As mentioned in past postings, there are many awakenings - its a continuing process.

1. Matter
   Existence emerge as matter.
   
   
2. Life
   Matter reorganize into life - which we can say is a form of awakening. Initially, life operates through instinctual biological processes.
   
   
3. Local Awareness
   Life awaken into awareness. First, this awareness is quite dull and very local - mostly tied to instinctual biological processes.
   
   
4. Self
   Then, awareness awakens to the self - independent of which species it is - as a separate entity, separate from other selves and objects. It is exclusively identified with the self, and caught up in the processes of the self. Here, awareness functions in a dualistic way. The self tries to fix itself, which only has limited and temporary success. It is not a satisfactory situation.
   
   
5. The Nature of Mind
   From here, awareness can awaken to its own nature, as spacious awareness - distinct from its content and the personality. As it comes to its own nature in more and more situations, this realization becomes more stable, and clarifies and deepens. This is the process of liberation. From being blindly caught up in the processes of the self - the habitual patterns of emotions/thoughts/behaviors - it is now released from them. This allows for an even deeper and more intimate engagement with the self and the world.
   
   
6. Transdual
   When awareness awakens to its own nature, it also starts to function in a more transdual way. It awakens to the Absolute, distinct from the Relative world of phenomena. And from this "ground" it sees all phenomena - beyond dualities - as parts of a seamless fluid whole.
   
   
7. Big Mind
   The awakening of awareness into Big Mind is an emergence from the two previous awakenings. Awareness awakens into a fully transdual view - embracing the Absolute and Relative. The self becomes a vehicle for Big Mind.
   
   
8. Rehumanized
   From here, awareness can rehumanize - reawaken to the humanity of the self. In the terminology of the Big Mind process, it learns to freely manifest through transpersonal and personal voices. It is not stuck, there is no fixed identity on any level.
   
   
9. Evolution etc.
   Somewhere along the last few awakenings, there can also be an awakening into evolution. An awakening into conscious evolution - of being a part of the evolution of humanity, the Earth, this universe, and the relative aspect of Existence as a whole. The relative aspect of Existence becomes fuller, richer, more complex - while the Absolute is what it is, beyond simple. Big Mind becomes fuller and richer, while always having the same "ground".
   

Labels: awakening, big mind, development, process