Extreme sports: Awakening

[Energize]

Hi Folks. From my discussions with many of you on this forum (and reading books), I've become aware of a kind of 'enlightenment' or 'awakening' (the only kind?) that can occur to people, and I find it fascinating. I'd like to ask questions and get some discussion about it if I may.

Here's what little I think I know. This enlightenment (or consciousness transformation or awakening) is basically a stripping away of the ego, or perhaps a better way of putting it, the ego becomes a mere tool of the emerging core consciousness of the person. A core consciousness that was always present in the background, and is intrinsically a part of the greater consciousness or 'Source'.

This process can be gradual or sudden, and can be achieved by various mystical/spiritual practices, including meditation and Kundalini awakening techniques (or even trauma). The effect of the awakening can range from unsettling to extremely disturbing, as the ego identity gives way to the greater consciousness. There is usually a period of re-adjustment that can be as long as several years or even decades.

The emergent 'raw' consciousness sees everything in life from an often radically new perspective, much different to the previous ego-identity consciousness. On a grand scale, it includes insights as to the nature of Source consciousness, including the lack of any dualistic features, such as light/love and darkness/evil. There is also a complete revision of the individual's mental associations and priorities.

Have I correctly summarised the basics so far?

[CFTraveler]

You've described a way to get to it, but it can happen without trying.

[Energize]

Well, I couldn't wait...had to write some more, heh heh. Can't stop thinking about this conundrum. I know I'm a hell of a long way off some kind of awakening (hey, then again, maybe not if it's already in each of us right?), but living from ego illusion or not, I'd like some help exploring this intellectually. Yes, I know it can't easily be grasped intellectually, but it's all I can go by at this point.

I gather from the way people talk about this awakening business, it is supposed to give you extra insight into the way things work. Insights into the nature of the Source, of reality, and yourself as a chunk of source.

The over-riding insight seems to be that everything's an illusion, right? Every person is just an ego and therefore not real, every judgement of good and bad is a dualistic illusion, even love itself is just an illusion. All constructs.

Source doesn't 'care' about anything, just exists. Source seems like a giant impersonal digital program. Running through routines and learning information by experience. Experience gained by illusory constructs like people. As if running some kind of complex, military simulation program. Although I prefer the analogy of finger puppets, heh heh.

Source doesn't care about good or bad, happiness or agony, compassion or malice, people, or in fact anything at all, because it just simply exists in a kind of neutral limbo.

Man this bends the mind. The closest I've read to this is perhaps "My Big T.O.E." by Thomas Campbell (any of you read it?). Thomas was one of the original members of the Monroe Institute, and took part (as a scientist and as a participant) in research and experiments on OBE's and stuff. I haven't totally finished his three part book yet. He does present 'Source' consciousness in a similar way. He describes Source as kind of, well, semi-conscious (that was my impression). It evolves like nature on Earth evolves - energy seeking the paths of least resistance. What works stays, what doesn't atrophies and falls away.

If this is close to the truth, then that might explain why love exists in a universe created by a Source that doesn't 'care'...because love as an energy is more efficient than malice and self destruction.

Here's another thing that has occurred to me; if Source doesn't care (just exists), then love in the universe may be creations of the smaller points of consciousness - us. Source may not be fully aware, but maybe it's us, the little creatures made of Source material, that are responsible for the juicy goodness. Generated from different planes, and different levels of evolved souls. Maybe when channeled spirits, NDE'ers, and between-life-hypnosis-regressors talk about experiencing a massive powerhouse of love, it is created by the Source's many little (and not-so-little) creatures.

[CFTraveler]

I've read most of it. But no, I wouldn't describe it that way. I normally don't speak much about this (there was a time where I did, but don't anymore, there doesn't seem to be much to say about it). However, I'll share what I think I know:
"Illusion" doesn't mean something isn't there, it means it's not what it seems, and what it seems is often misunderstood.
A computer program is 'form' and form is fleeting, so it's just one more way of using illusion to describe 'it', whatever it is.
Source is everything, and therefore, as it expresses as you, can care. However, it doesn't mean that 'caring' isn't fleeting, since all expression is information (in 'form' ation) therefore illusion.
So, it just is. Or is it?
That's why I don't talk about it.
Peace.

