Reality isn't what it appears to be. It comprises an intricate dance of energy and many webs of interconnection whose secrets have barely been revealed to us. I am coming to understand this in part through the work of these and other perceptive old souls:
Dr. Srikumar Rao—author of numerous books including Modern Wisdom, Ancient Roots—also created the Creative and Personal Mastery program. I recently took this four-month program along with a number of my most respected friends and colleagues.
Dr. Rao’s program combines insights from major religions as well as our greatest philosophers and brings them together in a form free of the dogma that might prevent some from accepting vitally important lessons. He has helped me to understand that many of our most widely accepted societal beliefs are mere illusions. For example, there is no “good” or “bad”.
Here are three of many lessons I took away from his program:
We do not control the flow of our lives. No matter how dramatically we increase our skills, we will never control the flow of life or that of the universe. There are forces at work that are immensely more powerful than our human bodies. Many of these are the result of magic, which is a word I now use to mean universal forces we do not yet understand or even acknowledge with any degree of specificity. These forces shape the world around us and greatly influence the course our lives take. Some of these forces give us what we need, which is not always the same as what we want.
Many times, the heart of our stress is being attached to one outcome: what if we don’t buy the house, what if I don’t get a new client, what if this evening’s dinner is boring, what if, what if…
Ego doesn’t help. The more we are attached to the need to be smart, accomplished, affluent, popular, good looking, kind… the worse our lives will be.
The late Thich Nhat Hanh, the renowned Buddhist monk and peace activist, wrote dozens of books. Here’s an example of his observations that I have shared in the past:
"The Buddha has a very different understanding of our existence. It is the understanding that birth and death are notions. They are not real. The fact that we think they are true makes a powerful illusion that causes our suffering. The Buddha taught that there is no birth; there is no death; there is no coming; there is no going; there is no same; there is no different; there is no permanent self; there is no annihilation. We only think there is. When we understand that we cannot be destroyed, we are liberated from fear. It is a great relief. We can enjoy life and appreciate it in a new way.”
Dr. Lisa Miller is author of The Awakened Brain: The New Science of Spirituality and Our Quest for an Inspired Life. She is a clinical psychologist and director of the Spirituality Mind Body Institute at Teachers College, Columbia University, a graduate program and research center, where she studies the intersection of spirituality and mental wellness.
She says, “We are hardwired with the capacity for an awakened brain. We oftentimes power up our awakened brain through times of suffering.
"Awakened awareness involves a different set of circuits in the brain, it involves an entirely different host of feelings, and it leads to a different style of decision making. We stop saying, 'What do I want to have happen now?' because that’s clearly not working, and instead, as a much more open question, 'What is life showing me now?' We may find some magnificent surprises. We may find our lives going in a direction and our companies flourishing in ways we had never even envisioned."
Dr. Miller argues that each of us has an innate ability to shift to an awakened awareness state of mind. This state allows us to know—and feel—that we are loved, held and guided. That, in fact, is the nature of reality; we are never alone, even though at times many people feel alone. The more you practice awakened awareness, the stronger and more impactful the state will be in your life.
Michael Singer, author of "The Surrender Experiment" and "The Untethered Soul," writes eloquently about the transformative power of surrendering to the flow of life. Singer’s personal journey is a testament to the idea that by letting go of personal fears and desires—and by accepting the reality of the present moment—we open ourselves to a higher energy. This energy guides us, shapes our reality, and steers us towards paths we could not have anticipated.
Singer’s work emphasizes that reality is not just something we passively exist within, but is a dynamic, ever-changing flow in which we can and should actively participate.
Collectively, these “non-thought” leaders inspire me to challenge the common wisdom that all we have to do is think: get a good education, build a prosperous career, and employ logic and intellect. When I look at the current state of the world, I see the results of such a limited perspective: war, conflict, prejudice, total disrespect for nature and a growing divisiveness.
There’s a better way. It's not about defying the laws of the physical world, but about transcending them, by realizing that our consciousness, energy and spirit—which is connected to everything else—has the power to shape our personal experience of reality.
My intention is that Bend Reality becomes a true community, so I need to acknowledge one other individual who has greatly inspired me. Charles Vogl is an adviser, speaker, and the author of three books, including the spectacular The Art of Community. I count him as a friend and was privileged to be part of his Community Deans program, which helped me to understand how to make authentic connections more common, accessible and fulfilling.
Here’s a quick excerpt from the Community Deans website:
“The Deans started as a secret gathering of nationally and internationally influential community practitioners and thought-leaders exploring what our era needs to connect us effectively. Together they formed a community to advance community leadership differentiated from extractive and manipulative practices. Each original member worked in some way on the cutting edge of developing supportive connections at scale in our time.”
During the time I participated, I wasn’t involved in leading or forming a special community, but I knew that day would come. This is that day.
In the coming weeks, I will share more about the Bend Reality community. You are already part of it, and for that I am deeply grateful.
As always, I welcome your ideas and inspiration.
Very cool!