https://michaelteachings.com/channeling/ Wed, 22 Apr 2026 22:05:34 +0000 spiritual-growth - Michael Teachings Channeling - Q & A en https://michaelteachings.com/channeling/discussion/337/synthesis-of-teachings Wed, 29 May 2013 13:51:32 +0000 Spiritual Growth ubiquitous 337@/channeling/discussions I would like to ask about the meaning of “synthesis”. I have the theory that it means putting the knowledge into effect for growth.

THAT IS VALID. YOU CANNOT BEGIN TO PUT THIS INTO PRACTICE UNTIL YOU FULLY UNDERSTAND IT. THE SYNTHESIS WILL ALLOW YOU TO SEE THE ENTIRE SYSTEMS OF IDEAS AS ONE UNIFIED IDEA — THE CONTINUOUS CREATIVE FORCE. UNDERSTANDING WHY THOSE AROUND YOU ARE LIKE THEY ARE WILL OPEN YOU UP TO AGAPE, AND TRUE ACCEPTANCE. THIS WILL ALLOW YOU TO PUT PERSONAL AGENDAS ASIDE AND PURSUE THE PATH TOWARD COMMUNION WITH THE HIGH TEACHERS.

SOURCE: Michael Teachings Transcripts]]> https://michaelteachings.com/channeling/discussion/318/course-in-miracles Tue, 28 May 2013 15:11:44 +0000 Spiritual Growth ubiquitous 318@/channeling/discussions The evening began with talk about the Course in Miracles material, and we shared thoughts about the difference between false goals and true goals. Must we give up life goals?

ALL MUST REALIZE THAT THE TERM “HOLY SPIRIT” [which often appears in the Course in Miracles] DOES IN FACT REFER TO THE ESSENCE — THAT WITHIN THE SELF WHICH IS IN CONTACT WITH THE TAO. TO CONTACT THIS HOLY SPIRIT, THEN, REQUIRES ONLY THE QUIETING OF THE [negative poles of the] OVERLEAVES TO THE EXTENT THAT THE ESSENCE CAN BE PERCEIVED. THE PERCEPTION IS OFTEN BRILLIANTLY ELUCIDATED DURING A SO CALLED “SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE”, WHEN THE PERSONALITY IS TEMPORARILY INACTIVATED BY THE POWERFUL INPUT. DRUGS WILL OFTEN FACILITATE THIS, BUT ARE NOT NECESSARY; ENVIRONMENT IS MORE IMPORTANT. WITHOUT THIS PERCEPTION, ALL OF THIS [teaching from us] IS SIMPLY ANOTHER BARRAGE OF WORDS. ONLY THE KNOWLEDGE OF ONE'S OWN ESSENCE IS CONVINCING. WE CANNOT EMPHASIZE THIS TOO MUCH. IT CAN BE EXPLAINED BY THE TIMEWORN CLICHÉ, “SEEING IS BELIEVING”. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY THAT ONE CAN BE CERTAIN THAT PLANES BEYOND THE PHYSICAL EXIST, OTHER THAN EXPERIENCING THEM. THE SAME CAN BE SAID FOR THE PERCEPTION OF ONE’S OWN ESSENCE. WHEN THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED, THE POWER OF THE EXPERIENCE DROWNS DISBELIEF. THEN, OF COURSE, IT IS STILL ENTIRELY UP TO YOU WHICH COURSE YOU WISH TO PURSUE. IT IS DOUBTFUL, THOUGH, THAT ONE WOULD CHOOSE TO CONTINUE WITH PURPOSELESS ACTIVITIES.

FALSE GOALS ARE THOSE WHICH ARE LARGELY UNATTAINABLE, AS THEY EXIST ONLY IN FANTASY. TRUE GOALS LEAD TO THE AWAKENING OF THE ESSENCE AND ITS BREAKTHROUGH. THIS IS INDEED POSSIBLE FOR THOSE WHO WISH IT, AND WITHOUT GREAT SACRIFICE UPON THE MOUNTAIN TOP.

Someone asked for a comment concerning the Course in Miracles.

