AwakeningToTheTrueSelf

WrittenbyLaurelSherer
TheSelf Smallerthanthesmallest, Greaterthanthegreatest, ThisSelfforeverdwells Intheheartsofall. Apersonfreedfromdesire, Withmindandsensespurified, BeholdsthegloryoftheSelf andiswithoutsorrow. KathaUpanishad

Introduction
AwakeningtothetrueSelfisthepathhomeforeachofus.Itisthepathofleavingbehindillusionsof separation and identification with the mind, body, and emotions for true knowledge of our oneness with the Divine. Toawaken to the trueSelfis to know thedivine truth of God. It is to be selfrealized and enlightened. Therearemanywordsandpathsdescribingthissamestateofbeing,whichistheonestateofbeingthatexistsin everything,everywhere,andinalltimes.Wearethis!Weareinfinite,boundless,pureconsciousness.Yet,even these words do not fully express the truth of the Divine, which is beyond definitions. Most of us live in the worldthinkingandactingasifwearethechildofabarrenwomanasifwewereborn.Atsomepointinour evolution,wewakeupandrealizewearenottheillusionofthebodymindcomplex,butTHATwhichexistsas prior to consciousness, time, space, and Beingwe were never born and will never die, (xv) states Gabriel CounsensinSpiritualNutrition:SixFoundationsForSpiritualLifeAndTheAwakeningOfKundalini(2005). HowdowemakethejourneyfromseparationconsciousnesstothatofbeingawakenedtothetrueSelf? In the words of Paramahansa Yogananda from Gabriel Cousens book Spiritual Nutrition: Six Foundations For SpiritualLifeAndTheAwakeningOfKundalini(2005),Selfrealizationistheknowinginthebody,mind,andsoul thatweareonewiththeomnipresenceofGod;thatwedonothavetopraythatitcomestous,thatwearenot merelynearitatalltimes,butthatGodsomnipresenceisouromnipresence;thatwearejustasmuchapartof Him now as we will ever be. All we have to do is improve our knowing. (x) There are many paths of self realizationthatteachushowtoawaken.Todaysvastamountofknowledgeaboutselfrealizationisaresultof manypeopletakingthequestinwardtoknowthetrueSelfthroughouttheages.Thosewhohavesucceededin awakeningtotheDivinehaveofferedanswerstothequestionssurroundingthenatureofourtrueSelf.Within theseanswerslaysacentralmessage:thereisatrueSelfthatisthesameforalloflife;itiseternal,perfect,and certainlycanbeknown. Althoughspiritualteachersofferanswerstothequestionofwhowereallyareandpathsofhowtocome to know our true nature, people need to take the journey inward and experience the nature of the Divine themselves. In this way, each person is her/his own liberator and spiritual teacher. Devotion to the path of awakeningtothetrueSelf,opennesstothegraceofbecomingselfrealized,andcultivationofspiritualenergyare statesofbeingwhichhelpustoexperiencethenatureofthetrueSelf.Theparadoxofthesituationisthateven thoughwearethetrueSelfrightnowandthusdonotneedtogooutsideofourselvestofindit,wecannotknow itwithamindthatisconstantlyracingbetweenthoughtsofthepastandfuture.Thisiswhyspiritualteachers offeruspracticesasafoundationforrealizingthetrueSelf.Suchpracticespreparethebodyandmindtoperceive thetrueSelf.Thebodyandmindcanbelikenedtoantennas,whichareslightlyalteredhereandthereinorderto bebetterconductorsfortuningintothefrequencyoftheDivine.AsEllenGraceOBriennotesinLivingTheEternal Way: Spiritual Meaning And Practice For Daily Life (1998), spiritual practices are nutrients for the seed of realizationwhichalreadyexistswithinustobloom.(10)Tobecomeselfrealizedisanaturalprocessofourtrue Selfunfolding,thesameprocessthataflowerundergoesinblooming.OBrianstates,Onehassimplyjourneyed hometotheexquisitefloweringoftheDivineinandasonesownSelf.(10) AwakeningToTheTrueSelf2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 1

In this course, we will intellectually take the journey of selfrealization together by first looking at the state of consciousness that people are in when they identify with the body, mind, and emotions as self. After gaining clarity on this state of understanding, we will then move to a compilation of wisdom from various spiritual paths of how to connect to the true Self. This is a wonderful way to see how spiritual practices from different traditions can be woven together to give abroad rangeof knowledge of the path of awakening. Such knowledgeishighlyusefulwhenchoosingpracticestohelpwithonesspiritualgrowthandawakening. ThiscoursecanbeusedasastartingpointforanyonenewtotheexplorationofthetrueSelforasaspark of inspiration for those already on the path of awakening. The level to which you take this course depends on your own intentions in life. This course can be kept at the intellectual level and as such, can be wonderful for further thought. It can also be taken to the experiential level through the exercises given and encouragement offeredtopursueanyotherpracticesthathelpyoutorealizethetrueSelf.Ifyouchoosetoapplythiscourseto workingwithotherpeople,viewingthemasmorethantheirbodies,thoughts,andpersonalitiescanbehealing for all those involved. It can bring a deeper level of healing and understanding to any situation. Additionally, havingpersonalexperiencesofdeeplyquestioningwhatyourtruenatureiscanhelpyoutorelateandsupport othersintheirprocessesofawakeningtothetrueSelf. The focus of this course is not something that is beyond you or those around you. It is the journey of awakeningtowhoyoutrulyareandlearningtoletyourtrueSelfflowunhinderedthroughyourlife.Asmany spiritualteacherssay,awakeningtothetrueSelfreallycanbedoneinthislifetime.Maythiscoursebeamirrorto reflecttheperfectionofwhoyouhavebeen,are,andwillalwaysbe. ReviewOfLiterature (ExamsquestionsarenotdrawnfromtheReviewOfLiteraturesection) Manyofthebooksthathavebeenusedinwritingthiscoursearewrittenwithgreatspiritualpotencyand as such, can transmit energy to the reader. If you or someone else you know would like to read books on the subjectofthetrueSelf,thissectionofthecoursecanhelpyoutobetterselectanybooksfromthosethathavebeen usedinwritingthiscourse. One book that provided information for this course is called Start Where You Are: A Guide To CompassionateLiving(1994).Theauthor,PemaChodron,isanAmericanBuddhistnunandameditationmaster. This book is intended to help people awaken a compassionate heart and develop fearlessness. Pema Chodron encourages readers to embrace the painful parts of their lives instead of denying them. She presents several Buddhist meditation techniques with great clarity and compassion for those beginning a meditation practice. PemaChodronfurthermoreusesfiftyninetraditionalTibetanBuddhistslogansasaframeworkforherwisdom onhowtoawakenacompassionateheart. The book Spiritual Nutrition: Six Foundations For Spiritual Life And The Awakening Of Kundalini (2005) is written by Gabriel Cousens, M.D. The content of this book includes the scientific, spiritual, and metaphysical aspects of awakening to the true Self, nutrition, and Kundalini. It gives us knowledge of how to awaken the spiritualenergyinourbodiesthroughthefoodsthatweeat.GabrielCousensalsogivesusaclearunderstanding ofthecontinuumofwaysthatenergiesmanifest.InthewordsofViktorasKulvinskas,whowrotetheprefaceto Cousensbook,ReadingSpiritualNutritionfeelslikehavingaconversationwithGodoveraglassofwheatgrass juice.(xii) An Easy Guide To Ayurveda: The Natural Way To Wholeness (1996) had sections that were used for this course.WrittenbyRoyEugeneDavis,thisisahighlyspiritualbookontheancienthealingmethodsofayurveda. Italsooffersmuchpracticalwisdom,inspiration,andexercisesforawakeningtothetrueSelf.RoyEugeneDavis isaspiritualteacherintheKriyaYogatraditionandadirectdiscipleofParamahansaYogananda. Roy Eugene Daviss book The Eternal Way: The Inner Meaning Of The Bhagavad Gita (1996) offers a commentaryon the Bhagavad Gita, a yoga scripture written centuries ago in India. In RoyEugene Davis own words, the Bhagavad Gita is a guidebook to understanding the reality of God, the processes of universal manifestation, and how every aspiring soul can have awareness restored to higher knowledge and spiritual wholeness.DaviscommentaryontheBhagavadGitaoffersclaritytothisancientyogascripture. Another book by Roy Eugene Davis that was used in writing this course is Seven Lessons In Conscious Living(2000).Inthisbook,RoyEugeneDavisexplainsseveralmeditationpracticesfordiscoveringyourtrueSelf. Davisalsodiscussesyogaphilosophyandgiveslifestyleguidelinesforcreatingabalancedspiritualpath.Seven

