Seven Layers of Manifestation: Local and Non-Local Consciousness
A practical framework for conceptualising the myriad ways Consciousness and human endeavour interact.
The past is a place for learning not living. -Roy T. Bennett
Earlier this month, my colleague Dr. Brandy Hyer posed a question to my public Facebook post containing the above quote attributed to Roy T. Bennett. Brandy’s question is one I believe many may have. And to her question, I developed a response I believe many may benefit from. As a result, I am sharing both her query and my response with my discussed framework for consideration. The framework and a more lengthy discussion and exploration on its aspects are included in my forthcoming book – Elegant Transitions.
Brandy’s question: For those for whom this axiom proves challenging to put into practice, what do you suggest for the mind, intellect, ego, spirit & physical body to create a transformative experience?
My response: You pose a meaningful question for contemplation – thank you for sharing it as well as your patience as I crafted my response. 😊
Over the years, I have discovered several approaches that continue to prove helpful to me in creating transformative experiences. While each person’s journey is admittedly unique, perhaps these reflections may offer something of value.
The Mind
When it comes to the mind, I find that reframing challenges as opportunities is transformative. This subtle shift or mental transmutation – from seeing healing as a daunting challenge to viewing it as a possibility – creates momentum. I move from “impossible” to “I’m possible,” which transitions into “probable” and, with consistent thought and action, “inevitable” as it relates to producing a beneficial outcome. This shift is akin to turning lemons into lemonade: marshaling all available resources and acquiring new ones as needed to facilitate change. Whether reflecting on experiences for insights, engaging in therapy, or meditating to gain a broader vantage point, “taking a step back” has always been crucial for me. It allows me to observe events and my thoughts about them with clarity, enabling new insights to emerge.
The Intellect
For the intellect, I focus on dissecting my thought patterns. By identifying flaws in the thinking that led to a particular outcome, I can make necessary internal adjustments. This process significantly reduces the likelihood of repeating past decisions and lays the groundwork for more constructive choices moving forward.
The Ego
Ego is a vital component of this process. I have come to understand that we are fundamentally within the universe and subject to its laws. Recognizing the impartial cause-and-effect nature of personal and social events has helped me see that our thoughts and actions shape our reality; not to mention our brains. This understanding reinforces my belief that individuals and groups can make a meaningful difference when we align with universal truths, transcending those social constructs that often keep us divided. This perspective continues to guide me daily.
The Spirit
I embrace the belief that humans are spiritual beings having a physical experience. While this may sound cliché, it has become a cornerstone of my journey. It reminds me that, regardless of what happens to the body, the spirit remains whole and intact. This understanding strengthens my resolve to navigate challenges with grace for myself as well as my fellow humans and purpose.
The Physical Body
Maintaining the health of the physical body is equally essential. Regular exercise, nourishing, real foods, and mindful care create a foundation for long-term wellness and functionality. Supporting the body’s vitality allows it to serve as a vessel for clearer thinking, meaningful actions, and transformational outcomes.
The Seven Layers of Manifestation: A Framework
To illustrate my thinking and practices, and to build on the model from my dissertation research, I developed an approach I call the Seven Layers of Manifestation: Local and Non-Local Consciousness. This framework begins with Pure Consciousness as the foundation and ascends through the following layers:
Pure Consciousness: The ultimate substrate of all existence.
Universal and Natural Laws: The principles arising from Pure Consciousness that govern the universe.
The Phenomenal World: The observable world, including the human species.
Human Consciousness: Our distinct capacity for awareness and thought.
The Human-Derived World: The world shaped by human innovation and creation.
Constructs: The systems, structures, and beliefs we create.
Outcomes: The results produced by these constructs and actions.
By reflecting on this model, I have come to better understand the forces and processes that shape individual and collective experiences. This perspective helps me process events, extract lessons, and continue evolving with clarity and purpose.
Further, for those deeply considering the Seven Layers of Manifestation: Local and Non-Local Consciousness framework, it becomes evident that the innate capacity to envision and create a more beneficial reality for humanity is encoded in Nature itself. This ability is not limited to a select few; it resides within all of us. With even a moment of contemplation, the truth of this assertion becomes clear.
As with Camus’ Sisyphus, who found meaning in the turn of his labor, we are invited to undertake an inward journey — to explore the depths of Being and emerge, like Plato’s protagonist from the cave, with a clearer vision. Freed from the constraints of socially constructed limitations, we can transform the impossible into “I’m possible” and strive to be and do better in all aspects of life.
This is our calling, our opportunity. Will you answer?
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Dr. Baruti KMT-Sisouvong, along with his wife, Mina, serves as Director of the Transcendental Meditation Program in Cambridge and the larger area of Metropolitan Boston. They are parents to three children. To learn more about him, visit his website: https://www.barutikmtsisouvong.com/