A JOURNEY INTO THE RESILIENT MIND: IS IT LEARNED OR ARE WE HARD-WIRED?

By

DEBBIE PATTERSON

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment

of the requirements for the degree of

MASTER OF METAPHYSICAL SCIENCE

On behalf of The Department of Graduate Studies

This thesis has been accepted by

_______________________________________ Thesis Supervisor

_______________________________________ Dean

________________________________________ Member

June 20, 2016

COMPLETED AND APPROVED

3

Table of Contents

Introduction-Chapter 1 ……………………………………………………………… 4

Review of Literature-Chapter 2 ..…………………………………………………… 8

Discussion-Chapter 3 ………………………………………………………………. 25

Conclusion-Chapter 4 ……………………………………………………………….. 33

Works Cited ………………………………………………………………………… 35

Appendices ………………………………………………………………………….. 39

4

Introduction-Chapter 1

In today’s fast-paced society, people face problems, challenges, and stress. Some

reasons for stress are work overload, searching for the perfect life, obsessions with

competition, balancing work and life, and, several changes in values and belief systems.

These pressures can be omnipresent with many consequences. As well, there are many

little stresses in daily living.

People are faced with traffic jams, unexpected bills to pay, growling supervisors,

and time pressures. Some people become agitated, frustrated, or moody. They feel

overwhelmed, lose control, or have difficulty quieting their mind. Other people develop

low self-esteem, are lonely, feel worthless, and become depressed. They can experience

physical symptoms including low energy, headaches, stomach upset, aches, pain, and

insomnia. In addition, people’s behaviour can change due to stress. They cannot focus

and experience racing thoughts, exhibit poor judgment, become pessimistic, and only

perceive the negative side of situations. Stress is everywhere. It is a part of life. What

matters is how people handle their stress.

On the other hand, some people adjust well to stress. They are adaptive, accept

challenges, are aware of stress and accept it, do not dwell on negative events and

situations, and push through their fear. Those who manage stress continue to maintain

positive attitudes, experience challenges as opportunities to learn and grow, and seek to

sustain a place of inner and outer security. These people may flourish following stressful

events or circumstances. How is it that some people manage these challenges, and

5

‘bounce back’ from problems yet other people falter? The people who have the ability to

‘bounce back’ have a tendency to see problems as opportunities, they ‘hang tough’ when

circumstances are difficult, or have a ‘where there’s a will, there’s a way attitude’. They

are resilient.

Two approaches to dealing with stress and resilience are traditional psychology

and metaphysics or also called metaphysical science. Traditional psychology’s approach

focuses on people’s problems implementing various external techniques. It looks at a

person’s past, present and future behaviours. It offers tools to overcome anxiety, stress,

and depression. Through therapy sessions, people find ways to work with cognitions,

emotion and relationships in ways that help to manage emotions, and see events with a

different perspective. It focuses more on trauma events from people’s lives, and how

these events contribute to stress. People talk with professionals to get a sense of who

they are and receive feedback or insights to build resilience in their daily life.

Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy that examines the nature of reality and helps

people, intuitively, facilitate personal growth and self-empowerment. Metaphysics

focuses on people developing their own insights and understand their lives in terms of

metaphysical principles such as Higher Self, Oneness with all, and higher thinking and

awareness. It offers liberation from self-imposed limitations and offers answers to

questions that trouble the Soul that, in turn, releases stress and builds resilience. Practical

mysticism, as a component of metaphysics, focuses on discovering people’s internal

Ultimate Self-Reality, making direct contact with Pure Mind, experiencing the Presence,

being guided from within in all daily activities that lead to less stress and resilience.

6

Traditional psychology speaks to resilience as a process of connectedness to

people, interests, and resources. On the other hand, metaphysics speaks to a

connectedness to the Pure Mind. This paper’s focus is a comparison between the internal

knowledge of metaphysical science concepts suggesting that all people have an innate

self-regulating Mind or power for Resilience, whereas traditional psychology’s concepts

of resilience relies on brain activity experiences, external supports and resources. Further,

this paper will validate that metaphysical science concepts and techniques are proof that

all people are hard-wired to ‘bounce back’ from hardship, and all people can build a

capacity for Resilience, within their mind, through metaphysical science and practical

mysticism practice. The innate metaphysical power for Resilience channels a connection

through five Levels of Consciousness including conscious mind, personal subconscious,

personal psychic exchange, collective unconscious, and ultimately connects to the Pure

Mind. (Appendix A2) Traditional psychology is a connection to a process that involves

people, and supports.

Traditional western psychology studies the conscious and subconscious minds

(Appendix A1). Traditional psychology suggests that resilience is a developed skill set

that helps people get through adversity and tough times in their lives. There is an

understanding that training for resilience changes the brain that makes people more

resilient. Metaphysics professes that resilient people have an innate capacity to live

happy lives. If people tune into their Pure Mind, life will unfold and flow happily

because they have the spiritual power within them and behind them in everything they

encounter. Mystical meditation is the technique in metaphysics that is the foundation for

connecting and maintaining contact with the Pure Mind. “Carried to its ultimate

7

conclusion, meditation is learning to live naturally, as well as to be in contact with, and

have control over oneself” (Masters, Minister’s/Bachelors Degree Curriculum 2:18).

Through this innate contact, resilience is manifested and demonstrated in people’s lives.

8

Review of Literature-Chapter 2

The origin of the word resilience, in the 17th Century, stems from the Latin word

resilire, which means to rebound or recoil. In the early 20th Century, the word was further

developed to measure and compare the strength of materials used in military ships made

from iron—modulus of resilience.

In the latter 20th Century, Norman Garmezy, the resilience theory pioneer, who is

a noted clinical psychologist, studied children’s development following war, famine, and

poverty. In a study, Garmezy questioned why some children, who are genetically at risk

for developing mental illness, experience stress and adversity suffer in life, while others

in the same circumstances flourish. The Australian Institute of Family Studies

summarizes that Garmezy’s work suggests, “Child, family, and community factors were

related to positive adult outcomes.” This concludes that healthy adulthood relies on

external supports and resources for children living in adverse conditions.

