Observing Our Own Fear

Posted on August 31, 2021 by Author Richard F Holmes

According to the likes of Eckhart Tolle and Rupert Spira, it’s quite common for people who are going through a spiritual awakening process to experience the resurfacing of negative traits, which were thought to have been dealt with ages ago. Not only that, but also to experience feelings of fear, hopelessness and vulnerability. This is something that I have been very aware of in my own daily existence for the past few years. However, the fact that I am actually aware of these experiences, is a very positive factor. I decided on this as a theme for a blog post, because I thought it would be very helpful for anyone who is experiencing the same thing as me.

My understanding of why this happens is because the ego (which doesn’t really exist) knows that it is on borrowed time, and does its utmost to stay alive; as long as there is fear and the derivatives thereof, the ego will continue to thrive. Normally, we are so wrapped up in our egoic earthly existence, we get completely sucked in by the “story” being told by the mind. We demonstrate negative traits and feel negative emotions without the awareness of them. Not in the context that is meant here anyway.

I have written in many previous posts about how we are “the witness” to the drama that is going on around us, and not participants in the true sense. So, I feel that it is encouraging to know that even though past negatives may have reared their heads, and doubt and fear have crept in, it is not necessarily a bad thing. Even though these things still don’t exactly feel good, what is good about it is that I am observing these feelings not only within my body, but also as a detached witness who knows that this is not who I am. With this understanding, all such thoughts and feelings pass through and dissolve away. The Self is always exactly as it is; ever still, ever the witness and ever reflecting the light of consciousness.

The Lightbulb Analogy

Posted on January 1, 2020 by Author Richard F Holmes

Image by Susan Cipriano from Pixabay

Here we are then, the last day of 2019, and with 2020 peering over the parapet, I thought I would provide you with some food for thought to take into the new year. Many of you reading this, particularly if you are from the UK or the USA, will be wondering what the hell is going on with, and in the world. I’m not going to mention any particular politicians or political parties, but there appears to be millions of people experiencing great hardships, with no foreseeable signs that things will improve. I also, find this very difficult to comprehend, especially when I allow the world’s dramas to influence my thoughts. However…

There are a couple of things I’m going to share with you that will give what is happening a bit of perspective.

Imagine that you had some sort of hideous boil on a part of your anatomy. You would obviously want the boil to heal up and go, but you would also understand that before the boil can heal, all the poison in the form of puss has to make its way to the surface and ooze out. This is what I feel is happening now as I type. How long will it take? Who knows? The process will probably not be complete in my life time, but at least it is underway. What we are seeing is the outer reflection of the puss that the collective consciousness of the human race has allowed to poison it’s soul; “as without, so within.”

Another thing to consider is this great analogy that I came across some years ago, but it seems so apt in relation to what is going on today. Imagine you had a warehouse that was lit by a 40 watt bulb. One day you get fed up with trying to find stuff in such a dim light, so you decide to replace the 40 watt bulb with a 100 watt bulb. All of a sudden you can see all the dust and cobwebs that you couldn’t see before. It’s not that they were not there, it’s not that they have suddenly miraculously appeared; it’s just that you now have a stronger bulb in place that is highlighting all the dirt. The aforementioned puss was already there, and indeed, has been with us for a very long time. However, now that the human race is waking up, now that people are becoming more enlightened, now that the light of consciousness is illuminating our planet, we are now noticing the negative stuff more. Why? Because it no longer resonates with who we are; we are evolving (or simply awakening to our true nature) and it does not serve our soul purpose; or purpose for Being.

We should also understand that there is so much positive stuff happening in the world too. This however, is not newsworthy and therefore comes a poor second to all the sensationalist stuff we see and hear in the mass media. If we simply shine our light wherever we happen to find ourselves in the world at any particular time, and never miss the opportunity to give a helping hand when it arises, then we will not be going far wrong.

I wish you all peace, love, happiness and abundance for 2020. See you next year!

The Lantern

Posted on September 30, 2019 by Author Richard F Holmes

Photo by Terry Jung on Unsplash

In ancient Japan it was quite common for people to walk with lanterns at night. They were made out of paper and bamboo, and held a candle. An old blind man had been to the temple, and as he was leaving to go home, a monk offered him a lantern. “I don’t need a lantern”, exclaimed the blind man. “Darkness or light, it’s all the same to me.” “But you need to carry a lantern so that others may see you”, said the monk, handing him the lantern. The blind man seemed to have walked no distance at all before someone bumped into him. “What are you doing”, he said, “can’t you see the lantern?” “My friend”, replied the stranger, “I’m very sorry for bumping into you, but your candle has gone out.”

This beautiful parable tells us that external lights are limited and temporary, and will ultimately burn out. Our inner light, on the other hand, will always “light” the way for us. The light in question being “the light of consciousness”, which is our true nature.

There is an added teaching here that tells us that we can find ourselves in situations that would appear to be disadvantageous (like the blind man), however, it is possible that when we are in those situations, our purpose is to light the way for others.