Trapped in a Web of Certainty

Trapped in a Web of Certainty

By Paul W. Marko, Ph. D.

Both collectively and individually we are ascending the ladder of expanding consciousness. Together we climb, as if knotted in the strands of a spider’s web, each of our personal transformations influencing the whole of mankind. Through lessons learned from our personal defeats and triumphs we move constantly forward bound together as one – one organism, one consciousness. As each of us arrives at a new rung on the ladder, a new individual platform for viewing reality is achieved. Simultaneously, our collective knowing increases and mankind advances along the path of communal unfolding. 
This phenomenon of the evolution of consciousness has been observed and studied down through the millennium both as a shared experience and as a personal event. The demarcations in this growth have been charted by all the great spiritual traditions and more recently by lay researchers as well. Because each individual in each lifetime conveniently recapulates the growth process, it has been possible for characteristics of each stage to have been inventoried, labeled and studied. These efforts reveal how each stage of development or platform for viewing the world differs from one another. Each successive new perspective on life demonstrates a conceptual expanding on the definition of the individual, moral framework and conceptual complexity.
For the sake of clarity, expedience and the purposes of this article, it can be said that the bulk of mankind at the current moment view the world from two general stages of consciousness development. In other words, most of us are seeing the world through two separate lenses within a range of understanding called conventional consciousness. In this article these two worldviews will be referred to as C1 and C2 consciousness.
The C1 lens is strongly influenced by conventional group wisdom and conformity to societal morays. This mindset sees great wisdom in traditional approaches and collectively established morals and ethics. This lens defines right and wrong by conventional wisdom. All deviations from those norms are suspect. Values favored by the majority of the group strongly influence judgment and the unwavering application of concrete rules most often supersedes the consideration of case by case exceptions. To this worldview, rules and regulations must be strictly enforced because mankind, left to its own devices without the necessary societal framework, would degenerate into chaos. Harsh consequences for divergence from these norms riddle the cultural infrastructure because to this mindset, the administration of swift and just retribution for divergence from the rule of law is considered critical in maintaining the operational nature of society.
The C2 lens is more strongly influenced by a logical approach although group norms and political correctness often prejudice the application of objective critical analysis. With this worldview, basic morality surrounds hard work as a prime virtue and the achievement of success as the ultimate goal. Although influenced by traditional ethics and values, situational wisdom can be manufactured on the spot to expedite circumstances and produce a winning result. The favored approach to problem solving and decision making is generally the use of a scientific process based in logic. Especially favored by this platform is quantitative analysis which converts information to numbers in order to use formulas to arrive at “findings.” Where the C1 group relies heavily on structure, morals and traditionally established doctrines as their primary source of reliable information, C2 can deviate from these canons and justify actions on logical analysis and situational ethics.
For both groups, common themes prevail because each mindset is closely related and temporary movement between stages frequently occurs. Both find that “time is short” as C1 is imbedded in a work ethic (idle hands are the devil’s workshop) and C2 constantly strives toward financial success, security and the manifestation of materialistic desires. Both groups demonstrate an eagerness to vigorously defend their worldview as if it were the only viewpoint worth considering. They appear to operate blind to the fact that there exist many other versions of reality equally as valid. Some of these other platforms on reality allow for a more all encompassing glimpse of reality that afford an openness to other sources of information, new mental processes and more reliable and accurate forms of knowing. Because of the self imposed blindness within these conventional mindsets, each exist trapped in worldviews that can offer little more than a continuation of what has been accepted in the past. Each play a perpetual rerun as their thoughts wear deeper and deeper ruts into old mental roadways that lead to the same conclusions using the same processes and relying on the same methods of inquiry to get the same results. Unfortunately, their absolute assuredness of being correct tightens the trap of conventionality and as a consequence the mystery of life disappears into certainty and predictability as they eagerly trade the acquisition of deep wisdom for the security of paralysis.
In defense of those viewing the world from the vantage point of conventional consciousness, their entrapment is not entirely of their own making. Many cultural and social factors collude to make these conventional levels of consciousness a particularly dangerous developmental cul de sac. Because the overwhelming bulk of society sees the world through one of these two lenses, there exists an avalanche of peer pressure to maintain these worldviews and discredit all others. Deviations seen by conventional society in the form of opinions coming from both the preconventional and postconventional realms are marginalized and at times dealt with extreme prejudice. Opinions and the people who hold them that stand outside of the conventional viewpoint stand the risk of being criminalized as political deviants or hospitalized for a mental pathology. This confining censorship makes thinking outside of the conventional box not only strange and unfamiliar, but potentially dangerous. In addition, popular media, pander to the conventional stages, because of the large numbers holding those values and the fact that they are easily manipulated because of known limitations on allowed sources of information and the rigidly followed and enforced moral and ethical codes held by both groups. Media constantly reinforces the worldview of conventionality through tales of crime and punishment, success and failure and the graphic depiction of a violent end to the deviant other. So imbedded in the culture of conventionality are the C1 and C2 personalities that it is difficult “for the fish to see the water.”
Realizing the trap of the conventional mind set provides a glimpse of the possible worlds outside of conventionality. Recognizing that there are other realms of meaning making can provide motivation to expand and explore. Studies have shown that cognitively understanding other viewpoints of a more encompassing nature can propel a developmental shift. In addition, self-reflection and the increased understanding of oneself, one’s habitual patterns and automatic tendencies often clears the path toward self-expansion and a broadened viewpoint. Careful study of ones actions and the mindful reflection on life events has the potential to break the stronghold of conventional patterns of thinking and holds the possibly of one seeing considerations never before imagined.
