Happy Sunday friends!
I hope that you are doing well and that you are getting ready for the change of the seasons. Wherever you are this is a time when things are definitely changing. And change is always good.
Last week I shared with you a video of my talk about changing the paradigm from you being in the universe to the universe being in you. I've been working on this article based on that talk this week and I wanted to share it with you.
By the way this week I hit a very big goal! Last year I made a commitment to myself to publish an article a week or more for one full year and this week is our one-year anniversary! That means that we have been on this writing journey together for 365 days. Can you even believe it? I am so happy and I'm also so proud of myself for following through on what I told myself I would do.
Is there anything that you are committing to that you want to challenge yourself to follow through on? Sometimes having these kinds of goals can be very empowering. You don't need it truly but it can make a world of difference in your vibration and your real appreciation for your potential. I strongly recommend it.
I would love to hear your thoughts about the article that I came up with. I would love to start a conversation!
Take Care,
~Max 💫💖
Ever since I began really delving into the spiritual pathway, one thing that kept coming up over and over is the idea that what really needs to happen is what many people would call a fundamental shift. Look at it like this, there is a lot of information around the meaning of life and existence and metaphysics and spirituality, but all of that information can be gathered, and no real fundamental shift happens within the individual. All that that studying does is add more. And there is nothing wrong with adding more, but what I have seen with my students and way back in the day with myself, is that the more information that is gathered, sometimes the more confusing it all can be. So, this begs the question of what constitutes a fundamental shift and what is just adding information? A fundamental shift cannot be planned. It cannot be organized. It cannot be activated by you. But it can be prepared for. Because the paradigm that is looking for more information cannot assist in moving away from the need for more information… What really needs to be looked at are paradigms. In our everyday lives, we often navigate the world under a particular paradigm, a way of seeing and understanding everything around us. This concept is fundamental yet transformative. When we grasp the essence of paradigm shifts, our entire perception of reality can change. When this begins to happen there is an opening for a true fundamental shift. This article delves into the profound idea that we are not simply inhabitants of the universe but rather that the universe exists within us.
To begin, let's define what a paradigm is. A paradigm is essentially a framework or model of how we perceive, interpret, and interact with the world. It shapes our beliefs, values, and behaviors. Most people operate within a paradigm of duality—seeing the world in terms of subject and object, self and other, me and them.
This dualistic paradigm dictates that we are separate entities living within an immense, often overwhelming universe. We view ourselves as tiny dots in a vast cosmos, subject to the whims and forces of an external reality. This perception inherently breeds a sense of limitation, insignificance, and often, helplessness. Of course, as we always say here there is nothing right or wrong about this. It is just an orientation or a paradigm of life which most separated selves are buying into every second of every day.
This is called the Subject-Object Paradigm. The subject-object paradigm is rooted in the belief that we, as individuals, are distinct from the world around us. We see ourselves as subjects navigating through a world of objects. This view permeates every aspect of our lives:
Personal Identity: We define ourselves by our roles, relationships, and possessions.
Interactions: We see others as separate beings, leading to a sense of division and sometimes conflict.
Experiences: We believe our experiences happen to us, making us passive recipients rather than active creators.
In this paradigm, everything is filtered through the lens of "me versus the world." it reminds me of that great 70s song from Helen Reddy You and Me Against the World. That way of moving through life can be very enticing but ultimately it is exhausting, and it keeps us separate from others and our experiences and most of all from ourselves. We believe we must constantly strive, compete, and protect ourselves from external threats. This perspective inevitably leads to stress, anxiety, and a perpetual feeling of insufficiency.
Today I want to really challenge this dualistic/subject-object paradigm. I want us to consider something else. This is something you may never have even thought of before, or if you have the idea may be a little too overwhelming for you to grasp. But let's look anyway. What if this entire paradigm is fundamentally flawed? What if the separation we perceive is merely an illusion? Enter the idea that we are not in the universe; rather, the universe is in us. Just as I was talking before about us being a dot on the vast limitless landscape of the universe, let's switch those labels around.
