"When I run after what I think I want, my days are a furnace of stress and anxiety; if I sit in my own place of patience, what I need flows to me, and without any pain, From this I understand what I want also wants me, is looking for me and attracting me. There is a great secret here for anyone who can grasp it." -Rumi
Our emotional state seems to determine whether we awaken via Kensho or Satori. Lessons can be very painful, especially when we keep experiencing a situation repeatedly. It is as though we are being pummeled with the lesson until we finally get it! The goal should be to be as present as possible in each moment, voila! By focusing on the present moment, your emotional state will improve because you are conscious of your state of being and you can choose to do things that will elevate your mood.
Satori – It is a sudden awakening experience where the person becomes aware of the truth and sees everything “as it is” without any filtering of the information. This is a profound liberating experience that immediately shifts the perception of a person and gives him the access to the ultimate truth.
Kensho – Even though we can say that these two experiences are just two different paths leading to the same destination, Kensho is a process through which we all are evolving spiritually. It is a gradual process where a person keeps learning from his experiences and receives various insights that slowly pushes him towards the state of enlightenment. It is like a marathon where you learn from mistakes, sufferings and pain, and thus become better than before.
There are a few techniques that are very effective when they are practiced on a regular basis, and those are meditation, present moment awareness, and mindfulness exercises. If you are not a person who enjoys sitting meditation, perhaps you could try practicing moving meditation. This is when you do an activity with complete focus and mindfulness. It could be swimming laps in the pool, riding your bike, washing the dishes, etc. These types of activities can really help you to practice mindfulness in each moment when you place your attention on what you are doing.
You may have heard of the author and spiritual teacher, Eckhart Tolle, who wrote the life-changing book “The Power of Now” in which he discusses how intense emotional suffering caused a sudden change in his perception and brought the realization of his true nature. We are human BEings, not human Doings, and we need to remain aware of this at all times. Our brain is a tool, a machine, and we are the operators. Our souls are here to have a human experience, and that does include suffering, but we don't suffer as greatly when we learn the lessons sooner.
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