by Jurgen Ziewe: The term Awakening has been widely used lately to describe the phenomenon of a spontaneous change of consciousness.

Awaken

Awakening can be described as a realization that there is a higher dimension of reality which is rooted in a universal consciousness of unity.  Such a realization is inevitably accompanied with a heightened positive emotional state, invoking feelings of joy, connectedness, outpouring of love and frequently intense ecstasy. It often has a lasting effect on the life of the experiencer, but it can also take a lifetime to integrate such an experience into our everyday lives. There can be a number of triggers for STEs (Spiritual Transformative Experiences) or for such sudden change in consciousness to occur, such as a near-death experiences, drugs, shock, trauma, intense appreciation of beauty or involuntary or intentional rising of the Kundalini energy, which can be the result of a prolonged meditation. A spiritual awakening often has a lasting and transforming effect on one’s life.

The awakened life 

There is a great difference between awakening and leading an awakened life . People who had an awakening experience or STE often feel like exiles after having experienced that their true home lies elsewhere. But once our awakened lives have become the status quo we are no longer interested in leaving this world in favour of some spiritual heaven, because this world will have become our true home, perhaps for the first time. Our focus of attention is shifted.

We may even lose interest in a spiritual life or spiritual pursuits, simply because “spirit” or consciousness reveals itself to be in everything we place our attention on. Nothing is exempt. Wherever our attention is directed to we will be aware of a new Presence which will be with us every hour of the day.  This Presence, some call it the Silent Watcher, others “God” or simply Stillness, will reveal to us the inner workings of the circumstances surrounding us. Best of all we begin to think and act like the “Silent Watcher”, and whenever we realise that we are no different to this “Presence”, we are welcomed with ecstasy and joy and this will happen on a daily basis.

Every morning we open our eyes we feel like sending out our gratitude for the privilege that we are allowed to be alive on this earth. We will experience a constant, underlying stillness which accompanies us wherever we go and nothing else has any power over us or our lives. Such a statement may sound preposterous when we find ourselves in the middle of a battlefield or when tragedy is unfolding around us. And what about a life in constant physical pain and illness one may ask? The nineteenth century sage, Ramakrishna, who died of cancer in constant pain said simply this: “Oh my mind, remain in bliss; let the body and its pain look after each other.”

Our awakened consciousness may still experience the pain, but without the suffering. We no longer seek to escape from reality, but instead we begin to appreciate its deeper meaning. Instead of trying to escape from reality in futile distractions we welcome it with an open heart in eager anticipation of what reality will offer and teach us next.

  • Attention is focused on the present moment
  • Enhanced sense of reality and increased discriminatory powers
  • Persistent feeling of being “Home”, regardless of where we are
  • Enhanced aesthetic appreciation
  • Spontaneous peak experiences in everyday life
  • Enhanced empathy with fellow men
  • Non-judgmental attitude
  • Increased creativity and joy in engagements which benefit others.
  • Awareness of a benevolent presence, which may be referred to as “God”, “Higher Self”, “Guide”, “Guardian Angel” or simply the presence of a universal consciousness
  • No fear of death
  • Detachment from conflicts and enhanced modes of dealing with them
  • Dreams are more coherent and often lucid
  • Lack of attachment
  • A feeling of Sovereignty over one’s life and destiny
  • Authentic, accessible, benevolent, empathic, sense of humor, tolerant, perceptive, wise
  • Indifference towards roles in society, such as status, acclaim, fame, position, wealth etc
  • Purposeful and rewarding relationships without attachments or dependency
  • Perception that every moment is new.
  • Reality is not seen as repetition even though apparent repetitive events occur
  • Disinterest in psychic abilities although they may arise
  • Disinterest in following a “spiritual” path
  • Regarding dream life as important as waking life and vice versa
  • Modest and content with the ordinary
  • Impartial, detached, peaceful, objective
  • Ability to adapt and experience any viewpoint from the viewer’s perspective
  • Not considering themselves as enlightened

Source: AWAKEN