Trance Blackman » perception

Coward

tb — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 07:54:54 +0000

There is a strong theme of spineless-ness in our culture today, and it’s unfortunate.

I watched a few minutes of TV this evening, and it was long enough to see an ad for a drug that works in addition to your “regular” anti-depression pills, if they’re not working well enough. Twice mentioned before the ad was done was the side-effect of death. How is this acceptable?

Lies and half-truths are commonplace (primarily from parents/guardians, teachers, etc., etc.), gossip is second-nature, and ranting about someone behind their back is pretty much expected. It doesn’t matter whether you consider yourself spiritual, religious, or otherwise saintly. I’ve seen the worst of this from the self-proclaimed “best” of them. If we do have core values, clearly there is an imbalance between actions, and beliefs.

Business executives hide behind corporate practices and titles, and sit ready and willing to call foul. But they’re even more prepared to fabricate justifications for lawsuits, and most frequently against those who cannot afford to defend themselves in the chosen arena.

It’s about image and profit, not what’s best for everyone, or humanity.

Law – suit. Hadn’t noticed that before.

Accountants for huge companies are now called “creative” accountants, as they’ve earned a new title that goes beyond simply being “certified” because that simply isn’t good enough when you’re looking to cook the books, take advantage of loopholes, or manipulate terms of contracts and maximize “losses”. In the entertainment business, in both music and film, this is done every day. I’m sure you might be aware of similar practices, in varying degree, closer to home.

The term “corporation” has become synonymous with “coward” to me. The spillover of this is seen in most everything pop-culture and mainstream media. Strange and unbecoming behaviour is “OK” because it’s so frequently seen on TV, in film, in music, in magazines, by political leaders, by community leaders, and well just about everyone. That nagging voice of consciousness is relegated to a mere annoying whisper, that is shunned, silenced, and beaten down. We can’t handle the truth!

Marketing and public relations (image / false-front) firms are disgusting, and so are those odd animals that work for the powers-that-be, who need endless distractions to keep the general population numb, dumb, and stupid. It’s easy to hold hundreds of millions of minds in a lower vibration when you know which buttons to push, having derived a system (from infant, to adult) of self-denigration, subservience, countless limitations and illusion. WAKE UP! MOST OF IT IS NOTHING BUT NOISE! Look beyond the big, bold letters on the front page and find the real story therein.

On the one hand, it’s good to see that some things are being shaken up, by those who are willing to stand up. But I’d wager that most people who complain about something, stop there. Being a slave to a kind of lifestyle, paycheque, belief system, or social status is hindering, no? We’re petrified of perceived repercussions. But what price do you pay for continued silence or status quo?

Truth is, it doesn’t have to be this way. In your own personal bubble, and in the global community bubble, it really doesn’t. But if constructive, forward-thinking and unifying changes are going to constantly be counterbalanced with morons-in-suits upon high, humanity is never going to get it together – not without some catastrophic consequences.

But it starts with you, and with me. It starts within, as I’m sure you’ve heard before. The challenge in front of you is to step up. Petty interpersonal indifference and malignments echo into the world, as much as fake wars and made-up headlines do. If you’re afraid of confrontation, shut up! Deal with YOUR issues, and quit projecting your nuisance and noise upon others.

For now, concern yourself with your own bubble, and let your countenance reverberate out into the greater consciousness and let it be. No matter what, love still rules the day.

As We Ebb and Flow Through Life

tb — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:15:57 +0000

Like actors on the stage of the world, our different roles are just costumes that we inhabit and then shed. Each role we play gives us another perspective through which to understand ourselves and the nature of the universe. When we take a moment to see that each change can be an adventure, a celebration, and a chance to play a new part, we may even be able to recapture the joyful anticipation of our youth as we transition from one role to the next.

Source: DailyOm
December 15, 2009

The Game

tb — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 05:17:00 +0000

I’d like to examine the philosophy around what a lifetime, in human terms, can really mean…

The vast universe, seemingly beyond measurement, offers unlimited potential to any sort of organizing intent, with or without consciousness. We see this from within the tiniest of cells that bind and define our physical form, to the solar system within which we live, to the galaxy we know as “Milky Way” and beyond. Everything in the micro, is mirrored in the macro, in an uncanny interplay within an apparent perfect symmetry.

