The Second Step Of Self Realization
December 2, 2010 by Akemi
Have you ever wondered why each of us is unique? I mean, there are so many of us, with different appearance, background, each with unique way of thinking, feeling, and acting. Why do we need such a wide diversity, or is this some kind of error by God?
There are two levels of existence. One is the realm of absolute and the other is the realm of relativity. I think it’s helpful to be very clear about this and not to confuse the two. Yes, you exist in each of the two realms, whether you have noticed or not.
The realm of absolute
Nondualism often discusses this realm of absolute. In the realm of absolute, we are all One. There is only one existence ever, often called the Self. Some other ways to call this single existence include: the one Life, God, All That Is.
I am the Self. You are the Self. We are not just related or connected, we are essentially One.
In the realm of absolute, everything is just is. What is not doesn’t exist. Not even time and space. I mean, can you possibly imagine time when there is only one being there, containing everything in it? How do you define space in such a realm?
The realm of relativity
The realm of relativity is the world we are familiar with. Here, things and people appear to be separate. As separate beings, we assume individual uniqueness. It’s a dynamic world where things appear to change (therefore the recognition of time) and be separate (recognition of space).
Some “spiritual” people condemn this realm of relativity, saying things like, “Oh, this is only an illusion.” If I ever sounded this way, too, I apologize. The realm of relativity is wonderful. Yes, it is indeed a type of illusion, or a virtual reality simulation game or a dream or an experiment, but it exists for a good purpose.
Without individual differences, how can you possibly realize who you are? Let me illustrate this with an example. I guess I am petite as an adult human. But this realization is possible only when I compare myself with other humans. Well, perhaps the realization of my size is not that important, but how about the realization of love? How do I know if I am a loving being or not without other beings? How do I know the qualities or aspects of my love without actually loving another person or thing?
So the realm of relativity exists for a very good reason. We are meant to explore this dynamic, vivid realm.
Dualism in the realm of relativity
The problem of the realm of relativity is that we have many false beliefs about it. The biggest misbelief is dualism.
Yes, there is a wide range of various diversities in this realm of relativity. Let’s get back to the issue of size. There are people of various heights. The difference is continuous, forming a spectrum. But we tend to categorize people into two groups, tall and short, by setting up an arbitrary point of standard.
Now this is okay if we know what we are doing, like for a practical purpose of manufacturing clothes. But this way of seeing a continual spectrum of a feature in dualistic manner is now so ingrained in our mindset that many of us think there are actually tall people and short people (or, maybe the middle range people, too).
Even worse, we have extended this dualistic way of seeing this world to things we cannot measure. So now we think there are beauty vs ugliness, love vs hate, light vs darkness, truth vs untruth — essentially, what is vs what is not.
Surprise! Whereas there is only what is in the realm of absolute, we think there is also what is not in the realm of relativity.
The rise of judgment and fear
This dualistic view, that “what is not” can actually exist, have caused us to be judgmental and fearful. Of course, right? If you believe one choice can make you a success while another choice can make you a loser, why wouldn’t you use all your wits to figure out which choice is the better choice? And how can you not be afraid in such a cruel worldview?
This rise of judgment and fear, however, is so ironical because the very reason we have manifested this dynamic realm of relativity was to explore love.
The One being in the realm of absolute is love itself. It knows nothing but love. Everything is within itself, so how can it know anything but love? The awareness of the One Self is love.
But the Self wishes to learn love in a more tangible way. So it has split into many pieces, forming this realm of relativity — also called the field of experience or the field of expression.
And by doing so, it has also created the perception of non-love.
Self-inquiry and Self-exploration
I intuitively knew these two levels of existence, and before I wrote articles describing how the Source had formed Higher Selves and souls. But it wasn’t until I worked on my Self-inquiry I got really clear about these two realms.
Because we exist in these two realms, the Self-realization process is also a two-step process. The first is the Self-inquiry, as I wrote in the linked article. Keep asking yourself, “Who am I?” If you don’t settle with the easy answers (like your name, role, personality, etc) nor the nice-sounding answers that the mind creates, eventually, you will arrive at the point of “I don’t know.” I mean, do it for yourself rather than just reading my words.
