Reflect and Project
This is not the easiest essay for me to write. My hope is to develop a deeper understanding of the simultaneous nature of imagining and perceiving. There's still much research to be done regarding consciousness, but what has been uncovered so far seems to point toward a coherent entanglement—fundamentally and eternally present in our universe. While still not fully understood, this supports philosophies where the observer and the creator are two aspects of each player in the game of life.
When I reflect on such deeper realities, I often rely on metaphor; without it, understanding retreats into mystery. One metaphor I continually return to is Indra’s wonderful net. For some, the mythology surrounding Indra might be distracting; but for me, myths are simply labels on unopened doors of perception.
In my version of Indra’s Net, I am a jewel—and so are you. I am not the fabric of the net, but I am caught in an interval, feeling very much like the center. Cords of many dimensions stretch out from me in all directions. Without the net, I would not exist. One of the cords entangling me is often called consciousness. As with my physical body and its identification with this central feeling, consciousness also feels central—and my perception of otherness gives rise to a sense of separation. Yet, a closer look at the net reveals a deeper truth: there was never any partition. The coherent entanglement is the work of the fabric itself. Time, space, and consciousness are what this jewel—myself—projects and reflects; but not by its own power. The power to perceive and to create is granted by the net. My abilities exist only because of my reflective nature.
When I bend or twist, one of my perfect cuts casts light onto a neighboring jewel. In that instant, the neighboring jewel catches the light and reflects it onward—perhaps back to me, or perhaps to another.
It always feels central, but the light I project is light I’ve received from elsewhere. All the light in the universe is used light.
“The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.” — Ecclesiastes 1:9 KJV
This is the essence of what I’m saying. It isn’t just light—it is Life. Life, like light, is One Event. Time is One Event. Space is One Event. Consciousness is One Event.
If only we could view Indra’s Net from beyond ourselves, we would see endless, perfect jewels—each with countless facets. We would see reflections bouncing perpetually, from jewel to jewel. Every jewel reflecting every other. Most importantly, we would see one eternal fabric connecting all the jewels. Whatever I project today has merely occurred to me—originating from this beautiful, vast net.
The Net does not represent God. The Wonderful Net is Consciousness. And while Consciousness is fundamental, it is not The Uncaused. Consciousness is The First Cause—but not essential. It is the foundational, interrelated net of creation; yet it did not create itself. Consciousness is allowed by God.
This is why many ancient texts use the word “let.”
Everything—from time to experience—is consciousness. It is thought, memory, and ether. The nature of consciousness is organic. It is one net, within which all of Life’s jewels may reflect eternal light as ideas, thoughts, memories, experiences, and other universal attributes.
You can hear voices within your own jewel, but if you could hear the voice of the net you belong to, it would say “I.” At first it might sound chaotic, but gradually you would hear it harmonize—first into one voice, then into the word “Love,” and finally: “You.”
That is the sound of the universe:
I love you.
If consciousness pervades the universe—as with Indra’s Net—then when I observe a beautiful red rose, consciousness allows for my subjective perception of what that rose is like. At the same time, for the rose, my perception becomes entangled with what it is like to be a beautiful red rose.
A closer look at this returns perception to its rightful owner: Consciousness.
Consciousness, then, is what it is like to be everything, everywhere, at all times. My environment and I are likeminded.
What does this mean for perception between people?
It means we should never assume what another person is like. This is what judgment is. When we observe another jewel through consciousness, we are wise to consider them in the best possible light. It is the same consciousness that collapses in the other jewel to feel what it is like to be them—and if their experience doesn’t match your perception, that projection will be deflected and reflected back to you. It becomes part of the jewel you are.
“Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?” — Matthew 7:1–3 KJV
This ancient wisdom is often overlooked. We are each a jewel, interacting with 8 billion others—on just this one tiny planet. Consciousness allows every human to feel what it is like to be who they are. I believe this extends beyond humanity—but even if it didn’t, there is more than enough within humanity alone.
The problem arises when we “plug into” consciousness without regard for its Oneness. We can access what it is like to be ourselves—but we can also access what we judge others to be like. The real problem comes with what I call the Third Act Of Likeness: when another person does not feel like your perception of them. That perception is rejected and reflected. It may return to you or be passed on to someone else.
Yes, the overuse of the word “like” is intentional.
Here are the three stages of conscious likeness:
-
The subjective feeling of what it is like to be you.
-
The subjective feeling of what others are like.
-
The subjective feelings others have about being themselves.
In every case, we’re talking about subjectivity—and the real Subject is Consciousness.
That’s why I believe consciousness equals both our experience of the environment and the environment itself.
I nearly always feel like myself. But if I take the wrong road, I won’t arrive where I intended. This may sound simple, but it’s a perfect metaphor for judgment. I misjudged the road, and so I ended up somewhere else. Now consider The Tao. It means The Way, but I also think of it as the “Third Act Of.”
When trying to reach a destination, the first act is that you are where you are. The second is the act of orienting yourself toward the third. But it’s the second act—the Way—that matters. If you include false data in your navigation, your third act (the arrival) is compromised.
What does this have to do with judging others?
Everything. If your judgment of another is inaccurate, it will reflect back—not on them, but on you. You become a projector of your own misjudgments.
Even in its simplicity: misjudge a doorway and get a black eye. Misjudge a person and you might get a different kind of bruise.
So, can judgment ever be used well?
“In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” — Proverbs 3:6 KJV
What would it mean to have your life-path directed by its Creator—if that Creator’s only goal were to optimize joy?
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” — Jeremiah 29:11 KJV
Let’s revisit the three acts of consciousness:
-
You know what it’s like to be you. And you want to be happy.
-
You form an opinion about what being there will feel like.
-
You arrive—and either feel the joy you expected or don’t.
If you’re unhappy when you arrive, what went wrong?
You misjudged the effect of the destination.
How can this be prevented?
By forgetting the destination—and catching the feeling instead.
Look again at Jeremiah 29:11. What points to consciousness?
-
Know
-
Thoughts
-
Think
-
Thoughts (again)
-
Hope
This isn’t about what you should know or think or hope. It’s about Consciousness—and how it is the Way.
Joy
These words are a reminder of how consciousness behaves—and its desire to optimize joy within you.
“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” — John 15:11 KJV
This beautiful verse reflects the idea that God experiences Joy universally—and wants that joy to remain within you.
Let me offer two stories:
I once heard Eckhart Tolle tell someone they didn’t really want a house on a Malibu hill; they just wanted to feel the way they thought they would feel if they had that house.
I’m guilty of this. I’ve dreamed of scenes—only to reach them and feel nothing.
Once, I was offered a glass of 1950 Japanese wine. The diner’s owner raved about its perfection. I was thrilled. I swirled it, smelled it, played the connoisseur. And then I drank it.
It was horrible. Truly the worst drink I’ve ever had—and I once accidentally swallowed antifreeze.
What went wrong? The wine was nothing like what I thought it would be like.
Even more complex is this: if I had focused on the feeling I wanted from drinking perfected wine, I likely would have received a different experience entirely.
I misjudged the 1950 Japanese wine as a path to liquid joy.
“And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.” — Mark 15:23 KJV
Matthew notes that Jesus tasted it first.
The key is trust. Trust in God. God is Love. And Love is The Way.
Avoid judging. Instead, choose kindness, patience, and allowing. To “let it be” is to trust the Creator to light the way.
“Thy word is a lamp to my feet…” means: “Your promises guide me.”
.
Comments
Post a Comment