“Yes And” Metaphysics
Almost every Thursday at the office, there is a metaphysical study group where we discuss ideas around consciousness and health. One of the books we often read is Rays of the Dawn by Dr. Thurman Fleet. Dr. Fleet developed a body of work called Concept-Therapy and Conceptology. A concept is a fixed idea, an idea we accept as true, and therapy means to work with. So, Concept-Therapy is about learning to work with our fixed ideas, to examine and shift them in ways that create more ease and flow in life. I have studied Concept-Therapy for many years, and whenever I take courses with a particular instructor named Char Maddox, I often hear him say, “Yes, and” in response to my questions about consciousness. Char, along with his wife Emily, is part of a teaching team that brings deep insight into these concepts.
In our discussions at book club, we take a bird’s-eye view of life. We step outside of our personal narratives and constructed realities to ask questions that explore different ways of perceiving the world. It is truly an exercise in quantum physics—where we connect our awareness with the interconnectedness of life. Sometimes, in response to deep questions, we (myself included) reach for a definite answer, trying to define what is right or wrong, attempting to lock things into a fixed framework. And in that effort, we often forget the wisdom of “Yes, and.”
Coming to conclusions is an interesting thing to zoom out on. Dr. Joe Dispenza explains this dynamic beautifully: A thought triggers a chemical reaction in the brain, producing a feeling. That feeling affects our body and influences our behavior. The way we act then reinforces the original thought, creating a feedback loop that wires our brain into habitual patterns. These patterns can keep us stuck—or help us change. The same principle applies to health. When thoughts and actions align with flow and ease, we experience wellness. When they resist and contract, we experience the opposite: dis-ease.
Which brings us back to “Yes, and.” During our metaphysical studies, the conversation sometimes leans toward defining a singular truth, as if we all need to arrive at the same conclusion. But life isn’t a singular path. It may seem like there’s a right way to do things, but ultimately, all roads lead to Rome. That doesn’t mean we excuse behavior that brings more chaos into our lives, but it does mean we recognize that everything in this world is an expression of life itself. The deeper mystery of how it all weaves together is beyond me, and, if we’re honest, beyond any of us.
There is a moment each week in the group when everything gets quiet. It’s an energetic release, a space where everything belongs exactly as it is. In that stillness, our stories lose their grip on reality. That moment—that feeling—is what I would call peace. It doesn’t come from being right or convincing anyone of anything. It comes from hearing different perspectives and realizing that there are infinite ways to experience the world. It’s in that realization that we send ourselves through the very loop Dispenza describes, shifting perception and, in turn, reshaping reality. We live in a universe of endless possibility.
And in that possibility, we find peace with where we are in life. We realize we belong, even with our perceived flaws. It is here that we give ourselves permission to let our light shine again.
Through my work in the healing arts, one big idea has become clear: we are the expression of life itself. Within us is limitless potential, and our true mission—beneath everything else—is to grow our capacity to allow more of that potential to move through us. That is where all roads lead to Rome.
“Yes, and” creates space for life to flow, to grow in its abundance, perfection, and infinite possibility. “Yes, and” allows us to simply be. We all belong.
It is slowly setting in. Thank you, Char.
Science and spirituality, often seen as separate, both point to the same universal truth: our perception shapes our reality. Scientific research confirms that our beliefs and thoughts directly influence our health and experiences. Dr. Alia Crum’s work at Stanford shows that simply believing in the benefits of our daily actions can improve health outcomes, even without changing behavior. The self-fulfilling prophecy phenomenon further demonstrates how expectations shape outcomes, when we anticipate success, we unconsciously act in ways that make it happen. Quantum physics reinforces this idea, showing that observation itself affects reality, a concept mirrored in the ancient wisdom of spiritual traditions.
The Upanishads teach, “You are what your deep, driving desire is. As your desire is, so is your will. As your will is, so is your deed. As your deed is, so is your destiny.” Proverbs 23:7 states, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” In Buddhism, Dhammapada begins with, “All that we are is the result of what we have thought.” Native American teachings emphasize the power of words and thoughts to manifest reality. Across cultures and traditions, the message is the same: what we hold in our minds becomes our lived experience.
This is not just philosophy, it is a fundamental truth of existence. “Yes, and” is not just a phrase; it is a way of aligning with the flow of life rather than resisting it. When we open ourselves to new perceptions, we step into a universe of infinite possibility. In that space, we find peace. We belong. And in that belonging, life itself flows more freely through us, manifesting as health, abundance, and limitless potential.
