Hi there,

Neuroscience indicates that all experience, including our sense of self, is constructed via perception. For some, “spiritual awakening” is when this fact becomes obvious. But Shamil Chandaria takes a more pragmatic view than merely surrendering to the dream. What comes next is the opportunity for "an artful reconstruction of top level priors" - the unconscious assumptions and beliefs that determine how we experience reality. 

Week 3 of Rewiring your Reality was a thorough guide to liberation - ways to break free from habit and reconstruct an ever-more beautiful reality.  Automated habits can be replaced with spontaneity and creativity. Increased opportunities emerge to contribute to other fellow beings. 

I've shared some more reflections on this below, and you can still join the course. The final week is tomorrow evening, and you get recordings of all sessions to review forever. 

For further practical guidance on waking up to, integrating and living these realisations, James Cooke is running a series of online workshops in September that I highly recommend. 

Meanwhile, Richard Lang is offering day workshops in his house to explore our headless nature. These always sell out, so book early if you see a date that you can make!

The value of instability

Most striking for me last week was the role of instability in transformation. It turns out the mind is more ‘entropic’ and dynamic when we are awake, and even more so in meditation. Many methods were enumerated, and even the potential to move from altered states to ongoing traits. But what these all have in common is the opportunity to review, release and reconstruct our patterns. 

It makes perfect sense when you think about it - how can something change if it's both hidden from view and solid as ice? Shamil recommends ‘an ecology of practices’ - tools that bring old patterns into the warm light of awareness, creating moments when new choices can be chosen. 

The neuroscience was conveyed with several animations. These illustrate how thought and behaviour get stuck in ‘attractor basins’ which reinforce existing priors - the unconscious assumptions that shape how we perceive the world. It's a strong and intuitive image for what has to change and why. 

After the talk a friend observed, it is not only individuals that get stuck in attractor basins, but spiritual communities too. Some cling to narratives of “no effort”, whilst others strive after ever elusive goals. 

What is offered here is an outlook that seems more balanced, realistic and hopeful. A dance between many perspectives, and even the freedom to invent our own.

Making sense of the many maps

I'm yet to witness a more comprehensive survey of the many models of liberation out there than that offered in Shamil Chandaria's course, from ancient Greece to the Himalayan heights. But he goes one step further, offering a hard-won guide on how to spot the common threads and how to balance their extremes. 

It's a zig zagging bridge between direct and progressive paths, with deep appreciation for the value and beauty of both. 

Which is partly why I'm so please to present a range of perspectives, and ways to join in community and share different views. 

Hoping to see you at an event soon, and hear any reflections you care to share!

With appreciation

Amir