Careful and close observation will disclose that in the human being we have multiple levels of consciousness at play. First there is that collective consciousness of the cellular structure which we call the animal soul , or what Edison spoke of as the “assemblage of life entities.” It is this bodily consciousness which accounts for our physical drives, appetites, instincts, reflexes, and all the “sins the flesh is heir to.” It is the primal, cellular intelligence , with its command post seated in the brain , which tends to the autonomic functioning of the body, such as respiration, digestion, etc. Moreover, the health and well-being of the body is dependent upon the conscious interaction of these cellular lives functioning in harmonious concert with each other.
Now consider this for a moment: if mind exists in every cell of the body, then is it not possible that each and every thought in some measure effects changes in the cellular consciousness, and therefore in the chemistry of the body? And, have we not a viable explanation for psychosomatic disease ? As an example, anxiety and frustration will stimulate the action of certain energies in the solar plexus region of the body where the emotions are centered (the navel chakra of the Hindu system), and will proceed to activate chemical reactions which will, if persisted upon, produce an ulcer . For man, much of this conscious activity is described as subconscious, since it occurs below the threshold of objective awareness. However, the body functions can be brought under the control of the objective mind if so desired, as with certain yogic disciplines .
The body consciousness, therefore, operates in two distinct modes: objectively vis-a-vis the animal kingdom and subconsciously vis-a-vis the lower kingdoms. First there is the conditioning that is hereditary—the hereditary factors inherent within the composition of the body’s substance and the karmic heredity of the indwelling Soul carried forward from past incarnations. Second there is the conditioning that occurs through contact with the present environment. And third there is the conditioning that is programmed into the body by the human Soul. This composite conditioning, sometimes called karma , can of course be altered and is, in fact, altered by every experience to which it is exposed.
The subconscious mind is uniquely responsive to conditioning in that it does not question the programmed material it is receiving. It does not analyze or rationalize the input and is blindly obedient to it. It is for this reason that subliminal advertising is illegal. The subconscious accepts programming as absolute and acts accordingly. It simply feeds back responses that are in accord with the input it has received. In this regard, the subconscious mode is subservient to the objective mode even though it, too, is the product of conditioning. The constant repetition of an affirmation that asserts “my lifestyle gives me a pain ,” will be responded to by the subconscious with an affirmative reply. Shortly thereafter one will find one’s self experiencing pains for which there is no apparent cause. The intensity of the problem will be in direct proportion to the degree of repetitive reinforcement it receives. The work being done in such fields as biofeedback and hypnosis is based upon this recognition. If a habit such as smoking or overeating is seen as detrimental to the organism, or even to the psychology of the individual, then that conditioned habit may be altered by the establishment of a new pattern through spaced repetition. As discussed earlier in this chapter, the inertia of the old conditioning must be overcome and a new rhythm set in motion.
The important factor to bear in mind is the blind obedience of the subconscious mind and, therefore, the need to assure that all input is accurate and precise. Let’s use another analogy for clarification.
Presume, if you will, that you are a member of the United States artillery assigned to hit a specific, unseen target. (I dislike the use of this militant symbolism , but it will best convey the sense of the principle I wish to impart.) To assure accuracy in hitting the target, a forward spotter is dispatched to a point where full view of the target may be achieved. It is this individual’s assigned task to establish the coordinates of the target and give an honest appraisal of the accuracy of the artillery. He radios the coordinates, commands “fire one for effect,” and then notes the results . The shell having missed its mark , it is now the responsibility of the spotter to transmit appropriate and accurate data to the artillery apprising them of their error. Should this corrective data not be forthcoming, the artillery will continue to fire blindly at a false target, totally unaware of its folly. Let us now bring this into proper perspective insofar as the human consciousness is concerned.
The spotter represents the objective human mind which must bear witness to its own acts and nature. The artillery is the subconscious mind , blindly following the dictates of the objective mode affirming “yes, sir” to all its commands. When you meet a difficult set of circumstances and by your own standards act improperly, such as losing your temper, it is important that you bear witness to your actions, take responsibility for them, and, finally, make a mental note as to how you have missed the mark . The alternative employed by most is to justify the action in order to feel comfortable with it by affirming “See what you made me do?” or “It’s your fault I’m angry.” This merely reinforces the notion that the conduct of anger was acceptable and justifiable under the conditions and, therefore, insures that under a similar set of circumstances this programmed response will reoccur.
The discomfort you will experience by accepting responsibility for your actions, again assuming it violates your own code of conduct, will produce an internal impulse to change which, when reinforced by similar circumstances, will eventually, out of an inborn sense of self-preservation , bring an end to this self-destructive conduct. Define the process precisely and the process will change. However, do not make the error of becoming morbidly preoccupied with your alleged misconduct, nor should you adopt a crippling sense of guilt . Guilt is the distance between what I believe and what I do. Eliminate that space and function in total conformity with your own convictions and guilt will be a stranger to your life. Feeling guilty over some alleged misconduct will not necessarily end the misconduct and is, in essence, self-destructive. When you judge yourself you simply feed the whole neurotic chain. Instead of guilt, merely observe those actions that have missed the mark and consciously reaffirm your intention to function in a manner that is in keeping with your chosen value system. Then, let go.
Remember the esoteric axiom which states “Energy follows thought.” This, incidentally, is true outside the body as well as within. By reflecting upon a given condition, we establish a psychic link with the condition in question and a flow of energy is activated which serves to feed the condition. The result: good or bad, the-condition grows. Given sufficient energy, it will grow to excessive proportions, and you know what they say about making mountains out of molehills. Therefore, feed energy only into those states of consciousness you wish to have flourish.
Insofar as the others are concerned, simply spot your error, reaffirm your chosen target, and trust the subconscious to make all necessary corrections. Remember, all conditioning and reconditioning requires time and repetition, so be patient and stick with it.
The important point to be understood here is that whether seen as good or bad conditioning is conditioning. The human body is autonomic, and, since we must for a time function in the body, it becomes a question of whether we wish to function as constructive or destructive robots. As for myself, I prefer not to be a robot at all. Therefore, my chosen task is to learn how to transcend the body’s conditioning, withdraw from my attachment to it and the things with which it identifies, and stand free as a Soul-infused personality.
This begins with the recognition that I am not a body that has a soul; I am a Soul that has and uses a body. We have in humanity a definite crisis in self-identity . As long as you think you are a body, you are subject to its conditionings and limitations. You are therefore in bondage. A shift of identity is essential from the body (the personality) to the Soul, or transpersonal Self. Then you will bear proper witness to the activities of even the objective mind from the vantage point of the Soul.
