EXTEND CONNECTION TO EXPAND BEING (IN HUMANS)

EXTEND CONNECTION TO EXPAND BEING (IN HUMANS)
About 1350 words

Summary: This post is based on a conversation which brought clarity to the participants about what makes humans "human beings." I have not named the speakers. Comments are invited.

The end is as good a place to start as the beginning or the middle, if in actuality all happens at once.

And the apparent chaos of all happening in an instant, it seems, is why we perceive as we do, in linear fashion, to enable so-called orderly functioning.

Starting from the end, what exactly makes humans "human beings"?

Once I said something about humans and Nature, implying separation. The other responded, humans are nature.

To me, yes and no. Biologically, humans are a part of the natural biological system and process.

But due perhaps to the conditioning of mind, individual and collective, in my experience I am separated from Nature and the other. I may have moments of feeling unity, and have knowledge of the interconnectedness of All, but mostly that is far removed from my daily life.

In the 'Tree of Life' movie, nature is meant as survival, the preservation of the species, the relentless power which gives no thought to humankind — and, it refers to a choice between 'nature' and 'grace'.

I relate to Nature as the expression of intelligent design, the presence of self-existent Being — the cosmos of consciousness, the essence of Grace — moving in accordance with its laws (entropy, electro-magnetism, gravity, thermodynamics, quantum entanglement, and so on, and characteristics such as efficiency, diversity and sustainability). I am not a scientist and am always up for correction.

Survival and relentless power are only shards of Nature's complex character, which can appear hard to unnatural Man. To me, grace is a quality of the nurturing aspect of Nature. How tenderly the crocus emerges from the winter soil, and the birds weave soft nests for their young, yet with fierce determination.

***

Why don't we ever mention "bird beings", " doggie 🐶 beings", "lizard beings"?

Because of our own separation. Wild creatures perhaps more than domesticated are integrated into nature. They are guided by instinct. Certainly non-human animals can have personalities, and seem at times to make choices. Our Chihuahua companion both. I call her a being, and as beings we are equals in my eyes. But of course in practicality, there must be delineation. Humans have a capacity to separate from Being and become doings, which it seems other animals do not have.

But I cannot shift from a human doing to a human being by striving. Striving is doing. Do you see other animals striving? Some exert great effort to follow instinct. But they don't seem to set goals or strive to achieve, or identify with appearances or accomplishments. Even as a human doing, I can observe the unity and harmony of Nature. But, as a human doing, I cannot have a felt connection with Nature or myself.

There is to me a distinction between blank, automated doing without presence — and acting with full presence in the Flow.

Automated doing is the main part of modern human activity. How much is done because it needs or has to be done, or one is driven by obsessive cravings — and how much because there is a deeper feeling to do it?

It is not that being and doing are polarized opposites, not at all, but doing without being is an empty shell, and that is what humans become if they neglect to balance the two. One way I bring balance is by returning in felt awareness to the backdrop of Being, giving it precedence at times to a task at hand which has become too important and narrow a focus.

How can one be sure that one indeed, is in the state of "being" human?

Self analysis also prevents the human being experience. There is a simple knowing. An apparent other and I recently started an online Memoir Writing ✍️ course, and this morning talked about entering the Flow while writing. We agreed it begins when we stop controlling the story and allow it to write itself. Outside writing, entering the Flow may mean first feeling what wants to happen.

***

I don't see a way to push out the duality of physical existence, doesn't matter how strongly one wants to become One.

And that again is the paradox. We are in actuality already One Being. Therefore there can be no becoming One. Wanting and striving only prevent the experience by keeping me in separation. Relaxing, allowing and trusting are the keys 🔑. But I could soak 🛁 in a hot springs all day and be no closer to the experience of Being. Sometimes judgment has to be dropped, or control, or anxiety, or defense, or something else. Yes, I know when I enter the Flow state of Being. I am still looking (relaxed) for the switch.

In what you have mentioned, there is the essence of what being is and how it differs from doing.

Interestingly it becomes clear when we compare to animals. If we are striving to just "being humans", it is the natural state animals are in FOR US to see. Why it is so? You know the answer.

Yes, I would cite that as an example of the grace of Nature. By providing the natural state of animals for us to observe and feel more deeply, Nature offers grace to humans.

Every time you call your doggie "being", what do you think made you to say it in relation to your pet animal? The connection between you and your Chihuahua. That connection is what enables you to view your dog as "being".

We become "human beings" when we are connected to others. But we don't call animals "beings" because we don't connect to them. One needs to be connected to animals to call them "beings".

As you pointed out, the state of "being" is not a state we have to achieve but rather to be connected to other human beings and non-human beings. Looks like it is the way to Oneness: Interconnection. Thanks for clarifying where the switch is.

