WHO'S IN CHARGE HERE?

It was at 3am my daughter was finally declared “brain dead”. But something else was still going on. Life kept going. In that inert being there was nothing, yet something there that I could talk to. Three hours later, an awestruck nurse whispered “She's coming back!” For 3 hours her brain had been AWOL, and signs of life had disappeared, but life went on. She went on.

Who's in charge? Your brain? You think so? Then who is this “you” that thinks your brain is in charge?

What is “brain”? Well, it's an organ we all have that is at our service. But who is this entity that asked “What is brain?” Where did that question come from?

She who lived on without a functioning brain, is obviously not her brain, but she Is. She still is -- brain-damaged, but not dead. Hell, no! I am not my brain either, but I....AM. You are not your brain, but with or without it, you.....ARE.

Then what is it that is in charge? Who is this entity claiming “my” brain?

It's right back at this fundamental level where we first began to de-rail. We looked in a mirror and said “That's me.” We identified with that image, and we've been identifying with reflections, projections, images, thoughts, feelings, ideas, opinions, and beliefs ever since. But none of those is who we are. These are all things we add AFTER “I am.” These are just things that arise  in awareness.

As soon as we identify with anything, including our brain, we are no longer in charge -- of our eternal selves or anything that has a Use-By date. We become victimised by our attachments. Victimness ceases at the instant Identification ceases. If you want freedom – detach. 

 

When we put Brain in charge, we serve the functions of a blob of mushy grey offal. That remarkable splodge of spongy tissue chemically and electrically interfaces and switches relays for all the activities and processes of your physical body and amorphous mind. But even none of that is what you are(unless you insist, in which case you get to experience some ramifications of making that mistake).

You are not your brain, your stomach, your toenails, your love handles, your hair follicles, your boobs, your penis, or anything else that you obsess about; you are that which is aware of having and using those things, pure awareness. Unless and until you quit authorship and allow those things to start playing you – usurping your definition of Self, you are the Awareness in which it all comes up. And you cannot escape it. Try. Go on, try and be not-aware! 

So, who's in charge? Your toenails? Your pride? Your principles? Your values? Your new BMW? What rules you? What do you value most? What do you fight to hang onto? Your so-called “reputation”? Nahh! Meaningful inside your cage; meaningless everywhere else.

Now where does brain come into the process of escaping the  cage you've locked yourself into? Where is brain in enlightenment or transformation?

This is where it gets really interesting! This is leopard-changing-spots time. Every time you have a “now” experience, uncensored by mind, judgment or analysis, the wiring of your brain changes at various levels. This ability even has a name – neuroplasticity. The shape, patterns, tempo and beat of the neuro-chemical dance all change. A flush, and effervescence and a quickening course through your being. You see, feel, and start to think about things differently.

Any change you make to what you habitually choose to do, feel, think and give attention to changes the processes. You are not doomed to remain fixed and rigid, except by your own choice. You, and you alone, make your choices, and you can therefore change your choices at any time.

You and I right now are influencing our own processes, biochemistry, genetics, psychology and the evolution of our species. Evolution is not a process we can opt out of. I make a difference; you make a difference. When we choose differently we become the difference. The only questions are whether we're aware of it or not, and whether we're doing it by choice or by dereliction. 

But the law itself remains intact – we determine evolution.

And it's pointless bleating for some external God to come down from his throne on high like some celestial Kleen-Teem and rescue us from our own frig-ups. This is post-Old Testament folks! That ain't gonna happen. Read the four gospels again.