John and I explore the word ‘wholeness’ as it relates to Virginia Satir’s work and David Bohm’s, a physicist and philosopher. We discuss the role of connecting to ‘cosmic wholeness’ as part of evolving consciousness. I found our discussion to be a warm playful exploration of wholeness, consciousness, and time. I appreciate John’s willingness, humility and generosity to share a space across generations and to explore this topic together.
John and I make reference to the excellent documentary: Infinite Potential; The Life and Ideas of David Bohm. You can find it here on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XDpurdHKpb8
Tim introduces the topic of exploration and the intention for the dialogue to be like a meditation; an opportunity to experience the topics we will be discussing.
3:00 John Banmen begins by reflecting on Virginia’s use of the word ‘wholeness’. He describes feeling that there is more to what she meant with wholeness. David Bohm talks about a larger, universal wholeness; being a part of the universe.
4:30 Wholeness what does it mean? On one level, wholeness is the appreciation of worth in each person. This may have been an initial first step of valuing all people regardless of age, sex or race as equal in human value.
John proposes that we may be all connected to a universal energy.
What does it mean to be whole? What does it mean to have space?
Space is important to pay attention to not just the things that fill in the space.
What is between ? In the silence? Between the notes?
11:00 Physics is concerned with viewing the world either as particles or waves. Tim draws a comparison to forms of consciousness being particle-like such as thoughts, feelings, perceptions, expectations and the aspect of consciousness which is more fluid and formless.
13:00 Virginia Satir emphasized “and...” not either ...or....
John makes the point that we need to differentiate first before we can connect and integrate.
John feels that we may fixate too much on individuality or individuation and need to keep moving towards a greater integration to a larger whole.
17:00 Tim asks “Why is important to be in touch with wholeness that is universal?”
John Banmen feels it is a natural process to discovery that we are more than what we think we are.
Divisions lead to conflict. The reality of wholeness may help us reduce our conflicts and move towards peace.
20:00 Tim asks John about his inside experience of wholeness. John describes there is a place beyond thinking where there is an experience of ‘oneness’. This is a connection to the universe.
Oneness is wholeness. As you elevate about thought and experience oneness, John describes naturally letting go of divisions and experiencing oneness with other people.
23:00 Distinction between thought and thinking... We discuss thoughts as formed thoughts that are dead conclusions as compared to thinking which is vital, exploratory and alive.
26:30 John talks about being able to connect at different levels which could be physical, emotional, intellectual or spiritual. How can we connect at the total picture of life...love, acceptance compassionate...these have an emotional component but they are transcendent energies or consciousness...a person can intentional meditate on an energy like loving-kindness to change the quality of energy in their mind.
31:30 An energy of conscious that is vital was what Virginia was in touch with and in touch with the life force in others.
32:00 To be congruent is to be in tune with I AM: Self energy. John mentions that feeling great about Carl Rogers, but being with Virginia John felt in touch with his own ‘greatness’. He described feeling elevated , at a higher vibration with Virginia; that one could be raising one’s congruence simply by being present.
Virginia was in a different state of consciousness that helped elevate others.
John describes Virginia as being very generous with sharing her energy and shining her light with others.
37:00 Sharing a light. Virginia felt that we are each a light.
40:00 John expresses the importance of realizing that we are spirit. John talks about acknowledging that we are already whole ; that we are it.
42:30 Wholeness on different levels : within myself, with others, with the universe. According to John, Wholeness has to do with energy, spirit of a deeper level than merely the physical. John encourages depth of the energy. Tim introduces consciousness.
45:00 Our consciousness can connect; John points to the possibility that as much as they can connect and that they might be the part of the same whole.
When we have specific thoughts, specific forms of consciousness, we can begin to identify with that and begin to create separations in our mind that then takes away from the perception or the experience of wholeness.
Is the energy of wholeness what allows us to transcend the limitations of our current forms?
Is this what allows us to connect? Letting go of attachments allows for peace.
47:00 Tim shares about the particles of emotions and how that can be held within a larger energy of peace , love and compassion and this is what helps contain and transform the forms.
49:30 Can we experience our particularized thought and our universality at the same time?
51:00 When we let go of our rigid attachment to time what becomes available to us? Is time managing us or are we managing time? We discuss how our expansion of time can help us transcend our rigid ways of using time dictated by expectations, rules, contexts.
56:30 Cosmic wholeness. This is a term used to remind us that we are more than what we are at the level of perception, feelings, personal identity.
58:10 What happens to consciousness when the body dies? Virginia talked about 4 levels of ‘birthing’.. Each representing a higher level of consciousness and this maybe a movement towards greater wholeness. The whole whole?
1:03 John talks about Virginia’s ability to talk to the masses by offering something at the concrete behavioral change level and all the way to cosmic level. John shares Virginia as a teacher teaching many different aged children in the class and that her work supports the development of consciousness at the level where people are. John experienced Virginia as expressing the many layers simultaneously in her teachings.
1:08 Tim shares the connection the cosmic wholeness would inform all the various contexts and forms relevant to the audience. Perhaps being in touch with one’s wholeness helps people be in touch with their wholeness because after all it is the same.
The therapist can lead the process by being in touch with the deeper levels of wholeness, yearnings, that the client may or may not be aware of consciously but experiences. This is an important factors in creating a healing connection/relationship.
1:14 John emphasizes the importance of attuning to the level of consciousness where the client is living and trying to help them elevate them towards a higher level.
1:18 John reflects on the challenge and enjoyment of putting into words the experience and the energy of wholeness.
1:22 What facilitates human growth and development? What are the conclusions that block the movement of life and energy within?