It's only been in the last few decades where we have begun to understand the critical importance of what an evolving spiritual path truly requires. A 21st-century view holds that there are no less than three dimensions to our spiritual journey. An integrated approach calls us to evolve in all three with radical honesty, openness, and commitment.

While States of Consciousness are free (sometimes requiring little or no effort), Stages of Consciousness must be earned. Pivotal to evolving in these two dimensions is our individual and cultural Shadow which can no longer be avoided. It can be quite a bone-rattling revelation to understand that The Shadow of the last century was (and still often is) the belief that there is no shadow, or it doesn't apply to "me." There is a separate topic covering the Shadow (click here to go there). Here we will look at the difference between States and Stages of Consciousness. The image below depicts how these three key dimensions inter-relate.

Understanding the difference between the States and Stations of conscious awakening helps clarify what often happens along the spiritual journey and helps keep us from getting trapped by our Shadow's interpretation of these experiences.

States of Consciousness are often (but not always) profoundly beautiful, but temporary windows into the true nature of our soul and the wide variety of ways it shows up. Sometimes we get a peak at a bliss state where we are connected with Non-dual awareness. We feel what's it's like to be one with all including no-self, just pure awareness. At other times we might get a glimpse of Divine Love, pure radiance, okay-ness, deep peace, spaciousness, along with many more. On the other side we might also tap into the pain and suffering in the world, including our own, which can be very painful and difficult to bear. Over time these profoundly insightful experiences fade from direct realization into the background noise of our life.

Stations of Consciousness is a way of describing how these brief States become readily available any time they are called for. This typically takes focused attention on the Shadow elements in our consciousness (intellect, cellular memories, and karma) that get in the way. Once enough of a critical mass of awareness in a particular facet of True Self awareness takes hold, these elements become as available as tuning into a radio station that is always broadcasting, but we're not necessarily listening to.

As you can see across the top of the chart below, States are ever-present and available to anyone at anytime at all Stages of development. How we relate to the States is determined by the lens, or Stage through which we are experiencing the moment. The chart also attempts to show how the Shadow is very large at the earlier stages of development where the world is not only more black and white, but also much more ego centric. As we progress up through the Stages the Shadow grows more subtle and more challenging to recognize.

Once we reach the 2nd Tier (as depicted on the chart below) the critical mass of our consciousness has reached the tipping point, or 51% or more of our embodiment. Some would call this a new definition of Enlightenment. But its not the end game by any means. The Shadow no longer dominates, but now it is more readily recognized and dealt with as we continue to refine our journey through the clearer lens of our awaken soul. We discover our True Self, our Essential and Unique Self as part of the Absolute or Unity Consciousness. At this Stage the soul's work is impossible to avoid, but none-the-less challenging (some would say more so as we can no longer kid ourselves).