THE ONLY DIRECT COMMENT THAT WE COULD MAKE IS THAT THIS STUDY IS AS EFFECTIVE IN ITS OWN [way] AS ARE THOSE OTHER COURSES OF STUDY THAT HAVE [been] DISCUSSED. THE LANGUAGE IS DIFFERENT AND THE EXERCISES ARE DESIGNED TO PRODUCE AN IDENTICAL RESULT: THAT IS, AN ENTITY FRAGMENT IN TOUCH WITH ESSENCE AND FREE OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF THE PHYSICAL PLANE SUCH AS GUILT, VANITY, AND THE LIKE. THIS DOES NOT MEAN A ZOMBIE UNABLE TO RESPOND EMOTIONALLY, BUT A SOUL WITH HEIGHTENED RESPONSE TO EVERYTHING, AND FAR MORE APPRECIATION THAN IS AVAILABLE TO YOU IN YOUR PRESENT STATE. THIS IS ALL ONE CAN ASK FROM ANY TEACHING.

A comment was made by someone that the distractions of the physical plane were what he enjoyed most!

IF THEY ARE PLEASANT FOR YOU, THEY ARE PROBABLY NOT DISTRACTIONS. BY DISTRACTIONS, WE MEAN THOSE CONSIDERATIONS THAT YOU DAILY MAKE THAT KEEP YOU FROM TACKLING THOSE TASKS YOU WOULD PERFORM FROM ESSENCE. READING GREAT LITERATURE, WRITING POETRY AND PROSE, LISTENING TO SERIOUSLY CONCEIVED MUSIC, ARE NOT DISTRACTIONS. DWELLING ON INJUSTICES, PLOTTING REVENGE, AND DESIGNING YOUR LIFE ARE.

SOURCE: Michael Teachings Transcripts]]> https://michaelteachings.com/channeling/discussion/307/submitting-to-love Mon, 27 May 2013 16:15:17 +0000 Spiritual Growth ubiquitous 307@/channeling/discussions Someone asked what stops him from submitting to love — growth — what is the barrier there for him to the emotional experience. His SRG is Old Priest, Spiritualist, Arrogance, Emotional part of Intellectual Center.

