A stained glass window depiction of Christ at Buckfast Abbey in Devon, England.
The new physics has opened the door to a new vision of reality in which the physical, psychological and spiritual are interdependent and interrelated. This expanded consciousness also allows for the possibility that the Christ-Consciousness, a powerful cosmic force of love and wisdom, is drawing humanity into the hidden mystery of the Absolute, the Godhead, a communion of love which Jesus embodied. Meditation and mindfulness teacher Lydia Dyhin* reflects.
Jesus is a sublime, grounded, embodied Messenger for the whole human race of the cosmic force of Love and Wisdom of the One - that creates, evolves and lives in everything - in all the processes and beings of all the Universes. Jesus’ message is a universal message of the laws and powers of this cosmic force and his life is a universal map of how to live this message with passion, compassion, fearlessness, power and nobility of heart and soul. Jesus is - in and from eternity - a friend, a tender brother and a luminous guide ... to all those … who discover Divine Consciousness in themselves, in every other sentient being, in all aspects of the creation and nature - and who yearn to take an authentic path to embody this discovery, ever more richly and abundantly in themselves - and serve it, in sacredly inspired action in the world. [1]
This exquisite quote from Andrew Harvey encapsulates a truly radical teaching that is both expansive and deeply insightful about the nature of Christ, Christ’s own personal experience, his relationship to the Godhead, his cosmic mission and our potential response.
Christ-Consciousness and its exploration is like trying to grasp flowing water - one soon realises it just keeps flowing, offering its healing balm generously, impartially and unreservedly. It asks us to take our human experience and insights to a much deeper, more meaningful and more expansive level while it permeates every level of our being, our planet and the entire universe with a mystical Presence imbued with qualities that many of us seek to imbibe.
Humanity’s evolution as a global community in spirituality and thought has propelled us, particularly in the last century, to regions we never thought existed, by inviting direct experience of Christ-Consciousness in its totality. It seems that we are being almost, in spite of ourselves, drawn both by Divine invitation and also Divine design, towards ever-evolving stages of insight and understanding that serve to incrementally - or cathartically - deepen our experience of this Presence - towards a new era – “A New World”[2] as Andrew Harvey calls it, and as Dom Bede Griffiths refers to it: The New Creation in Christ[3].
Consciousness – a definition
Let me first attempt to define what I mean by the concept of “consciousness” which has almost become part of our modern-day vernacular. The Oxford Dictionary definition of consciousness (here the diminutive “c” is used) as a state of being aware of and responsive to one’s surroundings which indicates an emphasis on the external, being drawn inward. It also defines it as a person’s awareness or perception of something which incorporates an emphasis on the internal, radiating outward - both processes, holistically speaking, occurring simultaneously.
Although Wikipedia definitions can be taken with a grain of salt, when it comes to consciousness, they serve to expand our understanding: a sentience or awareness of internal and external existence, which confirms the two elements of the Oxford definition, but they go onto elaborate by stating: any kind of cognition, experience, feeling or perception, which implies an awareness, a feeling, an understanding. This in fact hints at an ever-evolving process, some say a potentiality, which I will expand on later.
The definition is completed by a most subtle interpretation accompanying the definition: awareness of awareness or self-awareness either continuously changing or not.[4] In both sources, there appears to be movement and reciprocity involved.
The common element in both sources is firstly awareness in its many forms, and levels which can also include not just human beings but also flora, fauna and even inanimate objects - consciousness seems to involve transformation, incorporating every aspect of creation and the universe. The second element: “surroundings/existence” indicates an awareness of our “reality”.
Evolution
Up until just only a few decades ago, our definition of consciousness and reality (significantly intertwined as we need to be conscious of something, as in our present reality) was based on a Newtonian paradigm where we were merely the consequence of our past. This was a reductionist and mechanistic model wherein each aspect of our being and the world: the physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual were perceived as separate from one another. This was heavily based on a three-dimensional model of reality that involved a certainty in polarity.
Science and physics, where these concepts and beliefs took pride of place, have started to catch up with a far more expansive and inclusive vision of reality. Experiments based on research and papers published have allowed science and spirituality to collide. We are taking part in a radical evolution of ourselves and our thinking, our planet and all that inhabits it.
Quantum physics and theory have played a significant part in this new paradigm of consciousness and its reality: “… quantum physics disrupted our view of matter and energy, smashing the Newtonian paradigm of a fixed physical reality with predictable patterns of cause and effect.”[5]
Clara Vondrich offers us an overview with a whole new vocabulary to qualify these evolving concepts: entanglement where particles are interconnected and never alone; non-locality in that what we do has far-flung unseen and unexpected consequences; complementarity holds that subatomic objects embody different forms, shape-shifting in a sense; quantum potentiality where quantum leaps are possible and true transformation can occur with non-linear change; and finally indeterminacy where nothing is fixed or predictable.[6]
This recent branch of physics has revolutionised our understanding of consciousness and reality where the whole rather than the part becomes much more significant and where endless possibilities and potentiality arise.
