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Dr. Mike Obsatz, Professor Emeritus at Macalester College Archives
January 2023
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Brain Overload10/14/2024  How much data can a human brain store? In my 83 years on this planet, I have absorbed so much data. I have probably read 5,000 books and articles. I have been to well over a thousand lectures - by teachers, authors, and speakers.
I have synthesized my learning into a few general beliefs which will carry me through to the last of my days. Here are thirteen of them. 1. It is better to live in gratitude than in regret or resentment. 2. Forgiving others for hurting me does not mean that it was right. People act at the level of their awareness and consciousness. If they knew better, they woud do better. I don't have to be around them, however. 3. It makes no sense to compare myself to others, envy others, or judge others. I am me, with my own experiences, and my own perceptions. 4. I am enough. I do enough. I continue to do my best most of the time. 5. Too much time in cultural values is exhausting and depressing. There has always been suffering, evil, and selfishness. 6. Growing up means finding meaning and purpose, and not getting caught up in fads, trends, or cultural messages. 7. Selective vulnerability is the way to go -- sharing as much myself as makes sense given the situation. 8. Political leaders represent the collective consciousness of society. The only savior is the one inside Spirit and ourselves. 9. Every moment is an opportunity to share and spread love and healing energy. 10. There is no where to get to. We have everything we need. 11. Every day of good health is a gift. 12. Finding a support network and being supportive of other people's journey make life better. 13. Be still, meditate, pray, listen, accept, seek justice, and dance while you can.
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Scarcity, Scared, Sacred8/5/2024  Have you ever thought about the word "scarcity." It means not enough -- not enough money, power, space, resources. The word "scare" is close to scarcity. Fear comes with "not enough." Fear of missing out, fear of poverty, fear of starvation, fear of not mattering, fear of abandonment, fear of running out, fear of failure, fear of being at the bottom.
Fear is related to "being scared." If we reverse two of the letters of "scared," we have "sacred." Seeing everything as sacred is turning "scared" around. Scarcity is the natural result of Empire Consciousness. Seeing everything and everyone as sacred plays a large part in Oneness Consciousness.
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What Does "Unity" mean?7/23/2024  The word "unity" is being discussed a lot lately.
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Finding Meaning In Our Lives7/17/2024  It is a miracle that we exist at all. We have been born into a world of complexity -- small, helpless, and completely dependent upon our families and caretakers.
Since those who care for us are imperfect, it is likely that they will project some of their fears, insecurities and limitations onto us. We are wide open, receptive, and totally vulnerable to whatever is given us. We become convinced that we are important, and live through a period of narcissism. It is "all about me." The problem with this is that it makes us too important, and too much the center of the Universe. The Universe existed before we were born, and will after we die. This narcissism of early childhood hangs on, and is fueled by a culture that is stuck in Empire Consciousness. We are taught to compare, despair, but not be aware that what happened to us is NOT really about us. This means we develop expectations about the world, and how we deserve to be treated. When others fall sort, we grieve, blame, and start to feel worthless. Having to prove worthiness becomes a lifetime goal. Our purpose is simple -- to be a light for others, and help the world heal from its many wounds. If we learn to live in Oneness Consciousness, we then let go of our need to control everything and be "right" all the time. We just are who we are, shining like a lighthouse. We come to learn that we have never been spiritually abandoned, and have all that we need and want. We learn to believe in abundance, enough for all. We become stewards of the earth, and lifelong givers of love and peace. We live with inner peace, trust the process of growing up and growing old, and let go of our need to control anything or anyone. We are have the same purpose, and we give and receive love every day and every way. Meaning comes from our connection to Spirit, ourselves, others, and the earth. We don't expect applause or acknowledgment. We are enough, and have more than enough. Love is answer. We are the message and the messenger. There is no where to get to, and nothing to prove. It is simple. It is about kindness, compassion, and generosity.
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JOY in the JOurneY7/17/2024 Ending the Cycle of Shame and the Need for External Validation How do we find JOY in the JOurneY? Let's see.
Shame is a feeling of worthlessness, and not being enough, not measuring up, failure, being a mistake. Guilt is "I made a mistake." Shame is "I am a mistake." Seeing oneself as invisible, invalid, and incomplete are signs of shame. In Empire Consciousness, there is a need for validation that must come from others. It is other-focused. A person must be "good enough" in the eyes of a parent, relative, teacher, boss, supervisor, friend, or stranger. This need for "external" validation creates a hole in one's heart, and a never-ending need to prove oneself worthy. It is co-dependent, and leads to all other addictions, denials and distractions. It is a giving away of God-given power to be oneself, and love one's authentic self. This quest for others' approval of one's worthiness is relentless and filled with fear, denial and deception. Living as a false self fuels shame and self dis-respect. So, it is an endless cycle -- feel shame, seek approval, become what others want one to become, feel shame, etc. Those who don't conform to others' expectations, rules, stereotypes are a threat to the Empire system. There are penalties consequences for not conforming to Empire's norms and values. Empire Consciousness is about power over, domination, hierarchy, competition, fear, scarcity and internal emptiness and powerlessness. Oneness Conscious is about authenticity, love, compassion, abundance, love, empathy, equality and emotional connection. Competitive sports always have winners and losers. Awards go to winners, not losers. Categories and labels reinforce differences, and create definitions of who people are supposed to be. Until we see the Divinity in the Diversity, we will continue to experience discrimination, marginalization, and divisions. If we want world peace, we need to move from Empire Consciousness to Oneness Consciousness and discontinue focusing on differences of the "other." Self-love, love of Spirit, love of others, and love of all of creation requires an end of the need for external labels, definitions, categories, and external validation. Peace, love and joy are an INSIDE JOB.
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Clear Vision7/17/2024 From Blurry Vision to Spiritual Oneness Clarity My recent cataract surgery revealed how blurry my vision had been these last few years.
I wonder if the world, and especially the US, needs cataract surgery to start seeing life, people, and the earth more clearly. As we learn to focus on what really matters, we see that we have been living in denial, and delusion about reality. Oneness Consciousness is not an option. It is the ONLY way we will save ourselves from total annihilation of the planet. Scarcity thinking needs to give way to abundance. Seeing the Divinity in the diversity is the only way we will connect, develop ways of living together on planet Earth. And paying more attention to climate change is the only way to not destroy our planet through flooding, fires, and pollution. We need to the pay more attention to the warning signs. They are all around us. Rampant hate speech, dictatorship, and divisiveness must become love, compassion, empathy, understanding.
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Overcoming Praise Addiction7/16/2023 Day By Day  We learn early on to please those who have power over us and take care of us. We are taught to "do what we are told" and when we do, we are often praised for it. If we "don't do what we are told" we are not praised, and sometimes punished. Praise is part of "external validation," the need for someone outside of ourselves to notice us, appreciate us, validate us. "Good boy!" "Good girl!"
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