FIRST OF ALL WE WOULD LIKE TO CORRECT A SEMANTIC SLIP. THAT IS, THAT “KNOWLEDGE” IS UNDERSTANDING. WHAT HAS NOT PASSED INTO UNDERSTANDING WITH YOU IS INPUT — NOTHING MORE — INTO THE COMPUTER TO BE STORED. THE TRANSFORMATION ONLY OCCURS WHEN THE CHOICE HAS BEEN MADE — THE COMMITMENT. THE METHODS YOU SUGGEST WOULD OF COURSE BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO ENFORCE, ALTHOUGH WE DO OF COURSE RECOGNIZE THE METHOD. IN THIS LIGHT WE HAVE SUGGESTED TO YOU AN ALTERNATIVE METHOD WHEREIN MUCH STRIPPING (of the barriers of maya and false personality) WOULD OCCUR, AND YOU WOULD ALL BE FORCED TO CONFRONT YOUR OWN AND OTHER STUDENT’S PERSONALITIES. WHEN YOU COMMIT YOURSELVES FINALLY TO A CAUSE, WHATEVER THAT CAUSE MIGHT BE — CHRISTIANITY, OCCULTISM, REVOLUTION, ETCETERA, ETCETERA — THERE IS TOO MUCH AT STAKE TO PULL OUT, AND YOU ARE FORCED TO CONFRONT YOUR BLOCKS, AND EITHER SINK OR SWIM WITH THEM. THE CONCEPT OF EXTENDED COMMUNITY OR FAMILY IS ONE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH THIS CAN COME ABOUT. THE STUDENTS CAN SOMETIMES OVERCOME THESE BLOCKS OR BARRIERS RAPIDLY WHEN THEIR LIVELIHOOD DEPENDS UPON IT. RIGHT NOW IN THIS CADRE NOTHING REAL IS AT STAKE. THERE IS NOTHING TO LOSE IF THE STUDENTS ARE UNABLE TO WORK THROUGH THEIR BLOCKS. THE BARRIER BETWEEN YOU AND THE EMOTIONAL CENTER IS ONE THAT MANY IN THIS CADRE SHARE — YOU ARE NOT ALONE. THE SACRIFICES, YES, ARE NECESSARY IN YOURS AND OTHER CASES, FOR ONLY THROUGH THESE “SACRIFICES” WILL YOU BE ABLE TO HAVE THIS EXPERIENCE. AS IT IS NOW, THERE IS NO GOOD REASON, AND YOUR PERSONALITY IS WELL AWARE OF IT. IN MANY WAYS YOU AND OTHER STUDENTS ARE MUCH LIKE THE SUNDAY CATHOLICS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, WHO DO NOT HAVE THE EXPERIENCE EITHER, BECAUSE THERE IS NO COMMITMENT. WE WOULD SEE YOU ALL EXAMINE YOUR SHORT-TERM GOALS WITH RELATION TO THIS TEACHING. THAT IS, WHAT IS IT YOU HOPE TO GAIN FROM OUR ASSOCIATION. IF THIS INCLUDES THE POSSIBILITY OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH, THEN WE WOULD SUGGEST THAT YOU REEXAMINE THE STEPS TOWARD THAT GOAL THAT WE HAVE OUTLINED. IF YOU ONLY EXPECT TO GAIN DATA, THEN THIS WILL SURELY BE A DISAPPOINTMENT TO YOU IN THE LONG RUN. MANY OF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR THE EXPERIENCES YOU SENSE THE OTHER STUDENTS ARE HAVING, BUT YOU ARE UNWILLING TO WORK FOR THIS IN THE WAYS WE HAVE SUGGESTED. YOU ARE CONTENT TO SIT BACK, SIGH, AND SAY, “OH, SHIT”. THIS IS OF COURSE AN OPTION, BUT ONE WE DO NOT ENCOURAGE. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE WE REPEATED THE STEPS YOU MUST TAKE? EXAMINE THE TENETS OF THE WORLDS GREAT RELIGIONS AND THE GREATEST TEACHINGS NOW EXTANT ON THIS PLANET. YOU WILL FIND THIS SAME ADVICE AGAIN AND AGAIN — PERHAPS CLOTHED IN DIFFERENT SEMANTICS, BUT NEVERTHELESS THE SAME — THAT UPON WHICH CHRISTIANITY WAS BASED, THAT UPON WHICH JUDAISM HAS SURVIVED FOR THE CENTURIES, THE PILLARS OF ISLAM, THE TEACHINGS OF SIDDHARTHA GUATAMA, THE TAO TE CHING. UNTIL THIS TEACHING BECOMES A WAY OF LIFE FOR YOU, THERE WILL BE NO EXPERIENCES FOR