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182 SPIRIT AND THE MIND
need to inquire more deeply into the nature of a balanced and sensible morality—to realize its central importance in the dynamics of unfolding consciousness.
In psychiatry, we see people whose consciousness is fixated or caught by conflicts originating in early developmental stages. Frequently the object of therapy is to return with the patient to that stage of development in order to undo, resolve and relearn. Released from the bondage of fear, consciousness is free to move on in its evolution to higher levels. It is at this point that the therapist, if not grounded in awareness of the dynamics of higher levels of consciousness, may unknowingly or knowingly focus too strongly on gratification of animal needs as the way to happiness and a fuller sense of self.
But the great spiritual personalities throughout history have taught the danger in this approach, that more important than self- gratification is the establishment of a morality and character that lead to real and lasting happiness. Here we can learn from the saints the special kind of disciplined spiritual work that leads to detachment from the temporary and transient, the world of duality—the world ruled by emotions and the pleasure/pain principle—in order to achieve higher levels of consciousness and, ultimately, union with the divine.
The dynamics of this process go something like this: First, one must have faith in the reality of a Universal Consciousness, or God, that created all this that we call the cosmos. As faith in this reality deepens, so too does our appreciation of the glory and grandeur of His handiwork. With this deepening appreciation comes an awareness of the love, which prompted the creation. In turn our own love and devotion are ignited and form the basis for the development of higher consciousness. One begins to perceive divine handiwork and love in everything, and thus begins our vision of the unity underlying all the apparent variety in the universe.
This vision, practiced in the outer world in the form of service to others and acts of brotherliness, and done in the spiritual attitude of selflessness without demand for personal gain or reward, leads to an even more penetrating vision and a deep and profound sense of peace and love. Detaching, in this way, from the ups and downs of a life governed by the pleasure/pain principle, we enter a realm of steadiness of emotion and mind, peace and joy.
With emotions and mind quieted, the vision of the divine is