The Supreme Awakening: Experiences of Enlightenment Throughout Time - And How You Can Cultivate Them

by Craig Pearson

"No matter what your religion is — no matter what nationality — no matter what walk of life — if you are a human being, get this book — read it — get inspired by it — and act upon it — right away!" — David Lynch, filmmaker, television director, artist, and author


Throughout history, great men and women have described exalted experiences of extraordinary wakefulness, freedom, and bliss — as different from our ordinary waking experience as waking is from dreaming.

Laozi, Plato, Rūmī, St. Teresa of Avila, Emerson, Emily Dickinson, Black Elk, Einstein — people of all times and places have described experiences that rank among the most inspiring in all of literature.

The Supreme Awakening offers a large, rich, and diverse collection of these experiences — and explains them in terms of a new and expanded framework of human the model of seven states of consciousness developed by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the Vedic sage and scientist of consciousness.


The book also shows how anyone can systematically cultivate these advanced experiences — simply, naturally, and effortlessly — through Transcendental Meditation practice. It describes the many scientifically validated benefits that result from the inner peace and happiness, improved health, increased creativity and intelligence, improved relationships, increased productivity, and more, with documented benefits for education, business, health care, the military, rehabilitation, and society as a whole.

Most importantly, The Supreme Awakening shows that the sublime experiences reported by great people across time are real, universal, understandable in terms of modern science, and now available to anyone.


About the Craig Pearson is Vice President of Growth of Consciousness at Maharishi International University in Fairfield, Iowa.

Genres: Meditation, Spirituality

518 pages, Hardcover

Reviews

[Barb Cherem]

Across time, culture, nationality and culture, levels of consciousness are discussed through the writings of many and varied people. I studied this book with meditators of some 50 years and found our discussions so powerful. Really enjoyed this book and its many insights.

[Phil Calandra]

This is one of the most comprehensive books written on consciousness which outlines seven levels of consciousness starting with the familiar waking, sleep and dreaming states to the more advanced levels of TM, Cosmic, God and Unified Consciousness. The author, who is the president of Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, Iowa, defines the fourth level of consciousness, TM, as the first stage of "Enlightenment" where one transcends individuality and gains "universality." The subsequent states leading to Unity Consciousness is the experience of the deepest reality whereby there are no longer and distinctions or boundaries between individual and pure consciousness. Higher levels of consciousness have been experienced by the greats including St. Teresa of Avila, Emerson, Einstein, and many other throughout history. It should be noted that these experiences of higher consciousness are extremely rare and that the practice of TM may offer a foothold into these higher levels of consciousness and may offer mankind an alternative to extinction in view of Mans' present trajectory of seemingly self-annihilation. I would highly recommend this book.

[Kyle Avery]

This is a great read for anyone who has had a real spiritual experience.

There are 7 levels of consciousness defined by the author in which he then catagorically assesses dozens of famous people in history to include authors, conquerors, poets, leaders, scientists and many other types of people who have clearly had moments (Be them prolonged or brief) in which they have reached into awareness and consciousness and come out with experiences and newfound wisdom from the creative intelligence that is what some call God. He goes from Laozi to Jesus, Apostles to Einstein. It's fascinating.

One thing is clear-- if you've ever had a spiritual awakening or experience on any level above wakeful consciousness to a higher stratum this book will immediately make total sense. Its going to be a nice addition to my collection to reference from time to time.

[Garry Foster]

Knowing Dr Pearson personally, I know he thoroughly researched the history of enlightened experiences throughout the ages in all countries. They matched with the richness I gained from studying world literature and famous writers in my undergraduate studies.

[JenO]

This is not really a book you pick up and read cover to cover, but more of a book you read and flip through. Very interesting.