June 26, 2012
Being and Becoming
If Enlightenment is the discovery of what IS, then it must embrace the ultimate nature of all things—seen and unseen, known and unknown. And I think the most truly all-embracing and inclusive definition of reality includes both Being and Becoming. Being is that timeless void out of which the cosmos was born, the empty ground from which everything arises and to which everything ultimately returns. Becoming is the something that emerged out of nothing and is still emerging in this moment. Becoming is Eros, the evolutionary impulse, the first cause, that original spark of light and energy that created the entire universe. It is that very same creative spark that awakens in our own hearts and minds as a sense of ecstatic urgency to evolve. This is why I have reenvisioned the very goal of the spiritual path, seeing the purpose of enlightenment as not merely to transcend the world but to transform the world, through becoming an agent of evolution itself. This is the new source of spiritual liberation. It’s not just awakening to timeless Being—it’s awakening to eternal, ecstatic Becoming. Evolutionary Enlightenment calls on us to awaken to both the timeless peace of Being and the relentless passion of the Evolutionary Impulse.
Free Call with Andrew Cohen and Carter Phipps
Saturday, June 30, 2012, at 2:00pm ET
On Saturday, June 30th, at 2:00pm ET, join Andrew Cohen and Carter Phipps, the former executive editor of EnlightenNext magazine, for The Being & Becoming Virtual Series. They’ll discuss the subtle principles and dynamics of conscious cultural evolution, and what it takes to put it into practice. You’ll also be able to engage with them directly in a live Q&A session. Learn more and register today »
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Andrew Cohen is a spiritual teacher, cultural visionary, founder of EnlightenNext, and the author of 
I love you for being a clear voice for something I have loved for years. It’s often called, “Being”. I’m 82 years old. When I was 39, I had an experience of “Being”. It lasted 3 weeks. I never spoke of it to anyone for over 12 years. Not one word .. because I wasn’t having the experience of timeless Being NOW. And so I told myself, “people aren’t ready for this”. This got me off the hook and justified my silence.
I’m not having the experience of timelessness and freedom from the world and freedom from the mind NOW. But I LOVE YOU for “calling it forth”, and tempting me to come from Being (rather than my mind) NOW. And again, now.
As to being an agent for conscious evolution — as to endlessly joyfully relentlessly “Becoming”, Andrew – I resist that and at the same time, I love that. Crazy, huh?
The first transformation guy that I ever encountered, said this: “I know that you know I love you. What I want you to know is, I know you love me.” Parting thought: You and I and a bunch of people are in love and it could not be otherwise.
Yes to that. And what a relief to see it all in one digestible package. I struggle to imply such a cosmic dynamic when I teach “story structure”. Yes, mysticism at the dark heart of the story. I feel quite alone in suggesting such a thing, and I often tune in here for your support, Andrew. You might be amused at how I infer this “evolutionary instinct” in my “Story Structure to Die for”. (In fact, I quote you briefly!) I’m happy to report that in the few weeks my free eBook has been out, it’s found a following.
I am inpired by your words and by your succinct phrasing of Sri Aurobindo’s thoughts on being and becoming. “It is in his (man’s) nature, in all human nature, to exceed itself by coscious evolution, to climb beyond what is.”
I am confused, what is moderation? I do notice I mispelled conscious.
your quote reminded me of David Bohm’s picture of the efflorescence of being:
“I regard the essence of the notion of process as given by the statement: Not only is everything changing, but all is flux. That is to say, what is is the process of becoming itself, while all objects, events, entities, conditions, structures, etc., are forms that can be abstracted from this process.
The best image of process is perhaps that of the flowing stream, whose substance is never the same. On this stream, one may see an ever-changing pattern of vortices, ripples, waves, splashes, etc., which evidently have no independent existence as such. Rather, they are abstracted from the flowing movement, arising and vanishing in the total process of the flow. Such transitory subsistence as may be possessed by these abstracted forms implies only a relative independence or autonomy of behaviour, rather than absolutely independent existence as ultimate substances.”
David Bohm, Wholeness and the implicate order
Extrememly well put Andrew. The issue comes down to not only recognizing the truth of what you say, but the practices that encourage staying in this awareness of Being and Becoming, and delivering oneself to our unique service to evolution and the greater good.
Gratitude for your work Andrew and like the dialog with Ken Wilber. I don’t feel your view of enlightenment is different than what the ancient wisdom texts describe and it is certainly not different than what Ram Dass has said. However, I completely agree with you that enlightenment without a voice in the world is not enlightenment. In Korea they have a term Hong Ik for a person who lives life to widely benefit all and rightfully harmonize the world. Peace
Andrew,
I don’t expect you to publish this response, but I use it as an opportunity to communicate with you.
My main message is to offer you a challenge. The challenge is to shift your emphasis from trying to convince the leading edge that you have a new and better mouse trap, to taking a closer look at the mice, to understand them thoroughly, to find out where they come from and where they are going. What I am saying is that you are preaching to the choir. You are going to spend two weeks in Tuscany trying to convince the choir that your new mousetrap works? Good luck!
Let me point out a major flaw in your design. To do that, let’s take a look at your latest product press release, and some specifics:
“If Enlightenment is the discovery of what IS (1), then it must embrace the ultimate nature of all things—seen and unseen, known and unknown. And I think the most truly all-embracing and inclusive definition of reality includes both Being and Becoming. Being is that timeless void out of which the cosmos was born, the empty ground from which everything arises and to which everything ultimately returns (2). Becoming is the something that emerged out of nothing and is still emerging in this moment. Becoming is Eros, the evolutionary impulse, the first cause, that original spark of light and energy that created the entire universe.(3) It is that very same creative spark that awakens in our own hearts and minds as a sense of ecstatic urgency to evolve. This is why I have reenvisioned the very goal of the spiritual path, seeing the purpose of enlightenment as not merely to transcend the world but to transform the world, through becoming an agent of evolution itself. This is the new source of spiritual liberation. It’s not just awakening to timeless Being—it’s awakening to eternal, ecstatic Becoming. Evolutionary Enlightenment calls on us to awaken to both the timeless peace of Being and the relentless passion of the Evolutionary Impulse.
(1) Is Enlightenment the discovery of what IS? In your book you say, “Enlightenment is the conscious experience of Being.” Seriously, What is Enlightenment?
(2) “Being is that timeless void out of which the cosmos was born, the empty ground from which everything arises and to which everything ultimately returns.” Good—so far.
(3) “Becoming is Eros, the evolutionary impulse, the first cause, that original spark of light and energy that created the entire universe.” This is where you go horribly off track. You have created this phrase, “Becoming” which has magical properties that somehow both transcends and includes Being and Doing, Heaven and Earth, Nirvana and Samsara, Reality and Illusion.
No matter what slight of hand tricks you use or spells that you cast, Evolution will unfold in its own direction at its own speed. In the world of spiritual growth this process has been, and will continue to be, Awakening—Enlightenment—Save the World. When you try to lump them all together you are fighting the evolutionary impulse—the same source that creates, inspires, motivates and sustains you.
I gave your book a positive review. I think you have much to offer. I would like to support you. I can’t support this.
Bruce