Consciousness and the Signs of our Times by Joan Ebbitt, DCSW Spiritual Director 517-403-6473 mjebbitt@gmail.com

WHAT IS CONSCIOUSNESS? It is a quality or state of awareness It is connected to our mind, but it is not our mind, nor is it our brain. It is profound mystery that connects us to the entire universe. It cannot be explained by our finite minds or quantum physics, yet we recognize that we have consciousness. People who have near death experiences (NDEs) report being conscious after the brain/mind ceases to be alive.

Consciousness belongs to all life… The trees and flowers and birds of the air are conscious. Flowers turn to the sun…they are conscious of how to be nurtured Birds are conscious of when to fly south and when to return north Trees know when to shed their leaves and when to bring forth new buds

Consciousness includes… Our thoughts and beliefs about ourselves Do we see ourselves as good or bad, weak or strong, enough or not enough? How we do or do not pay attention to the way we live our lives Are we… Conscious or “Unconscious” much of the time? Enjoying life or just going through the motions as we age? Interested in, or becoming less engaged in life? Noticing what is happening or changing around us?

Consciousness also includes… Our awareness (or not) of how or what transforms us and our responses to life. What is happening with my life spark? How has it changed over time? What am I mindful about in regard to my spiritual life? What are my doubts, fears, excitement and/or readiness about the future?

Aging Bodies and Consciousness… Our bodies draw our consciousness to our aches and pains Slow us down, physically… sometimes mentally How has/is the aging process affected your physical and emotional well being? Our conscious awareness usually reminds us to “be careful” about physical challenges Or we may be in denial and overdo May change our activities and invite new adventures if we are paying attention to our changed abilities May confine us to smaller or different life-space

Aging Minds Slower to respond Tire more quickly than in the past May experience more confusion Usually need longer response times Sometimes challenge or distort our memories May limit consciousness to only what is in front of us at the moment

Our “older” bodies and minds invite us to… Slow down and see what is in front of us Look inside our souls for the Wisdom Mystery that is beckoning… What captures my attention? What comes to mind when I get quiet? What is growing in importance to me? What is diminishing? What are the “signs of my times”…my “Zeitgeist” now?

What is my Zeitgeist?

Where is my conscious awareness focused on most days? Health Retirement Spiritual Life Loss and Grief Leisure Time Social Issues Where is my conscious awareness focused on most days?

Consciousness changed in HOW has my Consciousness changed in The past Five years?

Do you see what is before you? The people you spend time with… Your home…your living environment… The trees that blossom…the leaves waving in the wind… The suffering of the world… The goodness of the world… Your own goodness…

IS YOUR CONSCIOUSNESS AWAKE? IS YOUR SPIRIT AROUSED?

Time for Sharing… What would you say you know now about living a happy and meaningful life that you didn’t know when you were twenty? How do you feel about letting go of the past? What excites you as you face your future?

Consciousness

We see with our senses, eyes, ears, smell, touch and taste We see with our senses, eyes, ears, smell, touch and taste. We see with our minds and with our hearts. These teach us how to be conscious.

Consciousness and the “little brain in the heart” Research: past few decades … the heart is far more than just a pump. Dr. Andrew Armour introduced the concept of a “functional heart brain” (1991). The Institute of HeartMath: in Boulder Creek, CA and other research concludes the heart has over forty thousand various brain-like attributes/neurons-sensory nuerites. These heart neurites communicate from the heart to the brain to independently direct the brain especially in regard to emotion and feelings: “little brain in the heart”

Do you listen to your heart? Are you aware? What do you notice? Do you pay attention? How do you make decisions? Do you listen to your heart?

Aging, Consciousness and You Name five things that amaze you about your life. What sustains you during times of grief and loss? What do you look forward to?

Transformation Change in form, appearance, nature, or character. Awakening to something new. Liberation from oppressive ideas/forces

How is the aging process affecting you? What, if anything is transforming you?

Changes in your State of Consciousness happen through transformation… …Realization…sudden insight… “aha moment”…and/or daily practice

Change of Consciousness - Transformation Hinduism Buddhism Christianity Enlightenment End of Suffering The Fullness of Life

Hinduism – Enlightenment God-realization Buddhism - End of Suffering Nirvana - Right Understanding, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration Christianity - Fullness of Life I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10

We must stop looking for the Supreme Godhead and start looking for the God up ahead. Karl Rahner

How has your aging process invited you to look for the God up ahead?

How are you inviting your consciousness to enlarge. What is different How are you inviting your consciousness to enlarge? What is different? What holds you back from evolving your consciousness?

“Do not look back, my friend no-one knows how the world began “Do not look back, my friend no-one knows how the world began. Do not fear the future, nothing lasts forever. If you dwell on the past or the future you will miss the moment.” Rumi, 13th century Sufi poet

Some Discussion questions… Where do you find yourself most often living? In the past? Present? Future? Explain. When are you most inspired? Most charged up? Most motivated? What is happening with your state of consciousness during those times? What is your purpose in life? Are you aware that your purpose may have changed or is changing? How? Explain. Are you aware of having had specific “aha moments” or spiritual experiences in your life? Share what happened and discuss any new spiritual insights that are happening to you in these days of growing older?