Inner Journey

I Am the Heart
Meditation Course

page 3

Let us walk through each section of the table and briefly expand on its meaning.

Physical

From day 1 of human existence, an individual grows up in a 3-dimensional world, initially learning about spatial relationships and the conditions of environment,

Examples:

The understanding of Up, Down, In, Out, including Distance.
The sense of the physical body reaching out and touching something.
Things that threaten physical safety and survival.
A sense of what is physically pleasing and comforting.

These impressions are fundamental to the understanding that "I am a living being" because my body and its sensations validate my experience as a living entity.

In various stages of life, a person can derive a sense of personal power as well as feelings of fulfilment and competency from positive physical achievements like sports and athletics. On the other hand, a negative use of physical attributes like "Bullying" may also bring about a sense of personal power or self. However, to continue the use and cultivation of on'es personal power in this way will lead to problems, as one day such a person may encounter someone stronger and more assertive. Here, the person's personal power, or sense of self, would be taken away.

Mental

As a person grows physically and develops mental faculties, a more refined view of existence evolves as powers of perception and reasoning mature. To gain the understanding that Self-identification can be obtained through intellectual pursuits, advances the person into a more meaningful understanding of one's humanity and potential.

Once again, in various stages of life, a person can derive a sense of personal power and feelings of fulfilment and competency from successful use of logic and intelligence. But mental abilities can fade, or people with grander capacities can be encountered, possibly leading to feelings of inadequacy. Such a thing could also take away personal power, or a sense of self.

Emotional

Having experienced 2 distinct aspects of human development, the encounter of emotional involvement and attachment to both people and objects further defines and matures the sense of self in the individual. From the experience of joy derived from something simple, like a favourite toy, to the deeper connections to living things like a pet or more importantly people, a still higher sense of self arises from the experience of: "I know I exist because of the feelings I have for things and people, along with the feelings that people have for me". A person's sense of self matures into something higher.

Further to this, the experience of love and more importantly un-conditional love brings a degree of release to the "sense of self" derived from the physical and mental experience linked to external dependence. From the experience of true or un-conditional love, the need for external validation from physical attributes greatly dissipates.

Yet again, in various stages of life, a person can derive a sense of personal power and feelings of fulfilment and competency from the experience of being loved by another. This, too, is vulnerable should the love or other emotional support of others not be forthcoming anymore.

Spiritual

Finding a "sense of self" from the spiritual experience is the goal of humanity. YOUR GOAL!

It is here that the noblest attainment of the inner human experience can be found. Serene and confident. Compassionate yet assertive. Self assured but humble. Wise and profound yet simple of heart and uncomplicated.