We Have More Than 5 Senses

We commonly think of ourselves as having six senses, but neuroscientists disagree on how many senses we have. Other senses include: sensing a magnetic field, sensing gravity, sensing the internal organs, sensing emotion and more. These sensors are picking up on our environment, especially our social environment. We are social creatures who evolved in tribes. Social dynamics were very important to be aware of for survival. If you were thrown out of the tribe, you would not survive long.

We have a social antenna that gauges what other people are feeling and thinking. This internal radar is disrupted by many things. The early relational wounds, even pre memory or pre birth, are disruptions in being able to read this sense properly. The innocence of an infant is our original self. They see the world through eyes of pure curiosity. No defenses.

Through experiencing how others interact with each other and how they interact with us, we learn how to "behave". It's a social programming that takes us away from our original state of pure awareness and when we could listen, without filter, to our senses. We learn from our senses what is good for us and what isn't. We innately know this. We observe the world, most of the time, through filters of consciousness that come from our memories. They aren't bad inherently, but they only see through a narrow window of perception.

We sense other people's intentions. we sense other people's emotions. we sense where other people's attention is going. sometimes even what they're thinking about. This is a deeply spiritual side of being a human. Our connections are the most valuable thing in our lives. If we don't do the work to integrate these filters from our awareness, we will always be projecting onto other people. We will see the other person through the lens of our past and we will blame them, attack, or use whatever defense mechanism we used in the past to keep us safe from the threat. When we are in fear, anger, shame or other disruptive emotions, we will see everyone through that lens. We will see with the eyes of judgment. We will not be able to see others clearly, or ourselves for that matter.

Clarity comes when the judgments of the mind cease. When our preferences are released. When we let go of the expectations of how we thought it should turn out. This is what good spiritual practices are all about. They are called a 'practice' because we are practicing the way we want to live in the world. If you want to live in a world that is loving and curious, then practice it. It doesn't have to be a sitting down meditation, but you have to find something That allows you to return to the state of awareness that you want to embody. Do you want compassion? Do you want curiosity? Do you want understanding? Do you want love? do you want it for yourself? If you want it for yourself, you need to give it.  You want to give this kind of awareness to others as well as yourself simultaneously. Many people, though, need to start with one or the other.

For some people it's essential to move their awareness outward towards others in an empathic way. They need to look at their unforgiveness for another and begin to unravel why they can't forgive. This leads to an awareness that the hatred, bitterness, or resentment that is felt towards the other person is also directed towards the self. You have to practice loving the other person. That doesn't mean you have to have a relationship with that person, but it does mean you have to let go of the offense and the constant need to justify the situation in your own mind and how you talk about them. You have to allow the other person to be exactly who they are and see the perfection in that. This is difficult to do, and a solid therapist can help with this. Then you are able to truly treat others as they would like to be treated, because they see that their identity lies in the connections they have.

For other people they need to start with loving themselves first, seeing their false humility. Taking all the blame in the relationship and not looking with a keen eye at how the other person is behaving. There's always two experiences in the mix, and owning your part is important, but you must examine how others are treating you and adjust yourself accordingly. If you constantly feel shame around someone, you need to create distance from them, at least, or remove yourself from the relationship. The shame is either, or both, a memory from childhood that is getting activated that needs healing, but also a signal from the body that you are not safe. Don't let the wound override your curios and discerning senses. Find safety, then acknowledge the wound and use the situation as a reflection piece.

Where are you not able to love yourself, and why? What are the judgments you cling to? What part of this painful situation can you find acceptance for? Even if you have to start with the resistance itself. Beginning by accepting our judgments, we find a new kind of awareness that is subtle but powerful. Even if you can only accept 1% of anything, it can fan into a wild fire of self love.

The book 'a course in miracles' says, 'the opposite of love is fear, but what is all encompassing can have no opposites.' Meaning, loving awareness is always conscious of you, even when it feels absent from your awareness. when we tap into Loving Awareness, we see even fear through the lens of love. We do not push it away. We embrace it, as if it has a gift to give us.

And in the patient ebb and flow of finding acceptance, then losing it, then finding it again, we may begin to see the wound open up and reveal a feeling that needs expressing, whether to an individual or through an artistic medium, and through that expressing, we receive a priceless gift while simultaneously giving it. It is a miracle. Your suffering leads to redemption through your acceptance of it and willingness to partner with it to create something beautiful, even if it's just a vulnerable conversation with a close friend.

this process of transmuting your suffering is difficult to do on your own, as there are many road blocks you may run into. If you're running into a block and resonating with how I put things, there's a very strong likelihood that I can help you. Reach out. It's hard to ask for help, and even harder to commit to the therapeutic process. If you take the leap with me, I will be right beside you.