The Exercise to Enhance Perception Beyond Physical Sight
Learning to Discern the Forces at Work in Our Lives:
Spiritual author Guy Finley discusses the dichotomy between the ascending and descending wills within us, and how we can align our free will with the former and resist the latter.
The forces of the ascending will lift us towards higher consciousness, truth, and self-awareness, while the descending will pulls us down into negativity, fear, and selfishness. Finley emphasizes that it is crucial for individuals to recognize that both these energies exist within them.
According to Finley, the free will we possess lies in our choice to align with the ascending or descending will. He likens this choice to 'a hand reaching from below to pull you down, and another hand reaching from above to pull you up.' At any given moment, we are either holding onto one hand or the other - a choice that we have, despite common beliefs that may suggest otherwise.
Finley contends that, in the initial stages of self-discovery, some people are overwhelmed by the conflicting forces pulling them in opposite directions. However, he explains that this process is essential because, by acknowledging the strain, we can become aware of the possibility of moving upwards.
Many students who study Finley's ideas may experience a temporary decline in their lives, claiming that everything becomes worse. Finley, however, views this as a positive sign, indicating that they are now aware of the alternative direction and are no longer blindly following the descending hand.
Finley underscores the fact that this world often operates under the influence of the descending will, causing individuals to engage in harmful acts without understanding the reasons behind them. He maintains that, with continued spiritual work and awareness, we can learn to distinguish between the hands that seek to pull us down versus those reaching to lift us up.
In conclusion, the journey towards alignment with our higher selves requires conscious effort and vigilance in self-observation, making deliberate choices, surrendering egoic desires, cultivating inner stillness, and engaging in acts of compassion and service. By consciously choosing to act in accordance with our higher selves, we can weaken the grip of negativity and allow our free will to be guided by our inner conscience and the ascending will.
Engaging in education and self-development, particularly focused on personal growth, can help individuals distinguish between the egoic desires pulling them down and the higher aspirations lifting them up, as suggested by spiritual author Guy Finley. Thus, by surrendering selfishness and cultivating a sense of service, one can align their free will with the ascending will and resist the descending, promoting a more harmonious interaction with the ethereal forces at work in their lives.