Consciousness

What does it mean to centre oneself in the human consciousness and communicate through that experience? There are probably as many ways of communicating with the universal consciousness as the number of people in the world today. However, that does not mean that there are as many people doing it. On the contrary, communing with the universe and communicating through that understanding requires us to step out of our egos and into a space that is unknown, marked by uncertainty and filled with vulnerability. It is filled with vulnerability simply because it requires a letting go of the ego or a strong sense of self. And we are enriched not only in that moment of silence when we loosen the normally tight grip of control we exert on life but also, like visiting a rich and generous friend, we come away with our arms laden with the gift of learning that can be applied to our lives.

Walt Whitman the American Transcendentalist poet (1819-1892) is known for communing with nature and communicating that in his writings.

?"A vast similitude interlocks all,

All spheres, grown, ungrown, small, large, suns, moons, planets,

All distances of place however wide,

All distances of time, all inanimate forms,

All souls, all living bodies though they be ever so different, or in different worlds"

-????????? Walt Whitman

?For me, the greatest way of communicating with the universe is through being in the presence of nature, especially trees. Communicating with nature has taught me and continues to teach me many precious lessons to lead a better life. These lessons have also translated themselves into how I believe we can communicate for greater harmony. Here are three.

1.?????? Every tree is unique, beautiful and inherently valuable: Every single one of us is a truly individual manifestation of the universal consciousness. We are complete and beautiful on our own and our value is inherent in us, not in what we do or achieve. As leaders when we are able to see every one around us as unique, beautiful and inherently valuable we communicate with respect and allow for that beauty to be expressed.

"I see something of God each hour of the twenty-four, and each moment then, In the faces of men and women I see God, and in my own face in the glass"

- Walt Whitman

2.?????? There is no one way of being, developing and living. Trees deep in the forests, on urban streets and manicured lands show us that every living thing wants to grow, develop and achieve its potential and is constantly striving to do so. When left to itself “nature will find a way” (Dr Ian Malcolm, Jurassic Park 1993). Similarly, when we associate with people either in our families, teams or other social groups, the less control we exert, the more we allow them to develop individually and independently. All it requires is nurturing, trusting and loving and, at times, pointing the glorious sun of possibilities in all its splendour out to them.

?"I believe a leaf of grass is no less than the journey-work of the stars"

Walt Whitman

?3.?????? Even the tiniest of leaves is a part of the larger whole and contributes to the system actively: ?Trees communicate and help each other through an underground system called mycorrhizal network. They share nutrients, detect distress and facilitate growth of younger and weaker plants in the community. As human individuals our fulfilment and growth occur when we see ourselves as a part of the larger community and channel our behaviour into supporting others. As leaders then, the more we support the individual and serve the group, the greater the cohesiveness and group development.

?“I celebrate myself, and sing myself, … For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you."?

- Walt Whitman

As we lead ourselves and other systems, I believe if we are able to see the delicate beauty of each individual, the power of the whole and our agency within this integration and communicate as such, we will find ourselves constantly moving towards oneness with the universal consciousness and a greater upliftment of the whole.

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