How do we really quantify what it means to “be born” into this shape that we are? If our existence is based on millions, and billions of years of making and remaking, evolving and emerging, then how does one human lifetime have any significance? I would say that it does, and doesn’t.

In a spiritual and emotional sense, it certainly matters, especially within the definition of family units, friends, and co-creators who exist during the lifetime that one soul chooses to be here for. In a metaphysical, or quantum physical sense, there isn’t really a “being born” at all, but rather a change in form and definition of energy and vibration that is ever-present, and ultimately inseparable. The purpose of this is for the “all” to experience an expansion or unfoldment in continuity with the larger ongoing expansion that apparently started with a “big bang”.

Given these conditions, why then, if a being such as we are, emerges from a source, or the everything, and is never truly disconnected, is “life so hard”? If we’re here to expand and evolve from those who came before us, why intentionally forget who and what we are? Spiritual growth is great and all, but it seems a curious form of self-imposed dysfunction, the purpose of which isn’t always clear to me.

The mystics and mentors have many methods with which to access and open the portals into this knowing. You have tarot, angels, past-life regression, hypnosis, meditation, astrology, numerology, etc., all with distinct, yet complementary vessels to gain understanding, or ultimately a remembrance of what lies beneath, and in between. There are others who believe that we are on this planet strictly for spiritual growth, and that forces far beyond our capabilities “protect” us, enabling the continuing existence of our fair Earth, as well as propagation of our species.

That, to me, seems rather demeaning in a way, and doesn’t resonate. It implies that we don’t really have any original omnipotent position and potential, whether in the physical, or not. It also presupposes that humanity is at a certain disadvantage at this point in time, and needs some form of guardianship and guidance as we work our way out of a supposed “falling from grace”. That idea seems far too primitive from my standpoint, and doesn’t calculate, given the vast field of intelligence from whence we came.

So, therein lies “the game” I interpret it to be. If it is our collective intention to grow, expand, evolve and become enlightened, what’s with all this ridiculous chaos and darkness, maligned ego and ignorance permeating our conscious experience? We have cultures and societies stuck in the distant past, while others are speeding toward the future. We have, what I observe to be, an underlying adolescence that keeps us at a near standstill, as far as embracing any true, unifying and universal potential is concerned. So what then is the real purpose of it all?

Is it impossible to evolve without a contrast with which to base a true desire or destination? Must there be a black, in order to know or differentiate the white? Apparently so. And if that is the case, then the answer to virtually all of our questions, at any given moment is simple… Yes!

Regardless of any choice, there will be an outcome and effect that you caused into existence simply by asking. Therefore, one could say there is no “right” and “wrong”, “good” or “bad”, ever! There is no better way, there is only another way. What’s better or worse gets defined within the parameters of a culture or societal understanding, and is dynamic, forever evolving and adapting to the collective demands of what is in the now.

Those in “powerful” positions must understand this and salivate at the chance to manipulate an audience of ignorant minds. But, now you are aware of this. The eye altering, alters all. Thus, every individual has the power to completely influence their existence and experience. Collectively, it is no different. The locus of original intent can gain momentum and shift all of reality along with it, if we can “get along” as it were. There, then, is the underlying grace and ease with which you can live your life.

You are not simply the superficial body and person you perceive yourself as, for the most part. You are intrinsically intertwined as a co-creator and co-publisher of this chapter in our collective existence. Your move.

Image: “I could get you the UNIVERSE” by Xanetia

Continental Rift

tb — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 08:21:00 +0000

Let’s be honest. You have to admit that living in one home, city, state, country or even hemisphere inherently defines a certain ignorance of what’s really going on in the world around you.

There are many ways I could approach this broad-reaching concept. I’ve chosen to jab you in the ribs… Gently. It is about oneness. Enjoy the rant.

