Higher Consciousness: It all starts with a Spark

CONSCIOUSNESS
In each of the Four Directions found on the Native American Medicine Wheel are four levels of consciousness. We begin in the North with Conscious. This is largely inclusive of our general level of awareness and the events perceived by and through the five senses.

In the East is the Unconscious. This includes things we are unaware or partially aware of including our autonomic functions like breathing, blinking and so on.

The Subconscious level is found in the South, and as the word "sub" would suggest these are things found below the surface of our knowing. It is important to note that the subconscious is not inaccessible in spite of some people's beliefs to the contrary.

And finally in the West there is a Higher or Spiritual Conscious. In this place we realize we are connected to all things and part of a collective consciousness including the mind, if you will, of God. We cease to think situationally and begin to see relationally. This is where it is possible to operate in a multi-dimensional state.

HOW DO WE REACH HIGHER CONSCIOUSNESS?
* How does one get to that place?
* What motivates a person to make that journey?

Unless there is an event or occurrence in life that calls for a higher level of consciousness, many people are content to float through life accepting whatever level they are accustomed to operating from as "normal". Generally speaking, change is the result of either pain (the want to avoid) or desire (the want to attain). Until this happens, willful ignorance is often acceptable.


A NATIVE AMERICAN STORY
…And so it was that a Spirit Helper and Guide called "Between Two Worlds" observed the creatures of the earth. He went to the Creator, the Master of Life and said, "I saw the people. They have feelings but they don't live passionately. They have thought but are rarely contemplative. They have words but use them to wound and divide. They have the ability to act but do so automatically and by rote, as if they walk in their sleep.”

The Creator reached into his robes and from his heart he pulled out a flame. Handing it to Between Two Worlds he said, "Put this where the people can find it whenever they need it. This is the light of awareness."

After taking the light of awareness from the Creator he began looking for a place to put it so that the people could find it. After searching high and low about the earth, Between Two Worlds knew just what to do! He went to the people and placed a piece of light in the heart of each person. He knew that whenever they thought hard enough or felt deeply enough, that action would fan the flame causing it to burn brighter, thus helping them to become more aware.

He returned to his place between the above world and below world and observed the people. He could see the light glowing within the people. Some people glowed softly while others were brighter. There were some who, after recognizing that the light within them was of the Creator, were simply radiant.

The people, too, could "see" the way that some shone brighter than others and they began to look for ways to glow brighter themselves. So they went to the bright ones and asked, "How was it that you came to burn so brilliantly?"

The bright ones said, "In our awareness we know that we come from and are a part of the Creator. Our awareness comes from that connection. Whenever we seek to do things in a good way we notice that our light burns brighter. Whenever we do things to the contrary our light becomes dim. Live in a good way and you will shine like the stars!"


LIVING AT A HIGHER CONSCIOUSNESS
Consciousness is related to intention. To reach a higher consciousness we have to intend, through actions, to live higher. To do this requires thoughts, words, feelings and interactions that are good and positive. By living in a positive way, people learn what constitutes "goodness". The more they learn, the more they align themselves with the Source of All Good - God.

Higher living requires a higher consciousness.
...And it all begins with a spark!