Self-Realization and Other Awakenings

functioning of consciousness that is always screwed up
by a hyperactive mind. They discover they are
altogether separate from consciousness, a mere
witness of the manifestation of consciousness,
something outside of this manifest universe altogether.
Abiding there, they find peace and relative
happiness. But after time, there arises a feeling of
boredom and lifelessness. Also, despite the peace,
happiness and even bliss on occasion, there is a hatred
for the world that keeps pulling us out of that peace.
Our peace is always disturbed. Even when we are
chanting and feeling bliss, somebody comes along and
makes a lot of noise and our peace is lost, bliss is lost,
and anger arises.
Also, in this world of the Absolute, there is no love,
there is only witnessing of the activities of
consciousness, both of ourselves and the apparent
external world, and love is absent. Without love, life
becomes lifeless and boring.
Then comes the new movement of love for
someone or something, where love is the
predominating element operating within
consciousness, within the Void itself, which once again
makes everything personal. As the Zen master Seung
Sahn stated, we have gone full circle, from 0° as an
ordinary human being so to speak, to 180° of complete
emptiness, the void, and then a return to 360° of