I was so overjoyed at this find for so many reasons! My deepest desire does not lie in just having a happy quality life on Earth ... my deepest desire inspired by those who have gone before us, is to go beyond having a quality and abundant life on this Earth. The Mystics say the experience of life beyond this world is beyond our human understanding. Why not aspire to that?
Let me share what I read about the different stages a Soul goes through as it experiences its journey into The Great Unknown from Bernadette's experience. In my mind this is true AWAKENING in every sense of the word. If you would like to read more follow this link given at the end of the outline.
Bernadette Roberts written by Jerry Katz
INTRODUCTION:
This work on nondual realization is a detailed report on growth beyond what may be called the final duality, or what Roberts calls the first of two distinct and separate movements in Christian contemplative tradition.
The first contemplative movement is described as union of the self with God, where God is the "still-point and axis" of being. In the first movement, self is not yet lost, but functions as a higher self in its union with God. The sense of personal selfhood remains. Abiding in God remains. Being centered in God remains. The divine life remains. God and self remain.
But in the second contemplative movement, self and God fall away, and "that" remains. Union with God gives way to God beyond union. The mind becomes fixed in the permanent now. The self's union with God transcends itself.
"Here now," Roberts says, "begins the journey beyond union, beyond self and God, a journey into the silent an still regions of the unknown." So begins the outline of a detailed and revealing journey whose insights are fresh and capable of nudging a person toward a further understanding. It is also without reference to Eastern traditions and vocabulary, which makes it interesting and different."
Source: http://www.nonduality.com/berna.htm
Also, here's a wonderful Satsang with Mooji that takes us in the direction of The Unknown and begin to experience it for ourselves. Enjoy.
Namaste, Radiant One!
Lavina