The sense of who we are that is apparent to us in moments of our clearest mental vision is really a reflection of the sense of reality underlying the whole. It is the consciousness of the whole, manifesting through our own point or center of consciousness. We can find our consciousness gradually enlarging until it realizes its identity with the whole. We realize that beneath all the forms and labels of the visible world, there is to be found one life, force, substance, existence and reality.

And instead of experiencing a sense of loss of identity or individuality we become conscious of an expansion of individuality and identity. Instead of feeling ourselves absorbed by an enormous and unexplainable force, we feel that we are spreading out and embracing the whole universe. This is difficult to express in words since there are no words to fit the concept, and all we can hope to do is start into motion the ideas that will help us experience the consciousness which will bring its own understanding. 

As an infant, we are able to identify the real part of the self with the real part of all the other forms in the universe. In every person, animal, plant and mineral we see behind the form of its appearance evidence of the presence of spirit which is the same as our own spirit, for it is all one. We see ourselves in all forms of life, in all times in all places. We realize that the real self is everywhere present and everlasting, and that the life within ourselves exisits within all the universe.

As we mature, we begin to identify more strongly with the idea that we are separate from this oneness of the universe. We slowly drift away from the concept that all things are connected as we begin to develop our own individuality and personality. But if we put effort into realizing the truth that we have known all along we will find that the mind will adapt to a mode of thinking that is more real than the reality we have fabricated. Even though we may be engaged in our ordinary day to day activities, by practicing a realization of the oneness of life it will expand to become second nature.

We must know once again that this connection to the universe is real, and that we are in touch with all else that is real. The roots of our being are grounded in the absolute. We must realize that instead of being a separate atom of reality, isolated and fixed in a narrow space, we are a center of consciousness in the whole of reality, and that the universe is our home. Our true nature which is constantly being revealed to us is so great that our minds in the present state of development only sometimes grasp even the faintest idea of it.

As we expand in the understanding and consciousness of the oneness of reality, so does our ability to use it grow. This realization of the true self brings with it a love for all of life. This slowly emerging consciousness brings with it greater compassion and kindness. We must not be discouraged if the progress seems slow for the soul must expand naturally as does the flower, without haste, without force. The road is long but the reward is great and there are resting places along the way.

Everyone realizes that one may change their character by habit and training, and most people have modified their characteristics in some way by similar methods. Most people have become aware that character can be modified, changed, and sometimes completely altered by means of an intelligent use of the subconscious mind.

The word character is derived from ancient terms meaning to mark or engrave. It is thought that the term originally arose from the word used by Babylonian brickmakers to designate the trade mark impressed by them upon their bricks, each maker having his own mark. This is interesting, in view of the theories regarding the cultivation of character. Many instructors have taught that character is modified and shaped by outside influences by deliberate self training and shaping.

Character building is based upon the knowledge of the wonderful powers of the subconscious mind. We are not required to pursue strenuous methods of repression or cultivation, since those methods are opposed to human nature. The best way is to imitate nature and gradually unfold the desired characteristics by focusing attention upon them. The weeding out of undesirable character is accomplished by cultivating the character directly opposed to the undesirable ones.

For instance, if we wish to overcome fear we should not concentrate on fear with the idea of killing it out, but instead mentally deny that there is fear and then concentrate attention upon the ideal of courage. When courage is developed, fear is found to have faded away. The positive always overpowers the negative.

Ideals may be built by the attention given to them. Take the example of a rose bush. The plant will grow and flourish in the measure that care and attention is given to it. The ideal of a desired characteristic is like a rose bush which will grow and put forth leaves and flowers when love and caring is given to it. We may repeat affirmations for the purpose of giving us a mental center around which to build an ideal. There is a power in words used in this way, providing that the user always thinks of the meaning of the words and makes a mental picture of the quality expressed by them instead of merely repeating them.

Everyone possesses and actively uses this power, although we may not be aware of it. Our character is largely the result of the quality of thoughts held in the mind and of the mental pictures or ideals demonstrated by us. The person who constantly sees and thinks of being unsuccessful is very apt to grow ideals of these things until their whole nature is dominated by them. On the other hand, the person who makes an ideal of success and accomplishment finds that their whole mental nature seems to work toward that result.

The average person recognizes his strong and weak points of character, but is inclined to regard them as fixed and unalterable. We think that we are “just as the Lord made us” and that is the end of it. We fail to recognize that character is being unconsciously modified every day by association with others, whose suggestions are being absorbed and acted upon. We fail to see that we are creating our own character by taking interest in certain things and allowing our minds to dwell upon them.

We do not realize that we are really the makers of ourselves from the raw and crude material given to us at birth. We make ourselves negatively or positively. Negatively if we allow ourselves to be molded by the thoughts and ideals of others, and positively if we mold ourselves. Everyone is doing one or the other, perhaps both. The weak person is the one who allows their self to be made by others and the strong person is the one who takes the building process in their own hands.

Many people consider that character is a fixed attribute belonging to a person that cannot be altered or changed. And yet we show by our everyday actions that at heart we do not believe this to be a fact since we endeavor to change and mould the character of those around us by word of advice, counsel, praise or condemnation.

Unless we desire to change our character we will not make any move toward it. And in proportion to the strength of the desire, so will be the amount of effort that is put into the task. The first thing for us to do in character building is to want to do it. And if we find that the want is not sufficiently strong to enable us to manifest the effort necessary to bring it to a successful conclusion then we should deliberately proceed to build up the desire.

The process of character building is so delightfully simple that its importance is sometimes overlooked by the majority of persons who are made familiar with it. It is only by actual practice and the experiencing of results that its wonderful possibilities are recognized. The mind is plastic to those who know the secret of its manipulation.

