Stages of Awakening

By Cristhal Bennett

Spiritual experiences that can lead one to "the path" of awakening and realization can happen at any moment, at any time and at any age. The question is are you, or is someone else in your life paying attention to the signs that are directing one to the inner path? As a child I was blessed because my parents and I paid attention. Reflecting back on my spiritual experiences, I recognize particular events that took place in stages throughout my life that led me to the path of the spiritual seeker.

The first full spiritual experience I recall took place when I seven-years-old. That was 43 years ago. I vividly recall the experience that took place just after an Easter sunrise service. I was living in Oslo, Norway. On that morning and the days and weeks that followed my eyes were opened to Spirit in a most profound way.

After the worship service, everyone went inside the church for breakfast. The church was an A-framed structure with windows from floor to ceiling, overlooking a beautiful valley. I was sitting at a table with my family and others, the food was about to be served, and I went into a trance. Perhaps it was the blessing that caused me to go into the trance. I am not sure what the trigger was, but I am certain of what occurred between the blessing and the length of time it took for the food to be served. I suddenly found myself bathed in a luminescent light, and felt as if a veil had been lifted from my eyes. My entire world began to pulsate everything was electrically charged; the table, the chairs, the trees in the valley. Yet, the people in the room seemed to disappear. I became aware of a Presence that was both around me and in me. The next thing I recall is the smell of eggs; the smell brought me back to the world as it was. I looked around, the world was the same, but I was not.

This all took place within a matter of minutes, although when I think back on the experience, it seems that the world stood still for an eternity. For more than two weeks after this event, Spirit spoke to me every night. The same guide would appear each night and I would travel with this being to worlds and dimensions that were beyond my imagination. I remember meeting other teachers and guides-each offering me specific lessons.

Recently I was in Alaska visiting my father who was recovering from a lengthy illness. He said that he wanted to know how I "know" God. Although my mother blessed me and the work I do in the world my father was always more skeptical. I watched him as I spoke; lying back in his chair, his eyes closed, I sensed every part of his being listening to me. I shared many stories with my father that night and he only interrupted me once, it was when I recounted the story I shared with you. My father opened his eyes and looked at me; I could see tears welling in his eyes. He said "I know that you're telling the truth." He said that after I was born, he was taken to the nursery to meet me. He said literally all of the babies were crying except for me. He observed that my eyes were open wide and I was laughing out loud. The nurse took me out of the room and as she placed me in my father's arms she said to him, "she sees the Angels and she is talking to them." He looked at me again and said "I believe you."

The presence I encountered in my childhood has stayed with me throughout my life; there wasn't a time when I wasn't in communication with my "Teacher."

In1972 at the age of sixteen I was living in Fairbanks, Alaska and I began seeking a relationship with God that was different from what I found in the traditional churches. I didn't have the language at that time to express what I was looking for, but I knew that what I was receiving in the church wasn't matching my inner experiences, even then I trusted what took place on the inner planes. In my mid-twenties I moved to Maui, and found a community of like minded people. It was there I found Tibetan Buddhism, and a cadre of teachers who helped me to understand I was seeking a life which would not have to separate my spiritual experiences from everyday life-I was seeking nondual realization. During this period I experienced a kundalini awakening and for 1 ½ years I went through a process of being transformed from the inside out, I was immersed in the womb of Spirit. There was no longer any separation between me and that which I had been seeking for so long. It was pure energy, a radiant luminescence flowing through my body.

Spiritual experiences, I believe, are like the bill boards we see on the side of the highway... they inform us, but they do not represent the depth, nor one's ability to integrate and transform the spiritual experience into knowledge into wisdom that can be shared with others. It is in the integration and transformation of our spiritual experiences that lead us through progressive stages of spiritual maturation and spiritual awakening.

Today the mystery of spirit that unfolded in the heart of a child all those years ago has become such an integral part of my expression that, instead of guides coming to lead me through realms and dimensions of consciousness, I serve as guide and spiritual midwife for my students and clients- all seekers on the path.

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