The Imperative to Evolve

2 0 the imperative to evolve Q Andrew, Ihave one last question, and as you would say, it’s abig one... Ireally want to know where is all this leading? Ultimately, what is the purpose of enlightenment? A That’s simple. Evolution! But what exactly does that mean? As Ihave been saying, in profound spiritual awakening a mysterious compulsion is activated in human consciousness. It is experienced as acall or command that arises sponta¬ neously from the Self, as apowerful impulse to create order out of disorder, to manifest higher and higher expressions of harmony and integration as ourselves, in this world, for the sake of all of life. What activates this “mysterious compulsion”? Ego death! What do you mean? the imperative to evolve 121 When the relentless will of the separate ego has finally been broken, the evolutionary impulse begins to become active within consciousness. That impulse is always there, but as long as we are hypnotized by the ego’s agenda of unending self-concern, we remain oblivious to its presence. Indeed, as long as we remain lost in the nightmare of unconsciousness that is ego, it will be impossible to find out who we really are and why we are here. So you’re saying that when we awaken, we find out who we are and why we are here? Yes. When we discover that primordial ground beyond the mind, we find out vv^ho we are. When the separate ego is tran¬ scended for real, we become aware of the evolutionary impulse and we know why we are here. And it is the direct experience of that primordial ground beyond the mind that sets us free— sets us free to finally be fully available to par¬ ticipate in the evolutionary process. Ido begin to sense that there is agreat purpose in being here but Iguess my question is, what would it look like? Well, ideally it would look just like you! H u h ? Why not? 1mean, if you take what I’ve been saying seriously, it would have to look like you, wouldn’t it? 122 living enlightenment Yes, 1suppose it would. Because? Because Iwould realize that the evolution of the human race starts with me? It doesn’t start with you; it is you. It’s just that you don’t know it yet. Listen, you and I, right now, are participating in an extraordinary event that is in amiraculous process of endlessly becoming. And the most important part of that becoming is the evolution of consciousness itself. Don’t you see what I’m getting at? That means you. How aware are you right now of the vast evolutionary process that you are participating in? You see, the human experience only begins to make deep and profound sense when we begin to consciously participate in the process that we are already a part of. But how do Iget in touch with this for myself? You already are. The awakening of the longing for liberation in the human heart and mind is the first step toward becom¬ ing aconscious participant in the evolutionary process. Wholeheartedly responding to that longing is what makes it possible to literally become one with the process itself. Becoming one with the evolutionary process—that’s where all this is leading? That’s what the purpose of enlightenment is? the imperative to evolve 123 The purpose of enlightenment is for us to become so conscious that, through our wholehearted participation, we actually begin to actively guide the evolutionary process itself. As outrageous as that sounds, it’s true. You see, we are all desperately needed. Consciousness cannot evolve beyond a certain point without our wholehearted and fully participation in the process. And for that to happen, we have to make ourselves available. That’s why it’s so, so important to want to be free more than anything else, not for ourselves but for the evolution of Life itself. c o n s c i o u s 124 living enlightenment J embracing h e a v e n d e a r t h t h e l i b c r a t i i Learn more about the essential teachings o f A n d r e w C o h e n i n h i s a c c l a i m e d b o o k Embracing Heaven &Earth t c a c h i i

