Janet asked Andy if he could possibly explain Consciousness in another way. Andy threw his hands into the air. "I told you it couldn't be explained," he said with a boyish smile. "But I'll try."
After a brief pause, the gardener continued. "Consciousness is one of the three principles of human life. It is a precious gift we have been blessed with that gives us the ability to realize the existence of creation, to relate to each other, and to fathom this great mystical world we live in.
"Did you know, Janet, there are an infinite number of levels or states of consciousness? The way we observe and react to reality as a whole is directly related to the level of consciousness from which we are functioning. Let me give you an example: It's one of those days when you wish you had stayed in bed. You're in a bad mood and everything seems to go wrong. You might even feel the entire world is against you and, as far as you are concerned, it's someone else's fault for making you feel that way. Of course, when you have days like that, nothing you do goes well.
"Now here is a strange thing: You go to bed feeling awful. The next morning you wake up and—lo and behold—you're in a better mood, and you are relieved to realize the whole world isn't against you after all.
"Now, think about it, Janet—the world hasn't changed. It's the same old world out there; what has changed is your level of consciousness, which has come back to a more logical state, enabling you to see life with more clarity and understanding.
"It is very important to remember that the gift of Consciousness has no form or power of its own; how you use it is strictly up to you. This gift gives us the ability to recognize that there are different levels of existence.
"The way I see it, levels of Consciousness are similar to an outside elevator on a tall building. It goes up and it goes down all day, every day. The higher the elevator car ascends, the more can be surveyed. Views that may be blocked from the fourth floor can easily be seen from the tenth.
"Similarly, the higher your level of consciousness, the more understanding will be in your heart. The higher the consciousness elevator ascends, the more you see and understand, allowing you access to more common sense and wisdom. That is, when your consciousness ascends to a higher level, it assists you to see beyond whatever misled thoughts were obscuring your vision yesterday.
"Now consider that if someone were trying to explain such a psychological elevator ride—say, to the twelfth floor—to a person who had never been above the second floor, the conversation would appear mystical for the simple reason that they would be talking about the as yet unknown.
"I tell you, Eric, you can try to analyze or explain Consciousness forever and you will never achieve your goal—guaranteed! If you continue to try to analyze Consciousness, you will never come to the end of your futile journey. The important thing is, now that you know Consciousness exists, forget trying to analyze it and simply use it.
"You know, it's amazing how many people in this world search in vain for the knowledge that will aid in their understanding of Consciousness. It has been my observation that they fail because they look outside for the knowledge they seek instead of looking within for the innate knowledge that lies deep within their own consciousness. Remember, friends, you are looking for wisdom— and wisdom is knowledge before the contamination of human thought.
"This is the true definition of a mystic: Someone who deals in wisdom. Such people talk before time, space or matter—what I call the impersonal. But because they are speaking to people like you and me, they have no choice but to use words. They use metaphors and similes. Perhaps someday, if you can learn to listen, you will hear beyond the word to what the metaphors truly mean."
"Wow! That's quite a statement," Janet remarked.
"Trust me, Janet," Andy said gravely, "no matter how clever or knowledgeable a speaker you are listening to, their words alone can never give you the answers you seek."
"Then how can we find those answers?" Peter retorted.
"There are wise mystical writings all over the world; you can find them in libraries, bookstores, schools, churches. Truth is everywhere—if you can see it. But you have to remember that the words of the wise can only take you so far. Then it's up to you to go beyond their words to their true meaning— because what you seek has no form and words are only a representation of inner knowledge. Only you have the power to unlock such wisdom."
I asked Andy for his definition of life. He scattered the last of his fish food over the surface of the pond before replying, "I would define life this way:
Life as we know it is a divine dream suspended within the boundaries of time, space and matter."
"Why do you say that?" I asked.
Andy sighed heavily. "Because that's the way I see it—and I can't possibly explain to you why I see Me the way I do any more than you can explain to me why you see life the way you do.
"We all live in separate realities, but although we all see and react to life differently, we all use the same three gifts: Mind, Consciousness and Thought.
We use them in our own way to suit our own personal way of thinking. But regardless of how we may be separated by personal thought, we are all tethered together by the spiritual trio: Mind, Consciousness and Thought. They hold the secret of the form and the formless being one."
"Andy, I don't quite understand what you just said regarding form and formlessness being one," I admitted. "Could you approach that from another angle?"
"Okay, Eric, let's put it this way: Every cell in this majestic universe is created from the same formless, spiritual energy and cannot be separated from the whole. When this formless energy takes on a form, we call it the physical reality of time, space and matter. However, in essence both the form and the formless are the same energy in a different disguise.
"This is what is sometimes referred to as the Oneness of life—when the form and the formless are seen as one. Remember, Everything is One Divine Cell, which is the main building block of this physical world we live in."
Showing intense interest and barely giving Andy a chance to finish, Janet asked him, "Why do you say that everything is the same formless spiritual energy and only differs in the form?"
"Luv, it's beyond my capabilities to explain that to you—but if you want me to put my two pennies' worth in and point out a few little things, I'd be honored. But let me suggest that you be careful not to get my finger confused with what it's pointing at.
"What if I were to tell you nothing can escape from this world? The simple reason is that everything is created from the same formless spiritual energy. Every grain of sand, every atom of matter, air, fire and water, everything in this universe is the same energy in a different disguise."
Pointing to a pile of old leaves and branches, Andy said, "For example, if I burn that pile of old branches, I may destroy the physical shape of them, but the energy will always remain—however, that energy will now have taken on a new identity."
A rush of energy swept through me as I suddenly realized what Andy was talking about. "Are you talking about Infinity!"
"Yes I am. It's very wise of you, Eric, to notice that connection."