17th century concept of consciousness Consciousness (derived from the Middle High German word bewissen in the sense of “having knowledge of something”,[1] Latin _conscientia_ “co-knowledge” and Ancient Greek συνείδησις syneídēsis “co-appearance”, “co-image”, “co-knowledge,” συναίσθησις _synaísthēsis_ “co-perception,” “co-feeling,” and φρόνησις phrónēsis from φρονεῖν phroneín “to be in one’s senses, to think”) is, in the broadest sense, the experience of mental states and processes. A generalized definition of the term is difficult due to its various uses with different meanings. Scientific research is concerned with definable properties of conscious experience. Meaning of the term consciousness The word “consciousness” was coined by Christian Wolff as a loan translation of the Latin conscientia.[2] The Latin word had originally meant conscience and had first been used in a more general sense by René Descartes. In linguistic usage, the term consciousness has a very diverse meaning, which partly overlaps with the meanings of mind and soul. In contrast to the latter, however, the term consciousness is less determined by theological and dualistic-metaphysical thoughts, which is why it is also used in the natural sciences. It complicates many discussions that consciousness basically has two meanings.[3] The first is that we perceive something and are awake and aware.

Enlightenment – Intro Enlightenment (from Old High German arliuhtan “to illuminate”, Middle High German erliuhtunge “to light up”, “enlightenment”; Latin illuminatio), also **illumination**, refers to a religious-spiritual experience in which a person believes that his everyday consciousness has been transcended and he has obtained everlasting insight into – however pronounced – holistic reality. In today’s common usage, “enlightenment” is usually understood as a sudden realization or inspiration. There are different opinions about the processes that are described by the term enlightenment in the religious sense and the reasons for their occurrence, which are related to the respective philosophical or religious background of the person making the judgement. In some cases, enlightenment is understood as a spontaneous breakthrough or as the final result of a process of spiritual practice and development, according to other interpretations it is due to divine grace, and still others believe it is a combination of both. Usually, the idea of enlightenment is associated with the assumption that it brings about a profound and lasting change in the personality. In European traditions, enlightenment is often counted among mystical experiences. In the terminology of Asian religions, there are no expressions that correspond exactly to the European term “enlightenment,”

The unfolding of life and spirituality is constantly evolving and shifting depending on surrounding perspectives. For most of the population, success is measured by concrete results and worldly possessions that can often feel shallow to the soul, regardless of whether they are aware of it. In the most straightforward example, the road offered by society follows a cookie-cutter design as if we were machines on a conveyer belt destined for overnight processing and shipping. Sometimes this belt moves so fast that the dreams we think we hold are confused with the mere expectations of a world at large. Although different, this can also be said for the spiritual path where teachers and practices might cloud your soul’s direction sincerely wishes to pave. While there is no right or wrong way to enjoy life, there is what feels aligned and in tune with you. Why follow someone else’s ideologies on spirituality when your path might mean something entirely different for you? What is spirituality? The same way society might make us believe we need to take that 9 to 5 office job with health benefits is the same way our ego might trick us into holding onto spiritual crutches. The fact

Spirituality – Intro Spirituality (from Latin spiritus, ‘spirit, breath’ or spiro, ‘I breathe’—like ancient Greek ψύχω resp. ψυχή, see psyche) is the search for, the turning towards, the immediate contemplation or subjective experience of a transcendent reality that cannot be sensually grasped or rationally explained and that underlies the material world. Spiritual insights can be connected with questions of meaning and value of existence, with the experience of the wholeness of the world in its connectedness with one’s own existence, with the “ultimate truth” and absolute, highest reality as well as with the integration of the sacred, inexplicable or ethically valuable into one’s own life. It is not a matter of mental insights, logic or communication about them, but of intense psychological, highly personal states and experiences that have a direct impact on the lifestyle and ethical ideas of the person. The prerequisite is a religious conviction, which, however, does not have to be connected with a specific religion. There is no generally accepted definition of the term. The personal, ideological belief determines its concrete meaning for each individual—for example, whether God or other spiritual beings, numinous or even natural forces play a role in it. In Christianity, spirituality used

During my studies, I had a physics teacher who would always tell us, “Practice makes permanent,” rather than the lofty idea of practice making perfect. How you practice is how your results manifest, and this is just as true when deepening spiritual awareness as it is for the musician preparing for a show or an athlete training for a marathon. Spiritual practices can be a great ally in developing a closer connection to the universe, to ourselves, and the world at large. From seeing the magic in the mundane to honoring the depths in everyday simplicities, there is so much wonder to be discovered when we devote ourselves to a consistent spiritual practice. And while there is infinite beauty to be experienced, the spiritual path can also bring up darker aspects of our being. Having a practice to return to and ground into can be the peacemaker allowing us to rise up from any falls we encounter. When the world is constantly responding to the perspectives we hold, like a song and dance, a sharing of inhalations and exhalations, the more we fine-tune our end of reciprocation, the more impeccability is reflected along the cosmic mirror. While my days of

