The meaning of being awake

[Whitefeather]

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE AWAKE

Put briefly, to be awake has to do with growing awareness in three different directions of heart consciousness :

1/ The self

2/ Other~selves (humankind)

3/ The ecosystem as in the environment and other visible life forms such as minerals, plants and trees, animals as well as planets, including our most generous Gaïa.

To be awake implies that those three stages of awareness have reached a certain intensity leading to essential changes in the manner of relating to life, such as respect, compassion, empathy, care, love and all-connectedness of course and, even a sense of reverence. To be awake means living everyday an awareness which naturally conduces to important behavioral transformations in the awaken ones.

One also should be aware that this process of awakening and the state of wakefulness it leads to can be hijacked by negative entities or individuals whose sole purpose is to control and manipulate what they (controllers) call nowadays “human resources” as well as the entire planetary wealth.

Your feelings on the meaning of being awake are most welcome, dear souls!
Happy awakening in Love and Light to all!

Whitefeather

[Crown]

To see the love in every moment. To see the creator in everything. To project Love to your surroundings. Not to give in to emotions such as anger and hate but to direct and "deal" with them correctly. To feel the life in everything.

These are a few things that i consider essential for an "awake" being.

[Confused]

May be to be awake in 3D is to know with complete conviction that you are not awake.

[Meerie]

When I started to awake I experienced irregular sleeping circles and for some time lay awake each night around 2 or 3 in the morning. Often I got "insights" during that time and I heard that this is a good time for us to connect with our HS, spirit guide and angels. So awakening literally started with myself lying awake

[zenmaster]

If you say you are 'awake' here, it's typically a circumstantial concept inevitably in relationship to some lower, prior form of consciousness that is now transcended.

Usually the first-time 'awake' person, one that has subsumed a prior condition but lacks a broader context for the new condition, will 'inflate' the experience. They tend to only see the advantages of the present condition with respect to the former. Ironically, in the broader consciousness, such a person may be considered 'asleep'.

Becoming 'awake' is a gradual thing, like individuation, self-actualization, or 'enlightenment'. But each new condition does reveal, experientially, that there is development (i.e. mind more able to reflect or actualize a certain amount of spirit) occurring.

[Confused]

If you say you are 'awake' here, it's typically a circumstantial concept inevitably in relationship to some lower, prior form of consciousness that is now transcended.

Usually the first-time 'awake' person, one that has subsumed a prior condition but lacks a broader context for the new condition, will 'inflate' the experience. They tend to only see the advantages of the present condition with respect to the former. Ironically, in the broader consciousness, such a person may be considered 'asleep'.

Becoming 'awake' is a gradual thing, like individuation, self-actualization, or 'enlightenment'. But each new condition does reveal, experientially, that there is development (i.e. mind more able to reflect or actualize a certain amount of spirit) occurring.

Exactly what I felt when I first read this thread, Zenmaster. But I would never have been able to put it together so beautifully. Thanks.

The abilities of many on these forums to express their thoughts with poetic ability and precision makes me envious many times

[Namaste]

Defining awakeness in the context of spirituality is a subjective expression of self, we each have forged a notion of what it means to be awake. I agree with the notion that one views past levels of consciousness as asleep. Ascension is a process.

My own definition of awakeness is, regardless of the level of spiritual intellect/materialism, to sit in the driving seat of one's consciousness; to make conscious decisions rather than reacting emotionally to external circumstances. To frame it in a few words; choosing love in each moment.

Whitefeather, where are you based in the UK? By any chance, do you frequent a healing circle held by Ben? If so, we may have met before.

[Whitefeather]

I thank you all for your amazing points of view. It is enriching to see so many different answers; thank you!

Whitefeather, where are you based in the UK? By any chance, do you frequent a healing circle held by Ben? If so, we may have met before.

@Namaste, it is obviously someone else because I don’t know any Ben in a healing circle ...

I tend to agree upon a very particular aspect relating to the state of being awake; it is the unique point of view as well as the position on one’s path where each stands. I think that in your answer, Zenmaster, you approached this similar concept with different words.