AwakeningToTheTrueSelf2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences

Lessons In Conscious Living is a workbook, making it an interactive journey. A personal application section for eachlessonisgiven,whichincludesquestionstoaskyourselfandaffirmationsyoucanuse. You Are That! Satsang With Gangaji, Volume II (1996) is a compilation of excerpts from various satsangs, which are public gatherings in which everyone is welcome to ask Gangaji questions. This is a wonderful compilationofGangajisteachings.Theycenteraroundthemessagethatwhatpeoplearereallylookingforisthe trueSelf.TheformatofthisbookallowsreadersgettoseetheprocessthatGangajiuseswithpeopletohelpthem moveintounderstandingwhatisatthecoreoftheirlifestoriesandwhotheytrulyare.Thisuniqueviewofthe processesthatothersgothroughastheyapplyGangajismessagecanbeveryhelpfulforreaderswhenbringing Gangajismessagetotheirownlives. InFreedomFromTheKnown(1969),Krishnamurtiencouragesustostepawayfromotherpeoplespaths and really come into knowing ourselves. Krishnamurti points to the benefits of watching our minds without judgment. It is between the noise of thoughts that Krishnamurti says we can experience Freedom From The KnownandthusexperienceourtrueSelf. ComingBackToLife:PracticesToReconnectOurLives,OurWorld(1998)looksattherootsofsufferingand howtomovefromthisstateintowholeness.ThisbookiswrittenbyJoannaMacyandMollyYoungBrown,who offer information on healing at the individual and world levels. This book contains many exercises that are helpfulforgainingmeaninginoneslife.InthewordsofJoannaMacy,thisbookmapswaysintothevitalityand determinationweeachpossesstotakepartinthehealingofourworld.(5) ThebookASingleBladeOfGrass:FindingTheSacredInEverydayLife(2002)isabeautifulbookofspiritual wisdom written by Ellen Grace OBrian. This book begins with an inspiring discussion of the elements of a spiritualpathandreasonswhycultivatingsuchapathcanbedesirable.Therestofthebookcontainsshortand meaningful pieces of wisdom about attention, inner guidance, true Self, nonattachment, purity, abundance, devotion,grace,surrender,andotherspiritualtopicsaswell.Thispartofthebookcanbeuseddailybyreading one page of wisdom and using it as a focus of contemplation for the day. Reverend Ellen Grace OBrian is a spiritualteacherintheKriyaYogatraditionandisadiscipleofRoyEugeneDavis.SheistheSpiritualDirectorof theCenterforSpiritualEnlightenmentandinterfaithministryinSanJose,CA.Thefocusofherministryisonthe essentialtruthattheheartoftheworldsreligions. Another book by Ellen Grace OBrian that was used for this course is Living The Eternal Way: Spiritual MeaningAndPracticeForDailyLife(1998).TheEternalWayreferstoteachingsfromtheVedas,whichisthesacred literatureofIndiathatdescribestherevelationsofilluminedseersfromthousandsofyearsago.TheEternalWay istheinnerjourneyofSelfrealization.EllenGraceOBriansbookisintendedforthoseinterestedinthisjourney. She dedicated this book to the holy fire of the divine Self burning in every heart... Living The Eternal Way: SpiritualMeaningAndPracticeForDailyLifedescribesthepathsofawakeningwithintheyogictraditionandthe waysthatwelivethem,includingcontemplation,meditation,cultivatingvirtues,surrender,andservice. LovingKindness:TheRevolutionaryArtOfHappiness(1995)waswrittenbySharonSalzbergandoffersus wisdom from the Buddhist tradition. Sharon Salzberg is a meditation teacher and founder of the Insight Meditation Society in Massachusetts. There are several meditation practices that are shared in this book, includingmeta.Meta,meaninglovingkindness,involvesrepeatingcertainphrasestoyourselfwhenyouareina meditativeplace.Thesephrasesinclude,MayIbefreeofdangerandmayIhaveeaseofwellbeing. SwamiMuktanandasbookWhereAreYouGoing?AGuideToTheSpiritualJourney(1981)wasalsousedfor this course. Swami Muktananda was born in India, where, at the age of fifteen, he left his home in search of experiencing God. Swami Muktananda journeyed across India three times and learned from more than sixty spiritual teachers. It was during his time learning from Bhagawan Nityananda, the Siddha Master, that Swami Muktanandaattainedenlightenment.Thisbookiswritteninaveryclearwayandisagreataidetoonesspiritual journey. OneofTheDalaiLamasbooksentitledAnOpenHeart:PracticingCompassionInEverydayLife(2001)isa greatresourceforpracticesthatcanhelpustoconnectwithourtrueSelf.TheDalaiLamawritesinaverysincere andclearway,andinthisbook,hetouchesuponmanyofthechallengesthatpeoplefaceincreatinghappinessin theirlives.ThespiritualpracticesthatTheDalaiLamaoffersareintendedtohelppeoplegainawarenessoftheir minds.Thesepracticesservetohelpuscultivatewantedmentalstatesandtamethosethatareunwanted. ThebookThePowerOfNow:AGuideToSpiritualEnlightenment(1999)isanotherhelpfulresourceinthe journeytoawakeningtothetrueSelf.EckhartTolleexplainswhythemindhascontroloverpeopleandhowto AwakeningToTheTrueSelf2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 3

gainawarenessofnotbeingthemind.EckhartTollefocusesonwhyitisimportanttosurrendertothepresent moment. In doing so, one can access the doorways to enlightenment which exist in everyones lives. Such doorways,accordingtoTolle,includeourrelationshipsandbodies. No Boundary: Eastern And Western Approaches To Personal Growth (1979) is a wonderful book about the widevarietyofpsychologiesandtherapiesfromtheEastandWest.Theauthor,KenWilber,providesamapof consciousness that is defined by what types of boundaries people use when they define the self. Ken Wilber suggeststhatthevarietyofpsychologiesandtherapiesdonotcontradicteachother,butinsteadcomplimenteach other by being effective for different levels of human consciousness. This is a wonderful book for anyone interestedinEasternandWesternapproachestoconsciousness.

