There is a distinction between level of skill and level of consciousness worth exploring.
This is an important distinction. It’s one thing for spiritual awakening to unfold. It’s another for us to make skilled use of that. Partly this is in integration and allowing presence to express through us rather than being driven by old habits and resistance. Many are still learning how to be in the world in this new context.
But partly this is about purity and clarity. The Sattva side of the equation. It is through clarity that much more becomes conscious.
In her recent second interview on BATGAP, Neelam describes a single shift into presence, but many shifts in embodiment of that*.
There’s a phrase in book 3 (3v5) of the Yoga Sutra that comes to mind.
“Through mastery of samyama, the splendour [world] of complete wakefulness dawns.”
We can observe two things here. The first: there is wakefulness, then skill in wakefulness leading to splendour. The second describes the skill – samyama.
Samyama is a blend of 3 things: presence (Samadhi), flowing awareness (Dhyana), and focused attention (Dharana) – together. The average person only experiences one at a time. We’re focused on a task or we’re expansive. Plus, many understand these terms incorrectly, like using effort for focus. But that breaks flow.
With some practice of effortless meditation, presence becomes established as an ongoing backdrop. As identification with the content of mind and the concept of a me softens, awareness easily flows. Within that context, introducing a focused thought or intention is very potent.
After spiritual awakening, samyama can develop as an ongoing experience. If someone is not conscious of how they’re using their attention, a practice of mindfulness or presence can be useful. Not as a mood or concept but just becoming more attentive to what is happening right now within. Otherwise our life can still be driven by unintended consequences of unresolved drama.
Finally, this highlights another aspect of how an awakening unfolds: into Splendour. 😉
Davidya
*she also mentions Ramana’s description of later stages that may arise based on the destiny of the individual, something that does not come by desire or wanting. This is distinct from how I describe the stages as a normal progression. But Kundalini Vidya does note that the form of the embodiment does vary, after the descent aka “advanced process”.
Last Updated on December 13, 2019 by Davidya
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I have heard Maharishi talk at some length about these three in a video somewhere. What’s new to me is the experience of the process you describe here: an increasing awareness of presence or silence as a backdrop;an increasing sense that the “me”is softening; and, in addition, a sense of leaving the world of language. I suppose this might be the “flow” described here. There is some very subtle, soft mental activity but it is not cloaked in language. It seems abstract but lively and pleasant. It comes and goes effortlessly. And when I come out of meditation, the pleasantness and the silence linger for longer and longer periods of time.
Hi Tim
Yes – samadhi or presence is the foundation of the rest. As that becomes more conscious, then we can be skilled with it more easily.
The flow of consciousness itself is something that usually becomes more known in Unity. Prior, we tend to experience the movement of energy (prana) or attention. But that varies. The flow arises in recognizing all arises from and within consciousness and we come to see the objects of perception as flowing attention.
However, that assumes a somewhat visual orientation. Others may notice this more by feel or vibration, etc.
But it sounds like great progress. Thanks for the comment.