Unlike for knowledge where the mind can grasp the immensity of its ignorance, the awaken state cannot see that which is still in the dark. It can only perceive the path already done and the present state of awareness. Therefore, no one can see beyond their awakened present point!
As a result, all genuinely consider themselves in their best awakened state which, I think, is very positive as well as encouraging in a loving sense, because, with all its differences, everybody’s light is giving its glow in an amazingly and beautifully unique reaching!

I like comparing the state of been awake to a light, an inner and radiant light, a form of living light whose growing intensity can only bring its beam onto that which can be reached. Then it would grow in intensity, first revealing all aspects of the self, second, revealing all aspects of other selves, third, revealing all aspects regarding life in other densities. It can never stop growing and reaching further!

@ Meerie, it is so true that sometimes awakening makes it less easy to fall asleep at night… for the mere enjoyment of the concert of new lights!

Happy awakening to all, in Love and Light

Whitefeather

[Peaceful]

Greetings Whitefeather,

My take on being awake.

As others have already indicated, for most it is a gradual evolution. When I was younger, I would think nothing about how a plant might feel. Although, I have always been a sensitive person and very emotional, as I learned more about life energy, I realized all living things are sacred. I now think positive thoughts with my plants. I thank them for bringing me joy. Even my pets I have more respect for... I thank them daily for choosing to spend a life with me.
Where along the way did I change... I don't know. I just know that it was an evolution over a period of years. Trying to understand why there is so much pain and misery on this planet only to find that we are the creators of this world and have a responsibility to make it a better place than when we came. So I have chosen to cultivate Love with all living things, whether they be plants, insects or animals.

I guess... experience along with knowledge... can create awareness. The more aware you become, the more in tune you become with all other living things.

Awake = respect/love .. the more awake you are... the more you respect and love all that is around you and you also realize how little you actually understand.

When my Born Again Sister's Minister told me he would like to discuss my understanding of "God"... I told him the truth. I am not smart enough to discuss "God". As humans we do have our limitations. :-)

With that....

Peace

[AnthroHeart]

Does awakening always require one to go through intense experiences? I've never heard of a kundalini awakening as being easy to go through.

I think there are different types of awakening. We can awaken to a purpose. We can awaken to our ability? Awakening latent skills within us is another type. I think as unique as individuals we are, is how many different definitions we can place upon awakening.

[Ocean]

does kundalini always happen when you awaken? sometimes it happens to people who aren't awake.

[tx9271]

I feel like I am "awakened". I know in my heart that we are all one. However, I find it hard to fall asleep at night and am usually awake until 3-4am and once I finally do fall asleep I find it really hard to wake up. I find my self wanting to dream more and more. I think it's because I find my dream life to be a whole lot more exciting than my "awake" life,shall I say. I feel as if this society has nothing to offer me anymore. When I read and listen to things about different planets and different races and beings I find myself wanted to explore these planets and meet these beings! I was a big fan, and still am, of sy-fy movies and TV shows and I want to actually do the things they are doing at times. Exploring different worlds and have new adventures to experience! That really gets me excited but then depressed because I feel like it will never happen to me. I also don't know if I'm "awakened" enough if that makes any sense.

Well those are some of my thoughts. Can't wait to hear back!
Thanks,
Tom

[Whitefeather]

Hi Peaceful, Gemini Wolf, Ocean, tx9271, thank you for your reply.

The sense of "gradual evolution" expressed by Peaceful makes sense to me too. The only difference would be in the wording since I do not believe in the notion of 'evolution' per se but rather in 'awakening' to a larger state of being, hence precisely the topic . It is only a different point of perspective after all. I think that rather than 'evolving', we human beings get more and more aware of who we are, we gain more and more understanding as to the the true nature of our multi-dimensionality until we start reaching in and reaching out. We reach 'in' as in meditation state, inner connection to our Higher Self and yes, tw9271, in dreams also and, we reach 'out' as a way of balancing and mirroring our inner reaching, by experimenting with life, with all life out there, unlimited life force inherent to everything co-created... Much like a tide!

