The Spiritual Ego by Katie Davis, Author, Awake Joy

One of the reasons that I wrote my book, "Awake Joy," was to discourage any sense of arrival in those who are spiritually awakening. There is nowhere to land in this free fall of wonder. The feet never again touch the ground.

When we become conscious that we are not the mind-made self, we become conscious of simply being; that sense of gentle aliveness. Somewhat free of identified compulsive thinking, bliss comes to the forefront and there is a tendency for some to say "this is it." For many, this is the birthing of the spiritual ego.

It has gained great insight and much spiritual knowledge. It will be eventually seen that the ego has secretly entered through the back door, but this time wearing spiritual clothing.

The spiritual ego is a very difficult "nut to crack." Its sophistication and knowledge in this instance has become a road block rather than a benefit. Still, like any other ego, it is still attempting to possess things. In this case, the idea that "it" is awake. Since it is still a reference point, it perceives those who are higher or lower. It continues to maintain a position.

Like any other reference point, there is nothing to be "done" about it. That would only be the spiritual ego becoming a better spiritual ego. No. The invitation is the same. Be still without any sense of arrival. Just as the "traditional ego" awakened to a "new dimension," there will layer upon layer that continues to dissolve. Being still, waiting without waiting, becoming ever more conscious of ALL that is here.

As long as you find that the reference point you are looking from is within the field of experience, more will be burned away. We call it the Fire of Truth for a very good reason. That fire is the extraordinary power of conscious allowing. That Awareness will burn everything into Itself. When no negativity remains, ecstatic Love, Bliss and Peace of the Sacred is consciously permanent.

The "inward" path to Self-realization does include negation. Anything that is impermanent, coming or going, is eliminated. I am not my thoughts, I am not my emotions, I am not my body and its sensing, I am beyond time and space, I am not the ego "I," I am not the self-observer, I am not my mental images whether perceived to be "inside" or "outside" (your body and world), I am not my visions, psychic phenomena or yogic powers. Virtually everything in modification or that you are aware of as experience will eventually be surrendered ... and this surrender happens by itself ... as long as you are willing to remain in attention and "not knowing."

This gives the impression of deepening, but that perception is false. The altered states of consciousness are dissolving to reveal that You are already deepest as pure Awareness. Enlightenment of the divided mind will occur at this point. However, You are not the mind. Anything that you are aware of, you are beyond.

Even here, there must be a willingness to not know. No one here, no where to land. Self-realization brings full embodiment of the Totality through complete integration of the universe. In other words, not one thing is "omitted" ... other than fear and its suffering.

Even that is not truthfully "omitted." We are required to welcome it and ALLOW it while it burns. Even when your "personal" suffering has been investigated, we have the suffering of the collective ego. Once again, there is no escape. Let it arise in all its horror. Find out what it is. Is it true that it is endless? Take "your" Light of Awareness into every dark corner. Just as the night cannot survive the rising sun, darkness cannot prevail in the Light of Awareness. You will realize the delusion that darkness ever existed in the first place.

Forbearance is the last gatekeeper to enlightenment. Forbearance means patience. Suffering is still appearing and "you" are ok with that fact. It is only by complete acceptance and by "knowing" what suffering is that you are released into the perfection of the Unknown.

What does this mean for "you and your world?" Well, the illumined mind is a perfect mirror for the genuine Love of Self that is totally free of desire and fear. The "new" world IS here. It is not really new ... it has forever been. The opportunity is to gaze at its beauty free of all altered states.

Our natural state is not reserved for "enlightened beings." There are no enlightened beings, there is no "higher or lower self," there is no fear, no ego, no spiritual ego. We are one unfathomable Field of complete equanimity. The formless Essence and when integrated, all Form. There is only the Self ... that includes your body and its given name.

The Buddha was once asked to define enlightenment. After a long silence, he said, "the end of suffering."

I am not asking for agreement or disagreement. I am not asking you to "believe" what I am saying. I am not asking you to acquire a new philosophy or determine the relative truth of a new concept. No, that would be no more than another assumption. My invitation is to continue the "journey" to nowhere. Realize the ultimate Truth directly.

Maybe a short analogy would help. You have a glass of ice water. Sooner or later, those ice cubes will melt into water. You have not separated from ice cubes. They merely dissolved. It is the same with altered states of consciousness. Just as an ice cube is made of water, so are the altered states of consciousness (negativity - desire, fear, separation) made of pure consciousness. Sooner or later, they dissolve.

Be still and aware ... allow the dissolution. In this, we live as the pure Freedom of the Heart. Just wait and see.

Katie Davis Website www.KatieDavis.org
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