Consciousness in the Face of Unconsciousness Part 7
July 19, 2025
Consciousness in the Face of Unconsciousness Part 7
Consciousness is remaining steadfast, even when everybody around you is losing their heads. In its first few lines, Rudyard Kipling’s classic poem “IF” speaks to this situation.
“If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs
And blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too…”
Imagine being blamed for chaotic circumstances and doubted by others. Kipling suggests a couple of conscious ways of handling ourselves in such circumstances. First, “keep your head” in the circumstances, even when attacked personally. Second, trust yourself, while at the same time being open to any truth in the criticisms of you.
Though his language is patriarchal, thanks to the collective development of consciousness, these days Kipling’s words apply not only to “men” but to all people. He gives us sure ways of remaining steadfast— of being the calm, conscious center of any storm. But the spiritual work to apply these conscious responses is challenging.
When the truths we hold dear are being couched as lies, when our way of life is being threatened, when our beliefs are being made a mockery of, when we are persecuted, or if we are being lied about unjustly, it is natural to lash out, pull in, or even to seek vengeance. But these are not conscious responses. Kipling advocates conscious reactions, but he was not the first. Jesus Christ, in the Sermon on the Mount, addressed these disturbing instances when they happen to us, and his advice was much more radical than Kipling’s.
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you,” Matthew 5: 11-12.
Later in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus takes things to a much higher level when he says, "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven," (Matthew 5: 44-45).
In this, the last of the nine beatitudes, Jesus’ response not only connotes holding steadfast and trusting oneself, but he told us to be “glad and rejoice” in persecution. Why? Because the same thing happened to the prophets— those who knew the truth, spread it, and lived it. Being glad and rejoicing does not save us from ridicule, persecution, and oppression, but allows us to move beyond them. We are also spiritually rewarded. And later, in the sermon on the Mount, Jesus ratcheted things up when he then implored us to pray for and to do good to those who persecute us— to love our enemies.
Spiritual practice: Meditate on what might happen if nations, organizations, and political factions were to apply Jesus’ words.
Self-inquiry: Why would it not be likely that you and I would apply Jesus’ words, “love thy enemies?”
Dear God,
I cannot do it on my own. Could you help me, do it? Amen
