Archive for August 17th, 2011
A Perspective On Becoming More Conscious
This photo is a scene taken at the Jamestown, North Dakota reservoir. For some reason I was drawn to this broken bit of tree emerging out of the bed of water. I just noticed that I chose the word “emerged” rather than “submerged.” The choice of word is one that sees something positive rather than negative in the scene. Psychologically I see it as consciousness emerging, growing out of the unconscious contents which contains all that is yet hidden from me, from my ego.
As I look again at the photo, I wonder about this interpretation and the image of the broken tree, its stark bareness as though stripped to its skeleton. Is this really an image of consciousness? Or, is it an image of the unconscious, of shadow? I took again to see if my original resonance holds, that this is consciousness arising out of water. I immediately think of another image of consciousness arising, that of the phoenix which is a burst of colour, not near as stark. And in response to my self-questioning, I still find a resonance.
Maybe this says more to me about myself than it does about the real nature of developing consciousness. Yet, I think there is something in the image that goes beyond the limitations of my own level of awareness. Does consciousness come fully clothed in a burst of light and colours? Or, does it emerge pitifully naked bearing only a potential that needs to be nourished. Ah, now that is what resonates with me. There is nothing that is born fully clothed, not even an idea. Without care, the emergence of potential consciousness will be lost as it sinks back into the depths from which it rises.
This individuation process is not as easy or as straightforward as I had imagined. The way it looks from here, by the time I have enough consciousness, I will be too old to do much of anything with it. I guess I will have to rule out becoming a guru or shaman with followers waiting for wise words from me. I will settle for being able to finally hear and understand at least some of the wise words of others.
