Sadhguru says that the journey of awakening isn’t about becoming someone else; it’s about peeling back the layers until only the truth remains. True awakening is when the mind stops searching and the heart begins to see.
Article | Chennai | August 15, 1996
Sadhguru: In spiritual terms, awakening is the expansion of consciousness, a shift transcending mundane life’s limitations and entering a higher state of awareness. Spiritual awakening is not an escape from life but a deeper journey into its most vibrant, hidden dimensions. True awakening is when the mind stops searching and the heart begins to see. It offers a practical yet profound perspective on what spiritual awakening entails and how it manifests within a seeker.
1. What Is Spiritual Awakening?
Beyond Religious Boundaries: Spiritual awakening is not tethered to any religious or ideological framework. It’s an internal experience beyond intellectual knowledge and religious rituals. That's why Ancient Bengal Nigam Tantra only talks about Human Beings irrespective of caste, creed, race, religion, and gender.
Awareness and Consciousness: Awakening involves a heightened awareness of the self and the universe. Human consciousness has the potential to go beyond the physical and psychological layers, which ultimately leads to experiencing life at its highest potential.
Spiritual awakening is not an escape from life but a deeper journey into its most vibrant, hidden dimensions.
2. The Role of the Mind and Ego in Spiritual Awakening
Transcending the Ego: Transcending the ego involves moving beyond the personal identity that often limits one’s perception and experience. Ego, in this sense, is not simply confidence or self-esteem but the identification with the thoughts, beliefs, and emotions that make up one's "self-concept." The ego thrives on separateness, defining itself through labels, judgments, and attachments, creating a perceived boundary between "I" and "other." This separation leads to feelings of competition, fear, and anxiety, ultimately keeping one confined to a narrow, self-centred perspective.
To transcend the ego is to recognize this separation as an illusion. It requires a shift in consciousness, where one sees the self not as an isolated individual but as part of a larger, interconnected whole. Practices like meditation, mindfulness, and self-inquiry are powerful tools in this process. Meditation calms the constant stream of thoughts, allowing one to experience a state of pure awareness beyond the chatter of the mind. Through mindfulness, one can observe thoughts and emotions without attachment, realizing that these are transient phenomena, not the core self.
Self-inquiry, often practised in Tantra and Advait Philosophy, involves questioning the nature of "I." By asking "Who am I?" one gradually peels away layers of conditioning and assumptions, revealing a deeper, more expansive self that transcends egoic limitations. This process leads to a profound sense of unity and peace, as the rigid boundaries of the ego dissolve.
Transcending the ego doesn’t mean eliminating individuality but rather loosening the attachment to the personal identity that creates suffering. In this state, actions are guided by compassion and wisdom, as one recognizes the interconnectedness of all beings. True transcendence is a state of harmony with life, where one experiences freedom from the constraints of the ego and embodies a deeper, universal consciousness. It’s a journey of rediscovering one's essence, beyond the layers of ego, reaching a state of oneness and inner liberation.
Mind is not a Tool: The mind is often mistaken as a tool that can be controlled or manipulated at will, yet its influence is far more complex. One can consciously change thoughts, temporarily altering the mind's focus and reactivity. However, these shifts are short-lived unless they penetrate deeply into one’s awareness. True transformation requires bodha, the profound assimilation of knowledge, which brings lasting clarity beyond superficial thought changes. When knowledge integrates fully into awareness, it leads to sustained insight and alters perception fundamentally.
As I say, the mind is not inherently a tool for awakening, nor is it a fixed obstacle. Instead, its influence depends on how it is managed and directed. A disciplined, focused mind can become an ally on the spiritual path, helping individuals to reach deeper states of awareness. Through practices like meditation and mindful observation, the mind can be gently trained to remain steady, allowing one to experience subtler layers of consciousness.
Yet, if allowed to dominate unchecked, the mind traps one in repetitive thoughts, emotions, and desires, limiting awareness to surface-level experiences and preventing deeper spiritual realization. The mind’s true potential lies in balance: neither suppressing nor indulging it, but refining its focus to serve awareness. Thus, the disciplined mind becomes a bridge to higher consciousness, supporting inner growth. When one gains bodha, the mind's limitations dissolve, and awareness becomes naturally expansive, moving beyond the transient fluctuations of thought and emotion.