Another famous longitudinal study by Emmy Werner followed children born on

the island of Kauai. The children faced many adversities including poverty, low educated

parents, parental alcoholism, family illness and parental dysfunction. Many of the

children developed problems of their own by 10 years old. The participants were

followed until they were 40 years old. About a third of the children grew up to do well in

their lives. These children, according to Werner in Bobbi Emel’s article, “showed that,

although an innate capacity for resiliency helps, it is never too late to develop protective

factors to bounce back from adversity”.

9

These protective factors identified by Werner in Emil’s article were safeguards

that some of the children had access to during their lives. These protective factors

included:

i. Reasoning ability or being able to solve problems which increases confidence

ii. Emotional support outside the family which could be just one friend or a network

of people to turn to in time of crisis

iii. Inner direction or internal locus of control whereby the children had a belief

system that they were able to change their future, life situations and their own

behaviours and actions

iv. Autonomy or being able to achieve responsibilities on their own

v. Sociability meaning the children were liked by others and found help in

constructive ways such as smiling, being empathic, helping others, being open to

learning new ways to do things, and being a good team player

vi. Seek opportunities to do better and ‘be’ better once the children are beyond the

teenage years. These could include higher education, better jobs, and stable

partner relationships.

These resilience, protective factors can be transferred to all people, children and

adults. However, not all studies in traditional psychology agree with these studies.

Much of the traditional psychological work related to resilience is in

disagreement. However, there are two areas where the new literature agrees. The

Torrens Resilience Institute claims,

The first is the issue of adaptability. Individuals who are able and willing to adapt are more likely to reduce their risk of exposure to similar disruptive events, or at least to reduce the impact of such exposure; resilient individuals are likely to be

10

able and willing to adapt. The second is the issue of transient dysfunction. Resilience does not preclude dysfunction or distress; indeed the absence of dysfunction or distress in an individual suggests resistance rather than resilience. Regardless of agreement, the psychological view of resilience is useful to

understand how people cope with a fast-paced, changing society in times of challenge,

uncertainty, and ever-evolving change on a conscious level. Adaptability in distressing

situations helps with self-esteem and life success. People who adapt to situations shift in

their conscious, positive thoughts and attitudes, and recognize their strengths. This

change can be of a gradual or sudden nature. In the article Characteristics of Resilience,

according to Torrens Resilience Institute, include:

i. Ability to accommodate abnormal threats and events (earthquakes, climate change, natural disasters, etc.)

ii. ability to return to the normal state, to recover, or return to an improved state iii. ability to absorb and recover from an irregular event iv. given survival is a basic human instinct, people with a strong will to remain alive

can recover from abnormal events v. ability and willingness to adapt are more resilient vi. coordinated efforts in communities, who share common values and beliefs, are

resilient communities in our contemporary world

Resilience is an area of psychological research that is rapidly developing because

people have lost their focus and meaning in life. People want better mental and physical

health to live better lives. Traditional psychology explains that building people’s self-

image through external communication, supports and resources helps people become

resilient and improves their well-being. Further to psychological findings, spirituality is a

key to resilience.

People with a mystical point of reference, as well, seek help with their well-being

when they are threatened, challenged, or distressed. This spiritual orientation is an

association with mental health, physical health, and spiritual health. Dissimilar to

11

traditional psychology, metaphysics and mysticism support people to discover their Pure

Mind, make direct contact with the Pure Mind, and experience Its presence. Along with

external support, the major internal practice in metaphysics is mystical meditation.

Through meditation, people make a direct connection with the Pure Mind. Other internal

techniques for building a resilient life are affirmations, prayer, spiritual mind treatments,

and abiding by metaphysical laws and principles, and codes of ethics.

Similarly, Mandy Oaklander suggests in The Science of Bouncing Back “they

[researchers] have also found that developing an ethical code to guide daily decisions can

help.” Likewise, Masters teaches that living by metaphysical guidelines “help to achieve

greater happiness, success and fulfillment” (Minister’s/Bachelor’s Degree Curriculum

1:42) and recommends reading the metaphysical principles and guidelines daily to align

with goals of the soul, overcome adversity, and become resilient in life. As well,

metaphysics recommends positive thinking throughout the day that allows self-direction

that creates a peaceful state. Keeping this composure produces the right answers when

problems and challenges arise. Several times a day, affirming the inner, higher self –

direction from the Pure Mind, and staying open to it leads to a more resilient life.

Metaphysics takes following principles beyond traditional psychology. Doing the

‘right thing’ (ethics) sets up vibrational energy for the Pure Mind to control life in a

positive manner. Feeling and practicing the presence of the Pure Mind, daily, offers

wisdom to lead people away from problems, and supports resilient living. Masters’ key

principles include “maintaining a positive conscious mental attitude (no matter what

happens in daily life), in a light state of meditation --daily program the subconscious

mind with positive thoughts, and daily sublimate negative subconscious matters through

12

deep meditation” (Minister’s/Bachelor’s Degree Curriculum 1:55). Living by the three

Mental Keys techniques to happiness assists in living a happy life, and people become

aware of how to improve their lives rapidly. The purpose of the techniques is to bring

creativity, power and resilience to the conscious mind to live a happy life.

1. Conscious Mind Level

Traditional psychology understands resilience as adapting and overcoming stress

and adversity. Oaklander in The Science of Bouncing Back explains,

Most resilience research is still done on survivors of catastrophes–floods, fires, tsunamis, drought–as well as on soldiers. But while it’s tempting to think of resilience as a skill people won’t need until they’re locked in a cell or their home is sucked into a tornado, resilience experts say those extremes are a kind of psychological exaggeration of the things the rest of us go through. After interviewing scores of Vietnam prisoners of war, Army Special Forces and survivors of horrific tragedies, Charney and Southwick became convinced that anyone could train him- or herself to be more resilient.

Resilience, in traditional psychology, is not primarily something that people are

born with. Rather, people are trained to develop skills in resilience. It develops as people

mature, expand rationale-thinking skills, and build up self-management skills and

knowledge. As well, there is an understanding that it comes from having external

supportive relationships with parents, peers, co-workers, and the community at large.

Resilience is found in people’s behaviours and thoughts. A positive attitude or resilience

is a learned skill, and developed over a lifetime.