ANY OF YOU. THE ONLY WAY WE KNOW OF TO EXPERIENCE ANYTHING IS TO LIVE IT — WHETHER YOU BE ON THE PHYSICAL, ASTRAL, CAUSAL OR THE HIGH PLANE, IT DOES NOT MATTER. COMMITTING YOURSELVES BEGINS THE TRANSFORMATION. THE CONCEPT OF “PILGRIMAGE” IN SOME OF THE BEST TEACHINGS EXTANT ON THIS PLANET DO A MARVELOUS JOB OF STRIPPING, IF THE PILGRIMAGE IS PERFORMED IN THE PROPER STATE OF MIND. WE HAVE SUGGESTED TO YOU SOMETHING EVEN HARDER IN THIS CULTURE: THAT OF LIVING TOGETHER. SOME OF YOU WOULD MUCH PREFER TO WALK ACROSS THE DESERT FROM MEDINA TO MECCA THAN EVEN TO CONTEMPLATE LIVING TOGETHER. THIS IS WHY IT WOULD IN THE LONG RUN BE VALUABLE. IT IS PERHAPS THE HARDEST TASK YOU WOULD EVER UNDERTAKE ON THE PHYSICAL PLANE, FOR EVERYTHING IN YOUR CULTURE MITIGATES AGAINST IT. THE ENTIRE CULTURE IS ACHIEVEMENT-ORIENTED, AND THIS ALONE IMPLIES ALIENATION AND COMPETITION. ANTI-ACHIEVEMENT GROUPS ARE FRIGHTENING, AND THEREFORE ANTI-CULTURE, AND TO BE ELIMINATED. FINANCIAL INTEGRITY IS THE WATCHWORD OF THIS CULTURE, AND THEREFORE FRAUGHT WITH MAYA. THIS CAN ALWAYS BE EASILY SEEN IN ANY CULTURE. THAT WHICH IS HELD UP AS THE GOAL OF SOCIETY IS THE GOAL OF FALSE PERSONALITY, AND THEREFORE OPPOSED TO SPIRITUAL GROWTH. NOW, WE ARE NOT SUGGESTING THAT YOU PLUNGE YOURSELVES INTO POVERTY. WE WOULD SEE THAT YOU LIVE WELL SO THAT THERE IS NO STRUGGLE TO SURVIVE, FOR THE MAIN REASON THAT IF YOU MUST STRUGGLE TO LIVE, YOU CANNOT DEVOTE THE AMOUNT OF TIME NECESSARY FOR SPIRITUAL EVOLUTION. THIS IS A LIFETIME COMMITMENT. IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN WORK ON ON SATURDAY NIGHT AND FORGET ABOUT FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK. YOU COULD NOT KEEP IT TUCKED AWAY IN SOME DIM, DUSKY, CEREBRAL CORRIDOR AND ONLY TAKE IT OUT WHEN COMPANY COMES. WE HAVE SPOKEN TO YOU MANY — NO, COUNTLESS — TIMES ABOUT WHAT YOU AND WE CHOOSE TO CALL A “TRUST LEVEL”. THIS TRUST LEVEL IS OF COURSE ESSENTIAL TO AGAPE OR A SPIRITUAL LOVE. THE PERSONALITY CAN NEVER EXPERIENCE THIS. THE PERSONALITY CANNOT TRUST, THEREFORE CANNOT LOVE. IF THIS TRUST LEVEL IS TO DEVELOP, IT MUST DEVELOP IN AN ENVIRONMENT OF ALMOST CONSTANT EXPOSURE. IF AGAPE IS TO DEVELOP, IT MUST DEVELOP IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE STUDENTS OBSERVE EACH OTHER IN ALL FACETS OF LIFE, NOT JUST WHEN THE STUDENTS ARE ON THEIR GOOD MEETING BEHAVIOR. IT IS EASY TO LOVE MOST OF YOU DURING THE WEEKLY COMINGS TOGETHER OF THIS CADRE. WE DOUBT THAT THIS WOULD HOLD TRUE TWENTY FOUR HOURS A DAY WITHOUT MUCH WORK. MOST OF YOU TRUST EACH OTHER ONLY SUPERFICIALLY. NOT ONE OF YOU FEEL THE BONDS THAT WE WOULD FOSTER IN THIS CADRE, BUT THE ABILITY IS THERE, AND A START HAS BEEN MADE SEVERAL TIMES. HOWEVER, WHEN IT BECOMES FRIGHTENING, IT IS QUICKLY ABORTED, AND THE SUBJECT IS CHANGED RAPIDLY OVER TO SOMETHING LESS SCARY. WE HAVE RECENTLY DECIDED THAT THIS WILL NO LONGER BE THE CASE, AT LEAST WHERE WE ARE CONCERNED. WE WILL NO LONGER GO ALONG WITH THE WHIMS, THE CAPRICIOUSNESS, OF VARIOUS STUDENTS WHO DO NOT WISH TO FACE THEIR BARRIERS. PERHAPS THEN WE SHOULD SAY THE WINNOWING HAS BEGUN.

