Which one is your reality?

To become truly balanced and poised in awareness, we must become aware of the movement of our minds into the second field of awareness.

Shamans and sages the world over have divided human consciousness into two distinct types, the first attention, that is the physical appearance of objects and experiences, and the second attention, which delves into the vast number of realities and spiritual dimensions that shamans and visionaries access through spiritual methods of prayer, meditation, and a 'seeking' nature.

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The first attention is addressed to how we perceive and feel objects in the human physical form. This method is such a common way of relating to objects around us that most people cannot even think of any other way of doing so. These are the humans who use their minds, and intellect, rather than source the visionary powers, which are ever present in our inner selves. For example, to the first attention, a pastoral scene might be just a river flowing through a field of growing crops. Yet to the second attention, the river represents the history and continuity of the ages, also reflected in the recycling of life through the seed-to-grain and back to seed cyclic process.

To become truly balanced and poised in awareness, we must become aware of the movement of our minds into the second field of awareness, which is quite distinct from the 'normal' reality that we are accustomed to 'see, hear and feel'! And if we are to really become powerful human beings, we must learn to use the powers of our second attention, keeping the dialogue ongoing, with it, to eventually learn the distinction between what is truly the reality and what is the illusion.

Take the example of a child crying relentlessly, whenever it sights its mother. The mother might feel that she has fed and clothed the child, fulfilling all its needs. Yet, when the child cries continually, the mother's second attention would warn her that it is not food or warmth that the child craves, but love and attention, which she had forgotten to share.

When we relate to the world with our first attention only, it is like trying to talk to the reflection of ourselves in a mirror, an illusion created by the mind. We may be able to move things around, but it is like trying to alter the reflection, rather than ourselves, an illusory thought. The modern man, used as he is to working in this manner, does not realize that there is a much larger world behind the small perceptible reality that he can access to fulfill his ambitions and desires. He sees a small piece of reality, and concludes that it is the whole that he sees. Then he finds himself helpless and victimized and dominated by this illusory world.

We can change our attitudes by letting go of the first attention, whenever we wish to make a decision. The wise old adage, which advises us to 'sleep over' our confusion to come to the right conclusion, is based on this premise that whilst we sleep, we let go of the first attention, and widen our perspective by seeing the whole picture at once.

Next week, we shall examine the practical ways of using the major qualities of this second attention to making our lives more successful in every way possible.