Higher Consciousness and Christianity
Higher Consciousness and Christianity
When I first heard about higher consciousness, I didn’t know what to make of it. Chanting monks, energy crystals, people dressed in flowing robes, clouds, etc were the images that came to mind.
It all seemed a bit what my friends like to call “woo-woo”. In other words, “out there” – until I began to learn more about it.
From my understanding, simply stated, one’s higher consciousness is one’s higher or best self.
Multiple Levels of Operation
There are multiple levels from where people operate.
Some mainly operate from a place of survival mode. They are just trying to keep their head above water. These are characterized by a more egocentric place where everything is about “I”, “me” and “mine.” Their fear and anxiety tend to rule them.
Others operate based upon their cultural or societal norms – what they think they “should” do and the conditions around them. Their fears of what others may think or do are big influencers in their way of being.
Another way people operate is that they recognize their fears, their negative patterns, the ways in which they might have been conditioned by family, friends or society in general, but don’t let these things dictate their behavior.
They are more open and flexible. Their behaviors come from a place of awareness, connection and honesty. The lens through which they view the world is brighter, cleaner, clearer and thus their actions tend to reflect that.
Still there are others who just seem to “be” rather than trying to be. They ARE love. They ARE peace. They ARE joy. These people don’t seem to be affected by the world, but rather affect the world. These are those most often thought of when speaking of higher conscious beings.
The thing is, one person can operate on different levels at different times. Some levels are lower and some are higher. Some are in between. We can probably all think of times in which we have operated at these different levels, sometimes even reverting to old ways.
To truly be a manifestation of virtue though, one sheds the lower ways of being entirely. In other words, puts off old ways completely and becomes new in thought, action and being.
Is this “woo-woo” stuff for Christians? I don’t believe so.
Becoming New Creatures
When we come to know Jesus, numerous scriptures talk of us putting off our old ways and being made new. I believe this is what Jesus meant when he said: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3 NASB).
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV)
“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” (Rom 6:4 NIV)
God told the prophet Ezekiel: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you.” (Ezekiel 36:26 NIV)
Galatians 6:15 says in Christ Jesus, “…what counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation.”
Likewise Ephesians 4:24 says “…put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Jesus, a higher being living a higher conscious life, said: “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)
I think it’s safe to say that the goal of Christians is to know Christ and to be like Him, a higher being who embodies virtue, love, acceptance, joy, etc. And, as we come to know Him, become more like Him, and operate from higher levels, our lives in all aspects are richer, fuller — more abundant.