That “I don’t know — I am aware I am here, but I cannot describe who I am” is the realization of oneself in the realm of absolute. You notice this realm that underlies the world we have known.
However, Self-realization doesn’t stop there. The second step is to consciously explore yourself in this realm of relativity. In a sense, that is what you have been doing all your life, but now you are doing it consciously.
I am essentially the One Life. And now, I am aware I am incarnated as me — Akemi. From this specific perspective, with this incarnation’s unique path and features, how do I experience myself?
And the answers to this question can be realized only through experiences, through experiencing other people and things. So I need to get out of my meditation room and interact with the world.
Nondualism
It’s really good to know I am One and One with all others, that appear to be separate from me. But life doesn’t end there.
I am very glad I have come to this realization. Now life, with all its interesting twists, is so much more meaningful. I am inspired to “do” so much more.
What the ancient sages said about these two realms
The idea that there are two levels of existence is not my original. About 2600 years ago in ancient China, Lao-tsu wrote Tao Te Ching. Here is the first chapter:
The tao that can be told
is not the eternal Tao.
The name that can be named
is not the eternal Name.The unnamable is the eternally real.
Naming is the origin
of all particular things.Free from desire, you realize the mystery.
caught in desire, you see only the manifestations.Yet mystery and manifestations
arise from the same source.
This source is called darkness.Darkness within darkness.
The gateway to all understanding.
(Note: Here, the word “darkness” is not used with negative connotation. It indicates the condition before the manifestations. There are many English translations of Tao Te Ching, but I think this one by Stephen Mitchell is the best.)
And here is a quote by Rumi, which is perfect to conclude this article:
“If a spiritual explanation alone were sufficient, the creation of the world would have been vain and pointless.” ~ Rumi
Related posts:
My last comment got lost somehow, so I’m going to start again.
Sorry if this comment is a bit off-topic, but I don’t see why knowing who you really are is all that important. If we incarnate to learn lessons, clear karma, enjoy life, to create, and all those other great things, then why does needing to know who you are a big deal? Yes, knowing you are One with everyone and everything is a good thing. Being non-judgmental and loving freely are great, but beyond that, why is this such a big deal?
I have studied religions, spirituality, the Big Questions until I could scream. I then realized it doesn’t matter. Just be. Just live. Why is it SO important to know who you are deep down inside rather than just be content with who you are as you know it? We aren’t meant to know everything. Personally, if I questioned who I really was, I would probably drive myself crazy.
And I have a question for you: aren’t the Akashic Records a personal thing for each person that can only be reached through deep meditation? How can you get to such deep meditation for other people? Do you have angelic or spirit guide assistance? And, wouldn’t it be better to offer classes for people to learn how to read their own Akashic Records? That way, you’d still have a personal business, but would be teaching people on how to find the answers for themselves. Aren’t we supposed to learn these type of things on our own?
Hi Merry,
I think you have been doing the second step of self realization all the while. As I wrote, this is what life is all about — the only thing is most people don’t know what they are doing.
The “you” who goes crazy thinking who you are is your ego. Ultimately, you never get to know who you are by thinking. The answer I found was “I don’t know.” And the reason we do the Self-realization (in my way of saying, Self-inquiry and Self-exploration) is to shake off the ego. Why? Because life is so much easier, joyous, and peaceful that way.
I already wrote about how to read one’s own Akashic Records here. You might like some other articles on that website, too. The reason I don’t “teach” is because there is not much to teach. Just read that short article and practice. That’s all.
To read other people’s Akashic Records, I talk with my Akashic Record Guides.
Thanks for asking great questions.
Akemi,
This was a great reminder for me between the two realms. It is all about finding a balance between all things. As you share so many people are searching for that end point outside of themselves, some place to get to. The truth is we are always everything we seek to be. We are the perfect beings, there is nothing to move towards, but more simply acts of remembering exactly who we are.
I would say in responce to Merry’s question, there is no need to “find/know” who we are. When we start to listen to our inner wisdom, and live the life we truely want to, we will find that we simply know who we are. It all goes hand in hand. It is not a matter of searching for it, it is a matter of Being it. We can’t help but know who we are when we are truely being.
