Another of Andrew Cohen’s Quotes of the Week which are sent by email to his mailing list. If you’d like to sign up, click on the link below.

Creative Friction

When individuals experience spiritual inspiration and awaken to the evolutionary impulse, one expression of that awakening is a desire to come together with others who share that same passion. That desire comes from the authentic self, which is the energy and intelligence that created the Universe becoming aware of itself at the level of consciousness. The authentic self thrives on the creative friction of human beings coming together beyond the personal sphere. Usually when individuals come together, what they share is that which is personal. But when the authentic self is the guiding force, the ground of relationship is no longer personal, and it is only on that ground that conscious evolution occurs.

The evolution of consciousness does not occur only through individual meditation, when consciousness contemplates itself in stillness. Consciousness also evolves in the creative friction of human relationship, especially when that engagement is ignited beyond the personal sphere. Just as planets collided for new elements to be born, the creative process moves forward through inspired, egoless engagement at the level of consciousness itself. The friction of that engagement is experienced as ecstasy and heightened attention, and it spontaneously gives rise to greater and more profound awareness. It is a ferocious, ecstatic intensity—a force unleashed, because inherent in it is the overwhelming presence of something that wants to happen.

When we create the right environment, by coming together in authenticity and transparency, new and higher structures will naturally emerge, and a force will come rushing through that cannot be contained. What’s occurring in such a noble gathering is always far greater than any of the individuals present. The energy and intelligence that created the Universe is drawing human beings together for its own purpose. And our personal spiritual aspirations, whether we know it or not, are simply serving that purpose, which is the perpetual evolution of consciousness.

Andrew Cohen
November 2005