Consciousness in the Face of Unconsciousness Part 6
July 18, 2025
Consciousness in the Face of Unconsciousness Part 6
What do we do when our conscious self comes face to face with unconsciousness in the outer world? This happens all the time. We are in a discussion, and another person laces their conversation with subtle racist remarks, or they tend to “other” particular groups. Maybe blame is cast on someone without knowing the facts.
Perhaps someone puts their interests above everyone else’s and hijacks the circumstances for their ends. Someone could make blanket statements that everyone feels a particular way when this is not the case. Maybe someone makes assumptions about our or others’ motives, but they are incorrect. Someone could say that their church, temple, or mosque is better than ours and that their beliefs are the only true beliefs. Someone could have great moral convictions but vote for officials who exert draconian cruelty to accomplish their ends.
How do we respond? Do we despair, fight, or argue? Do we belittle and shame those who act unconsciously? Do we withdraw? Do we remain outwardly unaffected but inwardly enraged, disappointed, or upset? Do we lose all respect for those who do not value consciousness?
Theologian, contemplative, and spiritual teacher Cynthia Bourgeault reminds us that it is up to the conscious among us to keep everything together when things are spinning out of control. She says that only the conscious among us can put their egos aside, not waste energy on arguments, duals, factionalizing, and holding grudges, and BE the consciousness needed (Conscious Being). This does not mean that conscious people do not have opinions, biases, and preferences. This does not mean that conscious people do not make errors in thought and behavior, or do not have blind spots and regressions. This does not mean that people who strive for consciousness are not sometimes unconscious. However, there is an observable difference between those who strive for consciousness yet fail to be conscious at times, and those who do not seek consciousness. Consciousness seekers are the touchstone of equanimity in the room, in the family, and in the culture.
Embodying consciousness means realizing the fact that truth eventually wins over falsehood. We realize that eventually, consciousness wins over unconsciousness. We know that truth is truth, regardless of the spin put on it, and being in a frenzy and dividing into opposing teams is unproductive. Without being smug, a conscious person strives to sit with the tension in the room and hold the opposing energies without being shaken, rattled, or driven to argumentation. And they can circumvent these negative circumstances by claiming that truth wins, love wins, and civilization's way includes demise and rebuilding, death and resurrection, death, and rebirth.
Cynthia Bourgeault also says that the role of those who strive for consciousness is not only to embrace the opposites. They must calmly and strongly state their opinion without enmity and then be willing to engage in Sacred Action. Such calm statements of truth and directed action are not desperate reactions, but as she says, “It is what is ours to hold.” She says further that when open to actively stepping out in consciousness and seeking a way to help our cause, the cause comes to us.
Spiritual practice: What is your cause, and what do you do to hold it?
Self-inquiry: How do you respond to the behavior and attitude of someone not searching for consciousness?
Dear God,
The hardest unconsciousness for me to deal with is within myself. I ask for self-compassion and compassion for all those invaded by unconsciousness. Amen
