By Odun Ayo
What if I told you that the world you see is not the world as it is but the world as you think it is. And that reality, as you experience it, is shaped not by external forces but by the consciousness within you.
This statement is not a philosophical one. It is a statement of truth that has been spoken about by spiritual teachers, scientists, and mystics alike. And yet, so many people live as though they are powerless, pushed and pulled by the chaos of the world around them. But the truth is this: you were never meant to be controlled by the world. You were meant to shape it.
What Is Consciousness?
Consciousness is the awareness of being. It is the force that allows you to think, perceive, and experience life.
Neville Goddard, in Feeling is the Secret, teaches that consciousness, through imagination and belief, shapes everything you experience. Deepak Chopra, in The Book of Secrets, goes even further by explaining that consciousness is the bridge between the seen and the unseen; the physical and the divine.
The Nobel Prize-winning physicist Max Planck states that consciousness is fundamental and that matter is derived from it. Roger Penrose and Stuart Hameroff’s Orch-OR Theory suggests that consciousness is not just brain activity but a quantum process. A deep, mysterious force that is connected to the very fabric of existence.
What this means is that every thought you think, and every belief you hold, sends ripples through this unseen fabric. This is why two people can live in the same world but experience completely different realities. One sees opportunities, the other obstacles. One experiences joy, the other sorrow. The difference between these two people is not in the world per se. But how their minds perceive it.
The Mystery of Consciousness
Scientists, philosophers, and spiritual teachers all try to define consciousness by attempting to answer this important question: Is consciousness just a byproduct of the brain, or does it exist beyond physical matter?
Quantum physicist Amit Goswami in his book The Self-Aware Universe, explains that consciousness is not just a part of reality. It is reality itself. According to quantum mechanics, particles behave differently when observed. This suggests that the act of observing, and the act of being aware, plays a fundamental role in shaping what we call the material world. In short, consciousness is not something created by the brain. It is the foundation of everything that exists.
Consciousness and the Divine
Therefore, since consciousness is fundamental, where does God fit into the picture? Some traditions describe God as an all-powerful being who exists outside of us. Others see God as an energy, a presence woven into the fabric of the universe. And the Bible confirms that God is both transcendent and immanent: “Do not I fill heaven and earth? Says the Lord” (Jeremiah 23:24).
David Hawkins, in Power vs. Force, suggests that there is a hierarchy of consciousness. The higher the state of our consciousness ( the more we align with love, kindness, and inner peace) the closer we move toward divine energy. The lower our state of consciousness ( the more we are filled with fear, anger, and hatred ) the further we drift away from it. This suggestion aligns perfectly with biblical principle: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18).
Spiritual teacher Rudolf Steiner, in How to Know Higher Worlds, believed that humans could train their consciousness to perceive higher realities. Through meditation, inner discipline, and a deep sense of wonder, we can open ourselves to receive divine knowledge. This statement is not just about a question of faith. It is about experiencing the divine through direct experience. And such an experience is always profound, and completely life changing. Even scripture supports this idea: “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).
Those who meditate, pray, or engage in deep contemplation often describe moments of profound connection. They experience an awareness beyond words, a sense of being part of something vast and eternal. Jesus Himself spoke of the kingdom of God being within us: “Neither shall they say, look here! Or, look there! For, behold, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21).
Ken Wilber, in The Spectrum of Consciousness, bridges Eastern and Western perspectives. He describes consciousness as having different levels, much like the rungs of a ladder. At the lower levels, we see ourselves as separate from the world. At the higher levels, we begin to realize that everything is interconnected. This statement resonates with Paul’s words: “For in him we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:28).
What this means is that the divine is not outside of us but within us, just waiting to be discovered.
In essence, consciousness and divinity are intertwined. The more we awaken to love, truth, and peace, the more we align with God’s presence. Whether through prayer, contemplation, or acts of love, we are invited to deepen our awareness of the divine. And realize that God is not a distant abstract force. But a living presence within, and all around us.
The Power Within
This realization changes everything. Since consciousness shapes reality, then we have more power than we think.
Rupert Sheldrake, in Science and Spiritual Practices, explores how prayer, meditation, and other spiritual practices affect the brain and body. Studies show that meditation can rewire the brain, reduce stress, and even enhance intuition. Prayer, too, has measurable effects, not just on the person praying but on those being prayed for. Consciousness, it seems, is not just confined to one person. It reaches out, connects, and influences the world.
But what about the darker side of consciousness?
Paul Levy, in Dispelling Wetiko, warns that negative patterns in the subconscious mind can trap us. The word “Wetiko” comes from Native American traditions and refers to a mind-virus of self-destructive thoughts. And behaviors that spread like an infection. Levy argues that breaking free from these patterns requires awareness. And once we see them for what they are, they lose their power over us.
