Q: I have read so much about enlightenment and ‘awakening’ and have done many residential weekend courses that touch on the subject but I don’t feel any closer to it. Are some techniques more likely to work than others?

Most of those who are on a path of growth are seeking that which is termed ‘enlightenment’ or ‘awakening’, and often find it elusive. These terms mean different things to different people, but generally it is accepted that what is being sought is a glimpse of the Eternal, of Bliss, God, Universe, Peace and to see through the Grand Illusion we call life.

The reason it seems beyond reach is because that which you seek you are already. Breathing is a good analogy; you don’t think about breathing, yet it’s something you’ve done your whole life, without which you just wouldn’t be. That applies to awakening too, since the essence of Great Spirit is the very reason why everything is. And it is everything. 

You have to understand that it’s simpler and closer to you than you imagine. Maybe in your visualizations you’ve seen choirs of angels, clouds, a white light, a voice from above, you imagine yourself prostrate before the Great Being. These are wonderful imaginings but that’s all they are. Many of us carry this imagery with us and expect to find it in our quest to find God. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it has nothing to do with God.

You see, you’ve got to come from the premise that this is all a wonderful dream, complex, beautiful in places and horrific in others, painful at times and so joyful at others, full of people and places and feelings. But it is a dream. It feels real for a good reason: experience. The physical dimension is where all these things are experienced. The spiritual dimension is one of dynamic peace but of neutral feeling. But it’s in this world that love and hate and everything in between are felt. If we knew from the start it was an illusion, it would defeat the point.

Whose dream is it? It is the dream of God, the One, Great Spirit, whatever you choose to call it. And in this dream, we all think we’re separate individuals because we can be alone with our thoughts and shut the doors of our houses where no one can come. But we are dreamed characters.

While this kind of statement might be shocking to your mind, don’t let it frighten you. The mind likes to figure out everything. It likes to be in control and would like you to think that this is all nonsense. However, just accept it’s going to do that and remain open.

What you are looking for is in you, reading these words now, as it is in the words you are reading, and in the monitor screen. It is in you when you get up and go to the kitchen to get a drink, when you sleep, or make love, or yell at the bad driver for not indicating – and yes, it’s in the bad driver too!! It is with you when you’re bored, when you feel inspired or when you feel alone and cut off from life. The truth is you are never alone.

You can’t use techniques to experience what you already are. And if God is everywhere and in everything, then you don’t need to go anywhere to find it. There is a part of you right now that recognizes this truth even if your rational mind tells you otherwise. Be open to that. Don’t forget to see the miracle in everything. You take it for granted that the sun will rise, that the flowers grow, that all the cells in your body will communicate at light speed and keep everything working. But isn’t it all magical? 

Awakening and the invitation to Remember is present in every second.   Sometimes, the death of the personality is necessary to experience it. That happens as you let go of all the rigid beliefs about past lives, karma, retribution, punishment, hell and heaven and Judgment Day. With the dropping away of these restricting mental shackles, you become open to Truth. It’s only when your cup is empty that you can fill it again.

Within that emptiness the hushed invitation of Presence is clearer. Most importantly though, remember that the invitation is present anywhere, anytime, even if you don’t change or let go of anything. That’s the greatest revelation of all.

© khaled bazzi 2004.