Awakening to Oneness: A Journey Through First Principle Thinking
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Chapter 1: A Moment of Clarity
In the early hours of July 15th, I found myself in a tranquil state of consciousness, caught between wakefulness and sleep. Suddenly, a calm, clear voice interrupted the silence: “July 31st is the day.” My eyelids felt heavy, and I could barely open them, sensing my wife peacefully slumbering next to me.
This message lingered in my thoughts for the next couple of days. What could it signify? I sought answers through meditation, and soon realized: July 31st marked my final day. In just forty-five days, my earthly journey would conclude.
Years earlier, during a moment of quiet reflection, I had prayed: “May I be able to perceive and comprehend the messages meant for me.” This prayer opened a channel for guidance, and when I chose to heed it, my life unfolded with grace. The voice I heard had become the resonant echo of my soul, prompting me to ponder the weight of its declaration.
The Importance of Reflection
The week that followed was filled with introspection. I cherished each moment with newfound wonder and gratitude, fully present and aware. Nature’s beauty—the flowers, trees, and grass—invited me to delve deeper into my experiences as I contemplated how to spend the remaining month of my life. Would I travel? What about a bucket list? Were there regrets?
Tears streamed down my face as I confronted a profound realization: how I allocate my time is synonymous with how I live my life. The final two weeks of reflection brought clarity; I felt I was living authentically, enveloped in love and forgiveness for myself and those around me, leading to a deep sense of peace.
On July 4th, an email arrived from the Vipassana center in Wisconsin, reminding me of a ten-day silent meditation retreat I had signed up for months earlier—an initiative prompted by the very voice I had heard. The retreat's end date? July 31st. I shared this revelation with my wife.
“July 31st is the day! It’s your day of awakening,” she exclaimed.
Awakening is a complex concept, open to personal interpretation. I perceive it as Turiya, Illumination, or the Beatific Vision—a state of pure consciousness marked by a deep understanding of God and our divine essence. With this insight, I decided to embark on my journey to Wisconsin.
My Vipassana Experience
The drive to the retreat was transformative. Just hours in, I felt a surge of energy above my head, reminiscent of Vicks Vapor Rub, which continued throughout the fifth day of Vipassana. After enduring a hundred hours of silence and nearly forty hours of meditation, I faced a racing mind and a body in turmoil. Despite the instructions, I opened my eyes and was struck by the sharp contrast of a black screw jutting from a white wall.
In that moment, I realized that seeing was happening through me, not by me. The ‘I’ I knew faded away, leading to an all-encompassing experience that included every sense. I was not merely a body; I was awareness experiencing the body’s perception.
This realization hit me like a surge of energy, igniting a sensation that coursed through my spine. I was one with everything I perceived. It was a moment of clarity and confusion, as if I were a dog chasing my tail. My senses sharpened, and reality morphed into a tapestry of information. It was July 25th.
For the next few days, I sought solace in a nearby cove, surrounded by trees. I felt as though I transcended time, sensing the vibrations of nature before I heard them. I understood that we are perfection in motion, discovering more perfection along our journey. It was July 30th.
On the morning of July 31st, the day of my departure, I awoke at 2 a.m. to a ringing in my ears. Sitting up, I felt an overwhelming stillness followed by a brilliant white light enveloping me. This energy was cosmic and all-encompassing, powerful enough to transcend earthly boundaries. I was immersed in light. Time blurred, and I lost track of minutes or hours. Eventually, a thought emerged: “What next?” After a week of deep meditation, I recalled, “Just open your eyes.” And so I did.
Realizing First Principles in Life
This profound experience has transformed my perspective on life and significantly influenced my professional work. As a Principal Architect, I now apply first principle thinking in my daily tasks—designing technical systems, business processes, and reference frameworks. Beyond my work, I’m a mentor, father, and friend. Even seven years later, the insights from my Vipassana journey continue to shape my daily existence. I’ve come to appreciate the profound truth of realizing the first principle: Oneness.
Aristotle defined the first principle as the foundational basis of knowledge. First principle thinking, which has gained traction through figures like Elon Musk, seeks to identify the core essence of existence. Through Vipassana, I transcended mere understanding of this concept; I now experience first principle thinking as a lived reality.
Join me as I explore the transformative power of integrating first principle thinking into your business, designs, and life. I am currently a Principal Security Architect at H&R Block. Connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram @chuckj67 or @yourareheldinlove.
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