This classic clip reveals some of the best spiritual wisdom for manifesting what we most desire - our life's purpose.
What does enlightenment have to do with Enlightenment?
Before I continue, I want to make a clarifying distinction between enlightenment and Enlightenment. I'm in favor of both, because I think they are both grades on the scale of consciousness, and if you know anything about my world-view, the whole cosmos is just grades of Consciousness with matter being very slow vibrations and Spirit being the highest. As a general orientation, that should suffice.
Now, back to the business of raising consciousness as an educational end and system.
One of the basic premises that I've built this philosophy around is that the broader a child's range of experiences, the sooner they will be confronted with cognitive dissonance, or paradox. This is when a previously held notion meets an experience or idea that directly clashes with our current sense of reality and calls for a deep (re) evaluation of both. It may also cause the child to have to redefine the very identity they hold central.
At a certain point, this identity will be transcended (if the child can grow to embrace both sides of the paradox) and a true taste of Reality, free from conventional concepts, will "Enlighten" the child. Of course, as we know from the works of depth psychologists like Ken Wilber, a truly mystical awakening is typically fleeting and will be interpreted from the level of consciousness that the child is "anchored" at. So, the process of awakening is merely a glimpse, and while it informs the consciousness with Consciousness, mentoring and guidance is best prescribed to help the child come to terms with the ecstatic truths revealed by such an experience - a revelation.
The original question, of course, is how to help the child have such an experience in the first place. And that's a tough one. It's sort of like asking how to help a child fall in love. You can't. You can't even predict it. What you can do is help put certain elements into place that will make the occurrence more likely. Certainly, it would be hard to fall in love without someone else to fall in love with. So, putting the child in an environment with lots of exposure to other kids, and opportunities to get to know the other children in ways that could lead to a deep liking, even an experience of falling in love, would be a good way to start.
The same is true of Enlightenment. The best way to start bringing about such an occurrence with any consistency and predictability (as in an educational system) is to bring about enlightenment in a more mundane sense. This can be easily done by exposing the child to a variety of experiences through travel, service to those in need, mentoring in any and every line of development (from academic and kinesthetic to interpersonal and technological), and one of the most enlightening practices of all - asking good questions.
Incidentally, one of my favorite techniques for handling a child's persistent questioning (because we all know it can wear a parent out) is to simply respond, "That's a great question!" and simply leave it at that. If the child persists, encourage them to google it. Sit with them if possible and guide that research. Ideally, have the child teach what they just learned - blogging is a great way to share.
By enlightening the child to the realities of our human condition - the beauty and the treachery - they will accelerate the process of Enlightenment. Simply expanding the mind and heart is a sure recipe for asking bigger and deeper questions, and as long as we don't shut that natural process of inquiry down, as long as we encourage research and service to satisfy the child's absorbent mind and open heart, Enlightenment is inevitable. Like a caterpillar weaving a cocoon... the imaginal cells (ref: Chopra) can simply do their job and transform the child into a beautiful butterfly.
Now, how do we structure a system of enlightenment for our children, and begin to weave the fabric of an educational system of Enlightenment for all humanity?
More on that in the next post ;-)
Craig
Now, back to the business of raising consciousness as an educational end and system.
One of the basic premises that I've built this philosophy around is that the broader a child's range of experiences, the sooner they will be confronted with cognitive dissonance, or paradox. This is when a previously held notion meets an experience or idea that directly clashes with our current sense of reality and calls for a deep (re) evaluation of both. It may also cause the child to have to redefine the very identity they hold central.
At a certain point, this identity will be transcended (if the child can grow to embrace both sides of the paradox) and a true taste of Reality, free from conventional concepts, will "Enlighten" the child. Of course, as we know from the works of depth psychologists like Ken Wilber, a truly mystical awakening is typically fleeting and will be interpreted from the level of consciousness that the child is "anchored" at. So, the process of awakening is merely a glimpse, and while it informs the consciousness with Consciousness, mentoring and guidance is best prescribed to help the child come to terms with the ecstatic truths revealed by such an experience - a revelation.
The original question, of course, is how to help the child have such an experience in the first place. And that's a tough one. It's sort of like asking how to help a child fall in love. You can't. You can't even predict it. What you can do is help put certain elements into place that will make the occurrence more likely. Certainly, it would be hard to fall in love without someone else to fall in love with. So, putting the child in an environment with lots of exposure to other kids, and opportunities to get to know the other children in ways that could lead to a deep liking, even an experience of falling in love, would be a good way to start.
The same is true of Enlightenment. The best way to start bringing about such an occurrence with any consistency and predictability (as in an educational system) is to bring about enlightenment in a more mundane sense. This can be easily done by exposing the child to a variety of experiences through travel, service to those in need, mentoring in any and every line of development (from academic and kinesthetic to interpersonal and technological), and one of the most enlightening practices of all - asking good questions.
Incidentally, one of my favorite techniques for handling a child's persistent questioning (because we all know it can wear a parent out) is to simply respond, "That's a great question!" and simply leave it at that. If the child persists, encourage them to google it. Sit with them if possible and guide that research. Ideally, have the child teach what they just learned - blogging is a great way to share.
