The unfolding of consciousness
by Heather
“What are we doing here?” is a question that gets a lot of play. It’s a good question to ask. I believe there is a reason we’re here, and it’s not blind chance, cruel fate, or punishment for failing to be enlightened yet.
If pressed, I’d say that I’m here to learn, to grow, to become a better person. I’m here for the advanced education of my soul. I’ve read comparisons to working toward a master’s degree–that sounds about right. A PhD, post-doc, fellowships … all of that is a ways off, hopefully still in the future.
But when I read this explanation from Rabbi Rami Shapiro recently, I was struck by it, and found it really beautiful.
Life is intrinsically meaningful and purposeful … We humans are integral to the unfolding of consciousness (at least in our solar system), and … the unfolding of consciousness (nonpersonal, prepersonal, personal, transpersonal, and cosmic) is, from our perspective, what the universe is all about.
If you’ve watched buds unfurl, in your garden or in the wild, then you know that they do so sometimes slowly, sometimes seemingly in the blink of an eye, but with all the inexorable force of nature. Only a killing frost can stop a bud in its tracks. And even then, if the plant or shrub or tree survives, it puts out more buds, absolutely determined to leaf and flower, and they open.
So it is with us, as we open to the light. As we unfurl consciousness in the universe, we are unstoppable.
This post is illustrated by the SoulCollage card I made today to represent this concept, Unfolding of consciousness.
About what matters 
I like the phrase “inexorable force of nature”…
LikeLike
Thanks, Dee 🙂 I really got a chance to witness it this spring, as we had quite a late frost. My boxwood hedge had put out significant new growth that got killed, and the rose by my front door had done the same. The Bradford pears were actually in bloom when everything froze. All the plants, shrubs, and trees rebounded, some amazingly well. They really know how to come back after a smackdown! I felt so admiring.
LikeLike
I love the phrase unfolding or unfurling of consciousness. Like an awakening. It makes me think of an offering, or presenting one’s self to be open to learning experiences, growth. A plant presenting is leaves and buds to the light, determined to survive, just like us–like you said, unstoppable.
It also made me think of a similar experience to the one you shared in the comments. I had a big, beautiful mallow shrub growing in our yard and I wanted to move to a different location. I decided to dig it up and transplant it in it’s new spot. The plant went into shock, as I expected, and I babied it. There came the point in time when I thought, “oh dear, it was too much, it’s not going to come back,” But I knew it was a hardy desert plant and I was reluctant to completely give up on it. Two days later, I saw fresh green leaves near the base! I was truly happy and like you I felt admiration for its biological tenacity to survive. It’s still growing and blossoming!
Your SoulCollage card is so lovely, what perfect imagery to express the “unfolding of consciousness,” it’s peaceful and wonderful with color.
LikeLike
Thanks, Michelle ❤ I so appreciated being inspired by what I read to think of everything in a new way, from a new angle, and then make this card!
I've been wanting to make a card for Wonder, but I don't think I have the right images for it just yet. Instead I'm planning to make a different one today (I have the day off–yay!), inspired by a conversation here on WordPress. Inspiration truly is everywhere 🙂
Btw, saw the cards you posted for your SoulCollage group, and I was so impressed–they are all so beautiful and interesting!
LikeLike