Category: evolution

Rules on a Higher Plane

This was a heady post to write, so I’m starting off with a couple of pictures of my boys climbing when they were younger…it made me happy to allow them to try the things I wasn’t allowed to do and also share something that I love, even though I haven’t been able to do it for awhile. I’m thankful to my sister-in-law and nephew for supervising, because it made me too sad just to watch.

I have learned a lot on this journey by seeking clarity and seeing and hearing things clearly by stripping away illusions from my life, letting go of antiquated social rules as well as groups that no longer represented the foundational beliefs they touted. I’ve come to understand that we are all of consequence in God’s eyes and each of us have a unique blueprint with the expectation that sharing the fruits of that blueprint shines out light into the world, dispelling darkness. I’ve also had to come to grips with understanding truth and its essential function not only my life, but in society in general. I’ve faced many weaknesses and fears in my my own personal hell and released the power they had over me, many of which I have spoken about here. In doing so, I feel better equipped to truly and fully wield love more effectively and hold a sense of joy in doing so. I’m saying all this because every yearly focus was necessary in getting to this pivotal point…especially last year’s year of faith. Living on a higher plane, as I’m beginning to understand, almost demands that we reassemble the rules by and how we live and move forward as the body of humanity. We do this by individually letting go of and by stepping away from those cultural rules that limit who God created each of us to be in the practical world. Let me be clear, I’m not saying cultural rules are inherently limiting, but they are of human design and not necessarily created to serve the whole population. So I poster another idea, that there are inherent “higher” rules imbedded into the stuff of the first spark that over millennia resulted in who we are now at this moment in time, and stands to serve each of us in becoming all we were intended to be. And because we are at this moment cocreators of our how we move into the future, it is incumbent that we discover what those rules are.

I do understand that all cultures have a right to their autonomy and offer their own special gifts to the world, just like different parts of the body add dimension and function to the whole. My purpose here isn’t to say (and I’ve said this before, plenty of times) that living by certain cultural rules is bad thing, actually, I think living by cultural rules is a necessary requirement. But, and its a big one…if any particular cultural rules acts in opposition to the rules of living on a higher plane (which I will get into)…then they MUST be put aside, because living on a higher plane supersedes cultural norms and takes precedence. In terms of development, evolution and growth, living on a higher plane helps each of us elevate how we live within the culture we were born into and also establishes connections that can hold and unite us all together regardless of where we live on this big beautiful globe. We do that by following those universal rules that dictate how we must live on this higher plane. You’re probably thinking who the fuck am I to tell anyone what the rules of living on a higher plane are? My simple explanation is to say that I didn’t make up these rules, I just spent the greater part of my life learning to recognize what they are and how they apply to all of us. So if you’ll indulge me for a bit, read on, I will tell you how I came to the conclusions of what rules are required for living on a higher plane. I’m not starting with a religious philosophy, but a scientific one.

According to scientists, everything in the universe is made of elemental matter (subatomic particles). Teilhard says this elemental matter has three characteristics:

  • 1) Plurality: these small particles are scattered throughout the universe and compose matter
  • 2) Unity: these particles are all perfectly alike and co-extensive with the universe…that is they are all related
  • 3) Energy: all these particles are held together by collective bonds. The energy of matter is called tangential energy linking atom to atom and mineral to mineral etc. simply stated, it is the energy that holds everything together

Add time to this picture and we find that all matter is in a constant state of “genesis” these elementary particles go on being concentrated into ever higher life forms. Over a sufficient period of time (like millions of years) these small particles are drawn together and condense into a supersaturated state so that with addition of one more particle there is a change of state. Over several millennia, comes the world of the atom, then mineral, to the mega molecule, and the simple cell of a living organism. For example, a crystal can only grow according to the same pattern, however, but when condensed into a saturated state, the mega molecule emerges and can form according to a variety of patterns. Then, after millions of years and another supersaturated state results in the simple cell finally emerging and begins developing its own complex patterns and new forms of life. From these events, an important law of evolution emerges: The Law of Complexity, whereby there is a tendency for all things to evolve and become more complex. As a result, different orders, spheres, and levels appear in the unity of evolving matter.

As I mentioned in another post, Teilhard spoke of evolution in terms of the “without” the physical expression of evolution and the “within” the seeds of consciousness which direct the whole show. As he had laid out, the progression forward by which humanity would have the necessary physical components to become aware of itself was not random, but directed. He also said that matter of consciousness had three characteristics as well:

  • 1) Plurality: each particle has its own particular consciousness or within.
  • 2) Unity: each particle is perfectly alike and co-extensive with the universe.
  • 3) Energy: this is where a distinction between energy of consciousness and elemental matter are different. The energy of consciousness or “within” is called radial energy, which is the energy which moves matter forward in time toward greater complexity and consciousness.