Similar to traditional psychology, mystical thinkers believe that people adapt and

have life success through positive thought and attitudes in the conscious mind. By

contrast, Dr. Paul Leon Masters suggests, “A positive attitude comes from seeing things

as they actually are. This ‘SEEING’ is an inner understanding of the true nature of life

13

and being-that is, in truth, on a voyage of one’s soul through eternity”

(Minister’s/Bachelor’s Degree Curriculum 1:35.) Metaphysical science proposes that

resilience is based on recognizing internal accomplishments, and we draw on the inner,

innate capacity for overcoming adversity. Meditation is the foundation of metaphysical

science. It reduces stress, improves concentration, encourages a healthy lifestyle,

increases self-awareness and happiness, and improves overall health. As well, spiritual

enlightenment unfolds as the essence of mystical mediation. Resilience flourishes, and

people begin to open the channels to the Pure Mind. Traditional psychology is only

beginning to understand and acknowledge mystical mediation. Yet, it is making strides

and raising psychological questions about its effectiveness.

New facts and data in one traditional psychology study at the University of

California suggest studies of the mind (brain) through mindfulness helps improve

resilience. Mindfulness is focusing attention on the present moment, which can be

mastered through meditation. A mindful performance-enhancing program using

meditation taught racing athletes how to deal with stress, pain, and failure; and how to

develop a positive mental attitude for resilience. The athlete’s body language was

calmer; he got out of the gate faster, and moved his hands less. This gave him a head

start at the beginning of a race. One racer explained that meditation helped, however, the

biggest learning was “how to be consciously mindful and aware of my current

situation…I am more present than I used to be.” By being in the moment, people can be

“okay” with whatever is in that moment. Mindfulness and meditation have stabilizing

power. With mindfulness, people can learn to be in any scenario, anchor through

meditation, access the moment from an optimistic position, and focus on the positive.

14

In metaphysics, a positive attitude and thoughts form a foundation for self-image.

Experiences are simply ‘stepping stones’ for growth and lead to perfection of the soul.

We are all part of the Pure Mind (Soul) where we live as a thought, and, so does the Pure

Mind live in our minds. A state of Oneness gives us peace, power, and wisdom to deal

with adversity in daily life, and to grow as human beings. These thoughts form a basis of

a positive transcendent attitude from which people can base their lives and bring desired

responses and resilience for creating an improved existence. In life, people respond

outwardly and inwardly. The inner responses are from the unconscious mind that has

positive and negative patterns in the subconscious, and ultimately with the Pure Mind.

2. Personal Subconscious Level

The traditional psychological view of the subconscious is that the mind is a

storehouse for information for recall later. The main types of memory are short-term

memory and long-term memory. Happy experiences may be stored in the subconscious;

while some experiences may be traumatic and become repressed. Memory recall is when

people become aware of information once it is brought to their attention.

Recent studies in psychology have revealed that not only thoughts can be recalled,

but feelings and emotions are stored in the subconscious mind. Therefore, the brain

remembers an event’s details and the emotional memory at the same time. The body, in

turn, reacts to the memory through feelings of increased heart rate, panic, and fear. Many

counselling techniques provide people with relief from ‘bad’ memory storehouses of the

mind. Several of these techniques focus on building resilience within people to move

forward in their life.

15

There is new research connecting the emotional part of the brain to resilience

through brain imaging. Oaklander purports in The Science of Bouncing Back,

Scientists can see how resilient brains respond to emotion differently, found Martin Paulus, scientific director and president of the Laureate Institute for Brain Research in Tulsa, Okla. In a series of brain-imaging experiments on resilient Navy SEALs, Paulus showed the SEALs a color cue that signaled they were about to see an emotional picture. Paulus saw that their brains anticipated the emotion more quickly than the average brain, letting them jump nimbly between different types of emotions…The Navy SEALs were not glued to the emotional experiences. Why? ‘They’re more resilient,” he [Paulus] says. These techniques involve ‘bringing up’ the event and emotions and dealing with

the event in the present moment. Training the brain can build up muscle in the

storehouse of the brain. By providing external coping strategies, people become more

resilient. The goal is to eliminate or control the emotional part of the memory.

Ultimately, people learn to control their memories and, in turn, their daily lives.

In a different study, according to Oaklander, one scientific breakthrough uses

“techniques like functional magnetic resonance imaging make it possible for

scientists to look beyond their own observations of people and into the parts of their

brains that govern emotion”. To provide scientific proof, scientists measure what stress

looks like, and how it affects different people. How people respond to stress is critical to

resilience. It shows that resilient brains shut down the stress response and return to their

baseline rapidly. Therefore, people can train their brain to build and strengthen

connections that do not reinforce their fear circuits. People can create new responses to

stress.

Metaphysical science agrees with traditional psychology that the subconscious

mind is a storehouse or memory bank of the mind. Over time, both positive and negative

thoughts accumulate that are attached to feelings and emotions. Likewise, metaphysics

16

claims that accumulated thoughts and emotions are important to people’s overall health

because the subconscious manipulates the nervous system. In turn, the nervous system

shapes people’s organs. The body affects the mind, and the mind affects the body.

Metaphysical science’s fundamental techniques involve clearing negative

thinking for optimal health. Metaphysical science suggests the change comes from

reinforcing open-mindedness. The subconscious mind, instead of resisting change,

becomes a vehicle for resilience and re-programming with winning thoughts in the

memory bank.

Both approaches suggest bringing forward negative thoughts from the memory

bank (storehouse), and utilizing techniques to reduce or eliminate the negative thoughts

of the mind. In a spiritual approach to the subconscious mind, Deepak Chopra explains in

The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire, “memory resides at the level of the soul until we

call it up” (88). In addition, metaphysics offers reconditioning of the subconscious mind

through affirmations (positive thought statements with a spiritual base), and self-

hypnosis. The belief is that by clearing the subconscious mind of accumulated negativity,

it affects the conscious mind in a positive manner and people become resilient.

Both traditional psychology and metaphysics approaches allow people to put

things in perspective. People adapt to life circumstances by reducing, eliminating, and

understanding thoughts that surface from the subconscious mind. In turn, people become

observers of thoughts, emotions and feelings, or detached. People tend to be less reactive

and recover quickly from negative, past events by ‘bouncing back’ from the adversities of

life. As well as having a calm mind, the nervous system is healthier by the reduction of

the levels of stress associated with past, negative events.

17

A differentiation between traditional psychology and metaphysics is Dr. Master’s

personal experience of counselling people with personal issues. Master’s claim is that

people possess a “natural success factor, and would be realizing success were it not for

certain weaknesses in their personalities.” (Minister’s/Bachelor’s Degree Curriculum

1:28). This natural success factor is resilience. When people are absorbed in negative

energy thinking or weakness, there is nothing left over for success-thinking. These

weaknesses are simply blocked patterns of mental energy inside the subconscious mind.

