Ripples of Consciousness

Ripples of Consciousness

There is always a direction that is being followed in the conscious mind.  Sometimes we see great flashes of it and feel very confident in our course; sometimes we go around grasping at things and do not know which way to turn; but these subtle changes in direction, whether they seem to bring hope or not, are merely the play of something that, on the whole, is central to our understanding.  

The rock thrown into the water does not move once it hits the bottom, but the ripples it creates spread out in an ever greater range.  Long ago, in each one of us, the centered mind fell into the river of consciousness, but the thoughts that are constantly being produced from that do not serve our present state of mind.  The wavy and illusory lines are tempting to try and understand, but if it does not come by itself, how could you find it by following?  

Our reconciliation with reality lies not in steering towards something, but in feeling the light and airy ground which our consciousness has long ago settled into, and to watch the ripples vanish out of sight.

 Douglas Thornton