This brings us to the heart of Teilhard’s theory: the Law of Complexity-Consciousness which states that with every step up the ladder of physical complexity, there is a corresponding increase of consciousness. The energy of “without” holds everything together while the energy of “within” propels us forward into more complexity both physically and consciously. In “living” organisms, i.e. animals and plants, this law is expressed as instinct or adaptive behavior toward survival, until that moment in time, when a result of entering a super saturated state where the seeds of consciousness exploded onto the planet simultaneously in early humans and they became conscious and aware of themselves.

I know this is a pretty rudimentary explanation of Teilhard’s theories of evolution, which are almost impossible to put into a short form. Suffice it to say, these rules of living on a higher plane existed in the stuff of evolution right from the start, and they are thefoundation of how we move forward. Just remember plurality, unity and energy, the colors and dimensions that the Savior brings to these evolutionary rules will be added as we move forward together. I hope reading this didn’t make your head explode…because mine almost did.

A Higher Plane…a Primer

The above photos are me in my favorite place, one of my hardest, triumphant, and at the same time, most poorly planned climbs of my life. How I made it is still a mystery, because I left my camera with my friend down on the beach. Anyway, I included it because it is with the same attitude that I begin this next chapter, I want to go to a greater height, and I will get there by just leaping ahead with the faith that I, regardless of my frailties and limits, will get there because I believe whole heartedly that it where the God of love wants me to go. In my first meditation on this new theme, my stomach was in knots, and I wrestled with the whole rational/spiritual dimensions of my nature: how can I present living on a higher plane in such a way that it makes perfect sense and is not just the figment of the imagination of an inventive mind? So, like that climb above, I just jumped out into the abyss that is my spirit and mind and embraced whatever came to me. At this point, I was and am chastised and humbled by ever worrying in the first place…this is going to be an adventure.

To begin with, the first things that came to mind when I focused on living on a higher plane, was all the work I had done with scientist, paleontologist, philosopher and mystic Teilhard de Chardin. He spent his lifetime studying the evolution of the planet/humanity and his conclusions are one of the cornerstones of my development. His teaching about the “phenomenon of man” (in quotes here, because in further usage I will only use gender affirming pronouns), that there is a correlation between the physical and psychical evolution of our species, is the link I’ve found between the disciplines of science and religion, that together work to form a more holistic view of our evolution. It is also the context, by which, the teachings of Christ and most other religions I’ve studied make the most sense. I will, of course, go into more detail in posts to come.

Secondly, because our universe is more than just a physical one (the without), its genesis has to also be understood in terms of the development of consciousness (the within). The evolution of both the inner and outer world share these same qualities: Plurality, Unity, and Energy. Once applied, from the teachings of Teilhard, there is a great shift in how neither the “without” of evolution and the “within” of evolution could be understood independently from one another. Ultimately, Teilhard believed that there is a specific direction to our evolution, that it is not a random set of events left to a multitude of circumstances, and that God is the source of that direction. He painstaking laid exactly how, and his work was censured by the Church, and he was exiled from France and China where he spent most of his life developing his theories.

While Teilhard’s theories were instrumental in my understanding of evolution on multiple levels, it was the science of quantum physics that expanded my understanding of Teilhard’s world (he died in the 50’s). The role of the observer, the impact of “the body” of thought, and the direction complex and nonlinear beings like humans will have on the collective unconscious, or “higher plane” as I am calling it, demands as much attention if we, cumulatively want to participate in the direction God wants us to go. Here is where it gets tricky…while God may have had the greater hand in directing our evolution up to this point, because of our free will, and powerful role in moving whether it be forward or backward, humanity, more than ever has within its power to embrace and live on this higher plane…or not, and the latter is what I find most frightening.

And yet, I am entering this year with my faith strengthened, solidified and purified by all I learned in the last year, and with the knowledge that I am not alone, I am joined by many open and brilliant blueprints out there who are finding their own way to shine their light, which to me, is synonymous with living on a higher plane. Of course, like anything, it doesn’t mean moving forward will be easy…I’ve already felt the struggle already. Wielding love is hard work and admittedly work that is relatively new to me…but true to my core, I will weather through it. The picture below is evidence physically what I am going through spiritually. I had just survived a huge storm on Lake Superior, that was terrifying and I understood, afterwards, how a huge ship like the Edmond Fitzgerald was sunk during a storm on that very same lake. I had thrown up my blueberry pancakes over the edge of said ship all the while thinking I was a goner and have never felt so fragile and aware of the power of the wind and nature in my life. To this day, the wind still freaks me out…whether it is physical or spiritual. But like the face in that picture, I am resolved to keep moving forward to better weather and greater heights.