By enlightening the child to the realities of our human condition - the beauty and the treachery - they will accelerate the process of Enlightenment. Simply expanding the mind and heart is a sure recipe for asking bigger and deeper questions, and as long as we don't shut that natural process of inquiry down, as long as we encourage research and service to satisfy the child's absorbent mind and open heart, Enlightenment is inevitable. Like a caterpillar weaving a cocoon... the imaginal cells (ref: Chopra) can simply do their job and transform the child into a beautiful butterfly.
Now, how do we structure a system of enlightenment for our children, and begin to weave the fabric of an educational system of Enlightenment for all humanity?
More on that in the next post ;-)
Craig
What do Hot Showers Have to Do With Enlightenment?
Oh Boy, I Sure Do Like a Hot Shower!
And there's nothing evil about liking hot showers. Or running the water in the sink, or leaving the lights on, or driving a car.
I'm well aware of the environmental costs. I'm acutely aware of them. It drives me nuts that I live in a society that continues to function this way.
The "greatest country in the world" is holding itself (and the rest of the world) back from using technology that could only bring about a state of social enlightenment with a stone-age agenda to plunder and dominate.
There currently exists technology that could replace the need for petroleum by 95% or more. Solutions abound, and have been proven viable by even state departments.
The problem is not that we run the water too long, or drive an SUV. The problem is that "the powers that be" define the technology that can be marketed to the masses.
Have you heard the story about the guy who invented a viable electric car DECADES before all this mattered, and he was assassinated?
Nicolai Tesla (the genius scientist that the hot new electric roadster is named after) borrowed money from the devil himself, JP Morgan, in order to build a structure that could generate electrical charge into the atmosphere sufficient to bring free electrical power to anyone, anywhere in the world. When old JP learned what he was financing he called the project to a halt and had it promptly dismantled and destroyed.
The wage-slave lifestyle is a waste of human potential. I don't care how much beer you still get to drink on the weekends, or how much ganja you smuggle into your lungs. What I care about is the fact that this whole game is a scam.
What I want to do is teach kids how to "jack into the system."
There are "money" systems that are super easy to learn. There are ways to build revenue streams, online or in person, that, when successful, provide a substantial income with a generous amount of freedom.
Corrina is 7. She can't even spell and she has her own blog. (www.markiding.com)
When she has some time on her hands she doesn't even think of the television. Video games and youtube don't thrill her. She goes straight for her blog. She checks her email - send her a message corrina (at) markiding .com. She asks me how to make it look more like the vision in her head. She thinks about ways she will eventually make money with her blog.
Just think of what these maps for how to "jack into the system" could do for a teenager who's WAY too smart for his highschool. Under the proper mentorship, these kids will go on to be the leaders of whatever field they choose. And through close bonds, will form mastermind alliances that can bring about the changes we need for this world to truly thrive.
How do we get them there?
Tune in next time ;-)
And there's nothing evil about liking hot showers. Or running the water in the sink, or leaving the lights on, or driving a car.
I'm well aware of the environmental costs. I'm acutely aware of them. It drives me nuts that I live in a society that continues to function this way.
The "greatest country in the world" is holding itself (and the rest of the world) back from using technology that could only bring about a state of social enlightenment with a stone-age agenda to plunder and dominate.
There currently exists technology that could replace the need for petroleum by 95% or more. Solutions abound, and have been proven viable by even state departments.
The problem is not that we run the water too long, or drive an SUV. The problem is that "the powers that be" define the technology that can be marketed to the masses.
Have you heard the story about the guy who invented a viable electric car DECADES before all this mattered, and he was assassinated?
Nicolai Tesla (the genius scientist that the hot new electric roadster is named after) borrowed money from the devil himself, JP Morgan, in order to build a structure that could generate electrical charge into the atmosphere sufficient to bring free electrical power to anyone, anywhere in the world. When old JP learned what he was financing he called the project to a halt and had it promptly dismantled and destroyed.
The wage-slave lifestyle is a waste of human potential. I don't care how much beer you still get to drink on the weekends, or how much ganja you smuggle into your lungs. What I care about is the fact that this whole game is a scam.
What I want to do is teach kids how to "jack into the system."
There are "money" systems that are super easy to learn. There are ways to build revenue streams, online or in person, that, when successful, provide a substantial income with a generous amount of freedom.
Corrina is 7. She can't even spell and she has her own blog. (www.markiding.com)
When she has some time on her hands she doesn't even think of the television. Video games and youtube don't thrill her. She goes straight for her blog. She checks her email - send her a message corrina (at) markiding .com. She asks me how to make it look more like the vision in her head. She thinks about ways she will eventually make money with her blog.
Just think of what these maps for how to "jack into the system" could do for a teenager who's WAY too smart for his highschool. Under the proper mentorship, these kids will go on to be the leaders of whatever field they choose. And through close bonds, will form mastermind alliances that can bring about the changes we need for this world to truly thrive.
How do we get them there?
Tune in next time ;-)
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