Crack in the Matrix Solutions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Robert (Bob) Benefield, PhD

Professor of Psychology and Criminal Justice

East Texas Baptist University

Marshall, Texas 75670

903-923-2089 office

903-935-2472 home

318-470-6868 cell

bob@crackinthematrix.com

rbenefield@etbu.edu

Professor Publishes Book on Spiritual Awareness

MARSHALL, TEXAS, January 5, 2009

Bob Benefield, Professor of Psychology at East Texas Baptist University has published a book on spiritual awareness called, Mystical Consciousness: Crack in the Matrix. Benefield suggests that the book is his most recent effort in a long and varied pursuit of spiritual awareness. The book begins with a summary of the findings of the spiritual discernment research project and concludes with kingdom consciousness ideas as expressed in the Christian public domain.

Benefield founded the Spiritual Discernment Research Project at East Texas Baptist University to investigate experiences in which people believe they are guided by God or the Holy Spirit in making choices or life decisions. Benefield reports that this research project has allowed him to be exposed to a variety of views regarding the "spiritual world".   Data was collected based on a survey available on-line at

http://www.etbu.edu/php/sds/survey.html

Most of the respondents to the on-line survey were from the United States, Canada, and Australia and data indicates that many spiritual seekers are not looking to churches to meet their spiritual needs. Specifically, persons who once sought God through traditional religious activities are now seeking to find God in other ways. Even the word "God" is not considered a positive concept for many who have served as participants in the research project.

Mystical or spiritual experience is described as the common ground of many religious practices. Mystical unity or spiritual experience is not easily comprehensible in scientific terms. Yet, 60% of religious and nonreligious individuals say they have had one or more profound spiritual or mystical experiences according to Benefield‘s studies and other recent research findings reported at the Toward the Science of Consciousness Conference in Tucson, Arizona in 2008.

Brief Summary of Book:

Benefield suggests that a change in awareness is a key to what is called spiritual enlightenment. This book offers a framework for examining consciousness research and for examining personal consciousness. Two distinguishable states of consciousness are differentiated:  metaphysical and mystical consciousness.  Metaphysical and mystical states are operationally defined, and correlates of those states are examined. Examination of metaphysical consciousness requires the application of critical thinking skills.  Critical thinking skills are applied in a self-management strategy called cognitive behavior analysis. The Analysis Zone (AZ) is illustrated as the prototype of critical thinking. Creative thinking skills are explained as activities of the Neutral Zone (NZ). The NZ includes the initial phases of brainstorming, flow experiences in music, art, sports, mediation, meditation, and mystical consciousness. Metaphysical and mystical correlates of kingdom consciousness are developed. Awareness of the metaphysical constraints of ego or self (metaphysical awareness) permits its distinction from mystical (ego-free) consciousness. The concept of kingdom consciousness is examined.  Increasing awareness of the metaphysical constraints of the ego or self provides a means of contrasting mystical consciousness from ordinary metaphysical consciousness.  A balance between critical thinking and creative thinking modes of consciousness is required of spiritual seekers and self-managers of behavior.

Long Summary of Book:

Our survival as humans is dependent upon our ability to agree about things we experience in the matrix.  The matrix is everything you know, sense, believe, understand, perceive, comprehend, explain, and expect in your personal consciousness.  The matrix is your personal reality.  The matrix manifests itself to you as the “reality” of external and internal worlds measured in finite time and space.  The biological correlate of this matrix is your brain.  The psychological correlate of this matrix is your consciousness.

That internal world of consciousness includes metaphysical processing.  Metaphysical processing (going on inside your head) includes thinking, critically analyzing, storage and retrieval from memory, sensory-perceptual processing, emotional processing and the CREATION and maintenance of personal beliefs.  Beliefs are not directly accessible physically (biologically) in consciousness yet!  However, behavioral science has identified behavioral correlates of beliefs including self-talk, the personal internal dialog, self-statements, and self-instructions –all of which are what most people call “thinking.”  These and other cognitive processes are subject to examination in consciousness via metacognition or “observing and thinking about your personal thinking.”  Metacognition is one of the strategies of contemporary cognitive behavior analysis (CBA).  CBA may be described as self-regulated applied metaphysics of a psychological nature.  More simply stated, CBA is a strategy used by persons learning to achieve self-control over specific overt behaviors (what one says and does).  This book teaches the reader how to examine their thinking and beliefs.  Many persons who are learning to self-manage behavior find it beneficial to apply critical thinking skills to beliefs and the thinking that is correlated with those beliefs.  Cognitive behavior analysis applies critical thinking to metacognition. 

On the other hand, there is a crack in the fabric of that logical, linear, finite matrix and metaphysical processing in consciousness.  That crack is mystical union with the presence sensed in consciousness.  Examination of consciousness (either personally or as a scientist) inevitably results in an awareness of the mystical oneness experience.  Mystical unity is an ineffable experience.  That is, it is often difficult to find the “right” words to describe it.  Yet, mystical consciousness is distinctive from ordinary consciousness and is also different from altered states of consciousness (e.g., dreaming).  In a similar fashion, creative thinking skills are distinguishable from critical thinking skills.  Yet, BOTH are components of creative problem-solving strategies in CBA.  Balancing critical thinking and analysis and creative receptivity to the FLOW is the challenge of self-management psychology.  It is likewise the challenge of the seeker of spirit (God) in consciousness.  This book examines the concept of “kingdom consciousness” as post-oneness with ALL experience.  Kingdom consciousness requires that balance of two worlds:  metaphysical and mystical.  Likewise, your LIFE in the matrix requires balancing: control and surrender (freedom of choice and love of ALL).

Consciousness is the common ground of the spirit-seeker and self-manager of behavior.  Crack in the Matrix is a call to awaken to the mechanics of metaphysics (with its finite matrix) and the mysteries of mystical unity (infinite and omni-ALL).  In this book, the mechanics of metaphysics will include an introduction to the AZ (Analysis Zone).  The mysteries of mystical union will include an introduction to creative FLOW and the NZ (Neutral Zone). 

This book is not a substitute for therapy.  It is however, some of the best parts of applied experimental psychology that can be LEARNED by someone committed to behavior change or spiritual awakening or both!

Brief Bio:

Robert (Bob) Benefield is in his 38th year of college teaching. He is currently Professor of Psychology and Criminal Justice at East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas. He is also Professor Emeritus at LSU-Shreveport. He has been involved as a researcher and consultant-facilitator in conflict resolution, anger management, and creative problem-solving for schools, law enforcement, and community agencies. He received the PhD from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, the MA from New Mexico State University, and the BA from Louisiana Tech University. He is currently a researcher in spiritual discernment as well as consultant and workshop facilitator promoting changes in consciousness for positive behavior change.

The book is available at Llumina.com or Amazon.com

For more information go to: www.crackinthematrix.com