Enlightenment: Sudden, Gradual, or both at Once?

[Guest guest]

Sadhaks;

 

 

There has been considerable discussion in various lists regarding the

question of enlightenment, or the state of being 'awake.' Jerry Katz

presented a fascinating series of posts regarding Suzanne Segal, based on

her book, Collision With The Infinite.

 

Fascinating stuff. Many schools or spiritual traditions possess approaches

to spiritual awakening that advocate steering the aspirant toward a 'sudden'

enlightenment, an event where the 'veil' is rent, so to speak, and the

aspirant is engulfed in an awareness that we sometimes describe as

'ego-less' or headless, or, 'nondual'.

 

Many, if not most traditions, advocate a more gradual approach toward "the

same" eventuality, the dissolution of the sense of the existence of a

separate self, and/or the realization of a sense of a universal Self, or

doer--or, by contrast, for some traditions, a 'doerless' doer.

 

Many themes and variations exist. Some advocates of 'sudden' approaches

claim that the use of technologies like mantra, visualization and meditation

can actually be counter-productive to being receptive to the 'moment' of

realization, or, to the 'process' of simply 'letting-go' and experiencing

the universal Present.

 

Meditation-based spiritual traditions believe that meditation, correctly

applied, will lead to the same dissolution of ego-boundaries and recognition

that one's consciousness is bathed in light; that she has 'forgotten' the

dual and found that only One Self, or Limitless Activity remains.

 

Tantra often points its activities toward the psychological development of

the aspirant. Meditating in graveyards, participating in ceremonies,

rituals and such activities are often meant to assist the aspirant in

releasing the kinds of fears that stand in the way of experiencing

Awakening.

 

Approaches are indeed many and varied.

 

Do readers have comments about these approaches toward Awakening? In

soliciting this topic for discussion, let me say that I personally believe

that many if not all of these approaches are right and proper for any given

individual. My own view is that growth often occurs as a combination of

sudden leaps and gradual 'ascents'. I am, of course, an advocate of

technologies. I believe that 'enlightenment' is both an event and a

process.

 

The topic is very large. Any thoughts? Questions? Concerns?

 

 

Madhya