One mechanism that locks in the mindset of each stage is the parameters of accepted information and therefore; it is possible for one to purposely work to expand this aspect in order to work toward a more encompassing worldview. For example, most of us are currently in the stage of human consciousness where logic reigns as the primary form of giving credibility to information – “it is only logical!” The merits of logical processes are numerous and this mechanism for the creation of knowledge and decision making is a valuable tool for human existence. Numerous limitations, however, exist with this sacred process and I believe that it can hardly be held as the ultimate way of knowing for human kind – it is simply a natural steppingstone in the growth process.
Logic demands the use of many processes strung together, most often in a linear fashion the output of one process becomes the input for the next. Each process requires time and is fallible in its own way. In spite of the time demands, for a logical decision to be totally accurate, it must be made on all the data. This totality of information is seldom if ever available. Most decisions are made on all the data available and seldom on all of the data. Missing data can leave holes in the input process necessitating the manufacturing of facts and figures deduced from similar circumstances or supposing statistics based on a linear estimation of the most likely numbers. The passing of time that transpires as the problem winds its way through the algorithm makes the decision a moving target and therefore increases the inaccuracy of the results. In addition, sources of the information, what information is chosen and how data is weighed and manipulated are often colored by the politics of the field (i.e. Engineering, archeology, sociology etc.) and the intended outcome. For example, the American decision to attack Iraq was sold based upon the logic of the threat posed by weapons of mass destruction. The most important quandary posed by holding logic as the supreme method of problem solving is its limiting nature. It stands as a brick wall sealing off other methods of inquiry, inspiration and wisdom. Making logical reasoning the ultimate process held as sacred by conventional consciousness shuts down the growth potential for each individual and therefore in the broader sense, human consciousness.
One word of assurance to those fighting with their egos to accept this line of thinking is that expanding one’s viewpoint does not mean losing access to previously held patterns of thinking. Each individual continues to have access to all of the capabilities, thought patterns and worldviews of all previously held ranges including all aspects of conventional thinking. Reverence for group wisdom and the appropriate use of reason and logic remain available for use when the individual wills and the situation merits. Other sources of knowledge, however, such as intuition, inspiration, imagination and direct, process free insight can be developed and serve to augment previously developed sources of knowledge and wisdom.
In current society, it is difficult to put logic in its place and move toward other forms of knowing. Language itself limits alternatives by making not using logic – illogical. In some arenas, (often big business) not having used a logical process of analysis constitutes a career limiting act. Moving beyond logic often requires study and practice and a strong intention to be open to other information sources. Albert Einstein alluded to the importance of developing these less linear forms of functioning by noting that he felt that imagination was more important than intelligence. Down through the centuries, mankind has employed a myriad of practices to break the bonds of structured, left brain dominated, process oriented thinking. Practices such as meditation, contemplation, vision questing, creativity enhancing practices and courses of study designed to develop one’s intuitive senses have been used by those trying to see into realms beyond common understanding. I would like to suggest a simple practice that might facilitate the breaking up of the opaque lenses of tradition, dogma and logic and reinsert the mystery that is necessary for growth.
One concept that when used obscures the development of intuitive seeing and deep understanding is that of the coincidence. This word quickly dispatches concurrent circumstances not easily explained by attributing what has been seen or experienced as being of a random nature occurring purely out of chance and not worthy of additional attention. Happenings placed in the “coincidence” category dwell as flukes or twists of fate never to be revisited for deeper meaning, further understanding or to find additional connections to what is known or unknown. Maintenance of the concept of coincidence allows a conventional viewpoint to maintain dominion because it eliminates as happenstance phenomenon that do not fit into the currently accepted lens on reality. Thus insuring that all lived experience (outside of those labeled as mere coincidence) can be explained by currently held paradigms, dogma or logic. To move beyond conventionality, mysteries that cannot be explained by the existing perspective must be open to investigation and pondered to allow for growth. Cultivating tolerance for living in the mystery of life allows for the germination of new ideas and concepts paving the way for continued growth. Living in the absolute knowing while tucking all uncomfortable inquiries neatly into either the known or the coincidence categories thwarts the advancement process and stunts consciousness development.
One personal story that I have often used to attempt to propel conventional thinkers into embracing the mystery of life involves a spider who lived on the Hillsboro River in Florida. My wife enjoys photography and is drawn to photographing the mundane often seeing the ordinary in a breathtakingly beautiful way. I often joke with her saying that she could probably photograph spit on a rock and make it a work of art. She was particularly drawn to photographing spider’s webs and on this particular day she was photographing webs from a canoe. I maneuvered the canoe while she worked, trying to put her in the perfect position where she could get a unique shot of the sunrise through the web. I worked to keep her steady while she took shot after shot. While maintaining her position, I glanced around to find an egress and plot a course from the scene to continue our trek downstream. As I scanned the possibilities, I realized that in order for us to progress we would have to pass through a neighboring cobweb, which was equally as stunning as the one with which she was working. Even considering their temporary nature, we both regretted destroying these things of beauty although at this point it seemed necessary. As she finished her shot, I told her that alas we would have to break through the adjacent web to travel further down stream. Just as I made the announcement to my wife, the proprietor of the netting in question emerged and began disassembling the web. Remarkably, in a matter of minutes the spider had disassembled the entire web making a perfect exit path for the canoe.
The web that had been photographed remained in tact and nothing in the environment had changed except the removal of the web that blocked our path. As we proceeded downstream, we confirmed with one another the truly remarkable event that we had just witnessed. Although we ran through several scenarios that might explain the phenomenon it remains to this day a mystery.

