The Awakening: Insights from a Transcendent Day

Beyond Human Potential: Introduction

Hello, everyone. My name is Elvis Feci, and I'd like to welcome all of you to "Beyond Human Potential." This piece is designed fully with the intention of awakening and transforming us to transcend our human potential—to really move beyond our human limitations.

The Purpose and Journey

That is the purpose of this writing. In it, I will be sharing some of the human limitations, challenges, and problems I personally face in my life. I will also share some of the solutions I've discovered, and continue to discover, that have helped me truly live a more fulfilled, happier, and successful life.
Over the past decade, I've learned immensely. I made a commitment to finding answers and pursuing a life of greater happiness, success, and fulfillment. There was a point in my life where I wasn't content with whom I was with, my life, and the direction in which things were headed. I wanted certain situations and circumstances to be a certain way. Yet, no matter how often things went my way, I was left with a profound sense of unfulfillment. Even after achieving my desires, the feelings of emptiness would soon return, almost as if to say, "Okay, you enjoyed that for a while, but welcome back to reality."

The Cycle of Seeking

Now, I felt the push to achieve another goal, seek further approval, garner more attention, and constantly receive validation. I needed more and more acknowledgment to experience that fleeting high of self-worth.
That was my reality. That was how I lived my life until I came across a book by Eckhart Tolle titled "The Power of Now". In it, Tolle eloquently describes those moments when everything aligns with our desires— when we are genuinely content because we've achieved our goals or received admiration from peers. These are moments when we're truly in the present, free from the constraints of past beliefs and future anxieties.

Eckhart Tolle's Teachings

In essence, Tolle suggests that true fulfillment resides in the present moment. When we genuinely enjoy a past activity or even something in the present, we allow ourselves to relish that experience. Such experiences are so intense that they eclipse worries about the future or past regrets. In those moments, devoid of overthinking, we only perceive the present.
When I read this, I was skeptical. It sounded too idealistic, almost fairy-tale-like. How could I always feel fulfilled? Isn't some discontent necessary to motivate us? However, a part of me pondered, "What if he's right?" Even if there was a minuscule chance that Tolle's idea held water, I was intrigued. If I could find joy in the present more frequently, wouldn't life be exponentially more rewarding?

University Life and Revisiting The Power of Now

At that time, I wasn't expecting a complete transformation. But the possibility of having even a degree of control over my contentment was exhilarating. Such a life would be liberating— a life where I could choose how I felt and act on my terms without being tethered to external validations.
So, what really drove me was reading the book "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle. I started to engage with it, trying to implement what Tolle suggested. I genuinely tried my best, or at least I believed I was doing so. However, I couldn't quite grasp what he was conveying. My approach was analytical.
Eckhart Tolle emphasized that his teachings were experiential and that understanding them transcended mere intellectual comprehension. I struggled with it, and for the next year, both the book and my memories of "The Power of Now" faded as I transitioned to college.
I attended the State University of New York at Buffalo, commonly known as SUNY Buffalo. College was an incredible time for me. I relished the overall college culture and had numerous enriching experiences. I pursued a degree in electrical engineering and eventually earned my bachelor's in the field. But without delving too deep into that chapter of my life, there was a pivotal moment during my sophomore year in college. Even amidst the enjoyment, the friendships, the parties, and the myriad experiences, I felt an urge to revisit "The Power of Now." There were seeds sown in me from that book that hinted at a profound potential for my life.

Deep Dive into Enlightenment

Around my sophomore year, I found myself drawn back to Tolle's teachings. This time, I delved deeper, reading the entire book and earnestly attempting to internalize and apply its wisdom. Tolle outlined various techniques for staying present and truly experiencing the moment. Among the many techniques he discussed, two resonated deeply with me. For those unfamiliar with Tolle's work, I highly recommend engaging with his content. Tolle's definition of enlightenment is liberation from the mind's incessant chatter. He visualizes the mind as a tool, separate from the self. When one achieves enlightenment, they can harness the mind as they please, choosing when and what to think, or even opting for stillness.
He posited a challenging question in his book: If you can't halt the torrent of your thoughts, aren't you enslaved by your own mind? This indicates a lack of control, where the mind is the master, not the individual. Initially, I struggled with differentiating between my identity and my thoughts. I had always equated my selfhood with my mental processes.