Once they surface to the conscious mind, they control the mind and the nervous system.

The Pure Mind has the power to confront and eliminate these weaknesses from the

subconscious mind, and people become more resilient.

A metaphysics technique called Direct Confrontation leads people to “have a

face-to-face confrontation between the self-defeating mental energy that is holding back

your success, and the GOD-POWER OF THE UNIVERSE in your mind” (Masters,

Minister’s/Bachelor’s Degree Curriculum 1:29). This energy holds power in the mind

and the nervous system. When people have faith and belief, and are willing to give up

their will to the Pure Mind, they experience resilience, and succeed in eliminating

weaknesses that stand in the way of success. Additionally, metaphysics suggests by

clearing the negative accumulation and eliminating the weaknesses from the

subconscious mind, it affects conscious life reactions, and the personal psychic exchange

thought energies too.

3. Personal Psychic Exchange

Noticeable differences begin to appear between traditional psychology and

metaphysics related to ESP (extra sensory perception) or the personal psychic exchange.

18

Some psychologists have studied ESP. An example is the Bern study that concluded

people could feel the future. Bern claimed, “That we behave in the present as if we knew

what would happen in the future, so-called ‘pre-cognition’ (Krauss Whitbourne, 2012.)

Following his study, he hoped psychologists would be open to considering the impossible

possible, and agree that people have the ability to influence the future through the

present. The world of science dismissed the results. Most scientists do not believe ESP

exists. Scientists maintain there is no testable theory or evidence to support that ESP is an

energy form, and that it cannot be measured by physical science. In other words, if it

cannot be measured, it does not exist.

Metaphysical science, on the other hand, believes ESP affects all people through

“a constant exchange of ideas between people on a psychic level of communication”

(Masters, Master’s Degree Curriculum 1: 19). In addition, many people believe in ESP

which includes telepathy (direct knowledge of another person’s thoughts), clairvoyance

(direct knowledge of remote events), and precognition (direct knowledge of the future.)

It is common for people to talk about knowledge of dead loved one’s presence; people

thinking about someone and they show up at the door, and governments use psychic

spies. As well, many postsecondary institutions teach paranormal and ESP studies.

Metaphysics suggests that all human beings have a capacity to use ESP. As well,

Marianne Williamson, in A Return to Love claims, “since there is only one mind, all of us

are telepathically communicating all the time” (141). The conscious mind influences the

subconscious mind. In turn, the subconscious mind influences the psychic mind. There

is a direct flow of energy and thoughts from one level to the next level.

19

The personal psychic exchange level is similar to a broadcasting station that sends

out thoughts on a vibration energy frequency. People are connected with all other minds

on the same level. Some may refer to this as the Law of Attraction or ‘like attracts like’

which is a universal law. Chopra suggests in Everyday Immortality, “My brain is a

sensor that tunes in to a nonlocal, omnipotent vibrating field of infinite frequencies” (29).

This psychic sensor attracts what the mind is thinking. If people think positive thoughts,

positive will be attracted to them. If people think negative thoughts, negative is attracted

to them. Whatever level people are vibrating at, consciously or subconsciously, they will

determine the Law of Attraction results. Positive thought results in a resilient attitude and

happier life.

When people have a resilient perspective, they are adaptable and diverse in their

thinking. As the psychic level of the mind sends out resilient psychic energy, people

have the ability or power to become strong, health and successful people. They adjust

easily following a misfortune—they ‘bounce back’. Therefore, people’s alignment to the

resilient vibration energy creates harmony with the conscious and subconscious minds

allowing resilience within people to flow. Without a positive conscious mind, and a

positive subconscious mind, “a psychic blockage of sorts exists between the conscious

mind and the Higher or God-Mind” (Masters, Minister’s/Bachelor’s Degree Curriculum

1:19). People continue to struggle, are weak, inflexible and rigid. It is difficult for these

people to build resilience with blocked psychic energy.

Carl Jung introduced this concept through his theory of psychic energy almost one

hundred years ago. In Carl Jung’s theory of psychic energy, “Jung’s studies have shown

that images reflect the functions which give rise to them; that the instinctual psyche

20

expresses them in this innate picture-language.” Jung’s theory of psychic energy

provided evidence that perception was relative to the person, including observations

presumed to be objective. Yet, there is a subjective factor. However, this has not been

acknowledged by the mainstream in over 100 years. This subjective factor is the

vibrational energy studied in metaphysics. Jung’s studies illustrate there is an innate

psyche that is conveyed in picture-language in the mind. Jung’s Mysticism Re-examined

explains, “Unconscious complexes analogize our functioning through symbolic ideas,

and Jung’s work was a conceptual attempt to relate the emotional processes which push

them into awareness.” These basic themes or language of words, ideas, pictures, and

symbols are consistent in all people. Jung and metaphysical science refer to this

language as the collective unconscious or the unconscious mind.

4. Collective Unconscious Level

Although the Freudian model of the unconscious mind has a strong influence in

contemporary psychology, there is a strong traditional psychological view that the

conscious mind takes precedent over the subconscious mind. Bargh & Morsello support

this claim by explaining,

For most of human history, only the concepts of conscious thought and intentional behavior existed. In the 1800s, two very different developments—hypnotism and evolutionary theory—both pointed to the possibility of unconscious, unintended causes of human behavior. But nearly two centuries later, contemporary psychological science remains wedded to a conscious-centric model of the higher mental processes. Traditional psychology’s approach stops at the conscious and unconscious mind.

Jung followed the Freudian model of the unconscious until he developed his own theory

and concepts of collective unconscious. Metaphysical science agrees with Jung related to

the collective unconscious mind. This level of the mind deals with change within people.

21

It influences surface level opinions, attitudes, and aspirations at deep levels in the mind.

