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70
HERMANN KUHN
SUTRAS
Our life is only where our attention is.
Our attention works like a spotlight that we train on events and objects. The objects in the center of the light we perceive the clearest. The more we leave the center, the weaker the light becomes and the more indistinct everything we see appears. The periphery of the circle of light finally harbors all the objects and events that we - consciously or subconsciously - deny permission to intrude into the center of our attention.
So if we want to discover new levels of consciousness, then the periphery of our consciousness - i.e. the perimeter of the cone of light - offers an almost inexhaustible reservoir of experiences we never cared to consciously examine. By placing them into the center of our attention (by consciously focussing the spotlight on them), we expand these experiences. They then become so vivid and clear that we can discriminate details and start to interact with them.
Everything we will ever cognize in the context of this universe already exists at the periphery of our consciousness. This also includes all higher stages of development. We have the ability to activate this treasure-trove of experience at any time we choose.
Directing our attention towards the events at the periphery is a conscious step. It is the deliberate decision to introduce new elements to our life.25
EXAMPLE: Many people experience orientation towards growth (samyag darshana) as fleeting moments of intense wakefulness, or as the sudden awakening from a daydreamlike state. Since they cannot explain what happened to them and because the events are so fleeting, the experience is usually ignored.
25 Focussing on peripheral events might bring us in conflict with reli
gious, philosophical or personal preconceptions, ideas or programs which often restrict our readiness for new experiences on deeper emotional levels. This does not need to occur; it is only mentioned here to alert us to potential conflicts.
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