The Imaginal Cell Story & Self-Transformation

The caterpillar’s new cells are called ‘imaginal cells.’
They are so totally different from the caterpillar cells
that his immune system thinks they are enemies… and gobbles them up.
But these new imaginal cells continue to appear. More and more of them!
Pretty soon, the caterpillar’s immune system
cannot destroy them fast enough.
More and more of the imaginal cells survive.
And then an amazing thing happens!

The little tiny lonely imaginal cells start to clump together
into friendly little groups.
They all resonate together at the same frequency,
passing information from one to another.
Then, after awhile, another amazing thing happens!

The clumps of imaginal cells start to cluster together!
 A long string of clumping and clustering imaginal cells,
all resonating at the same frequency,
all passing information from one to another there inside the chrysalis.

Then at some point,
the entire long string of imaginal cells
suddenly realizes all together
that it is something different from the caterpillar.
Something new! Something wonderful!
…and in that realization
is the shout of the birth of the butterfly!

Since the butterfly now “knows” that it is a butterfly,
the little tiny imaginal cells
no longer have to do all those things individual cells must do.
Now they are part of a multi-celled organism—
A FAMILY who can share the work.

Each new butterfly cell can take on a different job—
There is something for everyone to do.
And everyone is important.
And each cell begins to do just that very thing it is most drawn to do.
And every other cell encourages it to do just that. A great way to organize a butterfly!”

Adapted Version of Nori Huddle’s story from her book, Butterfly Source – theinfinitegames.org

SELF-TRANSFORMATION

The morph of the caterpillar into a butterfly is an incredible metaphor for what it takes to make changes in the way we live our lives. If you read the previous essay, then you know that the butterfly would not develop if it were not for the initial clustering of imaginal cells. The purpose of these cells along with their inherent determination make it possible for a miraculous natural change to be completed.

Many of us want to make a life change, but fall short of our aspirations. We enter the state of change (cocoon stage) with the desire to transform a way of thinking or behaving, but find that in the face of temptation and old ways, our will concedes. It instead gives way to long-standing habits, and sooner or later we return to our previous patterns of thinking or behaving.Change-making thoughts are vulnerable to being gobbled up by traditional thoughts. These old ego-based thoughts are vast in scope and deeply rooted so new thoughts must remain persistent in attracting nourishment

Initially, in the cocoon, imaginal cells are overtaken by traditional cells. In order to have a chance at survival, the imaginal cells organize in a cluster, and in their unity are able to stave off most attempts at destroying them.

When I hear the story of transformation from caterpillar to butterfly, I repeatedly reflect on my state of mind. I think about the reality through which I see the world, and that I am continually choosing weather I am a caterpillar or butterfly. I reflect on my thoughts and the reality I select in protecting and projecting those thoughts. I ask myself: Am I projecting love or distain; kindness or condemnation? I can roam around seeing things and people in a conventional fashion. I can rely on ego-based thoughts to guide me into mulling over more ego-based thoughts; or I can cluster with thoughts of kindness and love.

In doing the later, I breath a new life into my spirit and see the world though a reality that is beyond distaining and disapproving thoughts. As I experience loving thoughts I realize that these thoughts are meant to grow, cluster and morph. I inherently realize that these thoughts will carry me to a place of peacefulness, easiness and wholeness. These thoughts are the spiritual equivalent of imaginal cells. They will be attacked by conventional thoughts, but as they cluster, they will multiply and differentiate to the point of raising my minds awareness to a new consciousness, a spiritual reality. This is realm in which the mind refocuses its theme. It focuses on not the worldly, but the spiritual. It experiences the conventional world through a spiritually healed awareness.

The transformation of the mind, like the metamorphosis of the caterpillar, does not evolve without challenges. But if we are willing to stick with the initiative, making the shift in consciousness will allow us the experience of many benefits. Where love was stifled and hopeless, we will realize we possess something incredibly magnanimous. Loving thoughts cluster together one thought at a time. Love grows and strengthens within the self by uniting with, not only other like thoughts, but also with other people who also are traveling the same pathway. The cluster is fortified and enriched by sharing and communicating thoughts that nurture the empowering change from a conventional caterpillar to a magnificent butterfly.

Remember however, before the caterpillar could change he had to first follow the will to do so. The caterpillar heard the voice of natural intention saying you are to be what God has intended for you. And so the butterfly is created from the caterpillar’s willingness to wrap itself in a cocoon and accept its becoming. It accepts the transformation into a new being, one that deep inside, the caterpillar knew it was intended to become. What about you? What about your butterfly? How is your becoming coming? Don ¤¤¤

¤¤¤BE HAPPY¤¤¤