Yes, inter-connection is not the same as Oneness but is a way to Oneness consciousness, the One Being. I can extend connection to expand Being in my life experience. I am not dependent on circumstances but can make a choice to give precedence over barriers that arise, to connection, which includes compassion, empathy and Love for Love Itself. It seems that extending connection necessitates opening the heart.

❤️
​
The human experience in general is one of dualistic consciousness. Individuality is 'in divine duality'.

Whether an individual could sustainably function from oneness consciousness is a question.

Whether it would be useful, effective or desirable to live fully from oneness consciousness is another.

Is it really of ultimate value or benefit to seek or strive for ascension, awakening, enlightenment etc.?

Or does aiming for an objective of Oneness necessarily engage the separation consciousness of ego, preventing the possibility of achieving such an end?

Would relaxing into the 'Flow of what is' be a more effective way to actually live from expanded awareness and Being?

Does the 'Flow of what is' equate to Love for Love Itself, Love for No Reason?

By relaxing into the Flow rather than striving after anything, and living from Being rather than doing, from non-separation consciousness, might there be a choice for humanity to be free from the bonds of dualistic illusion?

I don't advocate doing nothing, but acting from the Flow.

​What might be a sufficiently strong motivation to move individuals to live as human beings?

​***

Looking back, the distinction between a warm, open, connected feeling before a contracting shift and a closed, disconnected non-feeling after becomes more clear.

The former is essential to me, the latter nothing I want. Both look almost the same from the outside yet their energetic values are very different, subtle but two different worlds of existence.

Whereas setting goals and motivating myself to achieve them holds no meaning or attraction, this one thing, not achieved but experienced, is most worthwhile.

Deeper communion with Spirit is for me the foundation of a meaningful life. With it comes the warm, open, felt connection with myself and the apparent other which I desire.

***

The photo is from the movie, 'Tree of Life,' Terrence Malick's discourse on the human experience.

---

COMMENTS
​
Mike Castro
I got an esoteric answer for you on this one which requires more of an explanation that I'm willing to get into right now. But the short answer would be this...

The life force, which is equal to openness plus lucidity, and is a great oneness of which we all are a part... vortexes (verb) into individuation as eventually self-conscious beings wherever there is a viable comfortable container for the open lucidity.

There are many such habitable spots in the animal kingdom for Consciousness to begin to know itself... But there are also some formations in pure spirit that can contain the energy and you can begin to have conscious individuation outside of the material. At least part of the human race, if not all humans inherently, have roots and previous individuation at the higher frequencies of spirit dimensions... So they (we) have a different perspective about... everything really.

(I'm very close to having a shareable version of some visioning that explains this better and you're on the short list to get a link to that 🙏)
​
Gary
May I use excerpts from your comments in a new post?

Grin Marina
Of course. Nice that you've asked but to be correct, we don't own our thoughts. Thoughts are for everyone who understands. Thoughts come and go. Sometimes we serve them tea ☕️, sometimes we don't.

Bottom line, we have thoughts like we have wishes, but no one can say that they own their wishes, the same with thoughts.

Of course, you can have whatever thought you would like to have.

​Gary
Yes, ownership of anything could be questioned, and I appreciate your way of looking at it. On my journey, I've had to let go of much of my attitude towards control and possession.

It has become my personal policy to always ask for permission. Not everyone has your viewpoint, and it is to me a matter of respect. Some have asked me to not use their comments, and of course I honor that. It is also part of extending connection to expand Being in humans.

I've written a new post and will submit it here first (the Facebook discussion group where Grin is admin). How do you feel about links in posts? This would be to my website which usually has more reading than the group post and sometimes videos.

---

Hi Gary,

I loved what you wrote, for it reflected the sincerity and longevity at your seeking of the reality behind this wondrously strange illusion.

As you may know, the actual experience of oneness — a oneness that is indescribably fascinating in a limitless myriad of aspects — knows no possibility of boredom, and dwells in a matrix of bliss. At such times, eternal perfection is obvious, and there is not the slightest inclination toward ideation. The flow of your ideas, which may be valid in the dualistic realm, and useful to some, would never even arise In the no-mind state of God consciousness.

I think you know that just as the word ice is not actual ice, these concepts are like floating fragments of incense smoke (but infinitely less fascinating). You and I cannot in any way express Reality, and would do well to remember that “ineffable” does not mean “usually not expressable” or “somewhat not capable of being put into words,” but “utterly beyond language.”

Am I therefore suggesting you give up? Yes. It would be noble and effective.

And contrary to your well meaning friend, nobody is bound in any body, there’s nothing that needs interpreting, and, I promise you, nothing we believe is valid.

You’re already “there,” there is nothing to achieve. There is no doubt of this. Total relaxation may be the appropriate response, here. You’ve earned it. The only purpose for any of our writings, yours or mine (other than, by the grace of God, me being paid well) is in helping others. As long as we remember, at least sometimes, that there are no others.

Best to you,
​
Bob B