REACHING HIGH CONSCIOUSNESS:
THE EVOLUTION FROM I TO 1
Hong Dang Bui, M.D.- April 2025
Edited by Chau Van Dang, M.D.
And Janet Dang Geiger, M.D.
This paper explores the evolution of our consciousness, the journey of our Self/Ego. It invites the reader to embark on the journey of finding the Oneness of our condition with the Universe and the Cosmic Principle. This discovery of our marvelous Spirit will lead to immense Serenity.
The author chooses a natural, panoramic view in describing the stages of consciousness through our development.
These stages are propounded by our Spirit which is a Spark of the Divine Spirit granted by God.
As you may know, we are made of 3 parts: the physical body, the mind and emotions, and the spirit, also commonly known as the soul. The spirit feeds our consciousness and guides our physical body, our mind and emotions toward goodness and perfection. It allows us to cultivate and reach the Divine realm.
Four main stages can be discerned:
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I
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I, You
I and You
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We
We, You
We and You
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WE
ONE- 1.
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Stage 1: Individualism- The I
I, me, mine dominate the vocabulary of the toddler. Everything revolve around the I, which demands physical comfort, emotional comfort.
It could be said that consciousness is attributed to the self alone. He cried over the slightest pain, when cold or hot, when performing daily physical functions, when needing satisfaction. All the toys in the room are his, to keep and own. When “his” toys are taken away, he will throw tantrums. Temper tantrums are his almost constant manifestations. He needs security and cries when lacking it.
It corresponds to the “Depraved Nafs” of Islamic Sufism, Nafs meaning the self or ego ( The Path to Truth - Azim Khamisa).
He blames others when things do not please him. He holds others responsible for his discomfort.
He is mostly unhappy.
As Descartes put it: “Le Moi est haissable”- “the I is detestable”
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Stage 2 – Becoming aware of the existence of others: I, You
I and You
Through times, when deprived of the presence of his mother, the child feels the existence of others. He attains the “I, You “stage.
Then he learns to interact with others
realizing the” I and You “relationship. He begins adjustments, exchanges with the You.
He gradually attributes consciousness to other humans such as the Golden Rule are inculcated for reasons he does not yet comprehend.
However, he goes through a stage of blaming self for everything. This phenomenon, though, teaches him inward journey to perfection. He tries to change, improve constantly.
Physiologically, he reaches the adolescent age.
This corresponds to the “Accusing Nafs”: the Self accuses itself.
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Stage 3: Development of We, We You, We and You
I and You evolve to We. The person is more mature, sees the need for co-existence, for sharing. Groups are formed and there are our group and your group.
A spirit of cooperation is idealized;
Senses of generosity, gratitude, contentment appear. I and You now learn together to cope with hardships of life. Inspirational thoughts arrive in the interactions of the We and the You, of the different groups. The notion of “surrendering” develops. This stage corresponds to the “Inspired and Serene Nafs”.
It is the stage of the mature adolescent, of the young adult.
4-Stage 4: Progression to WE and ONENESS
Enlightenment
The We and You may be retained throughout life, or through further enlightenment, can coalesce to the WE. It is a beautiful phenomenon of seeing Life as a unified whole.
WE find ourselves pleased with any situation in which WE are placed by Spirit, numb to mundane matters. The Higher Self is fulfilled, pleased.
WE together start to radiate good energy, teach and illuminate others, serve God through serving others.
WE are uplifting, pleasing as WE integrate with the Universe.
WE vibrate at a higher level in our relationships, whether with inanimate objects, plants, animals or humans. WE achieve Unity.
The demarcation between self and others gives way to the identification of self with others.
Our speech and acts are free of constraints and always enlightening. WE feel Free, feel Free as we integrate as ONE with All in the Universe.
WE become ONE with the cosmos and brighten everywhere, anywhere, anytime with our presence. WE radiate Love. WE are Free from desires, from acquisitions, from performance, from approval, from fear, to the point that WE do not even need to surrender. “WE Are”.
This “Purified Nafs”of the Enlightened Being is beyond description, beyond comprehension. It is a state of joy that our consciousness needs to experience for ourselves.
It is “Enlightenment”.
This state is the Wu-Wei in Taoism, the Nirvana, Nothingness in Buddhism (described in the Paramita Sutra),” Tâm Không” (Empty mind), “Giác ngộ” in CaoDai. The Hindus pointedly proclaim
“Tat Tvam Asi”- Thou art That (Brahman)!.
This occurs more readily after our retirement as we are free from the turmoil of jobs and daily busy family life. We now can devote more time to
meditations, more time to Silence which transforms the disorganized Sounds of life to a harmonious Symphony, leading to Serenity.
Moments of Solitude enhance our blending to the Universe, as our consciousness permeates All.
This stage is beautifully captured in this saying from CaoDai: “Phàm Tâm lặng lẽ, Thánh Tâm sanh”- “When the Human Heart is quiet, the Divine Heart surfaces”.
The I has become One, One with all creations, One with God.
Our consciousness has joined the Energy of the Universe, the Divine Energy.
Notes from author:
*These stages do not align in a unidirectional flow. They are fluid and we sometimes reverse to an earlier stage, going back and forth but gradually progress toward perfection, as we continue our cultivation.
*Observing a vegetarian diet is recommended for a successful evolution to higher states. Avoiding animal products helps the body and the mind to experience lightness, purity, resolve and avoid bad karma. Medically, eating plant-based foods benefits in controlling cholesterol, metabolic disturbances.
One may begin with a few days a month, progressing to ten days a month and trying to reach full-time vegetarianism.
*Followed are a couple of experiences of Oneness by the author:
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I was settling down in our room for Meditation at the CaoDai Center in Anaheim, CA, USA, a few years ago. As I started to concentrate, I felt vibrations in my mind and body. I gazed at the black cloth with color prints covering the table where a candle was placed.
At my bewilderment, the cloth came alive with the color prints dancing with grace. I felt they were waving at me and greeting me. And I knew I was fully alert. The event lasted a few minutes. I came out, serene and full of Love and Gratitude.
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My husband was driving us to the Temple. As the car was smoothly running, I looked through the window.
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And at my amazement, the buildings, the trees came alive. They had peculiar movements as they bowed and acknowledged my presence, greeted me. Again I knew I was fully alert.
*My sincere appreciation to our dear friend, Ngasha Beck- Huy for her expert input.
*I wish the reader smooth, inspiring encounters of the progress of the amazing consciousness, that we All inherit as the Spark of Spirit granted by God emanating His Great Sacred Light, the Divine Spirit.
And as God says in a passage in CaoDai scriptures:” You have My Spiritual Light Essence, children. You have the Key to stay in the Mundane plane or join the Celestial Kingdom at will”.
Hong Dang Bui, M.D.
April 2025