Traditional psychology would suggest that resilience builds at the surface level through

external resources and supports. However, Jung’s collective unconscious theory

included a concept called archetypes. They form the collective unconscious-- the psychic

innate temperament for basic human behaviour. They manifest through images in dreams

and visions across all cultures, through time and space. The Washington Society for

Jungian Psychology quotes Jung from On Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious,

The unconscious contains, as it were, two layers: the personal and the collective. The personal layer ends at the earliest memories of infancy, but the collective layer comprises the preinfantile period, that is, the residues of ancestral life. Whereas the memory-images of the personal unconscious are, as it were, filled out, because they are images personally experienced by the individual, the archetypes of the collective unconscious are not filled out because they are forms not personally experienced. When, on the other hand, psychic energy regresses, going beyond even the period of early infancy, and breaks into the legacy of ancestral life, the mythological images are awakened: these are the archetypes. An interior spiritual world whose existence we never suspected opens out and displays contents that seem to stand in sharpest contrast to all our former ideas. All people are gifted with this psychic archetype from birth. It is not a learned

skill; rather it is inborn in all human beings through ancestral life. Archetypes are original

patterns, which everyone possesses. They can be copied or modeled. There are many

types of archetypes that describe human behaviour. Each type has a set of values,

meanings, and personality traits that has a driving source for motivation.

Resilience within people depends on motivation, and maintaining a positive

mental attitude to flourish in all areas of life when presented with life challenges. Jung

identified 12 primary types of archetypes including the innocent, the orphan, the hero, the

caregiver, the explorer, the rebel, the creator, the jester, the sage, the magician, and the

ruler. To take the hero as an example for resilient people, Carl Golden explains in “The

22

12 Common Archetypes,” “The hero believes ‘where there is a will, there is a way.’

They wish to prove their worth through courageous acts…. The hero is known as the

warrior, superhero, dragon slayer or winner.” These mythological images are all

definitions of a resilient person.

Some of the images or archetypes exist to be victorious, complete heroic

challenges, and achieve great things. Resilience is needed when a person’s life is

challenged. Resilience is people’s ability to ‘bounce back’, to endure difficult life

challenges, and to be victorious or heroic. These archetypes play a role to build

resilience in this deep level of the mind, or the collective unconscious.

Jon Mills exclaims in Jung’s metaphysics in the International Journal of Jungian

Studies, “Jung’s whole thesis could be easily (mis)interpreted to mean that there is an

absolute mind, primary source, principle of the ultimate, or cosmic deity underlying all

facets of the universe” (3). This research suggests the concept of the collective

unconscious is deep within the mind. It is advancement in growth of the mind. It begs a

question related to the whereabouts of this deep level, and how it operates and functions.

Metaphysics knows there is a deep level force driving this motivation for change.

Resilience lies within this force to motivate people to overcome challenges. Dr. Master’s

exclaims, “The most profound idea in all of this is that there has to be a Ruling

Intelligence, Ultimate in its Presence that is behind the various transformational changes

that must take place for the evolution of the human mind…” (Masters’ Degree

Curriculum 1:18). Metaphysics refers to this profound, cosmic deity as Pure Mind,

Infinite Mind, or Universal Oneness.

23

5. Pure Mind

The Pure Mind is a mental experience whereby people become One with the

Universe, nature, and all things. It is described as a revelation that, at the centre of the

human mind, there is a Oneness (Pure Mind) where people realize they are finally One

with all things, and all things are One within them. This metaphysical awareness and

identification with the Pure Mind helps people “adjust to time/space changes, because the

Eternal is ‘part of’ or ‘one with’ all changes within itself” (Masters, Master’s Curriculum

1:15). Challenges of life between the Self and people’s life circumstances are stripped

away through the Pure Mind. This change within itself is a primal resilience experience –

one that changes people’s lives.

Traditional psychology has no association with the Pure Mind. Traditional

psychology provides a process to assist and guide people to resolve problems and

difficulties; and to offer resources, and support. Its approach highlights emotional and

intellectual experiences of people. People may go back through their earlier lives and

explore how these experiences affect their current lives. Only True Metaphysics provides

the relationship between the Pure Mind, resilient change, and personal transformation.

External circumstances are constantly changing with work, family, money, and other life

situations. The most changes in people’s lives are those changes that take place

internally. Traditional psychology offers guidance, social support, and resources that

help people develop strategies to manage stress and their lives. Whereas, metaphysical

science would argue that the decision to change needs to come from within--the courage

of the heart. According to Dr. Masters, it is not unrealistic to imply that the “God within

our hearts, and the Spirit of God as our Will, is something very real to which people can

24

turn” (Minister’s/Bachelor’s Degree Curriculum 2:69) to make positive changes in their

lives. Through metaphysical practices, the process of coming to the Pure Mind (God)

takes hold of the heart. Some may call this the Soul, as it is the spiritual part of people or

the essence of a person. People lose false beliefs, fears, negative thoughts and feelings.

This is replaced by Truth. People become strong, heal, desire and are ready for change,

become accountable, grow out of a willing heart and soul—become Resilient.

These changes within the soul, or the Pure Mind, come from an internal, intuitive

resilience because all the channels of the Pure Mind are open, and people can claim their

happiness. The Pure Mind influences how people live, how they react in challenging

situations, and how quickly people improve from adversity. Connection to the Pure Mind

is key to change that leads people to live a resilient life, not statistical or logical studies

built on limitations of traditional psychology.

25

Discussion-Chapter 3

To begin a discussion, simple definitions of The Mind differ between metaphysics

and traditional psychology. First, metaphysics believes in The Pure Mind, and traditional

psychology is primarily concerned with the conscious mind. Second, metaphysics covers

what is right about human thought, while traditional psychology is about what goes

wrong with human thought. Third, metaphysics studies The Mind on five levels

(conscious, subconscious, personal psychic exchange, collective unconscious and Pure

Mind), whereas traditional psychology primarily studies human behaviour on the

conscious level. Fourth, metaphysics studies mental, emotional, physical and spiritual

states; while traditional psychology studies mental states and processes of people. Fifth,

metaphysics is devoted to discovering people’s ultimate Self-Reality, making contact

with and experiencing this Self-Reality that creates a more resilient life. On the other

hand, traditional psychology is dedicated to diagnosis of a problem with the mind or

behaviour of people, and mental health treatment is offered to produce a better life.

Finally, traditional psychology is primarily based on scientific observation and

analysis to explain human behaviour, and to make predictions that can be tested and

measured through experimentation. By contrast, metaphysics is beyond scientific

observation and analysis. It is a Knowing or a sense of Being-an innate resilience. It

cannot be tested by today’s standards because all things are infinite in nature. If all

things are infinite with no beginning and no end, there is no point in measuring it.

