Sunday, October 16,2011 - Your Virtual Knowledge
~ Rev. William M. Heller
Don Miguel and Don Jose Ruiz know our true Self, our Holiness, is our reality, where our true knowledge is one with God. This will become evident towards the end of our study. The path to awakening to this is at the essence of their teaching, for our increased awareness of our conscious practices provides us the means to open our consciousness to our truth. Hence our study in the manner we're now following.
The way I see the world is based on the "filter" I have made. Ultimately, I am the only one who can take credit for it. Others have contributed to my thinking- my parents, family, community and culture, history. Yet my outlook is sourced in the decisions I've made through my individual thinking. This is my filter, my filtering system- it has created my world.
Absent any means to question this, I've relied on this filter to make decisions as to how I will see my world, how I will live my life, and how I will see you. Call it Bill's filter. That filter needs cleaning, regularly. This filter is the virtual knowledge Don Miguel refers to, used to see this world, to make the world I walk in. I've developed it based on a thought process that (I believe) is geared to protect me and to enable me to be happy. Yet it has been based on furthering the world seen through that filter, without the discipline, to question this belief.
Last week I referred to 6.9 billion people in the world, each having developed their filter. While there is some commonality, there is a lot of distinction and separation. Different goals come into play, resulting in different directions, different values. These filters are what fuel our imagination, our pursuit of happiness. What we see externally appears to be outside. Yet what in truth we are seeing is but the reflection of our imagination, our thoughts. The filter I've referred to is put in place through this imagination. Don Miguel & Don Jose are pointing this out also, this has been known through history-Egyptians, Greeks, India and Toltec's were aware of this. Our eye preceptors are seeing light reflected off of forms; where those items we see take form, and have meaning, rest in our minds. Perception is happening, within our mind!
Agreement 2- Don't take anything personally
Recognize all interactions with another are the projection of their imagination, their story, their world. This statement is not to attack them, nor to invalidate them, nor condemn them. Instead this is the opportunity to see them with compassion. Their expression is the result of their projection-their means to maintain their filter, what they believe brings their peace of mind. It is not real, it is a dream, it is their imagination.
Your thought of them is your projection- it is your imagination that has furthered your story, your world, thought to keep you safe or "successful." As with any other person, the projection is based on your imagination, your thoughts- your dream. You might ask yourself- In this projection, have you recognized the other is a child of Divine Creation, as Divine as an innocent child, or the Christ?
Our teachers, Miguel and Jose, point out we do not remain cognizant of this consciousness. Instead, our focus is on being right about whatever we have told our self, our virtual knowledge.
Rather than take a matter personally, as an attack or a judgment, see them with compassion. The idea of taking a matter personally is based on a need to protect oneself; yet what is it you are protecting? Your idea of who you are, based on your virtual knowledge! It's the idea of who you think you are. If you know yourself to be God's Divine Creation, you are eternally loved in your wholeness, what needs to be protected? Only your imagination; only the world you perceive, only the Story of you that you have made. Now we can begin to question the basis for that story.
Instead of taking a matter personally, use this to observe your own thoughts your own perceptions, your own ability to heal your "unclean filter." In turn, use this as an opportunity to revisit the perception you have of another: are you judging them for what is wrong in them or in their lives? If so, where does that judgment come from? Can this become an opportunity for you to learn more about your filter, your "virtual knowledge" you are relying on?
Agreement 3 - Don't make assumptions
All decisions we make are formed through this "virtual knowledge." Please remember this term is synonymous with our ego-based thought system. A quote from Miguel and Jose reach to the heart of our studies: "Be aware that every assumption you make and everything that you take personal is the start of hell in your life."
The beliefs leading to assumptions eventually bring the believer into a state of hell. They find the world does not work as they expected, nor could it ever. It's not a stretch for you to see this. I'm sure you can see the simple assumptions that are proven wrong in your life daily.
Don't make assumptions- calls for the conscious practice on your part to check your facts, whatever they may be. That's the form it takes; by recognizing the need to check your facts, you are questioning your virtual knowledge! Now you are more willing to question your thoughts. And please note this "checking your facts" does not pertain only to your interactions with others. This practice is just as important, perhaps even more important, with the thoughts you tell yourself.
I'm reminded of a phrase from our Teacher and Way Shower Jesus, when he said "Why concern you with washing the outside of a cup, when what matters most is what is inside." The message makes the same point: Our internal thoughts are the source we need to focus on, for all ideas and thoughts start here.
Think of Unity's essential statement: You/we are created Perfect, and that has never changed. This is the direction we are going in these studies. It calls for undoing the virtual knowledge that has come up short for us. For that filter, or virtual knowledge is what has blocked our knowing and accepting our divinity.
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