Spiritual Etiquette
in the World The First Attention
by Suzanne Matthiessen
Regardless of the flavor of spiritual work, you are either testing
the waters or have pledged a commitment. All paths have some similar
common denominators. And although some paths ascribe to seemingly
opposite polarities from another, each has codes, guidelines or even
hardcore rules that comprise its working principles for both living
in the physical world and venturing into non-physical dimensions.
Simply co-existing in both realms is a tough balancing act for most;
functioning at a high level in both simultaneously takes years of
practice and deliberate focused effort to master. In many people’s
lives, spirituality is compartmentalized and not consistently fully
integrated into daily affairs. We all know people who attend church
on Sunday but deviate from the spiritual life the rest of the week
in their thoughts and deeds.
Often, there is an imbalance for periods of time when the person
places more emphasis on one realm than the other as a conscious choice.
If you are fixated more in the physical you can lose sight of the
value of the non-physical and vice-versa. Neither realm is more important
than the other – in fact, they are interdependent.
Terminology exists for each realm depending on the lingo specific
to the group. For the purposes of this column, I will use descriptions
that come from the Shamanic cultures to refer to each one. Please
bear in mind these are human ways of giving name to form for purposes
of clarification. The material, physical realm of human relationships,
work, core survival matters, etc. is called “the first attention.” The
realm of the non-physical, which includes meditation, dreamwork,
physic phenomena, etc. is called “the second attention.” There
is also the “third attention,” a place where only those
who have achieved mastery over one and two can fully actualize – the
place of unbroken unity with Source.
Whether they are fully cognizant of it or not, every human being
experiences both the first and second realms, even those whose focus
is on the tangible, linear, practical and explainable aspects of
first attention existence. At one time or another, the second attention
shows up, even if it is something simple like driving somewhere and
arriving at your destination without knowing how you got there (the “autopilot” sensation),
or having dreams that “feel real.”
The doors to the second
attention can also be opened through a traumatic event or near-death
experiences in which one is propelled into the other realm usually
not by conscious choice, but the effect is forever life-changing.
Those who wish to deny or ignore the second attention will always
try and offer “solid explanations” because their grip
on “reality” is very tight. For some of these folks,
the second attention world is frightening for them, especially if
they need to be in control of everything in their life.
Often, especially early on in their journey, many spiritual seekers
become overly-fascinated with the second attention, especially if
they feel they can’t relate to the “real” world.
This is entirely understandable, especially if you are highly sensitive
and empathetic and tend to feel the brunt of what can often be the
harsh, dense, painful qualities of the material human realm. If you
have passed through many lifetimes of spiritual practice, the second
attention world is also a familiar refuge. The second attention world
is a counterbalancing “reality check” to remind us there
is something else out there besides a place that feels cold and hard
much of the time.
However, over-focusing on the second attention realm has its definite
pitfalls. The lure can be as addictive as heroin, and the lack of
attention paid on the physical aspects of everyday life can be as
extremely self-destructive. Those who enter the second attention
via trance-inducing methodologies such as drumming, dancing or chanting
can become attached to sensation and seek the sensation itself more
than the benefits that can be derived from incorporating the resulting
states of lucidity and freedom experienced within their time spent
in that plane back into the first attention. They chase these “peak
experiences of consciousness” like a fix, and gravitate to
situations where they can indulge with like company in a tribal manner.
There is nothing inherently wrong with this attraction or participation;
the problem arises when there is a detrimental effect due to imbalance
and inability to integrate both states of awareness. Over-indulgence
can make one rearrange the core of their life to a place to where
functioning “in the world” becomes next to impossible.
And although blasting what Shamans call our “assemblage point” to
an extreme place often occurs with overuse of drugs, it can also
be radically shifted via those mentioned above. In extreme instances,
the person can lose touch with first attention realities and experience
what is termed by mental health professionals as a psychotic break.