Anything else?

ONLY THAT THE CHOICE IS STILL YOURS. YOU CAN WALK OUT OF THIS TEACHING NOW, OR YOU CAN STICK AROUND FOR THE EXCITEMENT.

SOURCE: Michael Teachings Transcripts]]> https://michaelteachings.com/channeling/discussion/303/how-to-become-awake Mon, 27 May 2013 15:29:13 +0000 Spiritual Growth ubiquitous 303@/channeling/discussions Someone asked what must we do to become awake.

WE HAVE OF COURSE OUTLINED TO THIS CADRE THE STEPS THAT THEY MUST TAKE IF THEY ARE TO EVER BECOME SUFFICIENTLY AWAKE TO HEAR THE WORDS. WE HAVE TOLD THEM OF THE HIGHEST TRUTH, WHICH IS AGAPE, WHICH IS THE UNQUALIFIED ACCEPTANCE OF OTHER CREATURES AS THE GREATER PART OF SELF. WE HAVE GIVEN THEM THE TOOLS FOR ATTAINMENT OF THIS STATE, WHICH ARE YES, MEDITATION, CONCENTRATION, FASTING, AND STUDY. WE HAVE ENDEAVORED TO WARN THEM, OR RATHER APPRISE THEM, OF THE PITFALLS THEY MAY ENCOUNTER ON THE PATH. WE HAVE RECOMMENDED THAT THEY SIMPLIFY THEIR LIVES, THAT THEY MAY FREE THE NECESSARY ENERGIES FOR PURSUIT OF THIS OBJECTIVE. WE WOULD GIVE YOU THE SAME ADVICE. IT CANNOT CHANGE. THIS IS AS WE HAVE SAID MANY TIMES, THE SHORTEST PATH OF WHICH WE ARE AWARE. THE MOST PENETRATING BARRIERS ON THE PHYSICAL PLANE ARE THE “I CANNOT” BELIEF SYSTEMS THAT STAND IN THE WAY OF SPIRITUAL EVOLUTION. THE EASIEST WAY WE KNOW OF TO BREAK THROUGH THESE BARRIERS IS TO ELIMINATE THE ALIENATION, THE FRUSTRATING ISOLATION THAT YOUR CULTURE NOW IMPOSES.

SOURCE: Michael Teachings Transcripts


Q. How do you know if you're awakened or not?

A: When you are more awake than before, you are more engaged with the present. You feel more alive. There's more energy flowing in your life. You feel more thankful for what is now. Your senses are heightened. You find more beauty in everyday things.

There are certain thresholds of awakening that are quite marked, but we don't mean to imply that suddenly a light switch moves and everything is different. For most, awakening is in stages. It is likely that if you could somehow put how you are now side by side with how you were twenty years ago, you could see that you have awakened somewhat, that you have made progress. When progress is gradual, it is harder to validate. Sometimes, others can see a difference and help you validate.

It is a step-by-step process. All you really need to do right now is be as awake as you can. If you keep doing that, as you remember to do so, you will eventually be a lot more awake. Specific explorations into what is blocking your awakening may yield some big leaps forward. Looking at the bastions of your ego and being willing to give them up can result in great strides. Facing your fears head-on can often accelerate awakening.

What might be called "right action," meaning doing things that are a blessing to others and to the world, can accelerate awakening. The principle here is that you act as if you're already awake, and your awareness may start to mirror that. So when you model compassion for others, it may bring you into an experience that you didn't have as fully earlier.

If you have been feeling an inner urge to do something, maybe something creative that you have not acted on, doing so may open a flow in you that brings greater awakening because there's an aspect of yourself that now has a way to get out.

Life itself is a spiritual practice. For most human beings, simply, say, meditating all day would not actually bring the greatest awakening, because it would bring forth just one part of you. Living a full and varied life and seeking to bring as much awareness to everything you do can bring the most possible awakening.

However, being distracted by the ample distractions that this world has will keep you on automatic pilot. Taking the bull by the horns, as they say, slowing things down a little bit and working to be present in whatever you are doing will allow you as an eternal soul to catch up with your body and take things more in hand.

Channeled by Shepherd Hoodwin]]> https://michaelteachings.com/channeling/discussion/284/power-in-the-present Mon, 27 May 2013 01:19:04 +0000 Spiritual Growth ubiquitous 284@/channeling/discussions During hypnosis, someone asked the question, “Is the power in the present moment?” This was in relation to material he had read in the newest Seth book.