Is there a way that we are the vast limitlessness I've never ending pure potentiality and the universe is the dot that is within us?
This shift in perception is not just a philosophical or metaphysical concept but a profound change in how we understand our existence. If we consider that the universe is within us, instead of the other way around, we move from being passive dots in a vast cosmos to being the limitless creators of it all.
So, take a moment to just imagine the paradigm where you are not just a speck in the universe but the universe itself is within you. This means many things and it has life-changing consequences. Here are just a few you might want to consider:
You Are the Source: Instead of seeing yourself as a small part of a larger whole, you recognize that the whole exists within you. Your consciousness is the canvas on which the universe is painted.
Limitlessness: Without the constraints of seeing yourself as a limited being, you tap into a sense of boundless potential and creativity. This is where we meditate on that delicious phrase: “pure potentiality”
Interconnectedness: The perceived separation between you and others dissolves. You realize that everything and everyone is an extension of your own being.
This paradigm aligns with the teachings of many spiritual traditions and modern thinkers. For example, A Course in Miracles states that "there is no world" apart from our perception of it. Our external reality is a reflection of our internal state.
In the spirit of A Course in Miracles, experiencing a happy dream rather than a dream of suffering is the beginning of real spiritual awakening. So, today I want to focus on some practical implications of this new paradigm of living a happy dream. Adopting this new paradigm has profound practical implications. When we see the universe as being within us, our approach to life transforms:
Empowerment: We no longer see ourselves as victims of circumstances. Instead, we recognize our role as creators of our reality. Our thoughts, beliefs, and intentions shape the world around us.
Responsibility: With great power comes great responsibility. We become mindful of our thoughts and actions, understanding their impact on the collective reality. I realized that the word responsibility can feel very daunting. So I just like to break it down that what it's really saying is that responsibility is giving us a real ability to respond.
Compassion: Seeing others as extensions of ourselves fosters empathy and compassion. We are less likely to judge or harm others, knowing that in doing so, we are only harming ourselves.
Inner Peace: The realization that the universe is within us brings a deep sense of peace. We are no longer at the mercy of external events but find stability within our own consciousness.
So, let's talk about integrating this fundamental shift. This paradigm shift is not merely intellectual but experiential. This comes back to the beginning when I was talking about a fundamental shift. Although there are some who have a very quick and radical shift, my experience is that most people require what I call the turtle theory which means little by little. It requires a deep, often gradual, transformation of our consciousness. With that in mind there are some practical steps that may help on this pathway. Here are some steps to integrate this new perspective:
Meditation and Mindfulness: Regular practices that center our awareness help us to let go of our warped perception of who we think we are. It also can open us up to a direct experience of limitlessness.
Self-Inquiry: Questioning our ingrained beliefs and assumptions can reveal the deeper truth of our existence. It is in those revelations that a real fundamental shift can begin to take place.
Gratitude and Compassion: Cultivating these qualities opens our hearts and minds to the interconnected nature of life.
Study and Reflection: although I said we do not need any more information, there is definitely something to be said for expanding our minds beyond what we have just put there ourselves. Engaging with teachings and literature that explores non-duality and the nature of consciousness can reinforce this new paradigm.
I want to kind of end with a little bit of a recap about why I believe that this paradigm is so powerful. Once this paradigm is taken on board into the individual, it literally can change everything. The idea that we are not in the universe but that the universe is within us is a profound shift that can transform our entire experience of life. By challenging the dualistic paradigm of separation, we open ourselves to a reality of interconnectedness, empowerment, and limitless potential. This shift is not merely a change in thought but a deep, experiential realization that can lead to a more fulfilling, compassionate, and peaceful existence or a happy dream… As we embrace this new paradigm, we discover that we are not isolated dots in an indifferent cosmos but the very essence of the universe itself.
🙏🏼Feel free to click the 💖 button on this post so more people can discover it on Substack. Tell me what you think in the comments! ✍🏼