Consciousness: The state of being aware… or, seeing with spirit eyes that gaze beyond the physical into the interconnectedness of all things.

The current headlines and my newsfeed seem to indicate that humanity is unconscious – in a deep and apathetic slumber. At the macro level of life, we all operate within some severity of unawareness. At the micro level, I would argue that our creator endued each of us with the ability to learn from our experiences, adapt to new information, grow in our faith and belief systems, and ultimately live in harmony with ourselves and others.

Despite the wisdom and moral insights of our American founders, we are only several generations removed from women being granted the right to vote, or legislation being passed providing civil rights to African-Americans. Only recently have women felt empowered to speak out concerning sexual harassment, via the viral #metoo social phenomenon, which has led to career ending consequences for notable men.

In a frenetic three-week span in 1741, George Frideric Handel composed the oratorio, Messiah. It debuted in Dublin in part because “many Church leaders considered Handel’s music profane and subversive – because of his association with opera and the theater”. 277 years later, the oratorio is heralded as a masterpiece of art and faith.

These are all examples of humanity learning, growing, adapting, becoming more aware, stirring from their unconsciousness.

Martin Luther King Jr. said “Let us realize the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”

The current political and social climate has created dividing lines and alliances. In some quarters it’s us versus them, at all cost. And though Christmas boasts a refrain of peace on earth, good will toward mankind, the holiday can be a time of high stress and anxiety. Family and friends with diverse personas and world views, collide around a festive table where idle chatter digresses into eye-rolling, passive-aggressive, verbal sparring.  Our collective eyes have become dimmed with scales of unconsciousness.

Though hard to fully understand, I can agree with Deepak Chopra when he states “everyone is doing their best from their level of consciousness”. What I did, and thought, and believed when I was 18, changed dramatically when I became married at age 20. The birth of my daughters changed the way I viewed the world, forever. Witnessing my wife overcome breast cancer heightened my capacity for love, and empathy for those who continue the good fight. Holding my grand-daughter reminds me of my past parental mistakes, my flawed thinking, rigid mindset, and how far I’ve come in my awareness. Life, and circumstances, and people, change us.

My daughter and her husband took Kinslee to see Santa Claus on Saturday. They kept her entertained while in line for an hour. The moment finally arrived for her to sit on Santa’s lap and smile for the Instagram moment. Instead of her usual charismatic grin, she cried out in sheer terror. Kinslee had no awareness that this freakish looking man in velvet suit and long white whiskers was the embodiment of her Christmas morning delight. It would be nonsensical to have reacted to her distress in anger or frustration. Over the next year of her life she will hear and learn more about the tradition and magic of Santa, why he dresses the way he does, the milk and cookies that keep him jolly, and a naughty and nice list. With that new consciousness, she may decide she likes Santa… or maybe not.

From the ridiculous to the sublime – the epitome of being fully conscious comes from our Passion Story –  as Jesus says: “forgive them for they know not what they do…” So too, we must recognize, even in our pain, that those who hurt us are asleep, unaware of how egregious their actions are to themselves and to all of humanity, for we are all connected. This does not excuse or condone bad behavior or release anyone from consequences that derive from poor choices. However, forgiveness and mercy come more quickly from a perspective of understanding.  Some choose to remain asleep, refusing to be roused into awareness and the abundant life that is so near.  Most, like me, are on a journey to greater awareness, greater compassion, greater grace, greater understanding, greater truth, greater love.  When I recognize that my neighbor walks that same path of life with me, I can begin to shed the bedclothes that serve only to separate and differentiate, and open my spiritual eyes to see the commonality of our mutual frailty, and shared joy.

Merry Christmas!