Neptune rules illusions, delusions, reality, and truth.  It is as though we have been in a dense fog for most of our lives without realizing it until we raise our consciousness. Most everyone wants to believe they are conscious, but to what degree? The question is, “How do we raise our consciousness?”  The next question:  “Is our consciousness raised of our own volition, or is it somehow triggered?  If so, what triggers a heightened consciousness?” In my own experience, I discovered that major challenges in my life forced a different perspective. Major injuries, illness, death, family, marriage, divorce, travel, new relationships, old relationships that suddenly no longer satisfy – all or some, serve as impetus to raise consciousness. How do we know if we are operating on illusion, delusion, reality, or truth?  We do not know until we make a shift in our perspective.  Suddenly, it is as though a fog has lifted. Usually, however, only a bit of the fog has lifted.  We are surprised and amazed at what we now see and realize about ourselves. Scientists are only recently realizing that even animals have consciousness such as Dolphins, Whales, Apes, Dogs, and even Cats. One day, I had my camera and while walking on the pier in Monterey Bay, California.  I came upon a man proudly displaying his catch hanging from ropes from boards.  This large Octopus was barely alive.  Instantly, I was one with the Octopus.  I could read the mind of the Octopus!  I could see recent memory of the Octopus swimming through the ocean, squirting ink in its trail.  The Octopus swallowed what it thought was food, but the food had a hook inside.  I could feel the pain as the hook jerked hard, implanting deeper in the mouth of the Octopus as it surfaced the top of the water and jerked into a boat. Of course, the Octopus did not know what a boat was, but I was ‘seeing’ through the eyes of the Octopus.  The Octopus was confused, distraught.  The memory was of swimming gracefully through the ocean and fighting for life, now hanging as though crucified! I could never eat Calamari (Octopus) again!  I now had moved into Truth! Are humans that vain they believe only they have consciousness?  Is that Illusion, Delusion, Reality, or Truth?

Everybody sooner or later has to drop the luggage and the baggage of illusions. ~ Carlos Santana

When one is living in illusion, delusion, or reality – we have no idea we are not operating on truth.  Of course, there is only one truth.  Truth is very difficult to find. What transpires to lift the veil of illusion?  We have an abrupt encounter with a current illusion as a Magic Mirror shatters, now revealing another level of fog that has lifted and we operate on delusion! Is it possible to leap from Illusion to Truth?  That is very unlikely.  Often when an individual does, they may encounter resistance from not only family and friends, but also from their own conscious mind, which can result in the individual fearing their own sanity. Many will work through their fears and doubts, embracing their new talents of being highly intuitive, psychic, or their other ‘gifts’.  Some will use other coping mechanisms such as alcohol or drugs to numb the new reality and sensitivity. In the 1960s and 1970s, we turned to psychedelics to open consciousness.  Too many had very bad trips that damaged them psychically. Now, when we revisit the 1960s and 1970s, the people that vowed they would never participate in the corporate machine, are now THE corporate machine. If one chooses security, whether it be a long-term relationship, financial, community, or family, we sell our souls for these conveniences for a false security, and our beliefs change as if turning on a dime.  We choose to do anything to protect what we have accumulated. Are there any easy answers? A resounding, NO! Each of us must move through the levels of illusion, delusion, reality, or truth. Or possibly, it is as Alan Watts shares with us his own insight:

“I have realized that the past and future are real illusions that exist in the present, which is what there is and all there is.”  ~ Alan Watts

I prefer, and because of my personal experience, I know there are truly the four levels.  When another person speaks with total confidence in what they believe is absolute truth, I cringe within. Or is it as the old saying goes, “Truth is in the eye of the beholder!” Maybe yes, Maybe no! Namaste`, Jussta Views:]]>