Exercise Five

February 9th, 2006

Refer to: I; Reality and Subjectivity, pages 220-227

Re-contextualization of ego - (Dr. Hawkins CD Thought and Ideation 2a, approximately 39 minutes in)

Birth circumstances perfect - (Dr. Hawkins CDThought and Ideation 2b, approximately 25 minutes in)

RE-CONTEXTUALIZING (Part One) – Circumstances of your Birth

What does re-contextualizing mean? Let us begin to define its root word. The following are two dictionary definitions of CONTEXT: 1. The part of a text or statement that surrounds a particular word or passage and determines its meaning. 2. The circumstances in which an event occurs; a setting.

Viewing an event, person or belief from a broader, more inclusive setting - in other words, taking it from one context to another - is re-contextualizing. Re-contextualizing is a word that Dr. Hawkins developed. This descriptor expresses the removal of our judgment, stance or position about an event, person, or belief.

Take, for example, the death of a loved one. This event can be re-contextualized from a catastrophic life crisis to an event which offers us great spiritual opportunities for growth. The loss of one dear to us may be the catalyst which shows us the impermanence of life and hence is an opportunity to release attachment(s), and/or it may be a medium that assists us in the search for life's hidden and deeper meaning.

Having the willingness to perceive a person, event or belief from a different context, literally changes our experience of the person or event. Our fifth exercise (Parts One and Two) is focused on how to bring about this kind of perception.

To successfully re-contextualize, we need to take on the attitude "There must be another way". This attitude springs from a willingness to change and takes us out of the 'I-know' way of thinking and places us in an open, 'willing-to-experience' stance. By doing this we gradually begin to train our minds to a non-judgmental perspective.

Re-contextualizing is a most powerful tool. And although it seems new, the experience of having something placed in a different context is one we all know. It occurs automatically when we have forgiven our self or let go of our judgments of another.

Putting any life-event in a spiritual context is a fundamental practice. By using it constantly, every person and situation is seen as an opportunity to remove the blocks to Love. When you realize that a circumstance, or a thought about a circumstance, leads us to express or feel judgment - either minor or major judgment - its applicability becomes self evident. While re-contextualizing is fairly simple to execute, it is the practice and use of it that makes it potent. So let us apply our first exercise in re-contextualizing.

EXERCISE 5

This week we are going to practice 'seeing the bigger picture'. This is the beginning, the foundational lesson of re-contextualizing. We will have many others. Contemplate the circumstances of your birth and childhood. Let us take one sweeping panoramic view of our beginnings in this life - a view of the setting of our life experience.

Our birth and childhood experiences including the spiritual, mental, emotional and physical tend to provide the focus for how we perceive and judge our self and the world. It is exactly because this focus is so fixed that it can be 'invisible' to us.

• Birth circumstances: consider each one, or lack of them; contemplate how you wished they were different. Below is a list of circumstances, including parents, and siblings:
• Mother,
• Father,
• (Birth, fostered and/or adoptive),
• Siblings or lack of them,
• Family support or not?
• Think, or write about, how you experienced these circumstances. For example, did you experience yourself as loved enough? Smothered by love? Manipulated by love?
• Take one or two areas of your birth/childhood circumstance that are particularly emotionally charged - negatively or positively. Use any major event(s) in your childhood that impacts you, or has emotional charge.
• Bring out the watcher in your mind [see exercise #2] and observe each of these events or people from a new perceptual lens, from a re-contextualized lens wherein all of your birth circumstances are viewed as being ideal for your spiritual growth.
• View all of your stories about who you are from this new context. Take your time and write out or jot down your new perspectives.
• With the consideration that all was the perfect medium for your growth, how do you experience the circumstances of your birth and early childhood differently? Review the above list while considering this new context.
• Contemplate the impact of your re-contextualization on your personal life story.

How is this new understanding impacting you? For example, where there was resentment, what has replaced it? Is there a shift in mourning or sadness about your early life? Consider your relationships with parents and siblings. Review your new perspective. Where have you shifted? How have you shifted?