Opening the Inner Door: A Path to Transformation - By Isaac Cherian

The consciousness-based approach to personal transformation delves into the fundamental structures of our existence. It begins by exploring surface-level structures and then progresses to examine the deeper layers that underpin these surface structures. This approach is grounded in the idea that addressing unhealthy or damaging thoughts, emotions, and other elements of mental and physical content at their foundational level is crucial for achieving lasting and transformative change.

Surface Structures vs. Foundational Structures:

Imagine an apple tree producing bad apples. To resolve this issue, we must investigate the root causes. Sometimes, the problem lies in the surface structures, such as insect infestations or diseases. However, deeper structural issues within the apple tree itself, such as its overall health, may also contribute to the production of unhealthy fruit. Similarly, within the human mind, surface structures like external influences (e.g., environment and company) can lead to unhealthy patterns of behavior and mental content. But going one layer deeper, we find that these patterns are often rooted in negative thoughts, emotions, and other mental elements. Going yet another layer deeper, we discover profound structures like self-conceptualization and identity.

The Depths of Consciousness:

The consciousness approach delves even deeper, reaching the level of the witnessing self—a profound realization that we have a layer of awareness beyond the mind and body. Here, the mind and body become objects of our awareness, creating a space between us and our mental and physical experiences. The ultimate goal is to understand our existence from the perspective of the witnessing self, which offers complete freedom to choose how we identify with the objects of our mental and physical experiences.

Freedom Through Witnessing Self:

The witnessing self liberates us from being solely identified with our bodies and minds, which can instill fear, limitations, and insecurity. From the vantage point of the witnessing self, there is absolute freedom to identify with any mental or physical content. This freedom allows us to transcend the harm that certain content might otherwise cause. From the perspective of the witnessing self, there is no inherently harmful mental or physical content; it is the context that defines whether such content is healthy or unhealthy.

The Contextual Nature of Mental and Physical Content:

Mental and physical content can be likened to clothing: they are neither inherently good nor bad; it's how we use them that matters. Just as wearing winter clothes in summer is unwise, misusing mental and physical content within the wrong context can lead to unhealthiness. Therefore, transformative healing occurs when we reach the deeper layers of the witnessing self and operate from that vantage point. It is from this place that we can use mental and physical content in a healthy and constructive manner.

Conclusion:

The consciousness-based approach to personal transformation offers an experiential understanding of the deeper layers of our existence, culminating in the witnessing self. Through this approach, we gain insight into the contextual nature of our mental and physical content, liberating ourselves from unhealthy patterns of existence. By functioning from the layer of the witnessing self, we transcend limitations and embrace the transformative potential of consciousness. In this paradigm, mental and physical content become tools for positive growth and self-realization, reinforcing the profound idea that it is the context that defines the health and wisdom of our choices.

Isaac Cherian, Edmonton