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Worldview An essay on the nature of worldview and its impact on the creation of personal reality. Each of us view life from within our physical body. It is as if we, as Self, were viewing the world through the windshield of an exploratory vehicle designed specifically to survive in this environment. Relating to our environment from within this vehicle limits us to an isolated perspective which can, and often does lead to erroneous conclusions about this world. For instance, we typically think of ourselves as the center of reality. Everyone else is "out there," separate and distinct from ourselves. We see nature as a sometimes hostile, always unpredictable force which must be tamed, or at least held separate from our home. Of course, this is not true. As the Delphi University* motto so aptly explains it, "We are many yet we are one." We may seem separate, but we are one in God and in the operation of this local reality. An excellent subject for contemplation is to consider what you think of your world. Follow the threads of your attention by thinking about what you know. In my mind, for instance, some of my attention is still stuck with O.J. Simpson's trial. I also have a place in my mind to hold the latest understanding of the structure of the physical universe and the complexity of our planet. I worry about the possibility of war and if my books will sell. Spiritual growth is always on my mind. You can see that I have threads of attention on everything I am aware of about my reality. These threads weave a tapestry of awareness that cloak my perception as if to form a filter over my senses. This filter determines what I think about everything around me, by casting a shadow of expectation over every new experience. I may witness a perfectly mundane event, but by the time it has passed through the filter of my worldview, it may seem spectacular, or perhaps, threatening. For instance, I am always cautious around unshaven men in shabby clothing. Yet, I often run to the hardware store or the local market without shaving and wearing my grubby yard cloths. Should people also be cautious of me or am I judging others unfairly? Such prejudice represents an area of belief born from my forgotten past. It remains in my worldview because I have not taken the time to examine its credibility. Can you see how your tapestry of awareness might determine the way you think about your environment? There is a second aspect of worldview that should be considered. Not only does it color the way we relate to our environment, but it is also our worldview, which guides us while we create our local reality. To explain, I must first say that I believe each of us bring spiritual energy into our Self. We differentiate this energy according to our worldview and our intention, and then pass it into the world to be operated on by Spirit to help form and maintain our local reality. This is how spiritual energy is brought into the vibration of this plane. Nothing is more influential in how we differentiate this energy than our worldview. Yet, because we have free will in what we create, there are no checks and balances to assure that our worldview is a correct impression of reality. Yes, Natural Law will eventually bring our worldview into agreement through the Principles that govern the operation of society. This is how we gain spiritual maturity. But the great majority of Humankind holds a worldview that is, at least in part, contrary to reality. No one is deliberately wrong. I am certain that each of us feel justified in everything we do. Yet, you can see that if people believe they live in an unfriendly world, if they are fearful of nature or are convinced there is evil lurking around every corner, then it is easy to see how these people could be driven to act on their fear. In the extreme, a fearful worldview can lead people to destroy nature or to eliminate those who are different. They would not be acting with evil intention, but rather, because they would feel justified. Even in its mildest form, a fearful world view can rob a person of many of the simplest pleasures in life, such as moonlight strolls along the beach or meeting new and interesting people who need a shave and are wearing grubby cloths. I often tell people that I believe I live in a friendly reality. I do. It is a wonderful place that has no evil. Nor is nature capricious. Every person and thing in my reality behaves according to their understanding of Natural Law. Everyone in my reality shares my intention to gain in spiritual maturity. Even if someone were to do all sorts of terrible things to me, I know they would be acting out of a sense of justification because of their worldview. Even though I might be killed, I know I would see from the larger view that my death has been agreed to as a way to provide lessons for all that were involved. I believe this because I trust in the operation of Natural Law. This is my worldview--at least from an intellectual perspective. The truth is, I am just as apt to feel picked on as the next person. Like you, I am still learning to be a holy man. The key here is that you create your local reality, and you do so according to your worldview. If you are afraid of your world in any way, you will confirm this fear by creating a fearful local reality. Remember, you will not create a reality that disagrees with what you believe to be true. Even if you could conceive of such a reality, you would not deliberately be wrong. However, while you may not be able to describe the difference, perhaps you can see how behaving "as if" you lived in a friendly world could help you create a friendly local reality. This is not pretending. It is assuming the best of everything. Worldview is important for the collective mind as well. Some of you may be familiar with Willis Harman's Book, Global Mind Change** Until his recent transition beyond the veil, Doctor Harman was President of the Institute of Noetic Sciences, an organization dedicated to understanding human potential. Doctor Harman held that Humankind is in the process of undergoing a global change in world view every bit as influential as that experienced during the Industrial Revolution. This is a powerful concept. If you can remember a little of the history of the Industrial Revolution, you will know that it changed everything. I believe the global mind change of the Industrial Revolution began with a change in people's attitude about Nature. Remember, humankind lived close to nature until the advent of Christianity displaced most of the nature-based religions in the Western World. Not with the intention to destroy a way of life, mind you, but to help those who followed other beliefs see the truth of the Christian worldview. The few people who still follow nature based belief systems tend to protect the environment as a sacred trust. For instance, where there are three of something, they may harvest but one, while others would take two or maybe all three. Remember Manifest Destiny? Early leaders of this country decided that it was the Manifest Destiny, or God given right of the United States to include all of the land between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Manifest Destiny is a worldview that is still a major part of Humankind's attitude toward nature. It is inherent in the Industrial Revolution for people to believe that nature exists to be exploited by Humankind. There is little room for the concepts of stewardship or for working with nature in this worldview. The global mind change Doctor Harman spoke of is underway today. Just as we work to align our worldview to be in accord with Natural Law, so is Humankind working to live in accord with Natural Law. You can see this in the actions of the many conservation based organizations and in the growing number of international treaties intended to protect the environment. Little by little, Humankind is changing its world view to see that nature can be gardened but must not be destroyed, that everyone matters, and that there is a reason for things that transcends the mere cause and effect described by the reductionist method of science. Thus a new age is dawning in which Humankind's perception of reality will more closely agree with Natural Law. Is this the return of the Christ Consciousness? I will close with this remark. Do what you must, but know what you are doing. It is not enough to be responsible for your physical actions. You must also accept responsibility for the nature of the reality you create. Your worldview colors your thoughts, your aura and the part you play in the global mind. Think of this as you contemplate your worldview. It is a most powerful thing.* Delphi University, PO Box 70, McCaysville GA 30555, (706) 492-2772, FAX: (706) 492-5404. ** Willis Harman, Ph.D., Global Mind Change, The Promise of the Last Years of the Twentieth Century, Knowledge Systems, 1988. ©1999 Tom Butler
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