YOU SEE, THERE IS TRULY A POWER IN THE PRESENT MOMENT, BUT IT CAN ONLY BE FELT WHEN THAT MOMENT IS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE ALL THAT YOU HAVE BEEN AND ALL THAT YOU ARE NOW. IF YOU ARE ERECTING AND MAINTAINING BARRIERS AGAINST PAST PAIN, THEN HOW ARE YOU GOING TO DO THIS? WHEN TWO SOULS MEET AGAIN, AND THERE IS RECOGNITION, THIS CAN BE A POWERFULLY POSITIVE EXPERIENCE, IF IT IS FELT BY BOTH. IT CAN ALSO BE SCARY, AS IT WAS FOR THIS MAN, BECAUSE HIS BELIEF SYSTEM DOES NOT GO BEYOND THE GRAVE.

PLEASE KNOW THAT BELIEF SYSTEMS PERMEATE ALL LOWER CENTERS IN THEIR CONTROL. ALTHOUGH THIS MAN CAN INTELLECTUALLY RATIONALIZE ON ALTERNATIVES, THIS INTELLECT EVENTUALLY COMES TO REJECT THESE ALTERNATIVES, AS THE BELIEF SYSTEM DOES NOT ALLOW THEM ROOM. IT IS LIKE THE MOUNTAINS OF EVIDENCE VERSUS THE SHRED OF PROOF OF WHICH YOU HAVE ALL SPOKEN BEFORE. YOU WILL CLING TO THE SHRED OF NON-PROOF TENACIOUSLY AS LONG AS THE BELIEF SYSTEM IS IN CONTROL.

SOURCE: Michael Teachings Transcripts]]> https://michaelteachings.com/channeling/discussion/282/belief-systems Mon, 27 May 2013 01:15:47 +0000 Spiritual Growth ubiquitous 282@/channeling/discussions Many teachings speak of an inner fire that needs to be turned on to achieve consciousness. I cannot turn it on consciously. Can Michael give us the secret to turn this on?

TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, LET US SPEAK OF BELIEF SYSTEMS FOR A MOMENT. FOR YOU SEE, IF THE BELIEF SYSTEM IS STRONG ENOUGH AND TENACIOUS ENOUGH, THE LOWER CENTERS CAN EFFECTIVELY BLOCK OUT ALL INFORMATION CONFLICTING WITH THAT BELIEF SYSTEM, AND ALL OF ITS ATTENDANT EMOTIONS. IN OTHER WORDS, IF YOU DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A STATE OF AGAPE, YOU CAN EFFECTIVELY BLOCK OUT ANY EXPERIENCE OF SUCH. THE SECRET FOR YOU IS IN THAT SPACE OF WHICH YOU HAVE SPOKEN. IF YOU CAN EVER ONCE ALLOW YOURSELF TO FEEL THE PRESENCE OF ONE WHO LOVES, THEN EXPERIENCE THAT STATE VICARIOUSLY, YOU CAN INCORPORATE THAT INTO YOUR BELIEF SYSTEM. RIGHT NOW YOUR BELIEF SYSTEM DOES NOT ALLOW FOR THAT EXPERIENCE. YOU MAY HAVE IT BY EXPERIENCING THIS ENTITY, AND KNOWING THAT THIS STATE DOES EXIST. YOU MUST FEEL IT BEFORE YOU CAN GIVE IT YOURSELF. YOU MUST BE AT A POINT WHERE YOU KNOW BEYOND THE SHADOW OF A DOUBT THAT IT DOES EXIST, AND THE ONLY WAY YOU WILL IS TO EXPERIENCE IT FROM ONE WHO IS THERE. YOU ALMOST FELT IT WITH THE MAN ROBERT BURTON, BECAUSE HE WAS VERY CLOSE TO ACHIEVING IT. HE COULD AT TIMES BRING HIS ENTIRE FOLLOWING TO THAT NEUTRAL ENERGY FLOW, WHICH FOR MECHANICAL MAN IS A VERY HIGH PLACE. THIS NEUTRAL ENERGY FORCE IS WITHIN THE REACH OF THIS GROUP, IF YOU WISH TO STRIVE FOR IT, AND ONCE THERE YOU WILL FIND THE ACCESS EASIER TO ALLOW; BUT ALL OF YOU FIRST MUST FEEL, THEN YOU CAN LOVE. MECHANICAL MAN DOES NOT LIKE INNOVATION OR CHANGE. THIS EXPLAINS THE REASON. EXPERIENCING THIS FEELING WILL LIGHT THE FIRE.

