| |
NEW CONCEPTS HAVE EMERGED in the field of neuroscience that suggest that consciousness is an inherent property of literally everything. In 2013, one of the leading experts on consciousness, neuroscientist Christof Koch, went to India to discuss his theories with the Dalai Lama. According to Koch, “The heart of consciousness is that it feels like something.” After a full day of debate and discussion, His Holiness and Koch agreed: That consciousness is everywhere.
The idea of universal consciousness permeates ancient Greek philosophy, Buddhism, and paganism. Consciousness is now an established branch of neuroscience. Together with Giulio Tononi, the originator of Integrated Information Theory, or ITT, created the modern theory of consciousness. Their work states that consciousness appears in all physical systems and that animals, plants, cells, bacteria, even protons are all conscious beings. Buddhism also considers land, sun, moon and stars as sentient beings.
By resting the mind, according to Buddhism, a meditator can develop an understanding and connection to everything else.
I offer this now as the prequel to my own Original Medicine story.
After the years of tailspin following my father’s passing, when I finally surfaced, I felt a disconnection from self and spirit. I became blatantly aware that some of the choices I had made were not aligned with my soul’s purpose or my life calling, and that separateness was causing me suffering. Thus, began my own journey of self-discovery that led me to a reconnection with my Original Medicine.
As I mapped the flow moments of my life – from sensing the dolphins on the beach asking for help when I was 15 and later having this same connection with humpback whales in the Caribbean (fortunately they hadn’t beached themselves,) to communicating with my Dad in dreams after his passing, dreaming about my unborn daughter, teaching the art and science of plant medicine, sensing the presence of my Mom after her death, visualizing locations for retreats as I was seeking them, connecting with animal and plant spirits, and a multitude of magical “knowings” experienced in meditations – my Original Medicine became crystal clear. I realized that I have an innate ability to feel the heart of universal consciousness that Koch wrote about and that this allows me to be a conduit of information and healing for others.
Through mapping my peak moments, I could pick up the thread of my unique gifts and through that process redefine myself from someone who felt unworthy of belonging into an intuitive and inspiring guide and mentor. I absolutely KNOW that you can do this as well and that you will have the experience of imagining yourself into being. The you that has always been there, and still is.
We all have the potential for a spiritually satisfying life with work that is exciting, engaging and heart-centered. Relationships that are intimate and vulnerable. A life where we experience beauty within and without and in which we feel feminine, strong, and free. Where we feel a deep connection to ourselves, to each other and to something bigger. Because of that we are making a difference.
The potential for tapping into universal consciousness as well as seeing and dreaming into form happens when we shed the armor, question our limiting beliefs, reconnect with our bodies, and follow our true selves.