Consciousness and reality, often referred to as “The Field”, is now seen to encapsulate interdependence and integration. This evolution of understanding and experience is asking us to no longer be content with the three-dimensional paradigm but to expand to a multi-dimensional approach where concepts such as infinity and eternity play a role: a major shift has occurred towards potentiality being constantly and irrevocably expressed in the present, of reality as an “unfoldment” based on appropriate circumstances and conditions.
Quantum physics has opened the door to a whole new vision for the mainstream to potentially embrace spirituality and a more mystical view of experience, both of ourselves and of the universe.
David R. Hawkins, who has personally experienced and integrated this understanding fully, tells us: “The field itself stands beyond time, space or any known dimension and instead includes all dimensions, without being altered by them. The Infinite Field is omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient and uniquely identifiable as the Absolute by which all expressions of evolution or existence can be compared.”[7]
In this way, consciousness is seen as a field of energies in which the whole is present in every part and applies to everything in the cosmos - interconnected, co-ordinated, a non-dual and integrated intelligence where inter-relationships play a major role. This becomes the underpinning of our insight and experience when it comes to a deep understanding of Christ-Consciousness.
With the co-existence for many in the mainstream of quantum physics, consciousness and spirituality in tandem rather than in opposition, the question arises as to the nature of “The Field” that has turned our former understanding on its head. At a closer look, there is more than meets the eye.
“Scientists today tell us that the entire three-dimensional world is all a projection. The world is a field of energies vibrating at different frequencies, and within that field there are various structures or forms which we interpret as a three-dimensional universe. But this universe is a projection, and so, in a sense, an illusory appearance behind which is reality … The reality is God who is always revealing himself behind all appearances.”[8]
A capital C emerges as Consciousness takes on a sacredness: a direct connection with the Divine-Consciousness and Creation evolving together, ever-expanding, ever-inclusive.
A cosmic perspective: a stepping-stone
With its ever-expanding and evolving nature, our understanding of the qualities of a sacred Consciousness is now taken to yet another timeless and empowering level as it takes on a profound universality: “Cosmic consciousness arises from the understanding that the world of the senses, the physical world, is a unity in which everything is inter-connected … the whole physical world is a web of interrelated being and we are part of that web of interrelationships. So also, our individual consciousness is part of a larger consciousness in which we all participate. That is the cosmic order, the cosmic consciousness … and the cosmic powers.”[9]
Here we see elucidated for us, the next step of our evolution in which we can purposefully begin to perceive the meaning of our existence: that we are invited as individuals, by becoming increasingly conscious, to immerse ourselves in this divine cosmic reality.
Christ-Consciousness
With somewhat of an understanding of the nature of this sacred Consciousness, we can now explore the enormous significance in the precedent Christ sets, and the example he offers, as well as the role he plays in our experience and evolution towards the Divine, through the medium of awakened Consciousness.
Christ’s Resurrection and Ascension have a major impact and act as a sacred turning point for humanity. With the expansion of our own understanding of what is implied in Consciousness, we can look through the veil of the physical body and shift in our perception and evolving awareness of what Christ, in his total and complete surrender, offers to humanity:
“…in the death and resurrection of Jesus, the matter of this world was transformed. The atoms, the molecules, the cells of Jesus’ body, which are part of this cosmic energy, were changed ... the structure of energy which made up the body of Jesus on the cross was transformed into a new structure. It maybe suggested that in the resurrection, that structure of energy became a psychic body, which is a more subtle body … This subtle body could appear and disappear, as we know from the Gospel narratives. Finally, he becomes a spiritual body at the Ascension. He transcends matter … and enters the spiritual level and with that transformation the matter of this universe is taken up into the Godhead. This is the Christian mystery … in Jesus, consciousness finally took possession of matter, and this means that matter was spiritualised. In him, the matter of the universe, was in other words made totally conscious and became one with God, in the Godhead ... It is not that Christ disappears into the Godhead. Rather both the body (soma) and the soul (psyche) are taken into the spirit (pneuma) in the transcendent One and are totally transfigured in the One and that is precisely what St Paul means by the New Creation.”[10]
This is both hugely momentous and profoundly moving, as Jesus’ total surrender and sacrifice take on an incredibly powerful significance for the whole of humanity and the universe. It is here that we can begin to draw in the thread of the nature of the Godhead - that the nature of all of this is pure and absolute love - love from the Godhead, love from Jesus, their reciprocal love which allows all of us, the whole of humanity and creation to not just be lovingly included and embraced by this love but to give us permission to follow Christ’s example - to embody Christ-Consciousness and to potentially become divinised.
