What do you think?

In nearly each one of my articles there’s reference made to some aspect of the Three Principles as revealed by Sydney Banks. These principles, which consist of mind, consciousness and thought, describe how we, as humans, function psychologically and spiritually. They describe how our moment-to-moment experience occurs.

These principles are, at the same time, both simple and profound. They’re simple in that they describe a truth that’s always been in existence but until quite recently not readily understood or articulated. They’re profound in that they explain our experience of reality and how it varies from one individual to another. Profound, too, in that they offer a new paradigm, a new way to address the human experience. It can be seen clearly for what it is . . . a totally inside-out experience.

This understanding is a 180-degree turn away from traditional understanding of how we “tick”. Previously it’s been considered a truth that outside events were pivotal factors in our sense of well-being. When we encountered life’s challenges, from the “small stuff” to the “big stuff”, it was perceived as an outside-in causal event. Whether it was lost keys, a defeat at tennis, the loss of a job or breakup of a relationship, most of us didn’t understand our role in the creation of our response-ability to the situation.

We’ve all heard about the “glass half full” theory. Most of us have known people who seemed naturally blessed with a gift of optimism and good humour. We’ve also known people whose perspective seemed to be seen through a permanently clouded lens, one of pessimism and doubt. What’s truly revolutionary about the Three Principles is that they explain our individual differences in state of mind, not by an outside event or by a “personality type”, but by a thought. We cannot have an experience that isn’t created by a thought. We all have a feeling laminated to each thought. We’re all just a thought away from a good feeling.

Perhaps that may sound somewhat like Pollyanna, but there’s a growing body of evidence supporting the scientific truth about thought. It’s been shown that in communities where poverty and violence are a way of life, changing the outside (living conditions, financial subsidies etc.) doesn’t have a long-term benefit. Helping people to realize their innate health and the potential for well-being changes lives. Inmates who recognize the inside-out nature of life and their capacity for wisdom and common sense are able to let go of past anger and hurt and live in a good feeling more of the time. They recognize the real prison is not their cell but their thinking.

Many thousands have experienced the dramatic freedom to choose well-being, wisdom and calm more of the time. That possibility is available to everyone regardless of current circumstances.

What do you think?