Thank you for the lovely article!
Akemi, thank you for replying back to my comment!
Here’s the thing: I don’t believe in steps. They no longer work for me. I just live and be me. I do not think I have been following any step-system at all. I have just been myself.
And if my ego is such a thing that needs to be rid of, then why do we have such a thing to begin with? Yes, it causes doubt, fear, confusion, and all sort of problems, but it helps us also. If you almost get hit by a car while crossing the street, wouldn’t it be your ego helping you remember to think,”Hey! I need to look both ways this time while crossing or I might get hit!” ? I mean, the ego is there for a reason, we just don’t need to let it get out of hand.
I’m sorry to say, but I do not think that asking my spirit guides would do much with seeing my Akashic Records; they may be able to show me,but personally, I still think it can only be reached by deep, deep meditation, and I can barely meditate as it is. Also, I have no desire to read them, as the past is long gone and each new second is the future. What I’m saying is, it doesn’t matter to me if I read them or not. What I really want to know is how you came upon getting Akashic Record Guides. I have never heard of these type of guides before. Please explain.
Also, I feel a bit confused by your posts. One of your posts spoke of not having to grow spiritually, that it is a paradox. That we should just live. Then you speak of enlightenment, realizing who you are, and so on; this is deep thinking in my opinion. To me, those topics are spiritual in a sense, and therefore a contradiction to your earlier posts.
Stacy, I believe you misread my comment. I know there is no need to find or know who we are; I have no interest in it. I am content as who I am and who I know myself as. I am just ‘Merry’. That’s it. ‘Merry’. In another plane I may have another name and I may be something completely different, and then again I may still just be ‘Merry’. In the big scheme of things, does it really matter? No, it doesn’t, not to me at least.
Why can’t we all just forget the Big Questions and the Big Thoughts and just go about our day and focus instead on living our lives? Enjoy the day, read a book for fun not study, watch a movie, go out with friends, I mean, just LIVE.
Stacey,
Superb answer. I like the way you put it. Thank you.
Merry,
Well, I don’t like steps, either. It was just a way of saying. I could say it the other aspect of self realization.
Just living and being you is perfect. Glad for you.
If you are not interested in reading the Akashic Records, why the heck are you concerned about my Akashic guide?
And regarding the contradiction. If you don’t read the whole articles or just read the surface with your prejudice, maybe it feels that way. I myself don’t see any contradiction. For instance, I don’t think enlightenment is about thinking at all. As I wrote in that article, my definition is clear seeing. Clear seeing is not about growth, if anything, it’s remembering. We are all born with seeing things as they are, it’s the things we have picked up along the way of life that are clouding this vision. In a sense, kids are the most enlightened beings.
You wrote, “Why can’t we all just forget the Big Questions and the Big Thoughts and just go about our day and focus instead on living our lives? Enjoy the day, read a book for fun not study, watch a movie, go out with friends, I mean, just LIVE.” Exactly. That’s what I am saying, and if you’ve got that, you don’t really need my blog, or just read it for fun, as you say.
Oh, regarding the contradiction. I do admit some of my previous posts contradict with what I say now. I write my truth as I see it at the moment, and people are free to take it or leave it. As I expand my understanding, I find some of my old ideas just don’t work any longer, I see them as partial truth. Sometimes I write updates for this reason. And I hope this is not offending anyone.
Hi it’s me againe surely some one out there could help me,Iam new to all of this way of thinking & tring to work out what connects to what & what’s real & what’s not.I have the words gate keeper & i hold the key in head I haven’t always had those words it’s like a pull inside me which I do not no what it all means iam up for any information or even the fax I just need to see a doctor.Dose this relate or mean any thing anyone??(I do know things about people & I have someone that helps me out I play around some times tring to make thing happen it dosent always work but if I use the word god it always works.) I waitting to see if I should make Dr. Appointment
Rae,
I have no idea what you are talking about. If you think you might need to see a doctor, it’s probably a good idea to make an appointment.
[...] If you are interested in the two levels of existence that I wrote about toward the end of this article, please check this article — The Second Step of Self Realization. [...]