Mind is a platform: The mind can be seen as an electromagnetic platform where various energies interact, influencing thoughts, emotions, and perceptions. Just as electromagnetic waves vary in frequency and intensity, so too do mental energies, creating a dynamic spectrum of experiences. Different energies, such as emotional impulses, thoughts, and sensory inputs, play unique roles in shaping our mental states. Positive energies like calmness and compassion promote clarity and focus, while negative energies, such as stress or anger, create turbulence, limiting awareness.
When energies are balanced, the mind becomes a harmonious field that can facilitate deeper understanding and self-awareness. Practices like meditation and mindfulness can help align and stabilize these energies, allowing for greater clarity and inner peace. Understanding the mind as an electromagnetic platform reveals its fluid, adaptable nature—its potential to either expand or restrict awareness based on the interplay of energies within. This insight encourages cultivating positive energies for a balanced, mindful state.
Surrendering to the Divine: Perspective on Letting Go:
Surrender is a critical step in awakening, describing it as the act of releasing attachment to personal desires and egoic control. Surrender is not about passive acceptance but an active choice to align with a higher consciousness. Through surrender, one opens the heart to receive guidance from the divine within.
Surrender is a doorway to grace, a state where life flows effortlessly, unburdened by ego. He advises cultivating surrender through humility, trust in the divine, and the conscious release of attachments. This process allows one to enter a state of profound receptivity and inner peace.
The journey of awakening isn’t about becoming someone else; it’s about peeling back the layers until only the truth remains.
3. Meditation for Awakening
Meditation as a Gateway: Meditation, is not merely a relaxation practice but a powerful tool to heighten awareness. He emphasizes the transformative power of meditation in transcending the mind’s limitations.
Shree Sadhana: In this programme, Shree the ultimate primordial energy sadhana in Nigam Tantra is the path to liberate yourself.
Inner Engineering: At Shree Siddhashram, the Inner Engineering program through Shree Sadhana offers profound techniques rooted in the wisdom of Nigam Tantra. This transformative 44-day journey, which I have guided since 1980, is crafted to deeply prepare the mind and body for elevated states of consciousness. Each aspect of the program is designed to help practitioners shed inner limitations, awaken their highest potential, and step into a life filled with deeper clarity, fulfilment, and connection to their true essence.
Mandala Sadhana: Mandala Sadhana is an extensive sadhana with different energies of Dashmahavidya and 15 Nityas means 15 energies in different oscillations, frequencies, wavelengths and amplitude. Manadala sadhana a sadhak only can do after his enlightenment to reach the bodhi state.
Art of Realisation: This sadhana is especially for those who are at that level of seeker to reach self-realisation.
Supramental Sadhana: In Shree Siddhashram Supramental Sadhana is the most secret and sacred Sadhana for the Sadhaks.
Spiritual awakening begins when you understand that the answers you seek have always been within you.
4. Self-Realization: The Goal of Spiritual Awakening
Self as the Ultimate Reality: The self is an infinite, boundless dimension beyond the physical realm. Realizing this dimension is the true purpose of human life.
Detachment from Identity: One of the primary aspects of spiritual awakening is to dissolve identity-based attachments. By letting go of identity, people can experience life as it is rather than through conditioned perspectives.
To awaken spiritually is to let go of the false comforts of certainty and embrace the infinite mystery of being.
5. The Journey from Intellectual Knowledge to Experiential Reality
Experiential Wisdom Over Intellectual Knowledge: Awakening is not a matter of intellectual understanding. True wisdom is experiential and must be felt within oneself.
Removing Psychological Boundaries: Spiritual awakening requires dismantling internal boundaries created by beliefs, past experiences, and social conditioning. Shree Siddhashram offers practices that help individuals break these limitations.
Awakening is the soul's recognition that it was never separate from the world it seeks to know.
6. The Role of Energy and Chakras in Awakening
Energy Centers (Chakras): Spiritual awakening involves awakening certain energy centres within the body. By activating these chakras, an individual experiences a heightened state of vitality and connection to the cosmos.
Five Aura - Pancha kosha Sadhana: I always mention that Pancha kosha is an important factor for Enlightenment. Only Chakra Sadhana is not sufficient for spiritual progress. In Shree Siddhashram Pancha Kosha Sadhana is very much important like Tanmatra Sadhana and Bhuta Suddhi Sadhana.
Kundalini Tantra: The concept of Kundalini, and Kundalini Tantra is the only way a sadhak can start his or her journey towards enlightenment. An intense primordial energy stored at the base of the spine plays a significant role. When awakened, this energy travels upward, leading to higher consciousness.