TheBody,Mind,&EmotionsAsIdentities
Throughout our lives, we are continually forming answers to the question of who we are. Yet these answersoftendonotcomethroughreallylookingtothecoreofourbeing,butinsteadfromhowwewantothers toperceiveus.Theyareanswersfromtheego,andtheycomeinnumerousforms.Regardlessofhowweidentify ourselves,theprocessofsayingweareanythingrequiresthatwedrawalinebetweenwhatweareandwhat wearenot.AccordingtoKenWilberinthebookNoBoundary:EasternAndWesternApproachesToPersonalGrowth (1979),Whatyouareactuallydoing,whetheryouknowitornot,isdrawingamentallineorboundaryacross thewholefieldofyourexperience,andeverythingontheinsideofthatboundaryyouarefeelingorcallingyour self,whileeverythingoutsidethatboundaryyoufeeltobenotself.(4) Thebodyisoneoftheboundarylinesthatpeopleuseindefiningwhotheyare.Forsomepeople,their senseofselfincludestheirbodies,whileforothers,theirbodiesaresimplyvehiclesfortheirminds.Anothersuch boundarylineistoacceptthewholemindasselfortoonlyacceptcertainpartsofthemind(calledthepersona) as being the self. This can be seen when someone denies her/his deep anger and instead puts it off on other peopleandsituations.Theboundariesofselfthatpeopledrawvarybetweenindividualsandbetweentimesin eachindividualslife.Atonepointwemayfeelouridentitieslinkedtoacertainbodytypeoremotion,yetwithin a matter of several years, our bodies and emotions often change. This continual changing in how we identify ourselvesshowsthatidentitieswithinsuchboundariesarenotthesameastheunchangingtrueSelf.EllenGrace OBrianstatesinASingleBladeOfGrass:FindingTheSacredInEverydayLife(2002),Ifweanalyzeourlife,wesee thatmostofwhatwethinkisuscannotbeus.Isthebodyus?No.Becausethebodywehavenowisdifferent fromtheonewehadtenorevenfiveyearsago.Isthemindus?No.Becauseourthoughtsarealsochanging,even morethanthebodyischanging.(46)Anotherwaytorealizetheillusionoftheseboundariesofselfisofferedby Gangaji,whoencouragesustolookdeeplytothecoreofanysenseofseparation.Whenyouinquireintothat separation,simply,obviously,immediately,youfindthatitisjustnotthere.(http://www.gangaji.org) As we learn to dissolve these boundaries our sense of self encompasses more and more, and we move towardthetrueSelf,whichisboundless.KenWilbersuggeststhatthetrueSelfisliketheoceanwater,whileall theideasofselfthatwehavewithinourboundarylinesarelikethevariouswavesontheocean.Eachwaveis madeofthewater,yetifweonlyfocusonthewave,wemaynotrealizeitismadeofwater.Wehavelearnedto lookatlifewithourminds,andthusweapplyourmindstotryingtoknowthetrueSelf.Yetitisthemindthat holdsonessenseofselfwithintheboundariesofthoughts. Many spiritual teachers and traditions focus on quieting the mind, for the true Self can not be realized when the mind is full of thoughts. According to Eckhart Tolle in The Power Of Now: A Guide To Spiritual Enlightenment(1999),itisthemindwhichisthelargestobstacletoselfrealization.Manypeoplesmindsareout of balance, constantly racing between thoughts. Although it may seem that we are in control of our minds because we can use them to solve a problem or focus on a project, Tolle states that if we cannot turn off our minds,wearebeingusedbythem.Assuch,themindisdestructive.Tollestates,Youbelievethatyouareyour mind.Thisisthedelusion.Theinstrumenthastakenyouover.(13) Whathappenswhenweidentifywiththemind,body,and/oremotionsisthatweseekhappinessthrough gratifying these senses of self. We may focus our lives on stimulating our minds, pleasing our bodily senses, workingthroughouremotions,andtryingtokeepourbodiesfromaging.Yetwhatseemstohappenisthatthe momentwearenotstimulated,wefindourselvesunsureofwhoweareandourplaceintheworld.Wethustry tofillourliveswithtasksandpreoccupationsinordertonotexperienceanunderlyingsenseofdisappointment, longing,andsearchingforsomethingmore. AwakeningToTheTrueSelf2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 4

GatewaysToAwakening
Afteridentifyingourselveswiththebody,mind,andemotions,thereisapointformanyofuswhenwe find ourselves facing our underlying feelings of being unsatisfied with life and longing for something more. Facingthesefeelingsrequiresthatwestopfromconstantlyactingonourthoughts.AccordingtoTheDalaiLama, Once we finally recognize the suffering state we are in, the allpervasive suffering that the afflictive emotions such as attachment and anger inflict upon us, we develop a sense of frustration and disgust with our present predicament.This,inturn,nurturesthedesiretofreeourselvesfromourpresentstateofmind,theendlesscycles ofmiseryanddisappointment.(38) Whenwebegintoseetheimpermanenceofouremotionalstatesandthesufferinginvolvedinclingingto ideasofoutwardhappiness,wecanbeimpelledtoseeksomethingelseinourlives,somefurthermeaningtowho weare.Tocometothispointoffacingourinnersufferingisanopportunity,orgateway,toawakeningtothetrue Self.Wemay,however,misinterpretthecalltowardselfrealizationasaneedtochangetheegooroutsideworld in some way. On the other hand, we may be at thepoint in our journeys when we come to know thatseeking happiness in the outer world and ego does not produce lasting results and that instead, we must look deeply withinforthetrueSelf. Inthisway,wecanusetheinnersufferingthatwefeelasagatewaytothepathofselfrealization.Deeply questioningthemeaningoflifecanalsobeagatewaytoawakening.Yetanothergatewayliesinlovinglifeand theDivine.Deeplovecanthensparkdevotionandleadtospiritualawakening.Thisisexpressedinthefollowing poembyGangaji(http://www.gangaji.org): Thelightoflove piercesthisdream towakeusup Andtoreveal thatitisitself theawakening. Anyone on the path of selfrealization has had some catalyst experience, which moves them toward a gatewayofawakening.EllenGraceOBrianlikensthisexperiencetoanalarmclockwakingusupfromsleepinA SingleBladeOfGrass:FindingTheSacredInEverydayLife(2002).OBrianstates,Thisalarmisamanifestationof Gods grace, that aspect of Divine Consciousness that is consciously striving to bring all souls back to Itself. (xvii) There are numerous ways that peoples alarm clocks of awakening begin to ring. Once this happens, we begin to tune into a longing for selfrealization. OBrian states, Just as the ocean pulls all waves back to its bosom,Godisactivelydrawingallsoulsbacktotheirdivinehome.(85)