[eyeoneblack]

Have I correctly summarised the basics so far?

Sort of but imo you are still relating in a Western (Christian/Islam) perspective. The idea that there is Source and Else From Source presupposes a God and a separation. The ego is an illusion not a fall from oneness or the like. Members here are not Kaballist, that I have met, anyway.
I suggest, rather than taking what other people say ABOUT it, figure it out for yourself. Dion Fortune's "The Mystical Qabalah" is a great source for the beginning of the study of Creation.

But I want to emphasize Butterflywoman and CFT know whereof they speak. Others do also, but it's whereof YOU speak that matters. You don't have to lose your loving, forgiving God - you just won't think of it that way anymore. You can still understand and appreciate people of the personal god, but from a higher vantage point.

There, I hope I haven't offended ?????! (Pause: should I hit 'Post Quick Reply'? Hmmmm)

[ButterflyWoman]

You've described a way to get to it, but it can happen without trying.

I am of the current opinion that it is NEVER something any one ego-self can "attain". It's just not something that an ego-self has the power to do. And it is ALWAYS spontaneous, even if ego-self has a lot of things it so boldly and proudly "did" to "achieve" something or other. Fact is, if ego still thinks it has achieved something, nothing has been achieved.

[eyeoneblack]

When I started my journey, I was 30ish, I was so sincere, so willing to sacrifice for the ultimate prize - union with God. Over the next few/many years I noticed everything I thought I loved fall away from me until I ended up with nothing. I had a little encouragement along the way, very little, but enough to keep me going. Until, I realized I had lost it all.
Then a little light appeared and i began to trust a universal law of true faith and understanding. Saw it working over and over again and began to re-invent my self.
Point is, for me it was a long and arduous time of tears. No easy thing.

[Energize]

Thanks for your helpful replies, they have clarified much.

CFT: "Illusion" doesn't mean something isn't there, it means it's not what it seems, and what it seems is often misunderstood." I have never thought of the oft-bandied word illusion like this. Not necessarily something fake and worthless, just not what it seems. This is an important insight for me. Thanks for 'coming out of retirement' to share about this subject!

EOB: No way have you offended eyeoneblack. I enjoy reading your posts. My 'ego' isn't bruised...or should I say there is no ego to bruise heh heh! I am going to try to figure it out for myself, but I usually tackle things from an intellectual perspective first - despite its obvious limitations. I've put The Mystical Qabalah on my Amazon Kindle wishlist.
I like the idea of not losing my loving, forgiving God. Not sure what you mean when you say "You can still understand and appreciate people of the personal god, but from a higher vantage point." Can you elaborate?

BFW: I wonder if "I" need to try and do anything to become aware? Although I feel drawn to it ('awakening'), I'm reluctant to let go of everything and pursue a path that could potentially devastate the structure of my life. I wonder if it's even possible to have such an experience and still function within the world, and not require a long recovery/stabilising period.

Interesting thing is, that since I've been deeply pondering this issue, I've had subtle feelings of mental vertigo (not physical vertigo). It's like, becoming more aware of awareness itself, and considering that everything I think is me and the world is not what it seems, leads to a kind of hyper alertness or something. I spend most of my time just accepting the 'norms' of life, and that to consider it not present (or considering what's just beneath the surface), creates an odd feeling of anticipation. I'm not saying I'm on the edge of a transformation or anything, just that thinking in these terms maybe opens up new perspectives, and maybe sets some things in motion.

[CFTraveler]

FIWIW, you don't have to 'let go' of anything -a realization is not something you do- it just happens.

[Eyeswideopen]

BFW: I wonder if "I" need to try and do anything to become aware? Although I feel drawn to it ('awakening'), I'm reluctant to let go of everything and pursue a path that could potentially devastate the structure of my life. I wonder if it's even possible to have such an experience and still function within the world, and not require a long recovery/stabilising period.

I am enjoying reading your thread Energize, when reading the above it reminds me of Eckhart Tolle when he explains that the ego is made up of structural ego and content ego. It's the content we need to loose in order to find the stillness within. We keep the structural which enables us to continue to participate as a being in ordinary daily life. I was often worrying what I would do if I lost my ego, how would I function but the functional ego remains. Something like that.