Every breath is an invitation to awaken to the life flowing within and around you.
7. Overcoming Obstacles on the Path to Spiritual Awakening
Common Challenges: Humans face adversity and various challenges in their lives, such as emotional turmoil, attachment to past identities, and fear of the unknown.
The Importance of Patience and Perseverance: Awakening doesn’t happen overnight; It needs perseverance. It’s a gradual process that requires patience, consistency, and determination.
Transformation through Seva (Service) and Compassion
Seva the selfless service, the path of selfless action. Through service and compassion, we dissolve the ego and expand our consciousness to include others. True transformation, he explains, happens when we act without expectation of reward, as every selfless act purifies the mind and opens the heart.
Compassion is a natural extension of awakening, an expression of the oneness that seekers come to experience. Through service, we transcend the confines of individuality and align with universal consciousness. This teaching provides an accessible path for those beginning their spiritual journey.
Technology for Mankind: Technology for Mankind is a fusion of Spirituality and Technology that helps not only human civilisation but also nature and Mother Earth. This programme is the primary concept of Gyangunj's Mysticism of 16 Vigyan (Science) which Gyangunj or the Rajrajeshwari Math used to say Prakritik Vigyan (Natural Science).
8. Enlightenment vs. Awakening:
Difference Between Awakening and Enlightenment: According to Nigam Tantra, awakening is the journey, and enlightenment is the destination. Awakening brings profound awareness, while enlightenment is the first step towards self-realisation. Enlightenment is a state where you will be aware of universal consciousness and partially connected with that consciousness.
Understanding Liberation (Moksha): Moksha is not enlightenment, Enlightenment gives primarily mukti i.e. salvation, which is not the ultimate liberation. Moksha is a state of freedom from all worldly limitations and attachments.
When the heart is silent and the mind at rest, the spirit awakens to its timeless nature.
9. The Practical Path to Spiritual Awakening: The necessary path and Techniques are Seva, Sadhana and Sankirtan
In spite of all your spiritual practice, you can not reach the spiritual awakening if Seva and Sankirtan are not there. The selfless service i.e. Nishkam Seva and the Sankirtan the glorification of the Divine is mandatory.
Shaktipat initiation with Shambhavi Mahavidya, Shree Sadhana, and Inner Engineering. Through structured programs, Shree Siddhashram provides practical tools like Shaktipat initiation which is my sadhan shakti transferred to the Sadhaks and disciples for Shambhabi Mahavidya. Shambhabi Mahavidya is the only can transfer from Guru to Shishya that enables seekers to tap into their spiritual energy.
Simplicity and Discipline: Shree Siddhashram's methods focus on simple, powerful practices that involve discipline. These include breathing exercises, meditative techniques, and conscious living.
Emphasis is on determination, discipline, dedication, and devotion.
10 Achieving Unity with Universal Consciousness
A pinnacle of Shree Siddhashram's teachings is the experience of oneness or unity consciousness. He describes this state as the dissolution of all separations, where the observer and the observed merge into one. Through persistent practice and surrender, seekers can momentarily taste this unity, gaining insights into the nature of existence and their true selves.
Experiencing unity consciousness shifts our understanding of life. It is here that the individual transcends space, time, and suffering, existing as pure awareness.
11. Living in the Present Moment: Awakening as a Daily Practice
Mindfulness and Awareness in Daily Life: I especially emphasize living in the present as a key aspect of spiritual awakening. Each moment, he explains, offers an opportunity to experience life with awareness. The mindfulness, which my beloved Guru Avdhoot Atmananda, my father used to say Nitya Hum.
Practising Gratitude: Cultivating gratitude is another practice recommended for awakening. Gratitude allows individuals to see the beauty in life and fosters a deep connection with existence.
12. Awakening and Relationship with the External World
Compassion and Unity: A spiritually awakened person, feels an innate connection with all life. This sense of unity creates compassion for others, leading to a harmonious relationship with the world.
Detachment from Outcomes: While engaging in the world, an awakened person does not get attached to the outcomes of their actions. This detachment brings freedom and a sense of fulfilment.
13. Conclusion: Embracing the Path of Awakening
In the pursuit of spiritual awakening, the journey itself is as significant as the destination. By engaging in practices that nurture awareness and by aligning oneself with the fundamental forces of life, one can experience the boundless nature of existence. Awakening, then, becomes not merely a mystical pursuit but an essential part of leading a joyful, liberated life.
