Awakening | The First Three Steps (Includes Inquiry Instruction)

Summary

This script offers a straightforward guide to spiritual awakening, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the journey towards a profound identity shift. It suggests three key steps: acknowledging awakening as the most important goal, engaging with teachings that deeply resonate, and practicing consistent self-inquiry to explore the nature of one's existence. The speaker guides viewers through a self-inquiry exercise, encouraging curiosity and persistence to discover the unchanging essence of being.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Spiritual Awakening is described as a fundamental shift in identity from a suffering self to an oceanic being with a knowingness beyond thought.
• 🔑 Acknowledging that Awakening is the most important thing in one's life is a powerful first step, as it sets the intention and aligns the mind and heart.
• 🧘‍♂️ Engaging with a teacher, teaching, or process that deeply resonates with one's yearning for Awakening is crucial for guidance and resonance.
• 🤔 Inquiry, or asking questions and becoming genuinely curious, is a key practice to explore what one is not and what one truly is.
• 👀 Self-inquiry involves noticing thoughts and then turning attention to the awareness behind those thoughts, leading to a deeper understanding of one's true nature.
• 💡 The process of self-inquiry can lead to a realization of an unchanging, ever-present awareness that is the foundation of all experience.
• 📝 It's recommended to write down one's commitment to Awakening to solidify the intention and make it a central focus.
• 📚 There are many sources for spiritual guidance, including videos, ancient texts, and teachings, but it's important to find what resonates deeply with the individual.
• 🔍 Consistency in the practice of inquiry is suggested to make it more effective, even if interest or fear fluctuates.
• 🌌 The script suggests that the experience of Awakening is beyond concepts and words, pointing to a direct experience of pure being.
• 🌱 The process of self-inquiry can be practiced in a non-distracted environment to facilitate relaxation and deepen the experience of awareness.
• 🌀 The script emphasizes that the journey of Awakening is personal and may involve navigating doubt, fear, and uncertainty with curiosity and persistence.

Q & A

What is the fundamental shift or transformation referred to as 'Awakening' in the script?

The 'Awakening' referred to in the script is a deep, transformative experience at the level of identity, moving from a false, suffering sense of self made of thoughts, beliefs, memories, and perceptions to an experience of oceanic being and a knowingness that transcends thought.

Why is it important to break down the concept of Awakening into simple steps?

It's important to simplify the steps of Awakening because the abundance of contradictory and confusing information can lead to analysis paralysis, making it difficult for individuals to know where to start or to trust their ability to navigate the process.

What is the significance of acknowledging Awakening as the most important thing in one's life?

Acknowledging Awakening as the most important priority can lead to a deep alignment with oneself, which can rearrange life and the universe in a way that supports the Awakening process, and unseen forces may come to one's aid.

Why is engaging with a teacher, teaching, or process that resonates deeply with an individual important for Awakening?

Engaging with a resonant teacher or teaching is crucial because it stirs something deep within, touching the individual's core yearning for Awakening and providing a solid foundation for the journey.

What does the script suggest as a practical step that one can start right now on the path to Awakening?

The script suggests starting with self-inquiry, becoming genuinely curious about one's thoughts and the nature of one's existence, and following this curiosity to understand what one is not and then what one truly is.

What is the role of curiosity in the process of self-inquiry as described in the script?

Curiosity in self-inquiry is essential as it drives the individual to explore beyond the surface, questioning the nature of thoughts and existence, and leading to a deeper understanding of one's true self.

How does consistency play a role in the effectiveness of self-inquiry?

Consistency in applying self-inquiry makes it more effective by allowing the process to catch on fire, becoming compelling enough that the individual may find themselves engaged in it for extended periods, even outside of formal practice sessions.

What is the purpose of self-inquiry when it comes to thoughts that arise during the process?

The purpose of self-inquiry regarding thoughts is to notice them without judgment, to understand their nature, and to use them as a gateway to discover the 'Thinker' or the awareness behind the thoughts.

How does the script describe the experience of the 'Thinker' or the awareness behind thoughts?

The 'Thinker' or awareness is described as unchanging, always present, not limited by time or space, and not requiring any content to know itself. It is the seamless, eternal presence that allows thoughts to be known.

What is the final outcome or realization that the script suggests one may reach through consistent self-inquiry?

The final outcome is a clear understanding that there is an unchanging, eternal presence that is always there, independent of thoughts, and that this presence is the true nature of the individual, beyond any concepts or labels.