The advertising industry knows very well that in order to sell things people don’t really need they must convince them that those things will add something to how they see themselves or are seen by others. Advertising makes people think that what they buy will add something to their sense of self. This is done by telling them that they will stand out from the crowd by using a certain product and become more than what they are already.

Or advertising may create an association in the mind between the product and a famous person, or a youthful, attractive, or happy looking person. Even pictures of old or deceased celebrities in their prime work well for that purpose. The unspoken assumption is that by buying this product, through some magical act of appropriation, people become like them, or rather the surface image of them. And so in many cases we are not buying a product but an identity enhancer.

The things we identify with vary from person to person according to age, gender, income, social class and so on. It all has to do with the content. The unconscious compulsion to identify is inherent within us and is one of the basic ways the ego operates. Paradoxically, what keeps the so called consumer society going is the fact that trying to find ourselves through things doesn’t work. The ego satisfaction is temporary and so we keep looking for more and keep consuming.

Of course we need housing, clothes, food, and other basic items. There may also be things in our lives that we value because of their beauty or inherent quality. Each thing has its origin within the one energy of all being, the source of all things. In traditional cultures, people believe that everything has an indwelling spirit. But when we live in a world deadened by mental abstraction, we don’t sense the aliveness of the universe anymore. Most people don’t inhabit a living reality, but a conceptualized one.

If we try to find ourselves through things we will become miserable. Our identification with things creates attachments and obsessions which create our consumer society where the only measure of progress is always more. The unchecked striving for more is a dysfunction and a disease. It is the same dysfunction the cancerous cell manifests, whose only goal is to multiply itself, unaware that it is bringing about its own destruction by destroying the organism of which it is a part. Some economists are so attached to the notion of growth that they can’t let go of that word, so they refer to recession as a time of negative growth.

A large part of many people’s lives is consumed by an obsessive preoccupation with things. This is why one of the ills of our times is object proliferation. When we can not feel the life that we are, we are likely to fill up our life with things. It can be useful to investigate our relationship with the world of things through self observation and how things that are designated as belonging to us. We need to be honest to find out whether our sense of self worth is bound up with things we possess.

When there is nothing to identify with any longer our sense of beingness is freed from its entanglement with form and spirit is released from its imprisonment in matter. We realize our essential identity as formless and as an all pervasive presence of being prior to all forms and identifications. We can realize our true identity as consciousness itself, rather than what consciousness had identified with.

When we come to the realization that we are perfect expressions of life and truth, there is nothing that can be added to or taken from us to make us complete. We rest in the peace and inner stillness that is the essence of our being.

So much of what I do is based in gratitude, the deep thankfulness that comes from appreciating how much I really have. The roof over my head, the clothes on my back, the food in the cupboard are all things that are sometimes taken for granted as I go about life. They are just the basics of life, and they are sometimes forgotten about as I go though life here in this ever changing universe. Through the support of friends and the generosity of loved ones, I am blessed to be able to live this existence.

I see trees of green, red roses too.
I see them bloom, for me and you.
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.

I see skies of blue, and clouds of white.
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.

These lyrics, written by Bob Thiele, portray the universe as a kind and giving entity. Yet they were written at the time of a racially and politically charged climate during 1967 in the United States. Bob was able to see through the difficulty and conflict, and he wrote a beautiful song that reflected the wonder and amazement he saw in the everything.

And people loved it. The attitude of gratitude reached millions over the radio and provided a gentle reminder of beauty and hope in the world. As a ten year old, I remember how this song would broadcast between the wild and crazy rock and roll songs, and how everyone would relax and treat each other a little better, at least for a little while.

There is an absolutely good and giving energy in the universe that demonstrates at all times an abundance and generosity. It is without equal. There is nothing we could ever do to duplicate this constant regenerating power existing within every drop of water and particle of matter. It is always showing us the beauty of existence and it is always available to us.

It lives within our consciousness, always regenerating and renewing us with hope and potential. When I forget about this simple truth I lose my way and am led down paths of difficulty that take quite a bit of effort and conviction to get out of. But when I return I am thankful once again to be where I am on this precious planet spinning through the universe.

I have within a source of understanding that realizes the truth of being. The beauty of this is overwhelming and exciting. To know there is a core of love and goodness within everything I do, everyone I see and every action I take is an incredible gift. It surprises me when I find it in the spaces between my thoughts. When I am still and aware I am able to perceive this energy and substance I am awakened again and again.

Sometimes it happens in the middle of everything I am doing. I am given a glimpse of an immense peace as I become aware of the simplicity of a situation or process. Other times I need to evoke it and settle into a state of realization and awareness. I can sometimes be found staring into space as this truth of being emerges from my center and changes my thinking.

People who do not know what it is will call it irresponsible. They will see it as being spaced out and ungrounded. But it is the truth and the absolute beginning and end of everything. In a constant push to achieve and succeed, many individuals miss this important feature of life. Without knowing the purpose of this centering and peace they go through life feeling despair and alienation.

As I progress through this existence, the understanding guides me from within. I am shown glimpses of this deep pool of potential again and again. It is for me to grasp at each fleeting moment it emerges and take it into my soul. The result is a powerful truth that guides me through difficulty and conflict. By keeping this stillness and peace alive within me I am free.

Realizing my own real essence is the ultimate expression of enlightenment. There is only this absolute energy and it is within everything that ever happened and everything that is yet to be. With each task I undertake I am strong and true to this universal purpose, because I know there is nothing more than a cohesion and unity flowing through all of existence.