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#3924 - Tuesday, June 15,
2010 - Editor: Jerry Katz
The Nonduality
Highlights - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NDhighlights
Today's feature is based on Colin Drake's e-book, Beyond the Separate Self, which may be further investigated at http://nonduality.com/btss.htm
Awakening is Not an Experience
Colin
Drake
I recently
received a query from a long-time Christian reader of my book who
said that he is yearning for the experience of awakening. Here is
my reply, note that all of the quotes (the indented passages) are
from Beyond the Separate Self:
It should be
noted that awakening is not an experience but a realization (or
recognition) of a deeper level of being than mind/body. As I say
in the book:
The
problem is that enlightenment, freedom, moksha,
liberation, nirvana, call it what you will, has been
described in such glowing terms that we expect it to be an
ecstatic, unforgettable experience. Whereas the realization, that
at a deeper level than mind/body one is awareness itself, may
seem so obvious as to be ‘nothing special’. The
consequences of this realization may lead to ecstatic
experiences, but these should not be confused with the
realization itself. However, if this realization is ‘cultivated’
so that one becomes completely identified with awareness itself,
then this is enlightenment, freedom, moksha, liberation, nirvana.
This realization
is achieved by direct investigation of one's moment-to-moment
experience (see chapter two) which reveals this 'deeper level'.
Before this investigation is attempted one needs to take note of
this advice from chapter one:
This is
not a question of belief or imagination but of discovery by
direct investigation, and for this to be effective we need to put
aside all belief systems and acquired knowledge concerning who we
are at the underlying level beyond thoughts and sensations. The
only knowledge of this that is valid is that which is revealed to
each one of us by direct experience. The easiest way for this
direct experience to occur is by enquiring into the nature of
experience itself, and for this enquiry to be effective we need
to start from the position of believing and knowing nothing.
However I realize
this negation of previous acquired learning may be difficult for
you to achieve, so if you find this impossible let me try to put
this into a more Christian context. You just need to slightly
redefine your terms in such a way that previous concepts will not
act as a barrier to your investigation:
God - The
Absolute, or Ultimate, Reality which underlies the whole of
creation.
Soul - The deeper
level of being than thoughts/sensations (mind/body).
Heaven
- Identifying with this deeper level of being, which leads
to (comm)union with the Absolute.
Hell -
Identifying with mind/body, which entails negation of this
Absolute.
Awakening - The
realization of 'the kingdom of heaven within you' (identification
with this deeper level) followed by the cultivation of (and
committing to) this realization.
I would recommend that you carry out this
investigation at least three times daily, using chapter two as
your 'template' until the realization becomes established. As you
do this take note of the prequel:
Each
step should be considered until one experiences, or ‘sees’,
its validity before moving on to the following step. If you reach
a step where you do not find this possible, continue on
regardless in the same way, and hopefully the flow of the
investigation will make this step clear. By all means examine
each step critically but with an open mind, for if you only look
for ‘holes’ that’s all you will find!
Once you fully
'see' what is being said by your own direct investigation of your
moment-to-moment experience then you can move on to the later
chapters. This direct 'seeing' may lead to ecstatic
'experiences', but also may not:
These
experiences vary greatly from person to person and are ultimately
irrelevant as the recognition and realization of one’s own
essential nature is the crucial factor for attaining freedom.
I hope this is of
some help, Love, Colin
P.S. Even after my first 'awakening' I have followed the process I outlined to you. I have found (and so there's nor reason to assume you won't too) that it leads to further 'discoveries', life becoming 'lighter' and less 'heavy', and an undercurrent of joy and peace. In the long run this is more valuable than any ephemeral experience.
~ ~ ~
Beyond the Separate Self, by Colin Drake is from Nonduality Publications. You may read more excerpts and the index at http://nonduality.com/btss.htm