Summary of Part Three of Seminar Seven

Overcoming our separation from the Self and from the world is the central essence of mysticism and mystical experience. A superficial and formal reading of religious thought has often been based on separation—separating oneself from those who do not think as we do (Path of Renunciation). A different path, the mystical perspective, calls us toward transformation from within through connection with the Self, other human beings and living beings, and existence itself (Path of Transformation).

On this path—the path of realising our individuation—we do not separate ourselves from our shadows or from our earthly existence. By focusing on and accepting our wholeness, we make genuine transformation of the Self possible. Through a deep connection with other human beings, living beings, and existence, we bring the fragmentation of our being toward an end and give to the external world what has been realised within.

Separation arises for four principal reasons: fear, hatred, attachment, and indifference. We always experience separation and its opposite, connection, at three levels: separation from and connection with ourselves; with other human beings; and with other living beings and existence. The Great Mother is the mother of all life and the life-giving force liberated from all dualities. Activating her energy in the structure of personality can therefore lead us beyond dualities, end the fragmentation of our being, and draw us away from fear, hatred, attachment, and indifference.

Perception is another quality of balanced feminine energy and of the Great Mother. This is why transformation of the human spirit begins with awakening the anima, and transformation of a society begins with the awakening of its women. The Great Mother archetype helps us remain open to new consciousness and capable of receptivity and acceptance. Holistic perception, receptiveness and flexibility, introspection, perceptual power, imagination and intuition, and the capacity for nonlinear thought are all gifts that balanced femininity gives us.

Although masculine consciousness is associated with awareness and knowing, in this account only feminine consciousness attains a deeper wisdom because it is freed from duality, becomes one with everything, and can unite the two sides of consciousness.