn't brainwashed me sufficiently. In fact to escape some of the harsh realities of my early life, I would often daydream. Those who over came their early meager existence, no doubt were big daydreamers. One family member said she passed me in the streets, and her words were "S. seemed to have her head in the clouds." It seems I had walked pass her on the street without taking notice. Indeed, I was in another world, the one I wanted to be in, right there and then it was my reality! In my 20's and to this day, I reside in type of location I daydreamed of in my teens.
A question for you. I have read somewhat extensively regarding mysticism, and there is a branch called Absolutist, or Oneness teachers who deny the negative, disharmonious, or seemingly evil realities of life, by claiming God is ONLY Light, Love, Truth, Life, the Only One.
Absolutist call the unlovely states, "illusion, maya, not real." They never address the verse from Isaiah, as Neville did.
"I made the light and the darkness.
I bring peace, and I cause trouble.
I, the Lord, do all these things"
Isaiah 45:7
I believe God is Light, Love, Truth, Life. However, our Imagination being God means we choose from the drama of life the parts we wish to play. Neville's explanation makes the most sense. As we awaken to God within us, then we will choose the lovely identifications. That seems to be the plan - awakening to what we are Imagining. As Neville would say, "the world is yourself pushed out." I have had some of the experiences Neville speaks of in The Promise, not all, and not exactly. However, some are close enough.
I would love to hear your thoughts on the above. Have you read or come across Absolutist who deny God has anything to do with unlovely states?
Thanking you in advance.