This tale is one of many of my life experiences that I hold as precious. I could have easily labeled it as a coincidence, but by not dismissing it as chance or a fluke I opened up the opportunity for deep speculation and/or simply allowing the event to exist without explanation, leaving the ambiguity open as part of life’s wonderment. Allowing a mystery to exist should not be viewed as an indictment of lack of intelligence or a shortcoming in understanding; it is simply part of life – an opening for deeper understanding. By making a practice of noticing events such as this, one can cause them to be seen with increased frequency and can add to one’s personal collection of wonderment.
Often holding this type of event open, without the concrete explanation that washes out all other possibility, allows for learning through the gleaning of metaphor or the seeing of synchronistic relationships to other happenings. Being open to seeing life as a web of happenings and possibilities instead of a random collection of coincidences presents opportunities for deeper understanding and growth. Allowing yourself to “sleep on it” or to tolerate indefinite not knowing are important steps to beginning to see more of life than is available to conventional 5 sense reality.
I invite you to use three techniques that can begin to insert mystery back into your life, help rekindle wonderment and set the stage for a greater ability to see.

• Eliminate the word coincidence as part of your vocabulary. Understand how and why it is used. When you hear it know that its purpose is expedience and see the bleaching effect that it has on the tapestry of life.

• When viewing a circumstance that you would have previously seen as a coincidence, try to look for synchronicities, other events that seem to be related somehow or occur precisely at the same time. Seeing these patterns will open your eyes to more awareness of life’s unfolding process and may hold the key to deeper understanding of who you are, what you are about or revelations previously obscured by coincidence.

• In situations that you might have previously regarded as coincidental, look for physical or metaphorical meaning. This may be a process of seeing but it is also a process of creating. Meaning making is a natural, ongoing practice of the human mind and it has the possibility of creating fantastic realities and extraordinary possibilities. Always see metaphors that expand opportunities for an exceptional life and do not allow limiting or fear invoking messages that can have the effect of restricting your prospects.

At first, this practice might be uncomfortable, bothersome and unnatural. Tolerance for ambiguity is one of the highest of mental functioning and for some takes practice. Individuals that hold concrete opinions naturally have trouble with living in the mystery. In addition, since you will be using the right hemisphere of your brain more and not the logical, opinionated left hemisphere, don’t be surprised if some of the revelations seem comical and make you laugh out loud. Life you will find is a mystery, a grand puzzle for your amazement, amusement and transformation.