KnowingTheTrueSelf
Many of us have had moments of experiencing the nature of the true Self, even if we are not yet fully awakened. Ellen Grace OBrian states in A Single Blade Of Grass: Finding The Sacred In Everyday Life (2002) that becausespiritualawarenessisanaturalstateofconsciousness,mostpeoplehaveexperienceditatsometime. (3) OBrian says that the feelings of oneness with all, peace, and pure clarity mark such a moment. For some people,thiscomesthroughwatchingthebirthofababyorthroughbeinginnature.Thesemomentsofspiritual awareness, or awakening to the true Self, are often remembered as peak moments in our lives. Many people devotethemselvestoapathofspiritualityasawayofconnectingtothetrueSelfmoreoftenthansuchfleeting experiences here and there. Those fleeting experiences of true Self awarenesskeep us on the spiritual path like nothingelsecan. EllenGraceOBriandefinesthespirituallifeasputtingGodfirst.Inthiswayitisverysimple,andatthe same time extremely difficult because we are not used to doing so. In this very moment, doesnt it seem reasonabletoallowourfocustofalluponourtrueSelf?Ifwelookatourlivesasastringofsuchmoments,we canseethateachmomentisfullwiththequestionofwhetherwewanttofocusourmindsonawakeningornot. What is truly most important to us? When our minds center on selfrealization, our actions then come as an expressionofourdesireforawakeningandourspiritualgrowthquickens.RoyEugeneDavisstatesinTheEternal Way: The Inner Meaning Of The Bhagavad Gita (1996), Responding joyously to the souls innate urge to have awarenessrestoredtoconsciouswholenessoronenessassuresrapid,authenticspiritualgrowth.(53) AwakeningToTheTrueSelf2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 5

In addition to focusing our minds on knowing the true Self, we can cultivate the spiritual energy that residesinourbodies.Suchenergyiscalledpranaandkundaliniintheyogicsystemofspiritualityandwellness; itiscalledchiintheChinesesystemofwellness.TaichiandchiqongarephysicalpracticesfromtheChinese systemofhealththatareusedtoincreaseoneschi.Thepathofyoga(meaningunionwiththeDivine)includes meditation, breathing exercises, and physical poses.These practices are designed to awaken the energy centers (called nadis and chakras) of the body. When people become selfrealized, their kundalini rises from where it residesatthebaseofthespinetothecrownchakraatthetopofthehead.Theythenbecomefullyawakenedto thetrueSelf,orDivine.Inorderforakundaliniawakeningtooccur,oneschannelthroughthechakrasneedsto beclearandagreatdealofspiritualenergyneedstobecultivated. Many spiritual traditions and teachers encourage those who want to know the true Self to meditate. AccordingtoSwamiMuktanandainWhereAreYouGoing?AGuideToTheSpiritualJourney(1981),theSelfcannot be seen, heard, tasted, or spoken of. It cannot be understood by the mind or the senses. Yet when the inner psychicinstrumentsarepurifiedthroughmeditation,itrevealsitselfonitsown.(28)Meditationisawaytostep back from the turbulent currents of our everyday thoughts. Meditation means learning how to get out of this current,sitbyitsbankandlistentoit,learnfromit,andthenuseitsenergiestoguideusratherthantotyrannize us. (9) states Jon KabatZinn in Wherever You Go There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation In Everyday Life (1994). Meditationhelpsthemindtobecomestill,andinsuchstillness,wecancometoexperiencethesubtlenatureof theDivine. Thebenefitsofmeditationrippleouttotouchallmomentsinourlives,helpingustogainawarenessand inner stillness in our daily lives. However, when we bring stillness to whatever thoughts and emotions arise throughouttheday,thereisahabitualpullwithinourmindstogointothesethoughtsandemotions.Inthebook You Are That! Satsang With Gangaji, Volume II (1996) Gangaji states, When the conditioned tendencies to move awayfromastateortowardastatearise,relaxyourmind.Surrendertheactivityofmindtowhatisbeforeand afterallactivityofmind.(71)Watchingourthoughtsallowsustotakeastepbackfromthethinkingidentityand realizethatwearesomethingelse.InThePowerOfNow:AGuideToSpiritualEnlightenment(1999)EckhartTolle states,Youthenbegintorealizethatthereisavastrealmofintelligencebeyondthought,thatthoughtisonlya tinyaspectofthatintelligence.Youalsorealizethatallthethingsthattrulymatterbeauty,love,creativity,joy, innerpeacearisefrombeyondthemind.Youbegintoawaken.(14) Throughstillnesswecanlearntomorefullyexperienceeachmomentoflife.EllenGraceOBrianstates inASingleBladeOfGrass:FindingTheSacredInEverydayLife(2002),Wediscoverthespirituallawofourlifeby being completely present where we arewith our family, work, and spiritual practice. Sometimes there is an expectationthatourspiritualpurposeordutywillbemoresignificantorglamorousthanourlifeisnow.ButGod isnomorepresentinoneplacethananother.(12)Aswesurrenderandopentothepresentmoment,weletgoof oldideasandfeelingsthatwehaveheldontoaspartsofouridentities.EllenGraceOBrianspeaksoftheprocess oflettinggofalseidentitiesinordertoopenourselvestothetrueSelfinASingleBladeOfGrass:FindingTheSacred InEverydayLife(2002).Godisanopendoor,welcomingall.Anyonemayenter,regardlessofthenametheycall out at the doorway. The only requirement is willingness to leave behind the baggage of selfwill and self importance.Onlythoseemptiedofselfmaycrossthethreshold.(80)Whenweemptyourselvesofourideasof ourselvesandGod,wearereadytobefilledwiththetruthofourbeing.EllenGraceOBrianstates,Whenwe slough off all the things we are not, it is spirituality that remains. (78) And what are we not? We are not the identitiesofselfthatwetrytocontainwithinanyboundariesthatourmindsconstruct.Wearemuchmorethan theselimitedperspectivesthatarecontinuouslychanging.InSevenLessonsInConsciousLiving(2000)RoyDavis offersusthefollowingquotebyParamahansaYogananda: GodistheoceanofSpirit;wearelikewavesthatriseandfallontheoceanssurface. Tooneinvolvedinthedramaofrelativelifewhoisattachedtosuccessandfearfuloffailure,attachedtogoodhealthand fearfulofillness, attachedtophysicalexistenceandfearfulofdeath, humanexperiencesappeartobetheonlyreality. Toonewhoisestablishedinnonattachment, everythingisperceivedasGod.(65) AwakeningToTheTrueSelf2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 6