As part of our evolutionary process, we have entered a new era of Consciousness. Humanity is offered the opportunity and is invited into the new era of Christ-Consciousness: “The next stage is the transcendence of finite being, as we enter into the Divine Consciousness and into the Divine mode of being.”[11] This was Jesus’ hope and prayer for us, even as He walked the earth: “that they may be one as thou in me and I am in thee, that they may be one in us”,[12] inviting us to enter into an interpersonal relationship with the Godhead.
Christ overcame death and humanity’s separation from the Father, from God, and with this, reunites humanity as one body in Himself. Christ-Consciousness is redemptive in its reintegration of humanity: “The whole of humanity is gathered into the fullness of the Divine life. And further, all things, the whole creation, as well as the whole of humanity, now become the body of Christ. Christ is, as it were, the soul of that body and he reunites it in the Spirit with God … this means that the whole creation is now filled with this power of the Spirit.”[13]
Dom John Main offers a sublime reflection on Christ-Consciousness and the evolution of our spiritual pilgrimage towards the Divine:
“The beauty of the Christian vision of life is its vision of unity. It sees that all [humankind] has been unified in the One who is in union with the Father. All matter, all creation, too, is drawn into the cosmic movement towards unity that will be the realisation of the Divine harmony. This is not an abstract vision. It is filled with a deep personal joy because within it the value of each person is affirmed.”[14]
It is vital to draw together here the interrelationship of the Godhead, Jesus and Spirit, all working together in support of our spiritual evolution, and in fact, the whole universe in the spirit of Love:
“This interrelationship in love is the reflection of the life of the Godhead, where the Father and the Son give themselves totally in love and are united in the Spirit in an unfathomable unity ... Everything is interdependent and interrelated on the physical level, on the psychological level and finally on the spiritual level; and the Trinity as far as can be expressed in words, is the exemplar of all interrelationship and the unity of all beings in love.”[15]
Our own on-going evolution of thought, understanding, awareness and experience has moved from an expanded view of consciousness, to cosmic consciousness to Christ-Consciousness and our immersion in it.
Christ-Consciousness is an invitation, a pilgrimage, an immersion into the Absolute, into Love, as is beautifully and tenderly expressed here:
“we are being asked to enter into the hidden mystery of the Godhead, to share Jesus’ own knowledge of God and love of God; to share in and with and through him in the knowledge of the Father… which is the Godhead. The Godhead is a communion of knowledge and love. And we are being drawn into it. That is our calling.”[16]
*Lydia has been involved with Christian Meditation for more than three decades, and facilitated a Christian meditation group in Melbourne, Australia, for several years.
Lydia immersed herself in Eastern mysticism for 15 years and also qualified professionally to teach meditation in the public arena 20 years ago. She oversaw a Meditation teacher training programme with the International Yoga Teachers’ Association and has been a Board member of ATMA (Australian Teachers of Meditation Australia), now 'Meditation Australia'. Lydia is also a qualified Mindfulness Teacher and Life Coach.
References:
[1]Reflections Parallel series: Jesus and the Birth of a New World with Andrew Harvey, Myss.com
[2]Reflections Parallel series: Jesus and the Birth of a New World with Andrew Harvey, Myss.com
[3]The New Creation in Christ, Bede Griffiths, Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd., London, 1992 (Title)
[4] P.A, Guertin, 2019, Journal of Consciousness, Exploration & Research 10(6): 406-412
[5] Reality is not what it seems, Clara Vondrich, Resilience.org, 25.8.2022
[6]Reality is not what it seems, Clara Vondrich, Resilience.org, 25.8.2022
[7] Transcending the Levels of Consciousness, David R. Hawkins, p.246
[8] The New Creation in Christ, Bede Griffiths, Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd., London, 1992, p.18
[9] A New Vision of Reality, Bede Griffiths, Templegate Publishers, 1999, p. 178
[10]A New Vision of Reality, Bede Griffiths, Templegate Publishers, 1989, p.168
[11]A New Vision of Reality, Bede Griffiths, Templegate Publishers, 1989, p.169
[12] John 17:21
[13]A New Vision of Reality, Bede Griffiths, Templegate Publishers, 1989, p.109
[14] Word into Silence, John Main, The World Community for Christian Meditation, 2006 p. vii
[15] A New Vision of Reality, Bede Griffiths, Templegate Publishers, 1989, p.254
[16]The New Creation in Christ, Bede Griffiths, Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd., London, 1992, p.72