Zukav argues that forms can be physical or nonphysical. For instance, thoughts are forms, but they’re not physical; they are Light, or energy. People’s consciousness shapes this Light. By choosing to embrace certain intentions or feelings, people inform their consciousness and therefore their lives. Desire alone is not enough to change one’s life; people have to develop a real intention that translates into action. Intentions can be either conscious or subconscious. Some people even harbor contradictory intentions that fight each other internally until the stronger one wins. This kind of splintered personality struggles with itself and is fearful of parts of itself, creating emotional pain, stress, disease, and schizophrenia. As in other sections of the work, this discussion of schizophrenia draws on an outdated model of an illness now considered to have a strong genetic basis. That said, Zukav’s contention that a “splintered” personality can manifest in disease implies a relationship between mental and physical well-being, which is well substantiated by scientific research (if not necessarily in the particular way Zukav proposes).

People constantly generate intentions for all kinds of decisions, big and small, and this sets Light into motion. Everyone lives in a different reality that is informed by the layers of reality they experience and contribute to. For instance, their personal reality is shaped by their personal choices and feelings; people have the most control over this layer. The second layer of reality is the family, as people affect and are affected by their parents and siblings. The next is the school or workplace, followed by their town or city, then state, and then nation.

Zukav argues that each nation is a collective consciousness, that each person is like a cell within that consciousness, and that every human soul is a small part of the collective human soul. Other groups, such as sports fans or religions, also create group energies. All these realities are simultaneous, layered, and interconnected. Zukav feels that people are now becoming more aware of how consciousness informs how everyone experiences reality.

Chapter Lessons

• People can change their consciousness by changing their feelings and intentions.
• Everyone contributes to their own realities as well as others’ realities.
• Conscious and subconscious intentions can conflict, creating pain and doubt.

Reflection Questions

• How do you feel about Zukav’s definition of consciousness? Do you agree that you can influence and change your own consciousness?
• What do you see as the difference between a desire and an intention? Do you consider the distinction important?
• What kind of emotions and goals do you contribute to your different realities (personal, family, workplace, community, nation)? Would you like this to change? Why or why not?