The final stage of spiritual growth is one that not too many people talk about, because it is one of which we achieve only glimpses. This is the stage of spiritual growth that the ancient mystics called the Unitive way and that enlightened masters call a state of Oneness.
To move from level three to four, we have to come into a greater state of beingness. We have to give up our sense of separation.. a personal sense of a life apart from God.
You’ll notice that even when you pray, sometimes there still is this sense that there is your life and there is the Life of God somewhere else. For years, that still happens. But, with every insight, or spiritual revelation or realization, you have moments of becoming aware that the life of God that is in you, the life of God that surrounds you, the life of God that is everywhere IS your life and the personal sense of a life apart from God begins to diminish..
So the sense of separation – to move into that state of being – that sense of separation begins to dissolve. This level is so important because it is possible to have a sincere surrender, release and let Go to the presence of God while you retain a sense of duality.
I had the privilege of going to India last year to a place known as the Oneness University. I was there for 21 days and we were invited to stay in silence. Each day we were showered with an energy transfer then known as Deeksha (it’s now called the Oneness Blessing). The simplest thing I can say about that experience is that it took me out of my mind. I began to allow myself to experience things rather than analyze them. (that’s BIG for me!) – To this day, I find that practice easier than ever before. I discovered that living in a state of Oneness is a gift of grace.
I invite you to research the Oneness Movement and to check out this phenomena. Or, at the very least, start to notice where you live in separation – the me and the not me, the mine and yours syndrome. The first step is oneness with ourselves, then with one another, then with the animals, plants and life around us and finally with all that is, or God Itself.
When you find yourself getting restless and wondering what life is about, remember the words of St. Augustine (pulling this out of my past!) – “Our hearts are restless until we rest in thee.” We are made to experience this Oneness and when we do, nothing else matters. I have the privilege of sharing the Oneness Blessing each week and I notice that the more I allow myself to receive, the greater my experience of midlife becomes.
And so, I would like to offer a support system for opening to grace and getting and keeping clear in your life. When you subscribe to my free Women Reinvent Midlife newsletter, you’ll even receive a special report called, “7 Secrets for Reinventing Midlife from the Inside-Out”. You can get your copy right now at http://www.reinventmidlife.com
From Dr. Toni LaMotta, Midlife Reinvention Specialist and Spiritual Life Clarity Coach |