There is indeed a process of evolution of awareness, just as there is a process of growth as we mature into adults. Many call this states of consciousness and that is quite valid. But each of us experience the process differently. A few simply switch, most go through some kind of process.
What's bull about states of consciousness is all our ideas of it. The mind cannot grasp it, so we can only make concepts about it. And how can we relate to states several above where we are? What does it mean to be one with all you perceive? What does it mean to see life and awareness even in the pebbles under our feet?
But to deny there are states of awareness or a process of growth will get in the way of it just as surely as any concepts of it. Better to leave an open mind, allow for any possibility. Then when the growth dawns, we can look back upon the framework we may have seen and understand what has taken place.
Wolfgang is correct. But perhaps if we understand the process, we can see why there is this difference of opinion. The usual process to oneness is to first step into 2ness, to step back into pure awareness and see we are that. At first, this means a sense of separation, a separate observer, a sense we are not the body, not the thoughts and emotions we once saw ourselves being. Then that inner silence moves forward into the experience and brings it all together.
It does not have to be difficult but it can take some time. Its a big change. But what takes time is the change. We can drop into the silent source at any time. It is also not an accomplishment and does not end. There is always more opening, more integration possible.
Many teachers encourage simple inquiry. This gets you less into the mind, moer into the basic question of who is having these thoughts/ drama/ life.
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