As Communicated on 2-1-25
Enlightenment is not a single destination but a layered unfolding of consciousness. It reveals itself in stages, each bringing a deeper understanding of existence and the self. The path of the divine light, an eternal beacon within, guides us through these stages. Each level unveils a profound truth, shifting our perception and dissolving the veils of illusion that obscure our essence. Here, we explore these three levels of enlightenment in depth.
The First Level: Recognizing Yourself as Emptiness
The journey begins with the realization of shunyata, or emptiness. In this stage, you are confronted with the constructed self—the ego that you’ve mistaken for “me.” Through meditation, self-inquiry, or the grace of an awakened moment, a profound insight dawns: you are not the thoughts, the emotions, or even the body. What you are is a vast, boundless emptiness. You really see this, not as a concept but as a Zen Reality.
This emptiness is not a void in the negative sense; it is a space of infinite potential, unburdened by identity or time. Recognizing this as “me” dissolves the false notions of separateness. The habitual clinging to identities and labels begins to crumble, and the truth emerges: “I am nothing, and yet, I am everything.”
Experience at this Stage:
- A profound stillness pervades your being of not needing to take yourself serious anymore.
- The ego loosens its grip, creating a sense of liberation because you know it is a construction.
- There is an initial detachment from worldly concerns, as you realize they are fleeting shadows in the vastness of your true nature.
Yet, this emptiness is not the end. It is the foundation upon which the deeper realizations will arise—a silent, infinite canvas awaiting the light.
The Second Level: Recognizing Yourself as the Light
As the journey deepens, the light begins to shine in the emptiness. This is the light of your consciousness, a divine radiance that illuminates all experience. At this stage, you realize and See! that the emptiness is not cold or indifferent—it is alive with the luminous presence of awareness. This light is the essence of your being, and it is divine.
In this level, you recognize that you are not just the emptiness; you are the very light that animates it. This is the light that creates, perceives, and dissolves worlds within you. It is the source of insight, creativity, and love. It is the bridge between the finite and the infinite, a beacon that connects you to the sacred.
Experience at this Stage:
- An overwhelming sense of reverence and awe for existence.
- Recognition of your divine nature: “I am the light of my own consciousness.”
- A spontaneous flow of compassion and love arises, as this light shines not only within but also upon others.
This light is the divine spark described in mystic traditions—the radiant self that is both immanent and transcendent. To see yourself as this light is to see the divine within and to embrace your sacred nature. It is totally grace if you see this. This has nothing to do anymore with practice or efforts…
The Third Level: The Witness, Non-Local and Timeless
The final level of enlightenment arises when you can abide in witnessing—the silent observing who is beyond all experiences, thoughts, and even the light itself. At this stage, you fully recognize the non-locality and no-temporality of the witnessing. Everything—thoughts, sensations, emotions, the world—arises in the vast field of your consciousness. You are not in time; time is in you. You are not localized; space unfolds within you.
This is the realization of ultimate freedom. You are no longer tethered to the idea of a fixed self or a particular location in the universe. You see clearly that everything—every form, every experience, every thought—is a movement within the stillness of your consciousness. And you are that stillness.
Experience at this Stage:
- A profound sense of oneness with all existence, yet complete detachment.
- The realization: “I am not the observer, nor the observed, but the witnessing itself… simpler, to see you are it all
- A steady state of being beyond time and space, rooted in the eternal now.
At this stage, the illusions of duality dissolve entirely. The divine light is no longer something you see; it is what you are, inseparable from the vast emptiness. The journey has come full circle—you are both the nothingness and the everythingness.
The Path of the Divine Light
The journey through these levels of enlightenment is an esoteric voyage guided by the inner light. In the first level, the light begins as a glimmer of awareness that reveals the emptiness of the constructed self. In the second level, the light becomes self-recognition, illuminating your divine essence. In the third level, the light merges with the vast witness, dissolving all boundaries.
This path is both ancient and timeless. Mystics across cultures have spoken of it in their own languages—the tantric yogis, the Sufi poets, the Zen masters, and the Christian mystics. They all point to the same reality: you are the light, the witness, the divine.
Practical Insights for the Seeker
- Meditation on Emptiness:
- Begin by observing your thoughts and sensations without attachment. Notice the space in which they arise, and recognize that space as your essence.
- Engaging with the Inner Light:
- Gaze inward and focus on the luminous patterns of phosphenes or inner visions. See them as expressions of your divine nature.
- Abiding as the Witness:
- Rest in the awareness that is observing everything. Ask, “Who is the one watching?” Allow the answer to dissolve into silence.
Levels…
The three levels I called these spaces of enlightenment – thats crazy of course, as these are not separate steps but an unfolding spiral. Each level contains the seeds of the next, and the journey is infinite. Even the final realization of non-locality and timelessness is but a doorway to deeper mysteries of existence.
Yoga, meditation, and the inner light path are tools to navigate this journey. They lead you beyond the ego, beyond identity, and into the vast expanse of what you truly are: emptiness, light, and the infinite witnessing….
It is an amazing journey I hope you find this helpful. Shunyam Adhibhu
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