The Nature of Reality: Grace, Shadow, and Consciousness

Let’s take a moment to step back and really consider the nature of reality—how we shape it, how it shapes us, and where shadow fits into this story. What if the stories we live out of, the ones we tell ourselves about who we are and why we’re here, aren’t just arbitrary? What if they’re fractal reflections of deeper patterns, encoded in the very fabric of existence?

That’s what this is all about: understanding how the universe operates, not just as something “out there,” but as something alive and interactive within us. By integrating insights from Michael Talbot’s Holographic Universe, Thomas Merton’s contemplative teachings, Michael Singer’s work on untethering consciousness, and the shadow-informed practice of Turning Within, we can begin to unravel the mechanics of consciousness itself. And in doing so, we reclaim the ability to recalibrate the story we’re living and align with the flow of grace—the pure, unfiltered light of truth and love.

Constructs are the meaning we assign to reality, the imprints our conscious mind creates to interpret the signals flowing from the holographic universe. They are the mental framework we use to navigate our lives. Like bricks in a building or drops or, more accurately, drops of water in the ocean. But here’s the thing—constructs don’t just interpret reality; they also imprint on it. This creates a feedback loop where:

1. Interpretation: Constructs help us make sense of what we experience.
2. Imprinting: These interpretations are projected back onto reality, shaping not only our personal narrative but the collective experience as well.

When constructs align with the flow of grace, life feels coherent, meaningful, and connected. But when constructs misalign—through fear, shame, or unworthiness—they show up as shadow, projecting distortion into our experience and creating suffering.

Think of constructs as the blueprint for the reality you see and feel. If the blueprint is off, the whole structure of your life starts to feel out of sync.

Shadow is not the construct itself. It’s how a misaligned construct expresses itself in your life. Shadow shows up through projections onto the external world—onto people, places, and situations—where it distorts your perception and causes you to navigate from suffering rather than clarity.

For example:

• A construct like “I am unworthy” creates a shadow that colors how you see yourself and others. You might find yourself seeking validation externally or sabotaging relationships because the underlying story is one of inadequacy. The shadow isn’t random; it’s pointing you to the construct underneath.

Shadow is both the block and the teacher. It pinches off the flow of grace, but it also shows you exactly where to look to realign. In Turning Within, we use shadow as the gateway to deeper work, uncovering the construct behind the distortion and recalibrating it to restore alignment with truth.

Michael Talbot’s Holographic Universe provides a powerful metaphor for how constructs and shadow operates. In a hologram, every part contains the whole. Similarly, every experience in your life contains the encoded story of your reality. Shadow is like a distortion in the hologram—it reveals where the projection is misaligned, and by studying it, you can access the underlying construct causing the distortion.

Grace, in this model, is the coherent light of the holographic projection. When shadow pinches off that light, the projection becomes distorted, creating the illusion of separation and suffering. Turning Within works to dissolve those distortions, allowing the hologram of your reality to align with the flow of grace.

Thomas Merton described grace as the natural flow of divine love and truth. It’s always present, always available, but shadow blocks our ability to experience it. When constructs are misaligned, the light of grace feels exposing rather than comforting—it highlights the cracks in our stories, the places we feel we’ve fallen short. This is why grace can feel like humiliation when viewed from shadow. In New Seeds of Contemplation, Thomas writes, "The false self is the one who wants to exist outside the reach of God’s will and God’s love—outside of reality and outside of life. And such a self cannot help but be an illusion." 

But the truth is, grace doesn’t judge. It’s the coherent flow of life itself. The work of Turning Within is not to fix grace—it doesn’t need fixing—but to remove the distortions in ourselves that block it. When the shadow is dissolved, grace becomes a felt experience, a reminder that we are already whole.

Michael Singer’s work complements this understanding by focusing on releasing attachments to the constructs and stories that hold us back. He teaches us to observe the mind without becoming entangled in it, creating space for grace to emerge. In The Untethered Soul, he writes, "There is nothing more important to true growth than realizing that you are not the voice of the mind—you are the one who hears it." 

Turning Within takes this a step further by investigating the constructs behind those attachments. Instead of simply observing the shadow, we study it, uncover its roots, and recalibrate it. This deepens our ability to untether from old stories and step into the flow of life with clarity and freedom. In doing so, we evolve not only ourselves, but at the collective level.

Turning Within is more than shadow work—it’s a process for understanding and recalibrating the constructs that shape our reality. It combines the contemplative insights of Merton, the holographic framework of Talbot, and the liberation practices of Singer into a cohesive method for personal and collective evolution. Turning Within leverages shadow to explore the depth of who we are, unlocking insights that hide right in plain sight, an open secret waiting to be told.

1. Shadow as a Guide: Shadow points us to the misaligned constructs causing distortion.
2. Investigate Constructs: By studying these constructs, we uncover the meaning we’ve assigned to reality and how it’s shaping our experience.
3. Calibrate and Align: We recalibrate these constructs, restoring the flow of grace and allowing the holographic projection of our life to align with truth.

Studying shadow and constructs is not just about personal healing—it’s about understanding the very building blocks of reality. Constructs are the mechanisms through which consciousness interprets and imprints on the holographic universe. By recalibrating these constructs, we not only transform our individual experience but also contribute to the collective evolution of consciousness.

This is the power of Turning Within. It’s a practice to uncover what’s blocking the flow of grace in your life, aligning with the deeper truths of existence and becoming a clearer expression of the divine light within.

The universe is a hologram, and every part of it—including you—contains the potential for transformation. This work isn’t about adding something to yourself; it’s about peeling back the distortions to reveal the grace that’s already there. It's about evolving the collective conscious of humanity.

If you’re ready to explore the constructs shaping your reality, dissolve the distortions of shadow, and align with the flow of grace, then let’s begin. This is your opportunity to step into the story you were meant to live—one rooted in truth, love, and infinite possibility. The holographic universe is waiting for you to Turn Within. Schedule a session to see if this advanced depth work practice is right for you.