Inside my First-Second Degree of Illumination bubble, I live in a reflexive reality. By reflexive, I mean that which refers back to itself without conscious thought. For example, before I’m consciously aware of it, I perceive a need in myself, I create a way to fill that need. I then justify that need with the means I use for its fulfillment.
From a thought/action perspective, I set intentions based on choices before those intentions ever manifest as physical reality. The more convinced I am of who I think I am, the more my reality reflects those intentions, which begin to look like more clearly defined patterns. These patterns of reality manifest as reflexive characteristics that further convince me that I was right about who I think I am. Self-referential and without conscious thought.
Questioning my reflexive reality
Reflexive questions inside the bubble –
- What do I need? – (I identify with my need)
- How do I intend to fulfill it? (I take action on my need)
- Why do I need to defend what I need? (I justify my need)
- Who am I as a result of defending my need? (I am my need)
What if I question those questions? Would I release my need for a reflexive reality and expand my thoughts to Third Degree of Illumination? What might happen if I asked at the end of each question, “Is that true?” For example –
- What do I need? – (I identify with my need) “Is that true?”
- How do I intend to fulfill it? (I take action on my need) “Is that true?”
- Why do I need to defend what I need? (I justify my need) “Is that true?”
- Who am I as a result of defending my need? (I am my need) “Is that true?”
When I can honestly answer these questions with a “NO,” I can move to accountability in Fourth Degree of Illumination.
