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We can live predominantly at the fourth level without pletely calming our
minds。 But to find the unitive state of mind that is characteristic of Cosmic
Consciousness； it is vital that we control the generation of thoughts that
continue the illusion of separateness。 As long as our cerebral cortex is
continually active in introducing and following one thought after another； our
consciousness will not be sensitive to the finer energies。 A degree of quieting
of the rational mind will automatically occur as you reprogram your
addictions。 But to reach the highest levels of consciousness； the Living Love
Catalyst （explained in Chapter 13） will help in further quieting the activity of
your rational mind。
This quieting process may be measured by an electroencephalograph that
detects alpha waves and beta waves。 The subject…object activities of the first
three Centers of Consciousness generally produce beta waves。 As we go into
the Fourth and Fifth Centers of Consciousness； our cerebral cortex begins to
produce more alpha waves。
2。 The Limbic System
One of the underlying processing systems of the brain is the limbic system
that plays a paramount part in the generation of emotional feelings。 One of its
major functions is to pare the ining stimuli from the body and the
sensory receptors with the programmed instructions that have been put into it
by our experiences to date。 The limbic system interacts with the cerebral
cortex to pick up perceptions and memories； and to use the facilities of the
cortex for analyzing such data。 The hippocampus （which is part of the limbic
system） plays a part in evaluating the ining stimuli in terms of one’s past
experiences。
The amygdala （another ponent of the limbic system） functions to intensify
an emotional response whenever the ining stimuli do not fit the expected
patterns。 In other words； whenever anything new and unexpected happens；
the amygdala may immediately begin to generate an emotional reaction such
as anxiety； fear； anger； etc。 It will send out impulses which travel through the
thalamic area and trigger the release of hormones that cause you to feel upset；
increase the adrenalin in your blood； speed up your heart rate； increase your
blood sugar； and do other things to prepare you for a fight or flight reaction。
Another part of the limbic system is the septal region which plays a part in
toning down our emotional reactions。 The activation of this system helps to
release us from emotional tension。 All of the Five Consciousness Growth
Methods are designed to enable you to activate the septal area。 When you
consciously place your attention on finding the most appropriate method to
use in each situation； you reinforce the functioning of the septal region。 This
results in rapidly quieting uptight feelings； calming the pounding heart； and
reducing the flow of adrenalin pouring into the bloodstream。
The biological function of the limbic system was to help our ancestors survive
the perils of the jungle。 This system that controls emotional feelings does
everything it can （by enticing us with pleasure or forcing us through fear or
anger） to make us follow the programming we have put into it。 These
emotional feelings act as dominating； sharp…pointed prods to make us do that
which we have associated in the past （whether correctly or incorrectly） with
our happiness； safety； and emotional well…being。
Unfortunately； most of the programming that directs the activity of our
emotions consists of antiquated patterns that we programmed during infancy
and early childhood when we were not sufficiently conscious to clearly
evaluate the addictions of our parents； teachers； etc。 Because of these lowconsciousness
instructions still resident in our bioputers； in most social
situations we end up doing that which violates our best psychosomatic
interests； our real safety； and our genuine happiness。
Thus the limbic system operates below the level of consciousness as directed
by our programmed addictions。 Our consciousness usually bees aware of
fear； jealousy； anger； etc。； after these emotional backups of our addictions
have been initiated。 We respond to words and personality interactions as
though they were tigers about to devour us。 Until we train ourselves in the
optimal use of our bioputer； our Conscious…awareness remains a captive
audience of our low…level security； sensation； and power programming。
3。 The Reticular Activating System
Another part of our bioputer of paramount interest to the student of
consciousness is the reticular activating system （RAS）。 Our understanding of
the vital functions of the RAS is based on new research within the past
decade。 Anatomically； the RAS is a cone…shaped plex of nerves radiating
from the brain stem。 The nerve fibers of the RAS filter ining sensory
information and determine whether it is to be a part of the very tiny trickle of
information that is permitted into our precious consciousness。 The RAS is
one of the brain’s most important action systems for it literally functions as
the “doorkeeper” to our consciousness。
The activities of the RAS have traditionally been referred to by the term
“ego。” This is the mechanism that uses your emotions as pleasure…pain whips
that force you to guard your security； sensation； and power addictions （and
even subtler ones） and continually direct your energy toward enhancing them。
The RAS decides from one moment to the next what ining sensory
information； if any； shall be reported to your consciousness。 The RAS can
put you to sleep or it can wake you up。 If your consciousness is deeply
occupied； the RAS can shut off ining stimuli so that you can concentrate。
Even as you read these words； your RAS is probably blocking out auditory
sensations so that you are not aware of sounds around you； and has probably
been suppressing information on whether your body is fortable so as to
permit you to keep your attention on this book。 However； your RAS is
programmed to override your concentration on the book so that it will
immediately pass on to you the fact that someone just entered the room and
mentioned your name。
Your RAS interacting with your programming determines the world you
perceive。 You do not see the world as it is you over…emphasize the small
slice of the world that resonates with your fears； desires； demands； hopes； and
expectations。 As you grow into higher consciousness； your RAS will interact
with love and acceptance programming； and then your love will create your
world。 You will see everything （both the dualistic and the non…dualistic） as a
manifestation of the energy of love。 When your RAS is programmed to
emphasize the Fifth Center of Consciousness； it will permit you to experience
the world as an intricately beautiful plex of here and now energies that
give you everything you need for evolving into a fully conscious being。
The RAS does not analyze or interpret ining information。 It works on the
basis of the strength of the electrochemical impulse and whether the nerve
impulses fit programmed patterns。 For example； if you live next to a railroad
track； your RAS has been so conditioned that it does not regard a thundering；
house…shaking serie