Think about it. Relying on a newspaper, news broadcast, or a few RSS feeds doesn’t really qualify as a way of keeping in touch with the pulse that is the vastness of the human experience. Do you even know how many countries exist? How about languages, cultures, economical variations, races and spiritual beliefs? What is it really like to live in the desert, forest, arctic, city or rainforest? My hope is that as of right now, you’ll have to look at your favourite source of media hype differently. If you’re readily taking the bait of choice buzz words in the headlines (adding “oh my god, do you believe this?” as an ice-breaker), spreading them around your school, church, workplace, gym, or secret meeting place, you’re not quite seeing the big picture. I’m not even going to touch celebrities and tabloids…

Now, who really cares about what’s going on everywhere right? How can we possibly be concerned, as there’s already so much to keep our minds so busy, 24/7. Those new jeans look awesome by the way. I guess it comes down to how much you want to participate as a citizen of the world, as opposed to the pretend citizen of your current location on the map. There is a vast difference, and like it or not, you’re partaking of it. But, is it better to simply step up to the trough and take what’s offered, or will you take a split second and know that you belong to something so much larger, and so much more special, than you ever really think about?

We all know that modern media colours stories at will, takes information grossly out of context, and splashes bold headlines to sell the products advertised within their medium; which pays for their process in the first place. It’s not about news and info, it’s about marketing. And clearly it works, because we’re quite addicted to drama. Along with this, comes the subtle distancing of “us” from “them” by means of our emotions requiring conflict by default.

Thankfully with the internet, there is a real-time, dynamic, unfiltered, enormous amount of information at our fingertips – all of it echoing the truest nature of what it is to be part of the whole, yet in its infancy. The challenge, however, is that everyone has an opinion. Very few have facts. But, regardless of the source, does reading about “over there” and about the flus, wars, tsunamis, earthquakes, and such make you feel a connection? Or, just fear? Hmm…

Truth is, if there were no headline, you wouldn’t have even known whatever “it” was that had happened. THAT is how connected you truly are. So I think it’s important not to assume, presume, judge or even label an event until you’ve either lived in their shoes, breathed their air, practiced their religion, or buried their dead.

I find it interesting that we still hold to our ancient divisions, borders, timezones and other bureaucratic and political nonsense. This is ONE planet, ONE humanity, ONE home for everyone. There is no territory, no dominion, no legitimate reason for the archaic boundaries and power struggles within which we continue to limit our fundamental, true united nature. But, it is what is perceived, and in play, for now. Yet, you can feel it changing, can’t you?

Consider that every fear-based headline has a nugget of insight into something larger. Who or what is the real issue? What is the underlying energy and purpose of this particular distraction?

There are well over 6 billion people on the planet. I’d wager that nearly all of them had a very good, blessed and simple day. That in itself probably seems impossible to fathom…

Image: “We’re all going to die!” by russelljsmith

My Eyes!

tb — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 19:27:00 +0000

“Perception is everything. It determines how you see yourself, your life. It determines what you can and can not do. Question your perceptions.” ~ Kalyn Raphael, The Oracle

Consider for a moment in how many areas of your life this statement applies.

Probably ALL of them, for how you perceive anything, is how you experience everything.

Think about your partners, in business or in romance. Think about your career, or spirituality, or daily routine from the moment you open your eyes and return to the physical once again to wake and walk another day (or how about how you perceive the dreams you may have just had?). Even if you are without vision, you still perceive that which is around you, and how you perceive it will ultimately determine how you experience your life.

It’s a powerful statement and realization. It’s a tool in your experiential arsenal. For if you know and understand that perception is everything, you can then change anything about that perception, and thus the experience of it, instantly.

We don’t often give ourselves that space in time, just before making a snap judgement or decision, based on how we’ve done it countless times before, or how we’ve seen others around us do it and it thus became the “normal” (ie. trained, conditioned, programmed, emotionally triggered) way of things. If you’ve observed something to be black or white your whole life, it tends to stay either black or white, held tightly within a well-practiced determination and limitation, based again only on perception.

This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t trust your intuition about something. That’s a different form of energy based on established inner peace, love and alignment, not ego and presumption and precedence. It’s not “knowing” something because “those people are just that way” or because “that religion is wrong” or “you can’t trust anybody,” but a knowing that transcends the mind, comes from the heart, and uplifts and unifies naturally.

Question your perceptions. Allow yourself to let go of those that no longer serve you.

Image: “Reflections at the Lagoon” by lrargerich