SOURCE: Michael Teachings Transcripts]]> https://michaelteachings.com/channeling/discussion/281/measuring-consciousness Mon, 27 May 2013 01:05:42 +0000 Spiritual Growth ubiquitous 281@/channeling/discussions I understand that soul age and consciousness are not synonymous, but how do you measure consciousness--what are the signs, for instance, of an advanced consciousness?

MICHAEL: We do not claim that consciousness can be objectively measured. As one
particular individual grows in consciousness, the emanation of light from
that individual grows both in quality and quantity. However, two individuals
can be conscious in different ways, and their illumination may be of
different qualities. You can obviously tell the difference in the aura of
one person who is highly unconscious and one who is highly conscious.
However, with two people in the middle range, who are both struggling to
awaken, we could not say that person A is at 67 on a scale and person B is
at 68. It¹s a little like comparing apples and oranges. Some people are very
conscious in some areas and still asleep in others.

However, if someone is on the spiritual path, in the process of awakening,
you can see that the energy is not stuck or badly blocked. There are changes
happening, and the person is responsive to higher input; those who are
firmly asleep are not--they do not take in light that shines from more
conscious people or from spiritual guidance, at least not very much.

We would underline here what might be thought of as our mantra: that all is
choice. We are not encouraging you to think of unconscious and conscious as
another form of "better" and "worse." In fact, the more conscious you are,
the more unity you see in all things and the less you tend to judge others,
even if they are at the moment stuck in unconsciousness. You recognize that
they are sparks of the Tao just as you are, and that they are following
their own path. So this is not a competition. It¹s just that most of you are
interested in being more consciously on your path, so we speak to that.
Others who are not choosing that at this time are on their path, and it is
their right to choose that. All you can do is choose for yourself--choose
the path that you want to be on right now. Obviously, there are many people
still choosing to live from the surface. That is neither good nor bad, but
choosing to live from your quietude will ultimately bring you much more real
joy. It is not easy at first, but it pays off in that regard.

Channeled by Shepherd Hoodwin]]> https://michaelteachings.com/channeling/discussion/279/how-do-you-know-if-youre-awakened Mon, 27 May 2013 00:51:49 +0000 Spiritual Growth ubiquitous 279@/channeling/discussions How do you know if you're awakened or not?

MICHAEL: When you are more awake than before, you are more engaged with the present. You feel more alive. There's more energy flowing in your life. You feel more thankful for what is now. Your senses are heightened. You find more beauty in everyday things.

There are certain thresholds of awakening that are quite marked, but we don't mean to imply that suddenly a light switch moves and everything is different. For most, awakening is in stages. It is likely that if you could somehow put how you are now side by side with how you were twenty years ago, you could see that you have awakened somewhat, that you have made progress. When progress is gradual, it is harder to validate. Sometimes, others can see a difference and help you validate.

It is a step-by-step process. All you really need to do right now is be as awake as you can. If you keep doing that, as you remember to do so, you will eventually be a lot more awake. Specific explorations into what is blocking your awakening may yield some big leaps forward. Looking at the bastions of your ego and being willing to give them up can result in great strides. Facing your fears head-on can often accelerate awakening.

What might be called "right action," meaning doing things that are a blessing to others and to the world, can accelerate awakening. The principle here is that you act as if you're already awake, and your awareness may start to mirror that. So when you model compassion for others, it may bring you into an experience that you didn't have as fully earlier.

If you have been feeling an inner urge to do something, maybe something creative that you have not acted on, doing so may open a flow in you that brings greater awakening because there's an aspect of yourself that now has a way to get out.

Life itself is a spiritual practice. For most human beings, simply, say, meditating all day would not actually bring the greatest awakening, because it would bring forth just one part of you. Living a full and varied life and seeking to bring as much awareness to everything you do can bring the most possible awakening.

However, being distracted by the ample distractions that this world has will keep you on automatic pilot. Taking the bull by the horns, as they say, slowing things down a little bit and working to be present in whatever you are doing will allow you as an eternal soul to catch up with your body and take things more in hand.

Channeled by Shepherd Hoodwin]]> en