Metaphysics is a philosophical science that deals with transformation, and transcendental

concepts of resilience such as the Pure Mind-Being One with the Universe.

26

As further discussion from the literature search, the findings demonstrate

traditional psychology and metaphysics approaches have similarities related to theory and

practice of the conscious mind. They both support the idea of positive thinking, positive

mental attitudes, and avoiding negativity. Both approaches understand the subconscious

mind as a memory bank or storehouse where information is accumulated from past

experiences. Both can lead to resilience and living an improved life. What differs is that

traditional psychology stops at the subconscious level of the mind. There is an

inadequate attempt in traditional psychology to break through to the deeper levels of the

mind to understand resilience. The personal psychic exchange, collective unconscious,

and Pure Mind have been studied by “mystics and metaphysicians who existed

throughout the ages…..he [Jung] drew into psychology the important teachings of

metaphysics” (Masters, Master’s Degree Curriculum 1:2). Very few who study

psychology, except Carl Jung’s mystical studies, reveal the truth about the Pure Mind and

its gifts. Even most of Jung’s work, related to mysticism, is ignored by traditional

psychology.

Nevertheless, it is with excitement that some traditional psychological research

studies are now, through science, beginning to understand what practical mysticism

already knows. According to Oaklander’s study The Science of Bouncing Back, one

scientific breakthrough uses “techniques like functional magnetic resonance imaging

make it possible for scientists to look beyond their own observations of people and into

the parts of their brains that govern emotion”. To provide scientific proof, scientists

measure what stress looks like, and how it affects different people. How people respond

to stress is critical to resilience. It shows that resilient brains shut down the stress

27

response and return to their baseline rapidly. Therefore, people can train their brain to

build and strengthen connections that do not reinforce their fear circuits. People can

create new responses to stress. Although scientists are beginning to study resilience and

the brain as it understands new knowledge, it only shows a resilient brain or a trained

brain and how it bounces back. Metaphysics knows “that metaphysical knowledge has a

real-life role to play in the daily mental life of all human beings” (Masters, Master’s

Degree Curriculum 1:2), not just a trained brain. All people have the gift of

metaphysical knowledge should they choose to have direct, intuitive contact with the

Pure Mind. People who choose to practice mysticism will automatically find out that the

Pure Mind does exist. It can be contacted, It improves their lives, and the proof is living a

resilient life on a daily basis.

Practical mysticism knows there is one Truth and that there is only one Pure Mind

in the Universe. This is where people build and strengthen the connection to the Pure

Mind. There is no science or reasoning of the Pure Mind. It is a direct, instinctive

experience of the inner mind (Pure Mind). As a scientist, psychologist and mystical

philosopher, Jung understood this Truth when he said in Jung’s Mysticism Re-examined,

“The scientization of the soul can’t tame the beast in us…the soul doesn’t care about

logic, statistics, or light-years. Its function is the emotional stability of the individual. As

Jung remarked: a million zeroes don’t add up to one.” The validation of the Pure Mind

(Soul) is not science in metaphysics. Rather, it is people transforming their lives to be

more adaptable, diverse, open minded and resilient. The inner mind (Soule) is where

people can enter, connect, communicate, and become One with the Pure Mind.

28

Connecting to the Pure Mind (Soul), through mystical mediation, and other

techniques, is what leads people to live a truly resilient life. The primary entry technique

for communication in metaphysics is meditation. Masters explains that practicing

“meditation is crucial because it is the foundation of at least 90% of current metaphysical

teaching” (Masters Degree Curriculum 2:39). In fact, mystical meditation uses a second

sight or third eye to see within itself. This type of meditation is what allows people to

make the direct, intuitive contact with the Pure Mind (God). With time and practice,

people learn to stay connected and make use of their Pure Mind to live a faithfully

resilient life.

Through states of mystical meditation, people connect and maintain contact with

their Pure Mind (Higher Intelligence). During meditation, people have different

experiences as witnessed through the Third Eye. Some people may experience colours,

flowers, religious symbols, fire, music, warmth, or a sense of floating. The sense of

Oneness felt “is beyond realization. It is a peaceful emotional release. In this state, one

may feel as if the universe had stopped for One Eternal Moment and that Moment was

being experienced” (Masters, Meditation Dynamics 27-28). These experiences are

evidence that mystical techniques lead to the inner realms of the Pure Mind. These

images and sensations lead people to the connection of vibrational energy, and ultimately

to Oneness (Pure Mind). This is proof that a connection does exist between our

conscious mind and some greater level of consciousness. I am living proof of this

connection to the Pure Mind through the practice of metaphysical science. I have

developed a built in resilience to ‘bounce back’ when my Pure Mind (God-Power) is

accessed.

29

In my own life, connections to my God-Power through meditation and later

mystical meditation have changed my life. I suffered the loss of a child, an ugly divorce,

and financial hardships. I was extremely stressed with no sense of my future. I had

minimal purpose and meaning in my life. I was diagnosed with ‘leaky gut’ and

fibromyalgia. A friend introduced me to meditation. Through the practice of meditation, I

was able to find calm inside my mind and body while the chaotic world circled around

me. My inner world changed. I became more relaxed, managed my stress and other

physical problems, and began to have a renewed energy. I no longer had ‘leaky gut’ or

fibromyalgia. I was resilient! As a result of this new calm, I made plans, re-organized

finances, and found work that best suited my desires. Through meditation, along with

other techniques, I had the ability to ‘bounce back’ and reach a higher potential through

an inward knowing and awareness. Simultaneously, I found outward success and

prosperity.

Later in life, I lost work, a loved one, and suffered great financial losses. Once

again, I lost my sense of Self, my purpose and my happiness. I was diagnosed with

mental health issues, and panic attacks. After a lengthy time of life pandemonium, I

decided to study metaphysics and mystical meditation. I believed it could lead to a new

way of life, and help me mentally, spiritually, physically and emotionally. I took the last

savings I had in the bank and, with faith, plunged into the full metaphysics program. I

studied and practiced all the techniques daily for many months. One morning I

manifested a meditational experience. “Once a person has a MEDITATIONAL

EXPERIENCE, they then feel justified in practicing their metaphysical beliefs, which

have thus been made valid through this realization” (Masters, Masters Degree

30

Curriculum 2:40). Since that moment, I have direct contact with my God-Power daily.