TheNatureOfTheTrueSelf
The true Self is an inner jewel within each being. It is perfect, omnipresent, and eternal. Roy Eugene Davis states in The Eternal Way: The Inner Meaning Of The Bhagavad Gita (1996), As rays of Gods light we are expressed,notcreated.(53)EachofusisanexpressionoftheDivine,andifwetuneintoourowninnerlight,we canseethatitisonewiththelightoftheDivine. Let us take in these words from the Ashavakra Gita, which Ellen Grace OBrian offers us in her book LivingTheEternalWay:SpiritualMeaningAndPracticeForDailyLife(1998): Iamtheboundlessocean. ButIdonotriseorfall. Thiswayandthat, Iamtheinfinitedeep Thewind,blowingwhereitwill, Inwhomalltheworlds Drivestheshipoftheworld. Appeartorise. ButIamnotshaken. Beyondallform, Iamtheunboundeddeep Foreverstill. Inwhomthewavesofalltheworlds EvensoamI.(50) Naturallyriseandfall.

AJewelLiesWithin
In the book The Power Of Now: A Guide To Spiritual Enlightenment (1999), Eckhart Tolle illustrates the situationthatmanypeopleareinwiththefollowingstoryaboutabeggar.Onedayamanwalkedbyabeggar, whowassittinginthestreet.Outofhabit,thebeggarasked,Spareanychange?Themanrepliedthathecould not,butaskedabouttheboxthatthebeggarwassittingon.Oh,thisthing?ItsjustanoldboxIvebeensitting onforalong,longtime.Themanaskedifthebeggarhadevertakenalookinsideandfoundthatthebeggarhad not, assuming there was nothing. The beggar decided to have a look, though, since this man was so curious. Uponopeningthebox,thebeggarfoundthatitwasfilledwithgold! Mostofusareinthesamesituationasthisbeggar.Ourtruewealthisrighthere,yetwedonotknowthis because we assume we are not perfect and vast enough to hold such wealth. Eckhart Tolle states, Those who havenotfoundtheirtruewealth,whichistheradiantjoyofBeingandthedeep,unshakablepeacethatcomes withit,arebeggars,eveniftheyhavegreatmaterialwealth.Theyarelookingoutsideforscrapsofpleasureof fulfillment, for validation, security, or love, while they have a treasure within that not only includes all those thingsbutisinfinitelygreaterthananythingtheworldcanoffer.(9)

TheEternalPerfectionOfTheTrueSelf
InStartWhereYouAre:AGuideToCompassionateLiving(1994),PemaChodronremindsusthatthetrue Selfisalwaysperfect,andatthedeepestlevel,thereisnothingthatweneedtochangeaboutourselvesinorderto awaken. The true Self is always awake. Chodron uses the metaphor of the true Self being the sun and all our addictions,fears,andidentitiesbeingthecloudsthatpassby.Somecloudsmaybelightandfluffywhileothers aredarkerandheavier.Thesunmaybeblockedtemporarilybythesecloudssothatwedonotrecognizethetrue Self,butthetrueSelfisallthewhileunchanged.InthewordsofPemaChodron,allthetimeourwarmthand brilliancearerighthere.Thisiswhowereallyare.Weareoneblinkofaneyeawayfrombeingfullyawake.(3) ThereisareassuranceincontemplatingtheperfectionofthetrueSelf.Evenifwedonotviewouregos, bodies,ortheworldinwhichweliveasbeingperfectinourminds,thereisaneternalperfectionthatisbeing expressed through each part of life. Swami Muktananda states, The only one dwelling in this entire world is God (http://cosmicharmony.com/Sp/Muktanan/Muktanan.htm). Once one becomes tuned into the perfection of the Divine,thereisagroundedpeacethatemerges.Ithassometimesbeenlikenedtofinallylettinggoaftertryingso desperatelytoclingtorocksinariver.Onceweletgoofouroldperceptionsofthewaywethinklifetobeand comeintoonenesswiththeDivine,weareamazedattheriverweareapartof.Werealizeitwasonlyanillusion thatwewereseparatefromthisriverofLifeandthatwehadtoprotectourselvesfrombeingsweptaway;forin beingsweptaway,weareonlysweptintotheDivine,ourtrueSelf.

AMysteriousNature
EvenforthosewhoknowthetrueSelf,theycannotdefineitasbeinganything.Gangajistatesthatno concepttouchesthetrueSelf,althoughconceptspointtoit.Inherownwords,Whenyouidentifyyourselfasa AwakeningToTheTrueSelf2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 7

thingmental,physical,emotional,orcircumstantialandyoubelievethisidentificationtobereal,youoverlook therealityofthevastnessofBeing.(5)SpiritualinvestigationrevealsSelfaslimitlessBeing,intruthunbound byanyandallperceptionsofbondage.(69) ThisisexpressedintheUpanishads,anancientspiritualtextfromIndia,withtheSanskritphraseNeti neti(http:www.rainbowbody.net/HeartMind/netineti.htm).Netinetiisoftentranslatedasneitherthis,northat.The trueSelfisneitherthisconcept,noranother.NetinetialsomeansthatwearenotseparatefromthetrueSelf,and thetrueSelfisnotseparatefromtheDivine.Everythingisone.Inthisway,whenwetuneintoourtruenature, wearealltuningintothesameSelf,theonetrueSelfthatexists.InWhereAreYouGoing?AGuideToTheSpiritual Journey (1981) Swami Muktananda states, The Self is the seed that contains the whole universe. Everything is withintheSelf,andthereforewhenweknowtheSelf,weknoweverythingthatcanbeknown.(25) SwamiMuktanadaalsodescribestheSelfinWhereAreYouGoing?AGuideToTheSpiritualJourney(1981) asthemostsubtleofallsubtlethings.Itishighlysecretandmysterious,andithasnoname,nocolor,andno form. Even though it is without attributes, the sages have described its nature as Sat Chit Anandaexistence, consciousness, and bliss absolute (26). Looking at this more deeply, sat means that the Self exists in all times, things,andplaces.ThetrueSelfhasnobeginningandnoend.Itexistseverywhereandineverything.Nothingis separatefromthetrueSelf.ChitisConsciousness,whichilluminateseverything.(26)Thismeansthatwhenwe feelanytypeofemotion,itisConsciousnessthatallowsustorealizewearefeelingit.ItisConsciousnessaswell thatilluminatestheTrueSelf.SwamiMuktanandastatesthatwhileSatandChitcanbeunderstoodbythemind, Anandacanonlybeunderstoodbyexperiencingitinmeditation.InMuktanandaswords,theblissoftheSelf doesnotdependonanyexternalfactor.Itiscompletelyindependent;itarises,unconditioned,fromwithin.(27)