Personal Background

As a brief interlude, I was born in Eastern Europe, specifically in Albania, a beautiful country situated north of Greece and neighboring Serbia and Montenegro. Currently, in 2019, Albania's tourism is burgeoning. After moving to the U.S. for my senior year of high school, I eventually found my way to SUNY Buffalo. Sharing this background felt necessary to contextualize my journey.
Embracing the Teachings
Returning to my experience with Tolle's teachings, one of the pivotal techniques I practiced involved observing my thoughts. The goal was simple: witness each thought without judgment, without getting entangled or attempting to change them. I committed to this practice, becoming increasingly aware of my thoughts and their patterns.

The Awakening to Self-awareness

However, this newfound awareness also ushered in challenges. I became frustrated when unable to halt the flow of my thoughts. The more I tried to quiet my mind, the louder it became, often leading me to question my sanity.
The Relationship Between Thoughts and Emotions
Usually, thoughts would feed emotions. Observing these thoughts seemed intertwined with understanding these emotions. It conveys feelings of inadequacy, a sense of self-judgment, and being overly critical of myself.

The Ongoing Journey of Introspection

To clarify, I was observing and becoming more aware, but it seemed like nothing significant was changing. I didn't experience anything grand or mind-blowing. However, I persisted and continued my introspection. I recall a profound experience during either my sophomore or junior year.

A Moment of Connection and Gratitude

One day, as I headed back to my apartment, I ran into my good friend, Soon, from Korea. We were close during college, and he was one of my two best friends from Korea. Engaging with these diverse cultures broadened my horizons and shaped my perspective, allowing me to connect deeply with people regardless of their origins.

The Source of Distress Revealed

As I made my way back, I was preoccupied with a conversation I'd had with a friend. Suddenly, in a moment of clarity, I recognized the source of my distress and, as I distanced myself from the thought, it lost its power over me.

A Shift in Perspective

I entered my apartment with a newfound awareness. There was a palpable shift in my perspective. Everything appeared more vibrant, as if I was seeing it in high definition for the first time.

The Experience of Clarity

When you finally put on glasses, it's astonishing. Looking inward, everything seemed brighter; colors appeared more vibrant. I was in awe. I felt overwhelming happiness, joy, and fulfillment emanating from within.

A Spontaneous Outpouring of Joy

I'd find myself laughing spontaneously. The sensation was so intense it felt as if I was on some kind of high. The joy and satisfaction radiated from inside, growing stronger and more expansive. It wasn't because of any external achievements or material gains.

Finding Joy in the Mundane

Simple actions, like walking, felt delightful. Everything appeared new and exciting, as if I was seeing the world through the eyes of a child. Even laundry became a joyful task during that profound experience.

The Power of Perception Through Music

Later, I moved my sound system for better acoustics. The music I played felt extraordinary. However, in subsequent days, the same tracks failed to recreate that unique experience. It wasn’t the song that was special; it was my perception during that moment.

The Journey to Choose Happiness and Fulfillment

That incredible day has left an indelible mark on my life. This experience made me realize the possibility of choosing happiness and fulfillment, understanding that no matter how my life situations unfold, I can always choose.

Deciding the Shape of Life

To be fulfilled, to choose happiness, to feel okay with how things are progressing—I can decide how I want my life to be, how to shape my life, and determine what desires and goals I want to actualize. All of that is within my power. However, this choice is independent of my happiness and fulfillment.

Prioritizing Understanding and Realization

At that juncture, I decided to prioritize understanding and realizing this. I embarked on a journey to genuinely grasp and choose happiness and fulfillment, regardless of external events, aiming to make this my natural state of being.

Exploring Human and Beyond Human Potential

I realized that the potential I described, and many more facets of actualizing human potential, were achievable. Beyond that, even what we consider as the utmost human potential has its limits by the very nature of being human.

The Spiritual Aspect of Potential

For those with spiritual inclinations, they describe it as connecting with the universe or aligning with the divine within, enabling them to accomplish feats beyond ordinary human capability. Essentially, it's about that spiritual awakening, enlightenment where potential transcends typical human boundaries.

The Invitation to Transformation

Maybe you're tired of living without true fulfillment, of enduring pain and unhappiness. Perhaps you're yearning to live to your fullest potential and realize that your current circumstances don't define you. You have the right to peace, happiness, and the life of your dreams.

The Joy of Sharing and Teaching

As I speak, I'm filled with immense joy and fulfillment, sharing this experience. Whenever I share, I live the experience, strengthening its presence within me.

Gratitude for the Journey

Thank you for joining me on this beautiful journey. I eagerly anticipate our continued exploration as we both strive to go beyond human potential.

Signing Off

Before signing off, I'd like to reiterate my gratitude for your time. Have a wonderful day!