Consciousness is the fundamental basis of all existence. We experience ourselves and the world and respond to it, the way we do, because of the degree and level of consciousness at which we stand in our present evolution. Therefore, if we want to change ourselves and permanently improve our understanding and responses then the first thing necessary is to change our consciousness. If our consciousness is limited, our understanding and action will also be limited. Of course we can train the outer behavior but without a change of consciousness which is its basis we will not achieve anything genuine or lasting.
It is like teaching a dog certain forms of human behavior. But the dog is still a dog in his basic nature. He will do what he is trained to but will miss the true motives and inner basis of its actions. Of course if a dog stays for a long time in human contact, especially in a beautiful bond of love, the dog may experience some kind of an inner change of consciousness due to this deep and constant contact.
Another example is that of a cloth sheet. One washes stains one by one, repairs it when required but the change of consciousness means changing the cloth sheet itself so that it becomes stain proof and wear and tear proof.
A change of consciousness means exchanging the mental consciousness with the spiritual one. When this happens there is a change or a reversal of our views and values. The key to any authentic change therefore lies in a change of consciousness rather than manipulating outer reactions and surface appearances.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
(follow-up question:)
Thank you, Dada – but which method can we change our Consciousness?
Yoga is, in a sense, a change of consciousness that comes as the human being comes more and more in contact with higher states of consciousness. There are several ways to bring it about. The easiest is the path of love, as we tend to get coloured and moulded in the image of the one whom we love. By loving the Divine, walking through the door of bhakti and faith, by thinking of the Divine, by taking the Divine Name, by studying books and Scriptures that speak of the glory of the Divine, by contemplating upon the Divine, by service of the Divine, by turning of all our emotions towards the Divine, by whatsoever Name and Form that comes naturally, our human consciousness begins to change gradually into the Divine Consciousness.
There are other paths too, like the path of gyana or works and many others. The essence of all is, however, concentration upon the Divine with the aspiration to become one with the Divine. In the end, whatever we concentrate upon with faith and a persistent will, that we tend to become.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
Source: शांति, सौम्यता का आधार | PMH 06 | April 2, 1913
YT Link: https://youtu.be/LTn53I4gLH8
