One, is our primary identity. It speaks in “I” statements. “I’m so-and-so, this is what I want, like, dislike, think, feel, believe, etc..
I call this our “First Mind” because it’s the first thing that comes into our awareness.
The other, contains all that strives to expand our identity, increase its scope, heal, and liberate it.
It does this by disturbing our First Mind with problems, errors, accidents, etc., as well as lucky fate and uplifting events.
I call this our “Second Mind” because it only comes into our awareness secondarily. We don’t intend it, it happens TO us.
Within these autonomous, positive or negative experiences lies our growth process.
For example, our First Mind might think, “I want to feel happy and successful” but our Second Mind ruins this by making us feel like a depressed failure.
It does so in an attempt to shake up our First Mind (including our concept of happiness and success) in order to expand it.
Connecting with this growth process not only heals our depression but broadens our entire sense of self, as well.
So, how do we become aware of our Second Mind?
A simple beginning:
Close your eyes, take 3 deep breaths, and come into the present moment.
Feel into your problem. Go right to the core of it; feel every detail.
Then make a picture in your mind of the agent of your issue.
For example, if you’re anxious you might see a tornado. If you’re depressed you might see a dark cloud.
There’s no right image—just whatever accurately portrays your feeling.
Then imagine Being the image. Be the tornado, the dark cloud, etc..
Inhabit and personify it. Bring it to life as a living force or character.
Don’t be YOU suffering its effects; Be IT—the force. IT isn’t suffering. IT has creative power. IT has a message for you!
Forget your problem and its injurious elements, and allow your experience of the image to unfold and take on a life of its own.
Let it speak through you as a wise messenger.
Look back at yourself, and tell your First Mind how you want it to change?
Keep returning to this process and you’ll eventually connect with the message in your troubles.
