Victim Consciousness
The lesson may be difficult to grasp, but it is crucial to understand that assuming the role of a victim indicates a strong attachment to past events. This attachment can lead one to believe that the past holds more power than the present moment. When we adopt victim consciousness, we often fall into the trap of self-identification with a superiority complex. We may think, “I have been through more than they have,” “My struggles are heavier and more challenging than anyone else’s,” or “I have experienced more injustice than others.” The more we identify with victim consciousness, the more we become deluded by our personal narrative. We may perceive ourselves as superior to others by making our story more significant than theirs. The victim mentality reinforces this ego-based narrative by emphasising our experiences and past struggles. The victim and egoic stories stem from memories stored in our bodies and mind. The question remains, “How can we free ourselves from the story and past that we have internalised in our physical and mental selves?”
Victim or Creator?
The journey towards spiritual enlightenment is a deeply personal one. It involves identifying and shedding the layers of conditioning that keep us trapped in limiting beliefs and perceptions. As we progress along this path, we may encounter challenges and obstacles that require us to question our identity and relationship with the world around us.
One of our fundamental choices on this path is seeing ourselves as victims or creators. If we identify solely with our physical body and mind, we may feel limited by the constraints of form. We may see ourselves as victims of circumstance, at the mercy of external forces that shape our lives. Nevertheless, if we explore higher states of consciousness and spend time there regularly, we will start to sense the joy of co-creation with the universe.
From this expanded perspective, we will also see that everything in the universe is inherently perfect and follows a natural, orderly process. All is perfect, completely perfect. Even pain, trauma and our greatest challenges can be seen as valuable teachers, guiding us toward greater awareness and understanding. As we embrace this perspective, we will less resistant to handling the challenges on our path and be more open to the lessons they offer. Eventually, with continual acceptance of the moment in front of us, we see that we are always completely fine in the moment that is, a witness to the miracle unfolding in front of us. The only problems we have in the NOW are the ones we create in the mind.
For seeing beyond victim consciousness, watch Eckhart Tolle speak here (16 minutes): How to Deal With Victim Mentality | Eckhart Tolle
Do we create our reality? On one level, yes.
Our pain and our past create our present moment.
On a higher level of enlightened consciousness, we do not.
Listen for a deeper insight with Micheal Singer here at timestamp 1.30-1.38Â
Do We Need a Guru?
Another important realisation on the spiritual path is that we do not necessarily need a guru or a formal teacher to guide us. Our teachers are often individuals who have always been in our life, called Upa Gurus. These teachers are referred to as Upa Gurus, in contrast to Sat Gurus, individuals who beckon from beyond and have transcended all karma through their spiritual work. These guides can be anyone or anything that guides us on our journey towards enlightenment. Even difficult people can serve as our Upa Gurus because they awaken us to a place of freedom from where we are not already free. Through forgiveness, gratitude, and insightful understanding, we can learn from these experiences and eventually realise that everyone we meet can guide us on the path home.
As we become more aware of the world, we see that everything can serve as a teacher. Therefore, our guru or teacher is everywhere. However, the extent to which we benefit from these teachings depends on our level of maturity and willingness to free ourselves from our karma entirely. As Desikachar says, “The world exists to set us free.”
What is Our Purpose?
Our purpose is to raise the consciousness of humankind by liberating ourselves from pain and collective suffering. In the healing and teaching space, it is wise to recognise that we are all doing the same work. Whatever form, path, or name we take, we all work to raise one consciousness.
However, this teaching extends more widely than those who work in these fields alone. Everyone has a role to play in raising consciousness, whether it is a doctor healing patients, a lawyer serving humanity, a bus driver transporting people, or a mother nurturing the mind and heart of a child and the next generation. Each person’s role is valuable and can be embraced without the need for any reward or identification with the role as one’s own. This is known as Karma Yoga, and it involves four guiding principles: having the right attitude, the right motive, giving up the result, and serving the self in all.
Ultimately it is a gift to be together, working together as one, to raise the consciousness of humankind.
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