ABlissfulState
Awakening to the true Self often involves experiences of bliss, peace, love, freedom, and awe. These ecstaticstatesofawakeningtotheDivinearesaidbymanyspiritualleaderstobeincomparabletoanystatethat weexperiencebeforebecomingselfrealized.GabrielCousens,whoawakenedtothetrueSelfin1975,wroteof the bliss he experienced during his awakening in the following journal entries from Spiritual Nutrition: Six FoundationsForSpiritualLifeAndAwakeningOfKundalini(2005): Ahtheblissofmylife,oftheworld,ofmychildren,ofmywife. IfIdieofabrokenheart,itwillnotbeoutofsorrow, butbecauseitissofullofLove,thatIcouldnotsaynotomore anditjustburstoutofLove. TheblissoftheSelf,thepulsatingoneness,theinnerjoy hassimplygrowngreaterthanthecontractionofmyego. Thecriticalpointhaspast ThepoweroftheBlissofGodisgreaterthanthesafecontractionoftheego. ItdiesasmyLiberationgrows.(33) ThisblissisfurtherexpressedinthefollowingletterfromadevoteetoGangaji(http://www.gangaji.org):I am happy and humored behind all experience. There is nothing to be lostthere is only now, and the opportunity for more I am rest and in love. I have everything. I am free and complete. Imperfection has vanishedasthedreamitwas.Thereisonlywhatwasandwhatwillbe.ThereisonlytheoneHeart.Thereisonly Love.AndIamnotafraid,evenwhenIamafraid.Ihaveneverbeensoalive,andyetIhaveneverbeenborn.I haveneverlovedthisoneindividuallifesomuch,andyetevenwithdeathIwillnotdie.Iamtranscendentofmy body,andyetmybodyisallthatIam.AllthatIspeakofaddsexactlynothingtowhathasalwaysalreadybeen.I amexactlythis When someone asked the spiritual teacher Amma to describe the experience of the Divine, Amma replied,Itisnotpossibletoadequatelyputintowordsthetasteofsugartoonewhodoesnotknowthemeaning ofthewordsweet.Onehastotastesugartounderstandsweetness.Similarly,Godispureexperience,beyond themindandwords.(http://www.ammachi.org) Letusconcludethissectionwithonemorebeautifulexpressionofthestateofselfrealization.Intheform ofapoem,thiscomesfromGabrielCousensinSpiritualNutrition:SixFoundationsforSpiritualLifeandAwakeningof Kundalini(2005): AwakeningToTheTrueSelf2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 8

TwentyYearsAfter TwentyYearsAfter Andblissburststhrougheverycell. Sometimesthenoncausaljoyissomuch ThisbodymindIAMcomplex Explodesinnatural Love Ecstasy Supremenoncausalcontentment. Itcantbecontainedanylonger.

Noamountofworkorexternaldifficulties Cankeepitquiet TheendlessLightofYah(God) Reflected ThroughthisfunnybodymindIAMcomplex Astheinfinitesmile Yes Enlightenmentisaninfinitesmile.(56)

Exercises
WhoAmI?
In the book Coming Back To Life: Practices To Reconnect Our Lives, Our World (1998), Joanna Macy and MollyYoungBrownofferanexercisecalledWhoAreYou.(127)Thisexercisecanbeapowerfulwaytotune intoyourcurrentideasofselfandbringtheseclosertothetruenatureofwhoyouare.Theauthorssuggestdoing thispracticeinpairs;however,itcanalsobemodifiedtobedonebyyourself.Ifyoudothisexercisebyyourself, you could write down whatever ideas come to mind, or tape record yourself responding to the questions. The ideaistonoteditwhatyourinitialideasareinresponsetothequestions.Theinstructionstothisexercisewillbe given for two people; if done alone, take both roles of questioning and answering yourself. Joanna Macy and MollyYoungBrownsuggestthatfortwopeople,theysitcomfortablyfacingeachother.Thefirstpersonthenasks the second Who are you? The second person responds with whatever comes to mind and tries not to edit his/herthoughts.Thenthefirstpersonasksthesamequestionagain,andthesecondpersonresponds.Thisthen happensoncemore.Thisprocessofquestioningandlisteningthreetimeshappenswiththefollowingquestions: Whoareyou?Whatdoyoudo?andthenWhoareyou?again.Aftertakingasmallbreak,therolesofthe two people can be reversed and the exercise can be repeated. Joanna Macy and Molly Young Brown say that peoples responses to these questions will be different each time they are asked. This can be a challenging exercise, but at the same time very rewarding in the insights that it brings. It was originated by the famous spiritualteacherRamana.

DailyRemembrance
InthebookAnEasyGuidetoAyurveda:TheNaturalGuideToWholeness(1996),RoyEugeneDavisoffersus anaffirmationforawakeningtothetrueSelf.Thiscanberecitedoutloudorsilently,firstthinginthemorning uponawakening,oratanytimethroughoutthedayasawaytofocusyourselfandsetanintentionforyourlife.If thisdedicationdoesnotfeelrighttoyou,theideaofitcanbeappliedtocreatingyourownwordsofintentor usingsomeotherpassagethatfeelsbettertoyou. AnAffirmationOfRealization AttheinnermostlevelofmybeingIamserenelypeaceful. Iamcompletelyfulfilledbecausesoulsatisfied. Nolongerblindedbydelusions,Iknowwhatistrue. Nolonerconfusedbyillusions,Iseewhatisreal. EstablishedintheInfinite,Iliveeffectively withflawlessskillandeasygrace. Iknowledgeablycooperatewiththesupportivelaws ofnatureandspontaneouslydemonstratetotalwellness.(72)

TheShamathaVipashyanaMeditation
Manyspiritualtraditionsstronglyrecommendpracticingmeditationasawayofconnectingtothetrue Self.Therearemanytypesofmeditationthataredescribedbyvariousspiritualteachers,andyouhavepracticed several different types in your studies thus far. This section is dedicated to one form of meditation called shamathavipashyana,whichisfromtheBuddhisttradition.ThismeditationcomesfromPemaChodronsbook AwakeningToTheTrueSelf2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 9