This spiritual reality now guides and directs my life. I believe this manifestation is

beyond research, logic and analysis. My inner intelligence tells me what I need to

‘know’. The validation is through my meditational experience and metaphysical science

studies. The measurement, for me, is being aware of all situations and life circumstances

in my inner and outer world. Over the past two years, I have found inner peace in all my

dealings with the outer world, have no signs of panic attacks or mental health issues, re-

organized my financial affairs, designed courses in meditation, secured income, and am

starting a business in Practical Mysticism. My inner Pure Mind is Resilience! I am

resilient! I live by the principles and techniques of metaphysics.

My own life examples of adversity that led to resilience, through practical

mysticism, is proof that metaphysics, when practiced, allows me to have control over my

life. Being in control of Self is having control of my inner, in-born resources available to

me. I honour and am grateful for all the resilient experiences that have come my way in

meditation and metaphysical science.

This innate intelligence or resilience is available to everyone, and does not require

testing, measurement, analysis or experimentation. It requires metaphysical knowledge

and practice that leads to happiness, success and prosperity in people’s lives-- evidence

that metaphysics is valid. My own life experience with mystical meditation, and

metaphysical science is testimony to its validity.

Further evidence shows that both traditional psychology and metaphysics

examine that living a life by principles, guidelines, ethics and practicing meditation is a

good foundation for building resilience. Current studies in traditional psychology are

31

showing clear results of the benefits of meditation. As outlined in the above Literature

Research, the racer in the study at University of California declared the biggest learning

was being mindful, and being in the present through meditation. This is hopeful

information in the field of traditional psychology. This is knowledge that metaphysics

already understands.

The metaphysical understanding is that the Higher Intelligence (Pure Mind) is

within us, rules people’s lives, is intuitive knowledge, and can be manifested through

meditation. However, for people to believe in metaphysical concepts and practices, it is

important for them to be part of metaphysical science programs, practice daily, and truly

experience the results. These experiences add to the authenticity and validation of

metaphysics.

Traditional psychology is starting to ponder innate capabilities of people to

bounce back from adversity, and understand that resilience is not just a learned skill. In

addition, traditional psychology is beginning to study resilience as an inherent capacity of

people. These traditional psychology results are stimulating an important shift in

thinking about human development and potential: from obsessing about problems and

weaknesses to recognizing the power of the positive–identifying and building internal

and external individual and environmental strengths that help people to overcome

difficulties, achieve happiness, success and prosperity—living a more resilient life.

Resilience of the Pure Mind, in traditional psychology, is not yet adequate enough

to understand unknown dimensions of higher consciousness. In metaphysics, the

individual journey from conscious mind to Pure Mind (Higher Consciousness) is an

awakening to a beautiful power of spirit. Developing a resilient mind brings about

32

changes in circumstances. It causes change because everything in essence is energy or

consciousness. When people feel at home with this awe-inspiring realization, they enter

a place of serenity—beyond resilience. People make new choices and decisions, let go of

negative attitudes and thoughts, and accept new perceptions of themselves. People are

goal oriented, and more efficient and achieve goals more successfully. For some people,

they are filled with infinite ecstasy. Similar to the mystics, people experience the

Universal Self and ‘know’ it is alive from within. People who continue the path of Pure

Mind can be challenged.

Resilience continues to play a role as people struggle with deep-rooted faith.

Those who remain on the path of spiritual expansion will yearn for further expansion.

They feel they are blessed. People become comfortable with transformation. Even in

chaos and adversity, they become calm while living in a higher awareness. To live in a

state of calm takes courage and resilience. People are tested again and again. Yet, they

have an ability, or an innate resilience, to sustain a higher level of consciousness in their

outer world. For those who are grateful for Pure Mind, they seek wisdom and guidance

about what is next in their life. They understand It as the power of the Higher

Consciousness. It leads them from conscious mind to Pure Mind. Often, they will submit

their personal will to the Higher Will which they have learned to trust. These seekers

align their Being with the Pure Mind (God) which brings them enormous fulfillment, and

ultimately, they share in the creativity of the Universe.

33

Conclusion-Chapter 4

The writer has come to Know and understand that people are hard-wired to

‘bounce back’ from adversity. The writer also believes everyone can expand this innate

capacity for resilience within themselves, and within other people. They ‘bounce back’ in

two ways. First, they rely upon their own internal, innate resources of resilience. Second,

they encounter people, organizations, and behaviors that provide them with the

circumstances that support the materialization of their resilience.

Traditional psychology is just beginning to understand what metaphysics has

known for a long time. As suggested by Oaklander in The Science of Bouncing Back,

science is just now beginning to study the brain to learn “that training for resilience can

change the brain to, well, make it more resilient.” While traditional psychology claims

this is as new evidence, Masters explains as quoted by Carl Jung, “What the East [where

metaphysics has long existed as a religious mind philosophy/psychology] knows about

the human mind is at least 2000 years ahead of Western psychology” (Master’s Degree

Curriculum 1:2). Metaphysical science has a role to play in people’s lives as a proven

discipline to support their daily living, and bring harmony to their lives.

People have a longing or spiritual pining for peace of mind. It might be thoughts,

memory, instinct, archetypes, intuitions, or faith. Whatever it is, they want

transformation, and want to be resilient in their daily living. The human spirit knows no

repudiation. People are pursuing the Pure Mind (God). They want the comfort of divine

intervention where they are free from anxiety, have peace, not suffering, where they have

bountiful pleasures, contentment, ultimate meaning, and bliss. God (Pure Mind) is one

34

and the same with the conscious mind, personal subconscious mind, personal psychic

exchange, and collective unconscious. The reality of people’s path is that they can know

what lies ahead, and bring it to realization through an inner resilience. It is a divine inner

place where people want to go, have comfort and call home. Resilience is the vibrational

energy that connects us to God. Resilience is God.

35

Works Cited

Adio-Moses, Dee. “One Doesn’t Solve Problems; One Outgrows Them.”

drdeeadiomoses.com. 12 Mar. 2014. Web. 1 June 2015.

American Psychological Association. “What is Resilience?” Psych Central. 30 Jan. 2013.

Web. 31 Feb. 2015.

Australian Institute of Family Studies. “Is resilience still a useful concept when working

with children and young people?” Australian Government. CFAC Paper No. 2.

Apr. 2012. Web. 23 June 2015.