Joy and choice

Since my last post, I’ve thought long and hard about sources of joy and my commitment to serve and build the body of Christ. I fully realize that there are differing “opinions” about many different subjects out there. I put the word opinion in quotes, because the distinction between opinion and facts still seems to be an issue in today’s world. Phrases like “I heard”, “Someone who is (insert position of some sort) said…” are not always factual, if you bother to check up on them. Also, just because someone states something on cable news, or posts something on the internet, doesn’t make it a fact. In the alternative, “facts” are increasingly hard to come by, when the volume of information differs depending on a host of factors: bias, resources and incomplete understanding. I feel dizzy at what to believe sometimes. My personal strength lies in being prudent, cautious and researching claims and potential bias. It takes a lot of time and effort and while I’ve felt exhausted doing so, it brings me joy to do my due diligence.

There are plenty of people out there who may disagree with my ability to disseminate fact from fiction, and truly, that is of no consequence to me, which further brings me joy. Choosing to challenge unfounded information (info I did research on) and suffering consequences as a result, strangely brought me great joy and freedom, which is pretty new for me. It is a relief to exclude those who refuse to acknowledge, parse words and always demand the last word, (again, my words, my take on it). The removal of those who refuse to be challenged and or continue to misconstrue opinions as fact, view as persecution or anti whatever, and at the very minimum are never open to differing opinions has lightened my load considerabley. My youngest son challenged me by saying, “Mom, you debate and argue logically and succinctly better than anyone I know, you have spent your life studying and understanding the complexities of what is happening right now, why would you associate with people who live on conspiracy theories, misinformation and hateful rhetoric or even care what they think?” I had a pretty weak response initially, but deep down it was because I truly want to be open to differing ideas and am firmly committed to building the whole Body of Christ…to which my own internal dialogue said…so if there was a sickness or cancer in the Body that threatened its very existence you wouldn’t address it? The challenge should be on how to move forward, with different ideas and yet still cleanse the Body of disease which is horribly hard to do with the limitations of a single perspective of which WE ALL SHARE. Its why we must listen to each other. So here is what I finally and uncomfortably realized: functionally, I am declaring that I am beyond or more evolved than some people, the reason being that I am continually challenging my faith. That idea doesn’t sit easily with me because of incorrectly associating being evolved with thinking I’m better than someone else. I really don’t think I’m better, down to my core, which is why I feel joy in finally understanding the distinction. I also embrace understanding that my personal evolution also means that I am aware that I am demonstrably more flawed than I was yesterday, because of exposed holes in my belief system that are a direct result of questioning. But before I let myself spiral downward a bit at recognizing those flaws, words my father wrote to me popped into my head as I continued to ponder this challenge:

I am glad you disagree with fundamentalism because to be narrow as they are apt to be, leads to a narrow frustrating life. They tend to gather around others like them and fail to find goodness in those who are not like them or put their own faith to tests of honesty. They’re good people but they stay status quo, with no growth. It seems to me they put limits on God. To me theology is a process of change which goes on continually in a life time. One must continually grow by learning new things, theologically. As you learn more your life changes in accordance. Everything you learn, in turn, must be challenged and tested. This is how you arrive at growth, or truth. I do not judge how others believe because ultimately we are responsible for our own Christian lives and we must act according to what we know to be the Truth at the time. Over a time we may prove to be wrong but only because we had insufficient knowledge or our logic was faulty. There is always so much we don’t know but we have to have faith that somehow God will reveal to us how right or wrong we are, and with way we grow. I’m sure God does not abandon us and sometimes things happen we cannot handle alone and we give it up to Him. I see you in everything I have said. You plan your own path well enough.

I have worked really hard at this, and rereading my father’s letter brought me such joy. There are too many people who refuse to test their faith and embrace evolution. Happily, I know that I am getting better at it everyday (this is not the same as people arriving at a different conclusion, I still welcome them with open arms, our paths are all different, challenging each other is how we all grow). But those who refuse to evolve, embrace illusions and lies to be superior and refuse to be challenged? They bring me no joy, and I am gratefully releasing them from my life. Challenging my faith on issues of privilege or what personhood means and how better to be a custodian of this beautiful planet and to make necessary changes to evolve my faith are only a few that I’ve embraced. There are so many more powerful truths that are sweeping me up in the current of growth to help me evolve beyond who I was yesterday, and who I will choose to be tomorrow…and it brings me joy.