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The Enlightenment Process: A Guide to Embodied Spiritual Awakening
The Enlightenment Process describes the process of enlightenment as the gradual realization of our most subtle dimension of unified, all-pervasive consciousness. It also explains how we uncover our authentic selfhood and embodiment at the same time as we arrive at our spiritual oneness with other people, the world, and cosmos.
Using a set of simple but effective meditational and physical exercises for "subtle self" work, Judith Blackstone clearly and expertly indicates the way in which we can deepen our spiritual awareness, develop our capacity for contact with other people, and reconnect with the world. Her lifetime of experience in depth-psychology, bodywork, and Kundalini yoga gives this book a distinctive authority and clarity. This revised and expanded version of The Enlightenment Process is an invaluable guide that will lead readers in navigating the confusing or conflicting teachings on enlightenment. It does this by giving a more comprehensive description of the enlightened state. Anyone who has already started on the spiritual path or has a background in psychotherapy will be able to appreciate The Enlightenment Process more fully as it is a significant contribution to our understanding of the more advanced stages of personal growth. Included in the book are 18 practical exercises that will assist readers on this path to self-awareness.
Using a set of simple but effective meditational and physical exercises for "subtle self" work, Judith Blackstone clearly and expertly indicates the way in which we can deepen our spiritual awareness, develop our capacity for contact with other people, and reconnect with the world. Her lifetime of experience in depth-psychology, bodywork, and Kundalini yoga gives this book a distinctive authority and clarity. This revised and expanded version of The Enlightenment Process is an invaluable guide that will lead readers in navigating the confusing or conflicting teachings on enlightenment. It does this by giving a more comprehensive description of the enlightened state. Anyone who has already started on the spiritual path or has a background in psychotherapy will be able to appreciate The Enlightenment Process more fully as it is a significant contribution to our understanding of the more advanced stages of personal growth. Included in the book are 18 practical exercises that will assist readers on this path to self-awareness.
- GenresSpirituality
192 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1997
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133 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 6, 2018
Has some great exercises.
A bit over my head in many aspects, and I am not too sure I agree with a lot of the philosophy, but certainly interesting.
December 20, 2014
There are many spiritual leaders, writers and of course practices (Buddhism for example) which talk about the fundamental interconnectedness of all life, all things, all consciousness. Some do it well, other's not so well. Although this is of course a subjective opinion and based only on my own limited understanding of such complex and often wordless concepts such as “all-pervasive consciousness”, I found Judith Blackstone's deeply meaningful and revelatory writing on this topic in The Enlightenment Process, extremely engaging, clear and presented in a very intuitive manner. She also throws in a number of practical and contemplative exercises which add further value and personal connection, for anyone interested in making a connection with their own “fundamental consciousness”. One of my personal Top Ten books on spirituality and enlightenment. Highly recommended.
“We have seen how fundamental consciousness is the basis of both our individual wholeness, and the unity of our internal and external experience. It is also the basis of an even more mysterious experience: a sense of oneness with the universe. This oneness is beyond the awe we may feel for the beauty and grandeur of the cosmos. It is a felt sense that the essence of our being extends beyond the sky and the surface of the earth, that it is somehow larger and more subtle than the material world. It is a felt sense that our own essence is the same unbounded essence of the universe. This is not an energetic expansion of our individual being, but the experience of our own presence as inseparable from the vast presence pervading everywhere.”
“The Tibetan Buddhist teacher Namkhai Norbu (1986) writes, “When one realizes oneself, one realizes the essential nature of the universe. The existence of duality is only an illusion and when the illusion is undone, the primordial unity of one’s own nature and the nature of the universe is realized, or made real.”
“The realization of fundamental consciousness is both immanent and transcendent at the same time, and contains as an inseparable unity the qualities of awareness, love, and physical sensation.”
“But today it still remains a mystery how painful memories are preserved in the body and what exactly connects memory, energy, and the physical body. Although we need much more research into this subject, I believe we can approach an understanding if we include in our formulation an underlying, fundamental dimension of consciousness pervading the body.”
“The strange experience that occurs in enlightenment, in which the body feels like it is entirely open, or made of consciousness, seems to support the idea that consciousness is the primary level of the body.”
“We have seen how fundamental consciousness is the basis of both our individual wholeness, and the unity of our internal and external experience. It is also the basis of an even more mysterious experience: a sense of oneness with the universe. This oneness is beyond the awe we may feel for the beauty and grandeur of the cosmos. It is a felt sense that the essence of our being extends beyond the sky and the surface of the earth, that it is somehow larger and more subtle than the material world. It is a felt sense that our own essence is the same unbounded essence of the universe. This is not an energetic expansion of our individual being, but the experience of our own presence as inseparable from the vast presence pervading everywhere.”
“The Tibetan Buddhist teacher Namkhai Norbu (1986) writes, “When one realizes oneself, one realizes the essential nature of the universe. The existence of duality is only an illusion and when the illusion is undone, the primordial unity of one’s own nature and the nature of the universe is realized, or made real.”
“The realization of fundamental consciousness is both immanent and transcendent at the same time, and contains as an inseparable unity the qualities of awareness, love, and physical sensation.”
“But today it still remains a mystery how painful memories are preserved in the body and what exactly connects memory, energy, and the physical body. Although we need much more research into this subject, I believe we can approach an understanding if we include in our formulation an underlying, fundamental dimension of consciousness pervading the body.”
“The strange experience that occurs in enlightenment, in which the body feels like it is entirely open, or made of consciousness, seems to support the idea that consciousness is the primary level of the body.”
March 5, 2013
The Enlightenment Process by Judith Blackstone by far has been one of the most interesting and motivational books I have read in a while. throughout the book, the authors explains practices on enlightenment, and self experiences. the author breaks up the book in different sections. the first sections on how enlightenment came to be about, then how to become true to yourself, and the last sections are on how to work with ourselves to become a better person.
overall, this was a good book, because of all the knowledge that is in it. i learned so much, that i thought i would never know about, or that it wasn't real. what i liked most about the book, was the vibe i would get from it. i usually don't like to read books, but i was always anxious to read this one. what i also noticed about myself after i started reading the book, was that i would always try to talk to people about enlightenment, and self consciousness. the overall message i was getting from the book, i felt i needed to spread to everyone. after reading this book, i have a better understanding on how to be conscious with myself, and the things happening around me.
i would recommend this book to everyone. i feel its important for people to read on how we as people are changed, because of the things that are happening in our society. people would have a new perspective on the values of life after Reading this book.
overall, this was a good book, because of all the knowledge that is in it. i learned so much, that i thought i would never know about, or that it wasn't real. what i liked most about the book, was the vibe i would get from it. i usually don't like to read books, but i was always anxious to read this one. what i also noticed about myself after i started reading the book, was that i would always try to talk to people about enlightenment, and self consciousness. the overall message i was getting from the book, i felt i needed to spread to everyone. after reading this book, i have a better understanding on how to be conscious with myself, and the things happening around me.
i would recommend this book to everyone. i feel its important for people to read on how we as people are changed, because of the things that are happening in our society. people would have a new perspective on the values of life after Reading this book.
July 18, 2015
Not what I expected
By the title alone, I was expecting a book about a guide to enlightenment. Instead I read a story that was difficult to follow. I am also partial because I am not a fan of authors that try to explain techniques that worked for them, and make it seem that they will work for you. This was a well written book, but a hard read.
By the title alone, I was expecting a book about a guide to enlightenment. Instead I read a story that was difficult to follow. I am also partial because I am not a fan of authors that try to explain techniques that worked for them, and make it seem that they will work for you. This was a well written book, but a hard read.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews