“The key to growth is the introduction of higher dimensions of consciousness into our awareness.” – Lao Tzu
From exploring Lao Tzu’s work, there is always more simplicity in his message than meets the eye. What could Lau Tzu possibly have meant by a “higher dimension of consciousness”? Is he asking us to ascend to higher dimensional states of being, and which dimension would be good enough? The 5th, 6th, 16th…?
Actually the answer is much simpler:
Take a look at this rectangle:
It exists in two dimensions.
It has 2 sides, length and width.
In this example it represents me, and my problems.
Or as in Lao Tzu’s quote, my level of awareness.
Take a look at this circle.
It also exists in 2 dimensions.
In this example it represents someone else and his problems.
Or as in Lao Tzu’s quote, his level of awareness.
How often do we each get stuck in this 2 dimensional level of awareness? Me just seeing my own need for survival, and the same for the human I am dealing with. I double down on my “truth” because I can clearly see that it is a rectangle that we’re dealing with, and likewise for the human in front of me refusing to let go of his “truth”, because his eyes clearly show him the circle that he believes we are dealing with.
And often even if we try to each see things from the others’ point of view, while we’re stuck in this 2 dimensional level of thinking the best that we can come up with after trying to take each other’s interest to heart, is probably some kind of rounded rectangle. This might be a step in the right direction, but do we in fact have a clear picture of what we’re dealing with?
It’s only when we can literally see from a higher dimension, that we are able to realize that the reality of what we’re dealing with is a cylinder…
While we’ve learned to visually recognize the 3 dimensional qualities of the objects in the world around us, we often do get stuck in a 2 dimensional awareness in our minds – me and my problem.
How can we train our minds to heed Lao Tzu’s advice and think and see from a higher dimension of awareness?
Are you able to look at your own thoughts? Are you able to watch yourself thinking with a curious interest in what your brain produces? This space of being the observer of your own thoughts is something that is expanded greatly by regular meditation, to the point that it becomes the default way of viewing yourself and the world – with the wisdom of the observer.
Eckhart makes this wisdom quite practical:
“The moment you realize you are not present, you are present. Whenever you are able to observe your mind, you are no longer trapped in it. Another factor has come in, something that is not of the mind: the witnessing presence.” – Eckhart Tolle
“Don’t judge or analyze what you observe. Watch the thought, feel the emotion, observe the reaction. Don’t make a personal problem out of them. You will then feel something more powerful than any of those things that you observe: the still, observing presence itself behind the content of your mind, the silent watcher.” – Eckhart Tolle
“Observe your thoughts, don’t believe them.” – Eckhart Tolle
When your own thoughts become an object of interest instead of something you feel wrapped up in or even drowning in, then more sides and angles become visible to you – literally seeing from a higher dimension of awareness.
Here are a few useful questions to help you see from a higher dimension:
- Am I observing my thoughts, or am I being swept along with them?
- Can I see the situation from a broader perspective, beyond my immediate needs?
- Do I have a picture of the complete cylinder, or am I just seeing my rectangle?
Wishing you a great week!
– pierre –
Today’s LIVE meditation is: The observer