@tx9271, dreams are definitely part of the inner experience and the awakening ... they are great to 'awaken' to! . I also enjoy sci-fi movies, stories, etc. because they are imaginative and from those, you can go on creating your own stories and images... It is fun and so unlimiting! To expand our creativity in our mind or into the world is always such a pleasant experience, probably because it goes with accomplishing our function as co-creators!

Sweet dreams everyone! Much Love and Light to you

Whitefeather

[Etude in B Minor]

Against the "gradual" awakening is the zen concept of Satori, where when you have experienced it there is a phase change, and things are never the same. You can't go back. Even if you try to go back to sleep you can't. The (rather technical and difficult to read) book "The Beacon of Certainty" by Mipham explains this from a Tibetan Buddhist viewpoint. At some point Faith is replaced by Certainty. To me, that's awakening.

[zenmaster]

Against the "gradual" awakening is the zen concept of Satori, where when you have experienced it there is a phase change, and things are never the same. You can't go back. Even if you try to go back to sleep you can't. The (rather technical and difficult to read) book "The Beacon of Certainty" by Mipham explains this from a Tibetan Buddhist viewpoint. At some point Faith is replaced by Certainty. To me, that's awakening.

And yet, as Ken Wilber says, "The ultimate injunction for the non-dual realization is not that you can get to a state where you have a non-dual awareness, but that there is something about your state right now that is already one hundred percent aware of it." Having a satori perspective, brief or otherwise, is like being handed a new tool - you simply 'know' that you are a co-creator in perhaps the deepest sense possible. However, there is still the development of personality, the balancing and the learning waiting.

Of course we can and do 'go back', some things are just not permanent until we own them. The purpose is development, with or without a satori experience.

[Ankh]

For me awakening means realization that I am exactly where I am supposed to be, with those who I supposed to be with, and that I am walking the path that is mine, doing that I am supposed to do. There occurs total acception of the self and the entire creation. Those moments are rare and are cherished.

[unity100]

albeit 'non dual' means balance.

balance of positive/negative, male/female.

its not something out of this reality, something 'mystic', something far out.

its basic, simple, and here.

[Whitefeather]

Against the "gradual" awakening is the zen concept of Satori, where when you have experienced it there is a phase change, and things are never the same. You can't go back. Even if you try to go back to sleep you can't. The (rather technical and difficult to read) book "The Beacon of Certainty" by Mipham explains this from a Tibetan Buddhist viewpoint. At some point Faith is replaced by Certainty. To me, that's awakening.

Thank you for inviting the Satori in here... I agree that once the light is on, it cannot be put out! It is congruent with my comparison to a growing inner light when the inner knowing replaces all belief systems ... Are you a Tibetan Buddhist yourself?

@ Ankh, I love what you wrote above! It carries a sense of freedom to be.

Thank you for sharing such profound understandings about the inner light!

L/L/L
Whitefeather

[3DMonkey]

Awake. To me, awake is eyes open to recieve light, metaphorically speaking. Open to the moment, recieving it as it is. Open to far reaching effects in the moment, accepting all parts of creation. As I inhale, I receive an oxygen molecule that cannot be traced to it's source, and yet I believe that it required an infinite amount of circumstances, if you will, to become what it is and another infinite amount of circumstances to reach me. Awake.

[Etude in B Minor]

Hi Whitefeather, I am not (officially) a Tibetan buddhist, although I find it perhaps the most aligned of all religious systems to my understandings, especially Dzogchen. I did receive an empowerment/initiation (Avolokiteshvara empowerment) from Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche.

[Turtle]

I feel less and less human...and more and more like something else entirely.

I can't define it adequately, and I will not try.

[Ankh]

I feel less and less human...and more and more like something else entirely.

I can't define it adequately, and I will not try.

How does it make you feel? I was thinking that maybe you need something to stay grounded? As we are all One, human vs non-human, we are here as humans for a purpose? I, of course, might be wrong.

[Turtle]

I feel less and less human...and more and more like something else entirely.

I can't define it adequately, and I will not try.

How does it make you feel? I was thinking that maybe you need something to stay grounded? As we are all One, human vs non-human, we are here as humans for a purpose? I, of course, might be wrong.

I feel equally "grounded" and "not-grounded".