“Awakening is not a state but a process: an ethical way of life and commitment that enables human flourishing. As such, it is no longer the exclusive preserve of enlightened teachers or accomplished yogis. Likewise, nirvana-the stopping of craving-is not the goal of the path but its very source. For human flourishing first stirs in that clear, bright, empty space where neurotic self-centredness realizes that it has no ground at all to stand on. One is then freed to pour forth like sunlight.” WayFirstsHumansSelfStatesProcessGoalRealizingSpacePathClearTeacherSourceCommitmentEmptyAwakeningPreservesAccomplishedEnlightenedEthicalSunlightStoppingCravingExclusiveNeuroticFlourishingEmpty SpaceYogi Author:Stephen Batchelor
“Once the awakening happens, with it comes the realization that suffering is unnecessary now. You have reached the end of suffering because you have transcended the world. It is the place that is free of suffering. This seems to be everybody's path. Perhaps it is not everybody's path in this lifetime, but it seems to be a universal path. Even without a spiritual teaching or a spiritual teacher, I believe that everybody would get there eventually. But that could take time.” WorldBelieveEndsSeemsHappensSpiritualSufferingI BelievePathTeacherTeachingUniversalLifetimeAwakeningRealizationTake TimeUnnecessarySpiritual TeachersSpiritual Teaching Author:Eckhart Tolle
“Some other people think that awakened consciousness is really about fullness or presence, being completely present for every moment, but these experiences are only one of the dimensions of awakened consciousness. Understanding these different dimensions as facets of awakening can help with the confusion surrounding the different spiritual paths. They're not leading to different places, but rather reflect the luminous and liberated aspects of consciousness itself. These qualities are not far away; in fact, they are right here.” PeopleThinkingDifferentMomentsFactsHelpingSpiritualUnderstandingConsciousnessQualityPathAspectAwakeningConfusionDimensionsFar AwayFullnessAwakenedLiberatedDifferent PlaceLuminousSpiritual PathFacetsDifferent Dimensions Author:Jack Kornfield