There is a current misunderstanding about the relevance of the sudden spiritual awakenings that are occurring on the planet these days. These are wonderful, sudden shifts in one’s reality where we break out of the content of us and become the context in which the content of our lives arises. Awakening can temporarily break us out of our identification with our body, mind and personality, providing us a witnessing presence that is free. But this awakening will not last unless one understands what one has awakened to.
You Cannot Teach Awakening
You cannot teach someone how to awaken. You cannot teach someone who is currently asleep how to awake up. This is because they will convert everything they experience or hear into something consistent with their sleeping consciousness i.e. a better version of sleep. Awakening in itself is not a path. There is not a technique for awakening. It is a symptom of a process, mostly hidden from us, a rare combination of factors, most of which we cannot control.
Something other than what is available to our current sleeping consciousness is needed to awaken it. It is ignorance of our true nature that keeps us asleep. This ignorance thinks it is awaken even when asleep. This ignorance not only binds us but defines who we are and what is possible, having us believe that our sleeping state is real. Dreaming of being awake does not awaken us.
It is the arrogance of our modern, ignorant intellect that imagines it can teach awakening or know or control the forces that keep people asleep and/or allow awakening to happen. We do not control these any more than we can control chance or accident. Yet if awakening is an accident, then there may be something that can make us accident prone. Understanding this is a start.
The Purpose of Awakening
This Creation has a purpose and spiritual awakening is an expression of this purpose. Thus, it is a stage of a process, a symptom of an expression of an Original Intent that brought this Creation into existence. As a seed planted in the ground carries inherent in it the fruit, so too does awakening carry within it the purpose of its existence. Awakening is the beginning of a process, not the end. It is the next stage in the emerging potentiality that lies inherent in every living being.
The Greater Awakening
An individual awakening is not an isolated event. It is a reflection of a larger, collective awakening; a shift in consciousness that is currently happening on the planet. There is now an opportunity for mankind that has never existed before. Thus, the individual awakenings that have been occurring since the 1960’s are like spring after a long dormant winter, an emerging of a new possibility for consciousness, the likes of which has never existed before.
A Path to Awakening
In my experience most people awakening comes progressively. It slips up on them without them knowing it, until one day they realize they are awake. This preparation is Yoga. Yoga is conscious turning of our attention and effort to that which we do not yet know, but sense deep within ourselves. Yoga is a process by which we apply discrimination and effort to break the hold of our limited, individual reality to that which is greater. Yoga is the effort, the action, we apply to awaken and eventually to merge with that which is greater than oneself.
In this way we gain the strength and authority that gives us the resolve, the commitment and endurance to turn to the universal forces that will initiate a transformation process that will convert what is left in us into a vehicle for Divine manifestation.
Awakening is the Beginning not the End
Awakening has a purpose. It is for each awakened person to awaken further. There is a greater awakening, an awakening to the universal reality that lives within, be that God, Truth or the Absolute. The witnessing presence that comes from awakening is weak at first because it is still limited by the unquestioned assumptions that are still hidden. The more we attend to that which is not awakened in us the more we gather the capacity to break free of these. The witnessing presence gathers a self-reliant authority and with it the resolve needed to awaken fully to this possibility. Next is to turn to the universal reality that is all about us. To reach out and up out of our limited perspective as human beings into a cosmic state of being.
I am experiencing exhaustion in my awakening.
Do you know why this happens.
If you’re feeling exhausted you are not alone. I have experienced this feeling at different levels and I still do recently, but I get over it by realizing that the process of dismantling your ego involves releasing so much energy which has formed an integral part of your old self.
As you break out of it you must drain out. However, because you have to co-exist in world which is largely run by a collective dysfunctional system, you might find yourself swimming against the the tide which leads to exhaustion.
As you grow, it becomes easier when you realize that awakening is not an event, it is the first yet permanent stage of a lifetime process that serves as a catalyst for finding purpose as an individual and as a part of the collective.
When your alignment with the divine purpose of our existence is achieved, the exhaustion disappears almost permanently because by then you would understood what it means to “Be”.
Dear Basharat,
Exhaustion can be a symptom after awakening if you are processing out a lot of hidden content. But there could be other factors that have to do with your life style and enviroment. I suggest you request a Skype Call with me and we can explore this.
Love in truth,
Dear Sat Shree
I am going through the process of awakening p. I am funding your teachings of the Bhagavad Gita so very helpful for this. Emotions is something I would like to more understanding in. My hypersensitive nature means that I feel things very strongly. I am wondering if emotions are only based around the ego as an identity feedback mechanism or if it can also be soul messaging for example telling you that you need to remove yourself from the situation which is causing you distress or if it is a place where you need to remain in order to continue awakening. The unconscious actions of my family and direct impact on their health is a clear sign to me that change is required yet they are resisting. I am finding this very exhausting to be witnessing and involved in even from a distance as I am frustrated by their actions as can not understand why others would choose to remain in suffering when there are opportunities for growth and change. I feel that it is making me ill and hindering my growth and do nit know whether my path is to remain connected if I am tied by family connection it if my soul wants to break free as feel that they are holding me down.
Best
Izzie Grove UK
Dear Sat Sri
I am needing support on my journey. Would like a Skype session.
Dear Lawrence,
Go ahead and sign up for a Skype Call on this Web Site.
Om Tat Sat,
Sat Shree
Hi Sat Shree,
First, I just missed meeting you when you were in Massachusetts last year. I had a commitment during that time. When I saw your picture I recognised you immediately as one who you KNOW, if your get what I mean? We’ve never met I’m sure, but still I know you. What is that experience, anyway?
Though I will double check on this fact; I wrote to you last October 2015, I believe. Made a donation and asked for a SKYPE session. I have heard nothing about this request and this is my fourth text to you. You did become friends with me on Facebook,recently though. In addition, to that I understand you are coming to Massachusetts this August. I would like to request a one on one or a meeting with-in a group setting also would be fine. What are the possibilities here?
New England for some reason has never had an advanced teacher develop this area. Most teachers are in the West. We do have great visitors like Lock Kelly and Adyashanti but neither think of developing the area. There does not seem to be this East USA and West USA brother/sisterhood which for us in the East makes me sad. Please consider this request. Lastly, do you go to India to visit your teacher? You leave quite a gap as a teacher when you are gone.
I listen in on your Tuesday night meetings and recommend you to others.
If you can answer any of my questions I would be grateful.
Namaste,
Arlene M Zubris