by
Tracey Alexander
In order to understand the New Testament and Jesus' message one must first know the distinction between the conscious mind and the bicameral mind. With that knowledge Jesus' message becomes clear.
For an introduction and definition of the two minds see Frank R. Wallace's award winning article "Consciousness: The End of Authority". The significance of the two ways of thinking is clearly defined. This article was written in response to the book "The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind" by Julian Jaynes.
This new way of thinking involves an understanding of the right hemisphere of the brain verses the left hemisphere. Bicameral man used both sides but in a different way then we do today. The right hemisphere is our survival mechanism...automatic reactions to sights, sounds and emotions. Faced with dangerous situations one must react quickly and automatically...totally immersed in the here and now. Also for survival skills one must be able to recognize the overall picture, to grasp the larger perspective. This function can be seen as necessary for survival in early man when out hunting and being able to find his way home...and is responsible for some of our most creative insights. It's the function of putting all the pieces together in an overall larger picture.
However our right hemisphere has a major flaw as far as consciousness is concerned. And, that is, it has no judgmental ability. Bicameral man lived by his natural, highly intelligent animal mind. And the animal mind has no concept of justice, fairness, or compassion. Therefore bicameral man lived by social "codes of conduct" necessary for people to live harmoniously in a society. Moses' Ten Commandments is an example of a "code of conduct" given by an authority figure for the Hebrew nation to follow. Notice that all ten commands relate to objective behavior...there is no inner reason given as to why these commands are necessary. Even though to us it is self evident why these commands are valid, it was not until the later prophets and especially with Jesus that the inner reasons for this behavior were known.
The Bicameral man lacked introspection and could not know for himself what was moral or immoral. This explains many of the mysteries of the Old Testament when a tribe favored by God would conquer another tribe, kill the men, women and children and take all of their goods...cattle, sheep, etc. There was no concept of justice, compassion, or wrong-doing on their part. When we read these stories today, we cannot reconcile that kind of behavior with God's condolence. In the light of the bicameral mind, however, these actions become clear. There is no blame.
The Bicameral man felt emotions strongly, just as we see in nature when a mother lion fiercely protects her young.
A major factor in becoming conscious and understanding Jesus' ministry is introspection...not just feeling emotions as all animals do and reacting automatically to those emotions but understanding emotions. Without "understanding" emotions no concept of justice or compassion could emerge. The interaction of the feeling right hemisphere with the rational, objective left hemisphere allows consciousness to emerge.
Just what is consciousness. One chief factor is the ability to be objective, to put aside your emotions, and weigh a situation honestly...a feature bicameral man could not do. With this ability to be objective a man can think in terms of the past and the future, not just in the present, in the here and now, as the right hemisphere does. With that ability a man can think in terms of changing his behavior...Jesus' emphasis on forgiveness and compassion.
The world we live in is a reflection of who we are inwardly as individuals. Our businesses, our schools, our governments are all run by individuals and the laws and traditions that we believe in or allow to exist determine our outer conditions. It is only as we understand ourselves, what is good for us and what is bad for us, that we can we put forth the right actions for a good life. And we also extend that same privilege to others.
That introspection, that getting in touch with and understanding our own emotions, leads to the conscious awareness of what is moral, good and right. That process lies at the heart of Jesus' message. Through this route a surprise emerges. Jesus' call to the weary, the suffering, the lonely was a constant theme throughout his ministry. For, those who are unhappy in some way are the most likely to introspect. Also "following his example" with the difficult trials he had to face is a way toward introspection, a major route to consciousness and the knowledge and wisdom of the "Kingdom of God".
Consciousness was developed about three thousand years ago. As societies became more and more complex, the bicameral mind became inadequate to cope. This new way of thinking coincides roughly with the rule of King David in the Old Testament. Moses lived in the thirteenth century B.C. which puts Abraham, the father of the Hebrew nation, even earlier. Historically then the early books of the Bible are stories of bicameral men. Those who lived by codes of conduct handed down to them by authority figures.
The Old Testament prophets give a vivid picture of the awakening of consciousness in man with the culmination in Jesus' ministry.
There are two major stages to consciousness, to becoming aware. The first stage has to do with ethics and moral behavior. And this requires complete honesty.
In following Jesus' example, he said you must die and be reborn. This is a metaphor, of course, but you must die to the old ways of thinking which keep you locked in an anti-civilization. Through introspection and examination you come to realize that contrary to church doctrines and religious beliefs you must act in your own best interest, put yourself first, have constructive desires and have a healthy concept of your own self worth.
Religious teachings and beliefs handed down to us say that we must be selfless, get rid of the ego, let go of desire and put others first. By trying to act upon these religious beliefs in our daily lives, we setup a major ethical and psychological conflict. Because all of these principles act against the natural nature of man. Therefore the famous, anguished quote by Paul paraphrased, "That which I would do, I do not. And that which I would not do, I do."
To contrast two of these examples gives us understanding of what Jesus was teaching. He wanted every man to develop consciousness. Putting yourself first allows you to be a whole person...a whole person who can produce and contribute to society. Putting others first and being selfless creates an inner conflict which puts you out of control of your life...and makes you assume that other people are also at your disposal. By contrast, a man who follows his own self interest extends that same right and respect to every other individual. Unfortunately, many who intellectually advocate self interest and the ego do not inwardly understand the true nature of these two important characteristics. Honest introspection would do so.
This is just one example of the many religious beliefs that go against an individual's true nature. Through introspection and having to meet reality in your daily life, you discover this fact...until one by one every false doctrine is seen through. Then you are no longer divided against yourself but become whole...one with your true nature. Once you have achieved this understanding you are ready to achieve the second major step to consciousness.
The second major stage to consciousness is to become your own authority. This was clearly evident with Jesus who spoke with authority...and we are supposed to follow his example. In speaking with authority Jesus completely amazed the people because no religious leader of the time spoke in such a manner. Jesus and his disciples broke many of the religious laws of his time. When confronted by the Pharisees, Jesus said that laws were made for man, not man for the laws.
Once a person is conscious of ethical and honest behavior and the inner and psychological reasons why that behavior is essential to his and others' happiness, then he is ready to become his own authority. However, a person must start living a self directed and self interested life to build the confidence needed to break through to the second stage...to become his own authority.
That's why Jesus spoke in metaphors and parables to the crowds. You cannot make a huge leap in consciousness until the groundwork is first laid. Developing consciousness and becoming your own authority is clearly Jesus' message. And in order to be your own authority you must break with all authorities, including the mystical authority "God". All mystical literature states this...that you must give up even the spiritual. And all mystics came to this stage. But they would not tell you what they discovered. The few who did were ostracized or even killed.
Realizing that all mystical experiences come from your own right hemisphere and not from outside of yourself or from "God", comes as a great shock. And the realization produces tremendous anger...anger at those who know the truth but write books encouraging you to follow the false beliefs. In the final analysis, you know that you are responsible for your own involvement...for your own gullibility.
Once knowing the truth one recognizes that the insights one has had are no different from the insights that scientists, businessmen and other creative people have. It's just the interpretation that was wrong...they were not mystical insights coming from outside yourself...coming from "God".
That's the final identification all mystics make. Reality is the only world. There is no mystical world. "God" does not exist ("God" is just a word/idea invented by humans). I am my own authority. And with this realization one has reached consciousness.
With fully conscious people, we can step into what Jesus called "The Kingdom of God". And what Frank R. Wallace calls "The Civilization of The Universe".
Disclaimer - Copyright - Contact
Online: buildfreedom.org - terrorcrat.com - mind-trek.com