andrew cohen Andrew Cohen lays bare the process of spiritual growth, revealing the workings of ego and the path to freedom with crystalline clarity. He speaks with the resounding simplicity of all true masters. The wisdom of the ages, freed here from cultural trappings, is delivered with lightning bolts of uncompromising psychological insight. Any seeker, whether grounded in atradition or weary of religious conven¬ tion, should read this remarkable, enlightening book.” M i r a n d a S h a w, P h . D . author of Passionate Enlightenment: W o m e n i n Ta n t r i c B u d d h i s m The ring of truth in this book is like an alarm clock. Lama Surya Das author of Awakening the Buddha Within Embracing Heaven &Earth ●ISBN 1-883929-29-6 ●$14.95 Call 800.376.3210 (US &Canada) or -t1.413.637.6000 (outside US) www.andrewcohen.org The Impersonal Enlightenment Fellowship Founded in 1988, the Impersonal Enlightenment Fellowship is a nonprofit organization inspired by the teachings of Andrew Cohen, This international community of students is united in acommitment to supporting Andrew’s teaching work and to actualizing his revolutionary vision of Impersonal Evolutionary Enlightenment in every aspect of human life. The Impersonal Enlightenment Fellowship has centers in the United States, Europe, and Asia. For more information about Andrew Cohen, his teachings, and IFF Centers around the world, please contact one of the Centers listed below or visit www.andrewcohen.org Impersonal Enlightenment Fellowship W o r l d C e n t e r P O B o x 2 3 6 0 Lenox, MA 01240 USA Te l : 1 - 4 1 3 - 6 3 7 - 6 0 0 0 F a x : 1 - 4 1 3 - 6 3 7 - 6 0 1 5 email: ief@andrewcohen.org Impersonal Enlightenment Fellowship London C e n t r e S t u d i o s Englands Lane L o n d o n N W 3 4 Y D U K Te l : 4 4 - 2 0 - 7 4 1 9 - 8 1 0 0 F a x : 4 4 - 2 0 - 7 4 1 9 - 8 1 0 1 email: ieflondon@andrewcohen.org Note: lEF London will be moving in 2003. For updated information please visit www.andrewcohen.org about the author A n d r e w C o h e n h a s b e e n a t e a c h e r of enlightenment since 1986. He is t h e a u t h o r o f n u m e r o u s b o o k s o n t h e spiritual life and founder of What Is Enlightenment? magazine, an award¬ winning forum for contemporary spiri¬ tual inquiry. Cohen continually travels the world giving talks and extended retreats and has met with visionary thinkers and spiritual leaders from every tradition. He is spiritual mentor to hundreds of students worldwide, and centers dedicated to his teachings can be found in Europe, Asia, and the United States, including an interna¬ t i o n a l r e t r e a t c e n t e r i n t h e B e r k s h i r e Hills of Western Massachusetts, where C o h e n n o w h a s h i s h o m e . A n d r e w C o h e n ' s o t h e r w o r k s i n c l u d e the acclaimed Embracing Heaven & Earth, Freedom Has No History, and Enlightenment Is aSecret. Eastern Spirituality/Religion 'If you are capable of standing in the very middle of araging fire that will melt your Heart and open it to eternity, then you have come to the right place..." from the Foreword by KEN WILBER 'In clear, straightforward, often informal language, Andrew Cohen leads ajourney to the awesome spiritual realm that lies beyond ego. This rare gem of abook ends with adescription of enlightenment's purpose that may shock some traditionalists but will delight those who see the essential role of spirit in life's further development." u s o n

President, Esalen Institute, author of Mastery 'Living Enlightenment illuminates the prime purpose of consciousness at this stage of human development. Andrew has brought conscious evolution into the great tradition of spirituality. Aprofound work."

President, Foundation for Conscious Evolution, author of Emergence 'This is one of the most passionate calls to awaken that Ihave ever heard. Andrew Cohen's words are crystal clear, fierce—and urgent. If you like to procrastinate and wait till you're ready, don't read this book. If you're ready to jump in and risk all, then Living Enlightenment is for you."

author of Bearing Witness Andrew Cohen has arrived at an insight that is crucial for our historical situation. Enlightenment is not amovement out of the everyday world but is instead aprofound entrance into deep participation with the evolution of the u n i v e r s e. Rarely have Iencountered such simple, searing wisdom connecting religious ideas about enlightenment with the scientific understanding of evolutionary cosmos." a n BRIAN SWIMME, Ph. D. author of The Universe Story 'Andrew Cohen is atrue tzaddik, possessed, on the one hand, by aclear onto¬ logical vision and, on the other, by the gift of sharing it. Living Enlightenment comes with an ethicist's concern for living right and helping th along—a perfect amalgam of Buddhist and Jewish practice." e u n i v e r s e

NPR commentator, author of Messiah 'If you want to become intimate with the Unknown, with That which known to you, this book will help you start your journey." w a s e v e r

author of How to Know God

m M O K S H A R e www.andrewcohen.org