This teaching aligns with modern psychology, which shows that simply becoming aware of negative thought patterns can weaken them, and even help eliminate them.
The Power of Being Made in His Image
You are made in the image of God. This is not just a theological concept. It is a statement of fact and power. Since God is the Creator, and you are made in His image, then the ability to create is also part of your nature. This means that your consciousness, when aligned with divine truth, has the ability to transform your life.
Unfortunately, so many people have surrendered this power. Television, news, and social media work tirelessly to shape your mind. They dictate to you what to think, what to fear, and what to desire. And the more you allow these external forces to direct your thoughts, the more you lose the divine consciousness that is within you.
The Influence of External Forces
Modern society is designed to capture your attention. To keep your mind preoccupied with distractions, and things that really don’t matter. Ernest Holmes, in The Science of Mind, teaches that the mind is a conduit for divine power. But only if it is disciplined and focused. And without that discipline, your mind becomes vulnerable to every, and any external manipulation.
Gregg Braden, in The Divine Matrix, explains that consciousness interacts with reality at a quantum level. Your thoughts, emotions, and beliefs do not merely exist within you; they actually shape the world outside you. Therefore, if you allow society to dictate your consciousness, you surrender your divine power to society.
The Science of Divine Connection
Michael A. Persinger’s “God Helmet” experiments reveal that when specific regions of the brain are stimulated, people experience profound mystical visions, feelings of divine connection, and an overwhelming sense of power. This finding suggests that your consciousness is automatically wired to connect with the divine. However, if you constantly feed your mind with negativity, fear, and every other thought that is bad, that connection weakens.
The Nature of Divine Authority
God is not controlled by His environment. He speaks, and the world obeys. He commands, and the mountains move. At His word, the oceans swell, the winds shift, and the earth shakes. He shapes reality with divine authority. And He bends chaos into order.
Since you are made in God’s image, what do these abilities of God mean for you?
Reclaiming Your Authority
It means you are not a prisoner of your surroundings. You are not bound by what you see, hear, or feel. It means that the world around you does not define you. It means that your circumstances do not hold you captive unless you allow them to. Because deep within you lies the same power, the same creative force that possesses the ability to shape, to build, and to transform.
Unfortunately, most people forget about this ability. They live as if they have no say in their own story. They react instead of to create. They allow the world to push them, to mold them, and to tell them who they are. They accept limitations, and say to themselves: “This is just how life is.” Fortunately, that is not how life has to be for you. Because you are not meant to be at the mercy of your environment. Rather, you are meant to rule over it.
The Key to Unlocking Your Potential
The key to doing this is your consciousness. Because the way you think, the way you perceive things, and the way you choose to respond all affect you. But when your mind is clouded with fear, doubt, or negativity, your ability to shape your world weakens. And you begin to believe that you are small, helpless, and stuck.
On the flip side, once your mind is awake and you reclaim your awareness, everything changes for you for the best. You however may not gain total control over everything that happens to you. But you can gain total control over how you respond to them. You can decide on what you want to focus on. And what to do with what you have. You can take what looks like rubbish and turn it into something extraordinary.
The Path to Reclaiming Your Consciousness
At this point, the question that comes up is: How do you do these things?
The answer lies in reclaiming your consciousness. And it begins with recognizing the power within you.
Reclaiming the Power Within
How do you take control of your consciousness?
First, you must guard your mind. You have to be selective about what you consume. If the news fills you with dread, turn it off. If social media fills you with envy, walk away.
Your mind is sacred ground. Therefore, you should not allow anything, especially something that is negative, to take root there.
Second, you must actively cultivate divine consciousness. This means meditation, prayer, and stillness. It means speaking life into your reality as Neville Goddard teaches. It means practicing gratitude as Bruce Lipton explains in The Biology of Belief.
Third, you must act as though you are already in the physical or mental state you want. You do not have to wait for external circumstances to change before you believe in your ability. David Hawkins, in Power vs. Force, reveals that those who operate from higher states of consciousness (love, joy, faith) experience life as fundamentally different from those who are trapped in lower states. What this means is that your external world is not the cause of your emotions. Rather, your consciousness is.
Finally, you must understand that your consciousness is eternal. Quantum physicists like Henry Stapp argue that consciousness is not bound by the body or the brain. It is part of the fundamental structure of reality. This argument aligns with what sages and mystics have spoken about for centuries. That you are more than bone and flesh. That you are divine awareness itself.
The Journey Ahead
You are not at the mercy of the world. You are not a victim of fate, society, or circumstance. Though life may test you with different trials. Though life may throw a curve ball at you, you are not powerless against any of them. Because within you lies a force greater than adversity. Within you lies a powerful light that dispels all darkness.
You should never forget that you are a carbon copy of God. And within you lies a consciousness so powerful that it can shape reality itself. This means that every thought you entertain, and every belief you hold, stitches together that fabric of your existence.