Start Where You Are: A Guide To Compassionate Living (1994). Shamathavipashyana offers us a way to begin to recognizeourthoughtsandtorealizethatwearesomethingotherthanourminds. Pema Chodron suggests that in practicing this meditation, one sits upright with legs crossed and eyes open.Thefirstpartofthismeditationinvolvesbecomingpresenttothemomentbybringingawarenesstotheout breath.Thebreathissoftandrelaxed.Bewiththebreathasitleavesthebody.PemaChodronstates,Thetouch onthebreathislight:onlyabout25percentoftheawarenessisonthebreath.Yourenotgraspingorfixatingon it.Youreopening,lettingthebreathmixwiththespaceoftheroom,lettingyourbreathjustgooutintospace. Thentheressomethinglikeapause,agapuntilthenextbreathgoesoutagain.Whileyourebreathingin,there couldbesomesenseofjustopeningandwaiting.(5) The second part of this meditation addresses the thoughts that inevitably arise as we try to be present with the breath. The object is not to stop these thoughts, but instead to recognize when we are thinking. Wheneverwerealizewerethinking,wesaythinkingsilentlytoourselves.Thereneednotbeanyadditional judgement. All thoughts are thoughts; whether they are violent or happy they are all okay. As we see the numerouswaysinwhichourmindswanderfromthebreath,webegintoknowallthewaysinwhichwehide fromourtrueSelf.PemaChodronstates,Byknowingyourself,yourecomingtoknowhumannessaltogether. (6)

TuningInThroughoutTheDay
InadditiontosettinganintentiontoawakentothetrueSelfandpracticingmeditation,itcanbehighly beneficialtofindwaystoremindyourselftotuneintoyourstateofconsciousnessthroughouteachday.Wecan lose our perspective of awakening when we interact with other people or have many activities we are participating in. It can be helpful to refocus ourselves by asking, Who am I? Am I what I am doing, these thoughts,theseemotions,ormybody?WecanalsosayanaffirmationsuchasIampureconsciousnessbeing expressedthroughthismindandbody.Maybetakingafewdeepbreathsandcenteringcanworkforyou.Such practices of tuning into the true Self throughout each day helps us to create purposeful lives of continual awakening.Whatareyouwaitingfor?Everythingexistsrightatthismomentthatyouneedtoawaken,andupon awakening,youcanperceivetheperfectionofitall.YoucanaffirmthatyouwillawakentoyourtrueSelfatsome moment andquestion when this will be. Will it be right now? Tomorrow? Two yearsfromnow? We can be at ease in this affirmation and feel a sense of wonderment at the unfolding of our divine seed of consciousness within.

Discussion
Inlookingatthechallengeofpracticingexercisestohelpwithawakening,Ihavefoundthattheprocess of beginning and continuing spiritual practices come naturally when the rest of my life is supportive for such development.Evenifyouorsomeoneyouknowdoesntfeelthattheirlivesaresupportiveforspiritualgrowth, youcancreatesuchareality.Theprocessofdoingsoincludeslookingattheenergyofeachaspectofourlives, setting goals for improvement, and creating change through action, whether it be physical or intentional. It is highly beneficial to first look at the energy of each aspect of our lives and see how harmonious each is to cultivatingaspirituallifeofawakening.Whatareyoutakingintoyourbodythroughconversations,television, books, internet, food, and activities? Are these lifeenhancing for you? All aspects of our lives have effects on whetherwefeellikepracticingmeditation,yoga,devotionalchanting,oranyothertypeofpracticetoconnectto Source.Whatisyourenvironmentlike?Isitnoisy,clutteredorotherwisenegative?Doyouhavetimesetaside eachdaythatcouldbeyourpersonaltimeforsomethingyouwanttodo? Ihavefoundthatfoodplaysatremendousroleinmyspiritualmotivationandgeneraloutlookonlife. Foodcanbeatouchysubjectformanyofusbecauseweoftenhavedeeplyrootedaddictionstocertainfoodsas waystocopewithemotionalandmentalpatterns.Thevibrationsofanger,sadness,andfearthatwevefeltwhile eating in the past become stuck in our bodies. This is where the benefits of some sort of cleansing can be profound. We can release the stuck vibrations in our bodies and then be open to filling ourselves with new vibrationsofenergy.Agreatplacetostartwithallofthisistobegintolookattheenergyofthefoodsweare putting into our bodies, even if it is just once in a while. We can assess the energy of food by thinking about whereourfoodhascomefrom.Isthatenergyconducivetospiritualgrowth?Also,takingnoticeofhowwefeel afteramealisawonderfulwaytotuneintohowfoodsaffectus.Forexample,heavy,cookedfoodsmakemefeel AwakeningToTheTrueSelf2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 10

uninspiredandtired.Ontheotherhand,fruitsandvegetableshelpmefeelenergized,clear,andengagedwith life. Asmentionedabove,anotherareaoflifetolookatisthecontentofwhatwefillourmindswith.What typesofbooks,movies,televisionshows,andconversationsdoyouregularlyengagein?Howdotheseleaveyou feeling?Tochangesuchhabitsinourlivescanbeverychallenging.Itcantaketime.Wecanalwaysbeginwith noticingourownthoughtsandfeelingsaroundeachaspectofourlivesandthenfiguringoutwhatwecandoto makepositivechanges.Thisisaveryselfempowering,lifeaffirmingprocess.Wearetakingresponsibilityforour ownspiritualgrowthinsteadofwaitingforsomethingoutsideofustopointusinthatdirection.Howgreatthis canfeel!Evensmallstepstowardcreatingalifefilledwithharmoniousenergiesforspiritualawakeningcanlead to transformation and growth. Our motivation and openness toward spiritual growth can be a great catalyst withinitself. RemindingourselvesofourabilitytoknowthetrueSelfduringthislifetime,regardlessofourageright now,isawonderfulwaytohavethisseedplantedinourminds.Itcanbehelpfultofillourselveswithinspiration from outside sources as well. Spiritual literature, groups, and any other forms of inspiration can serve as remindersthatthequestofawakeningcanindeedbefulfilledandthatitistheonlyquestthatwillgiveuslasting peace,joy,andclarity. Theremaybemanypathstoawakening,yetthereseemstobeoneSelftowhichweawaken.Asmoreof usstepintothepathofawakening,theenergywillcontinuetospreadthroughouttheearth.Manyteacherssay thatatimeofgreatopportunityforspiritualawakeningwillbeheresoonforthemassesandthatwhatallofus chooseinourlivesishighlyimportanttowhetherthisopportunitywillbetakenornot.Maythedesiretoknow thetrueSelfblossomineachofourhearts,andmaytheteachingsofhowtokindlethisdesirecontinuetospread toallthosewhoareattractedtoitspath.Blessingstoyouonyourjourney. timeinthedark,thenslowly, Oncethejourneyofsoulrecovery barelyperceptiblechangesoccur isbeguninearnest,Lifeitself untilfinallytheentirelandscapeof conspirestosupportus.Itisupto ourlifeisillumined.(178) ustolearntocooperatewithit. EllenGraceOBrian Foronewhoissurrenderedto ASingleBladeOfGrass:FindingTheSacredIn God,achangeinconsciousnessis inevitable.Itcomeslikethe EverydayLife(2002) approachingdawn.Thereisalong

