Opening

The purpose of this teaching is to reveal the multidimensional evolu­tion of human consciousness from the state of ignorance to complete enlightenment. It is a teaching of spiritual guidance directed to uncom­promising seekers of truth and wholeness, a precise elucidation of the deepest secrets of the spiritual realm and the path to self-realization. We do not offer it as a manual of enlightenment, for the ultimate truth of awakening cannot be reduced to a conceptual model. Rather, this book should serve as a guiding light for those mature enough to apply conceptual knowledge towards a non-conceptual appercep­tion of reality. Accordingly, the explanations and tools presented here point beyond words to the realm of direct experience and pure understanding.

Although we aspire to unravel the many steps of the awaken­ing process in a clear and comprehensive way, the revelations of this book can be easily misinterpreted and misunderstood. There is an immense chasm between theoretical knowledge and real under­standing; concepts with the power to illuminate the truth of our inner reality can also obscure it, depending on their interpretation. In most cases, to awaken complete understanding and penetrate the conceptual constructs set forth herein, a seeker must have the support of a fully qualified teacher. Ultimately, to truly understand the teaching, its experiential essence must be realized through the unfoldment of one’s own evolution and enlightenment.

Due to the inherent limitations of spiritual vocabulary, the meanings of certain words and phrases that we use overlap and interpenetrate each other, and therefore must be read with imagi­nation and sensitivity to the context in which they are presented. For instance, the notion ‘I am’ most often signifies the soul, our essence of pure subjectivity, but at times it refers to the inner state. ‘The self’ points to the supreme reality of universal I am; however, when written as ‘self’, it refers either to the personal I, or ego, or in another context, to one’s true subjectivity, or I am. The term ‘ego’ usually denotes our false identity, but it sometimes relates to our inborn sense of me in the mind, the natural reflection of the soul’s consciousness. Other frequently used terms with variable meanings are ‘being’ and ‘presence’. ‘Being’ should generally be understood as the fundamental aspect of the inner state that links the soul to the dimension of the source, though it can also represent one’s true essence and basic identity. The term ‘presence’ is sometimes used to describe a general sense of presence, but most often signifies pure awareness. The nuances of the many terms presented here should be thoughtfully considered so that the understanding and spiritual insight intended will be aroused.

Although it is indeed a long journey from ignorance to complete self-realization, the way to truth is far more than the attainment of progressively higher spiritual states. It is not a linear path in the sense of being goal-fixated, because from the standpoint of the soul, each step of the journey is complete and thus whole in and of itself. Neither is it a finite path, for there is no end to enlightenment. That which we are everlastingly realizing, yet can never fully attain — the unknown heart of the beloved’s presence — is eternally beyond and ever ahead of the intelligence that pursues it. Although the god state can never be entirely grasped, our evolution towards its divine radi­ance is the very meaning of our existence. It is indeed the journey, not its culmination, that is the essence of our spiritual unfoldment. Honoring this, we should regard the ineffable mystery of the spiri­tual path with humility and wonder, its majesty with a sense of awe.

This book is a response to the deepest need for true understand­ing that lies within the consciousness of every seeker. It is a vital com­pendium of spiritual knowledge addressed both to those commenc­ing their inner journey, as well as those who have already reached higher levels of spiritual realization. The teaching presented here is not a personalized interpretation of spiritual reality, but a reflection of truth with the power to broaden understanding of the inner dimen­sion and assist in navigating the intricacies of the inner path.

It is essential that the material presented here be studied in the context of real inner work, for without a foundation of practice that yields experiential knowledge of the inner realm, a reader will not be able to grasp the true meaning of the teaching or, worse still, will create the illusion of understanding. When not based on spiritual realization, intellectual knowledge is but a hollow substitute for real experience. The reality of the awakening process is extremely com­plex and must be illuminated gradually from within. To approach this material solely from the standpoint of the mind would defeat the very purpose of its presentation.