We often turn to spiritual practices in times of difficulty and desperation, in the hopes of finding meaning, growth, healing, transcendence, and inner peace. Belief in God or gods is not a requirement for walking a spiritual path. Spirituality could be described as an intuitive experience of a deep and infinite, heartful, energetic connection and unity with all that is. Some people may consider “all that is” the omnipresence of the Creator or God. Others may call it Spirit, Source, Presence, the Sacred or Divine, and some may choose not to name it. When people are troubled they may also turn to psychology and psychotherapy because it deals with the mind, behavior, feelings, thoughts, and how we understand and make sense of the world. At times of struggle with external challenges and/or internal psychological issues, childhood psychological wounds, and failing mental health, we may experience painful emotions, cognitive dissonance (mental conflict as a result of beliefs, values, and behaviors not aligning), and a sense of isolation and disconnection that can feel torturous! At this point, instead of becoming intensely present, open-hearted, and welcoming to the opportunity to deal with the challenge and its underlying issues to invest in our psycho-spiritual

Let’s consider the words “spiritual” and “awakening,” as a helpful start to exploring the topic of spiritual awakening symptoms. Awakening is described as the action of waking up or rising from sleep.  The word “spirit” is from the Latin word which means to breathe, to blow, to inspire, and to live. Stop for a moment to consider these integral and potent words! Breath is what animates us. Are we truly living, and how might spirit guide and benefit us? “Death is not the greatest tragedy in life. The greatest tragedy is what dies inside us while we live. We need not fear death. We need fear only that we may exist without having sensed something of the possibilities that lie within human existence.” -Norman Cousins Origins of spiritual awakening terminology We often use “spirit” more generally to refer to intangible human aspects such as our thoughts or beliefs, or our mind, feelings, character, and soul. Some synonyms for “spiritual” include psychical, transcendent, mystical, numinous, and metaphysical. “Spiritual” can also be used in a religious context, about the sacred, holy spirit, divine, and devotion. “Spiritual awakening could be defined as inspired and super ordinary, quality living.” -Janet Wakelin Spiritual awakening may

It is difficult to believe spirituality and religion have been around for thousands of years—and there is no consensus on definitions of either. Could traditional religion have come about as a result of, and as, avenues for spiritual awakening? There are around 4300 religions, with religious and spiritual journeys as personal and diverse as the 7.9 billion people on the planet. Religions are socio-cultural practices to develop our relationship with the Divine and give meaning to life. Traditionally, spirituality was a religious process to lead us back to God, but in modern times spirituality refers to an experience of the Sacred, God, Presence, Source, or Higher Power, within or outside of organized religion. “Religion helps us create a space for God, but it is through spirituality that we are able to find God inside and outside of any defined spaces.”—Toyin Omofoye Where religious practice may be said to focus on doing, spiritual practice is focused on being as the intuitive experience of a deep heartfelt energetic connection and unity in presence – an experience of infinite love. “Spiritual but not religious” is a catchphrase used by a spiritual person who does not consider organized religion as the sole or most

The Upanishads are a collection of texts detailing man’s journey to realizing the Self, and finding union with The Supreme Over Soul, Brahman—who others may also refer to as God. Much like the Bible, the Upanishads are considered sacred amongst the Hindu people. The word translates to “sit down,” referring to one mastering their connection with their true Self or Atman, which translates to “soul.” Translated by Eknath Easwaran, this excerpt of The Upanishads details what—and where—our true Self lies, and how we can discover it, and fine-tune it, to become one with Brahman. “The Wisdom of Shandilya” states that, if the universe was birthed from and and exists within Brahman, then we theoretically should be able to return to Brahman, attaining the ultimate level of spirituality and connection to the Self. What is “the Self,” though? Essentially, it is our soul—but there is also much more to it than that. The Self is the culmination of truth, light, and life. All of our desires and creations were given rise to by the Self, which resides right in the center of our being: our heart. That is not to say it is a physical part of ourselves, however; our physical

Until now, the natural sciences and humanities have seen themselves as competitors, with natural science being the clear winner in recent centuries. Today, the humanities imitate the natural sciences. A rational “exact method” should be used to measure human phenomena. In the beginning, religion ruled. It was replaced by rationality. Today the possibilities exists that humanities and natural sciences will join hands and form a new form of co-creation together. Enlightenment and Religion: From the Religious Taboo of Dissection to Genetic Manipulation Today we face a lot of negative ramifications from mankind’s drive for research and change: Nuclear weapons, genetic manipulation, RFID-chipping, digital surveillance, etc. In the Middle Ages, however, it was the opposite: religious dogma. This meant that nothing was allowed to be questioned and everything was to be believed. The body was not allowed to be dissected. Touching the body and questioning the “God-given” order was considered taboo and sinful. One was supposed to believe the given knowledge, but not know. Religion is obsolete for enlightenment and science. This is a re-evaluation of all values. The Age of Enlightenment challenged this. Due to the triumph of the enlightenment, transcendence, the immaterial, has been dismissed as an illusion. Because