Conclusion
HoweverweareledtothepathofawakeningtothetrueSelf,wethenbegintheprocessoflookingforthe changeless Self amongst the continuously varying states of our minds, bodies, and emotions. We let go of old waysofbeinginfavorofonesthatsupportourawakening.Welearntoquietourmindsandopenourheartsin ordertotuneintothesubtlenessofthetrueSelf.Withdedication,thisawakeningoccurs,andweareawareofour eternal,boundless,andperfectnature.Althoughwepreviouslyexperiencedfeelingsofbeingisolatedintheidea ofI,werealizethatallthewhileweweretheDivine.Wewereneverreallyseparate.ThetrueSelfhasalways beenhere!LetusendthiscoursebyallowingourselvestodeeplyfeelthesebeautifulwordsfromGangajionthe trueSelf(www.gangaji.org): Thereisagreatsecretthatbeingsthroughouttimehaveannounced, thesecretofanextraordinarytreasure,thetreasureofthenectarofeternallife. Itisthenectarofpurebeingness, recognizingitselfasconsciousnessandoverflowingintheloveofthatrecognition. Ifyouimagineyourselftobelocatedinabody,thenyouwillmovethatbodyfromplacetoplace, searchingforthistreasureofnectar. But,ifyouwillstopallsearchingrightnowandtellthetruthtoyourself, youwillknowwhatisknowninthecoreofyourbones. Youwillknowwhatthesegreatbeingsknewandattemptedtodescribe. Youwillknowitwithnoimageofit,noconceptofit,nothoughtofit. Youwillknowitasthatwhichhaseternallybeenhere. Andyouwillknowitasyourself. AwakeningToTheTrueSelf2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 11

Bibliography
Chodron,Pema1994 StartWhereYouAre:AGuideToCompassionateLiving.ShambalahPublications,Inc.;Boston. Cousens,Gabriel2005 SpiritualNutrition:SixFoundationsForSpiritualLifeAndTheAwakeningOfKundalini.NorthAtlanticBooks; Berkely,CA. Davis,RoyEugene1996 AnEasyGuideToAyurveda:TheNaturalWayToWholeness.CSAPress;Georgia. Davis,RoyEugene2000 SevenLessonsInConsciousLiving.CSAPress;Georgia. Davis,RoyEugene1996 TheEternalWay:TheInnerMeaningOfTheBhagavadGita.CSAPress;Georgia. Gangaji1996 YouAreThat!SatsangWithGangaji,VolumeII.TheGangajiFoundation;Ashland,OR. KabatZinn,Jon1994 WhereverYouGoThereYouAre:MindfulnessMeditationInEverydayLife.Hyperdion;NewYork. Krishnamurti1969 FreedomFromTheKnown.Harper&Row,Publishers,SanFrancisco. Macy,Joanna&MollyYoungBrown1998 ComingBackToLife:PracticesToReconnectOurLives,OurWorld.NewSocietyPublishers;Canada. OBrian,EllenGrace2002 ASingleBladeOfGrass:FindingTheSacredInEverydayLife.CSEPress;SanJose,CA. OBrian,EllenGrace1998 LivingTheEternalWay:SpiritualMeaningAndPracticeForDailyLife.CSEPress;SanJose,CA. Salzberg,Sharon1995 LovingKindness:TheRevolutionaryArtOfHappiness.ShambhalaPublications,Inc.;Boston. SwamiMuktananda1981 WhereAreYouGoing?AGuideToTheSpiritualJourney.SYDAFoundation;NY. TheDalaiLama2001 AnOpenHeart:PracticingCompassionInEverydayLife.Little,BrownandCompany;Boston. Tolle,Eckhart1999 ThePowerOfNow:AGuideToSpiritualEnlightenment.NewWorldLibrary;Novato,CA. Wilber,Ken1979 NoBoundary:EasternAndWesternApproachesToPersonalGrowth.ShambhalaPublications,Inc.;Boston. InternetResources www.ammachi.org www.cosmicharmony.com/Sp/Muktanan/Muktanan.htm www.eaisai.com/baba/docs/d960904.html www.gangaji.org www.geocities.com/annubis33/TheSattvaSystem/sattva1.html www.rainbowbody.net/HeartMind/netineti.htm

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AwakeningToTheTrueSelfExamQuestions
Name Address Phone#

(Pleasesupplyname,phone#,andaddressasidentifyingfactorsforgivingcreditproperly)

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.

Whatarethethreeboundariesthatpeoplecommonlydrawwhendefiningwhotheyare? A.Theatom,cell,andbody C.Thebody,mind,andpersona B.Theshadowself,lightbody,andsoul D.Thewaking,dreaming,andsleepingselves Wecanseethatwearenotthemind,body,oremotionsbecause A.Theyarealwaysthesame C.Theyarealwayschanging B.Wearethepersona D.Matterisnotsolid ThemindisconsideredtobedestructivebyEckhartTolle A.Ifwecannotturnthemindoff B.Becausethenegativedreamsofthemindcreateunhealthyvibrationsthroughoutthebody C.Becauseitexists D.Becausethoughtsaffectthechemicalsreleasedinourbodies Ifwefeelsuffering,itisbesttodistractourselvesinordertonotreexperiencepasttrauma. T Inordertofindlastinghappiness,teachersinthiscourserecommendthatwe A.Makealistofallourdesiresinlifeandsayaffirmationsonfulfillingthemdaily B.DefinewhatourtrueSelfisandlivebasedonthisdefinition C.LookwithintoawakentothetrueSelf D.Visualizefulfillingourdesires ItisrecommendedtopracticemeditationasawayofknowingthetrueSelfbecausemeditationquietsthe mindandpurifiestheinnerpsychicinstruments. T F Thestoryofthebeggarillustrates: A.Thesadnessthatliesatthecoreofeachofus B.Thatweallneedtorefinewhatweaskfor F

C.Abeggaroftenknowswhatistrulyimportant D.Ourtruewealthliescloserthanwemaythink T F

ThosewhoknowthetrueSelfareabletoprovideuswithexactdefinitionsofthetrueSelf.

Oncewededicateourselvestoawakening, . A.AnswersCandD B.Weneedtococoonourselvesfromtheworldfortransformation C.WebegintheprocessoflettinggoofoldideasofselfforthosethatareclosertothetrueSelf D.Lifeitselfconspirestohelpusrememberwhoweare CommonfeelingsthatpeopleexperiencewhenawakeningtothetrueSelfinclude: A.bliss B.love C.freedom

D.All,ABandC

DoyouaspiretoawakentothetrueSelf?Whoareyou?Brieflydescribeyourthoughtsandfeelings.(usea separatesheetofpaperorthebackofthisexamifnecessary.)

AudioMeditationReportsonthenextpage. AwakeningToTheTrueSelf2005UniversityOfMetaphysicalSciences 13

AudioMeditationReports
Pleasebrieflydescribeyourexperienceswiththemeditationsbelow. Meditation1:ExploringAwareness: Meditation2:WhoAreYou?

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