Bargh, J., Morsella, E. “The Unconscious Mind.” U.S. National Library of Medicine.

National Institute of Health. . Perspect Psychol Sci. 2008 Jan: 3(1): 73-79. Jan.

2008. Web. 1 June 2015.

“Boosting Resilience Through Spirituality.” Real Warriors.net. 23 June 2014. Web. 3

March 2015.

“Carl Jung’s theory of psychic energy.” Outlawpsych: Psychology and Personality

Development A Jungian Perspective. 12 Oct. 2011. Web. 2 June 2015.

“Case Study: Resilience Works.” The Resilience Institute. 2015. Web. 1 June 2015.

“Characteristics of Resilience.” Torrens Resilience Institute. 2009. Web. 1 June 2015.

Cherry, Kendra. “What Is Resilience? Coping With Crisis.” About Education. About.com.

2015. Web. 31 Feb. 2015.

Chopra, Deepak, Ford, Debbie, and Marianne Williamson. The Shadow Effect:

Illuminating the Hidden Power of Your True Self. New York: HarperCollins

Publishers, 2010. Print.

36

Chopra, Deepak. Everyday Immortality: A Concise Course in Spiritual Transformation.

New York: Harmony Books, 1999. Print.

---. The Future of God: A Practical Approach to Spirituality for Our Times. New York:

Random House Inc., 2014. Print.

---. The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire: Harnessing the Infinite Power of

Coincidence. New York: Harmony Books, 2003. Print.

Emel, Bobbi. “Learning from Resilient Kids.” PsychCentral. 30 Jan. 2013. Web. 2 Aug.

2015.

Frankl, Victor E. Man’s Search for Meaning. Boston: Beacon Press, 2006. Print.

Greer, John Michael. “The Era of Response.” Resilience. 28 May 2015. Web. 29 May

2015.

Golden, Carl. “The 12 Common Archetypes.” Soul Craft. n/d. Web. 3 Aug. 2015.

Harlow, T. Norman Garmezy, “resilience theory pioneer.” Star Tribune. 25 Nov. 2009.

Web. 23 June 2015.

Hopkins, Rob. The Transition Handbook: From oil dependency to local resilience.

White River Junction: Chelsea Green Publishing Company, 2008. Print.

“Jung’s Mysticism Re-examined”. Outlawpscych. 27 Jan. 2015. Web. 2 July 2015.

Kabat-Zinn, Jon. Coming To Our Senses: Healing Ourselves and the World Through

Mindfulness. New York: Hyperion, 2005.

Krauss Whitbourne, S. “The Secrets Behind the Latest ESP Research.” Psychology

Today. 15 Sept. 2012. Web. 2 July 2015.

37

Luthar, S., Ciccehetti, D., Becker, B. “The Construct of Resilience: A Critical Evaluation

and Guidelines for Future Work.” U.S. National Library of Medicine. National

Institutes of Health. Child Dev. 2000. 71(3): 543-562. Web. 23 June 2015.

“Metaphysics & Physical Reality.” Space and Motion.com. n.d. Web. 3 March 2015.

Masters, Paul Leon. Meditation Dynamics. Burbank, Ca.: Burbank Printing, 2012. Print.

---Minister’s/Bachelor’s Degree Curriculum. 4 vols. Burbank, Ca.: Burbank Printing,

2012. Print.

---Master’s Degree Curriculum, 2 Vols. Burbank, Ca.: Burbank Printing. 2012. Print.

Mills, Jon. “Jung’s metaphysics.” International Journal of Jungian Studies.

Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group. Vol 00. No. 00, 25 Jan. 2012. Web. 3 July 2015.

“Mindfulness training program may help Olympic athletes reach peak performance.”

University of California. UCnet. 5 June 2014. Web. 8 Aug. 2015.

Mitchell, Byron Kathleen. I Need Your Love—Is That True? New York: Random House

Inc., 2005. Print.

Moss Kanter, Rosabeth. “Surprises Are the New Normal; Resilience Is the New Skill.”

Harvard Business Review. 2013. 17 July 2013. Web. 31 Feb. 2015.

Neill, James. “What is Psychological Resilience?” Wilderdom.com. 16 Apr. 2006. Web. 3

March 2015.

Oaklander, M. “The Science of Bouncing Back.” Time. 21 May 2015. Web. 2 Aug. 2015.

Ornstein, Robert. The Right Mind: Making Sense of the Hemispheres. Orlando: Harcourt

Brace & Company, 1997. Print.

Phaneuf, Margot. “Resilience: Abstract Concept or Survival Skill?” Infiresources.ca. n.d.

Web. 3 March 2015.

38

“Resilience. Your Mental Health.” Canadian Mental Health Association. 2015. Web. 31

Feb. 2015.

“The Road to Resilience.” American Psychological Association. n.d. Web. 31 Feb. 2015.

The Washington Society for Jungian Psychology. “On Archetypes and the Collective

Unconscious.” Jung.org. 2000. Web. 3 Aug. 2015.

Tolle, Eckhart. The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment. Novato: New

World Library, 1999. Print.

Waters, Brad. “10 Traits of Emotionally Resilient People.” Psychology Today. 21 May

2013. Web. 31 Feb 2015.

Williamson, Marianne. The Healing of America. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1997.

Print.

---. Everyday Grace: Having Hope, Finding Forgiveness, and Making Miracles. New

York: Riverhead Books, 2002. Print.

---. A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles. New York:

HarperCollins, 1992. Print.

Wong, Paul T. P. “The Positive Psychology of Persistence and Flexibility.” Meaning. ca.

Feb. 2006. Web. 31 Feb. 2015.

Zukav, Gary, and Francis, Linda. The Heart of the Soul: Emotional Awareness. New

York: Simon & Schuster Source, 2001. Print.

--- The Seat of the Soul. New York: Rockefeller Center, 1989. Print.

39

Appendix A1

Traditional Western Psychology, as an example, will break down the mind very simply, as in DIAGRAM 1. (Masters Degree Curriculum 1:11).

40

Appendix A2

In actually exploring the mind thoroughly in metaphysics, the mind may be broken down to the following levels, as demonstrated in DIAGRAM 2. (Master’s Degree Curriculum 1:11).

Conscious Mind

Personal Subconscious

1

Personal Psychic Exchange

2

Collective Unconscious

1

Pure Mind

2

41