Over the years, my understanding of our natural potential has evolved quite a bit. Certainly, there’s the difference between conceptual ideas and direct experience, but there are many nuances as well.
I originally studied Maharishi’s 7 states of consciousness model back in the mid-70s, going into more detail during meditation teacher training.
Soon, I got married and started a family, focusing more on career and family life. Then life changed into a more inner cycle and I woke up. And saw many others awaken.
I read about how others framed these shifts, particularly Adyashanti. His “head, heart, gut” process was mirrored in my experience with the early stages and I thought that’s what he meant by the terms. I was surprised by the wide variation in the timing of these releases.
With Lorn Hoff, I learned about the full model of 7 stages from the sage Vasishtha, something Maharishi had only partially brought out. (Maharishi had introduced new stages when people started experiencing them.) And I saw many examples of these shifts.
I then studied Vedic Science in grad school. Several things came out of that. Ayurveda taught me about the related but distinct processes of Atman (consciousness) and Sattva (purity, clarity), the masculine and feminine sides of the process. I realized how beautifully this described the stages in consciousness and the stages of refinement. Also, a big reason different peoples unfolding can be different and start in different places.
A talk by Dr. “Skip” Alexander illustrated how the stages built on top of earlier stages of personal development better than states of consciousness. (Maharishi had mentioned using the states like he did to invite scientists to extend their research.)
These things developed into my first book, Our Natural Potential.
Over time, it’s become clear this model of 7 stages is focused on the realizations themselves, with some exploration of integrating these shifts. Such a map is valuable for context when these openings happen.
However, a lot more of the process is about embodiment. About bringing that awareness, clarity, love, Brahman, and pure Divinity down into the physiology. Living it.
The Yoga Sutra tells us that transcending is the key to realization, but it has to be integrated. In our mind-dominated western culture, there’s a tendency for it to be used as a means of escape. To live in the upper chakras and not bring those realizations down into the body. This is true in a number of spiritual communities.
Adopting a renunciate lifestyle inappropriately or believing that the world is an illusion can also exaggerate this tendency (this can be the experience during a phase, but is not a fundamental reality).
Our unresolved trauma remains because we’ve not brought that inner light down into the body to clear it. We may have smoothed off the reactivity (vasanas) while many impressions (samskaras) remain. Out of awareness, this continues to shadow our experience and behaviour. This is why some very awake people can do some very foolish things. They remain human.
More recently, I’ve realized that Adyashanti uses “head, heart, gut” more as precursors to embodiment and that his own process, like Susanne Marie‘s, was more somatic. Unlike myself, they’re naturally more somatically (bodily) oriented. Adya was an athlete and Susanne a yoga teacher. I designed software and managed police evidence.
It’s become clear that for a fuller embodiment of the unfolding, I got called into somatic work. I’m surprised by what’s in there, but the process is making a difference.
I’m sure I’ll be talking about embodiment more in coming articles.
Davidya
Hi David,
I’m not sure what your somatic training is going to entail, but as an advanced Rolfer for the past 40 years I would suggest you explore the early teachings of Dr. Ida Rolf.
Dr. Rolf’s original premise for Structural Integration/Rolfing was about the Spiritual Evolution of the body, and that a man is built around an energy “Line” embodied in the physical.
That “Line” is directly linked to the gravitational field of the Earth and the Cosmos.
Manipulation of the fascial system (connective tissue) through a series of hands on sessions with a trained SI practitioner, would systematically open and re-align the body in gravity to function at a much higher level.
I could go into greater detail if you think this is of interest to you.
All the best,
Ralph
P.S.
Here a couple of statements from Dr. Rolf about the roll of the connective tissue in the body.
Karma is stored in the connective tissue……when you open and balance a body around the Line you will get a higher functioning individual.
Many spiritual aspirants have experiences that can overwhelm their nervous system and consequently leave them un-grounded and ill at ease.
Getting balance and alignment in the fascia leads a spiritual person to stability……having their feet on the ground while the head experiences the Cosmos.
Hi Ralph
I’m studying at TCFH in Melbourne. It’s a blend of techniques from Levine, parts theory, polyvagal theory, etc.
I did study about Rolfing back in the 70’s and a friend of mine is a retired rolfer. Interesting, I’ve not seen the work framed that way before.
I agree with some of those points but would not agree it’s one thing. There is certainly value in grounding, alignment, and being well integrated but we’re complex systems. Karma and trauma are also in play on other levels.
Hi David,
I agree there are many levels and complex systems,and
I didn’t mean to imply that getting Rolfed or becoming a Rolfer is the be all and end all for spiritual development with bodywork, but it is from my experience a good one.
I was thinking it was something you might be interested in if you hadn’t experienced it and were looking into somatic modalities.
Since you’ve already explored it back in the 70’s, but didn’t take to it, it must not be for you.
Really enjoy your writings, thanks for posting them.
🙂
Ralph
Right, my reply was to all readers. I found some of the background fascinating, but found the application a little harsh for my taste. I’ve since learned that it depends some on the practitioner. Like massage, there are different intensities.