Spiritual Awakening is the profound experiential realizing of one's true nature, from the illusory trance of apparent separation and egoic identification which most beings are involved. Enlightenment generally means the stabilized living from that state. Enlightenment is not some state that is achieved. It is simply the realization of one's natural state, one's very true nature, that has always been here - the ONENESS OF BEING (though that term hardly describes the actual thing). It is hard to describe as it is that which is PRIOR to BEING - the consciousness which always is and has always been the source of all being and manifestation.

True Spiritual Awakening cannot really be described with words, nor brought about through words; however, it can be pointed to and here are some of the finest pointers I have found.
I humbly point to the pointers:

Spending time with these teachers (or even at their web sites, which are all linked) will be very worthwhile and enriching, particularly if you are tired of trying to "improve your life" and are ready to realize your true nature. Ready to stop thinking you ARE your story - that story associated with your name and your body.

There are many people and ideologies that claim to have the "truth". I have found much of it to be false (especially those who have formed into religious structures). And there are many teachings which are just elaborate systems which depend upon beliefs (such as religions) rather than direct experience. I found the beings listed below to be true. Everyone here gets my highest recommendation. If you are ready or getting ready - these people have gone before and are showing the way. My artwork is a creative expression that is meant to inspire others in this direction:

An excellent teacher is  Eckhart Tolle. He wrote the book The Power of Now and continues to share advaita teachings and useful information in general. He is breaking new ground by exposing millions of people to the awakening teachings with Oprah Winfrey on an online 10 week show about his latest book A New Earth - Awakening to Your Life's Purpose. Amazing! Free downloads of audio and video. This is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for everyone and it was a historic event as far as exposing millions to these perspectives of oneness. Thank You Oprah!

Candice O'Denver, an amazing enlightened being living in Bolinas, California, self-realized for 23 years, has just recently (2004) begun giving Satsang and teaching a system called The Great Freedom Teachings, which includes The Twelve Inquiries Teaching, a true Liberation Teaching which assist in one's realizing their true nature and living it. It is a very fundamental (distilled to the most basic essence) system of inquiry into realizing one's true nature, and then further application of the inquiries leads to stabilization of living from that state. It involved a candid look at what activities of the mind one has habitualized in order to convince themselves that they are NOT what they have always already been - their true nature. Candice is  pure Heart - warm, affectionate, full of love and also profoundly wise and articulate, and seems to live from that true nature impeccably. Her commitment to truth and service with such great love and warmth is immense grace and a gift. Candice is heart, and has my deepest respect. I have done The Twelve Inquiries and endorse it to all who are committed to self inquiry and self-realization. I am open and honored to share my personal experience and information about Candice with anyone. Contact me on this if you feel inclined.

Two of my favorites are Eli Jaxon-Bear and Gangaji, a sweet and powerful awakened couple who recently (2005) moved to Ashland, Oregon. They have helped me with clarity and showing the way to true self discovery in a loving and practical way. I love them both and appreciate their gentle and potent guidance. Being with them is such a profound and delightful experience. Eli's book, The Enneagram of Liberation - from fixation to freedom is highly recommended, as is Gangaji's autobiography, Just Like You. Eli has a NEW BOOK "Sudden Awakening" which is very highly recommended.

Another amazing teacher is Adyashanti, who lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and shares his enlightened presence and wisdom with people in Satsangs. He is pure heart, joyful light humor, profound truth which can meet anything. Very meaningful presence in our lives. Come to a Satsang, if possible, or visit his web site http://www.adyashanti.org/

The most profound and powerful force of pure TRUTH I have come across is a man called John de Ruiter. (In Edmonton, Canada) This man is very worth discovering if you are seeking a very pure source. It is not just the words he says, but rather his WAY of BEING that I value. John de Ruiter is a powerful, living and transcendental force of truth that is remarkable to experience, and being around him seems to spark that same aspect within others. I spoke with Ram Dass, who lives near me, about John and he said John is the real thing. John often appears to be in a deep state of Samadhi while doing Satsang. The photo was not posed but was taken by a friend of mine.

Another being who I simply love for her way of BEING, her candid, delightful and ruthlessly effective manner, is Byron Katie, who helps others with a process called THE WORK, which is actually just a system of inquiry looking within to find greater truth.

She goes by "Katie" and her work is famous for turning our perception around to find the source of our woes within ourselves - not in a blaming way, but by discovering true responsibility for how we experience life. She is the best for helping people who are ready to stop identifying with "their   story" and become more accountable for their lives. Very much in alignment with the principles found in the teachings of those mentioned above.

Ramana Maharshi (1879-1950) is the self realized being who is probably the most revered and respected by awakened teachers as well as many students around the world. On this website is a simple, clear summary of his basic teachings (see excerpts below) as well as his story. It seems all present awakened teachers (including those above) are basically saying the same message as Ramana but just in their own terms.

HAPPINESS
All beings desire happiness always, happiness without a tinge of sorrow. At the same time everybody loves himself best. The cause for love is only happiness. So, that happiness must lie in one. Further that happiness is daily experienced by everyone in sleep, when there is no mind. To attain that natural happiness one must know oneself. For that, Self-Inquiry, 'Who am I?' is the chief means.

CONSCIOUSNESS
Existence or Consciousness is the only reality. Consciousness plus waking we call waking. Consciousness plus sleep we call sleep. Consciousness plus dream, we call dream. Consciousness is the screen on which all the pictures come and go. The screen is real, the pictures are mere shadows on it.

MIND
Mind is a wonderful force inherent in the Self.
That which arises in this body as 'I' is the mind.
When the subtle mind emerges through the brain and the senses, the gross names and forms are cognized. When it remains in the Heart names and forms disappear.... If the mind remains in the Heart, the 'I' or the ego which is the source of all thoughts will go, and the Self, the Real, Eternal 'I' alone will shine. Where there is not the slightest trace of the ego, there is the Self.

"WHO AM I?" - INQUIRY
For all thoughts the source is the 'I' thought.
The mind will merge only by Self-inquiry 'Who am I?' The thought 'Who am l?' will destroy all other thoughts and finally kill itself also. If other thoughts arise, without trying to complete them, one must enquire to whom did this thought arise. What does it matter how many thoughts arise? As each thought arises one must be watchful and ask to whom is this thought occurring. The answer will be 'to me'. If you inquire 'Who am I?' the mind will return to its source (or where it issued from). The thought which arose will also submerge. As you practice like this more and more, the power of the mind to remain as its source is increased.

(above excerpted from the website linked)

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Thanks for the blessing we have of truth speaking through loving beings so available to us.