I read an article this morning regarding the evolution of our consciousness. More specifically, a discussion of our capacity to overcome.

“We are pioneers of human consciousness,” the article shared. For millions of years, our survival was contingent on sudden bursts of energy predicated on human emotion. Just as a tiger readying to destroy its prey, survival required an ‘instant domination of human consciousness’

Though, in time, our civilization evolved – the immediate threat to our existence muted by the fortress walls. Yet still, the instinct remained – and our emotional arms continued to fight. “In our social interactions, our consciousness magnifies molehills and makes them into mountains,” the author posited. “and this constant distortion destroys our energy, our insight, and our ability to love.”

Survival today means so much more, my friends – a gathering of hearts and minds, ‘working to remedy this primitive alarm’. I think of these words this morning as I consider our new world scape. Politics have divided what was once our service; wars have destroyed what we believed always to be there. Communication, love, and a shared common trust – attributes which empower peace of mind.

This world is our mirror, my friends; and the faces of those gazing back from the crowd – our unity. Our civilized mind demands such pause.

I’d like to close with a passage from philosopher, Osho:

“It takes a little time to create a gap between the witness and the mind. Once the gap is there, you are in for a great surprise, that you are not the mind, that you are the witness, a watcher.

And this process of watching is the very alchemy of real religion. Because as you become more and more deeply rooted in witnessing, thoughts start disappearing. You are, but the mind is utterly empty.

That’s the moment of enlightenment. That is the moment that you become for the first time an unconditioned, sane, really free human being.”