"When time stops, all problems disappear, for they are merely artifacts of a point of perception. As the Presence prevails, there is no further indentification with the body or mind. When the mind goes silent, the thought I Am also disappears, and Pure Awareness shines forth to illuminate what one is, was beyond all worlds and all universes---infinite and beyond time."

"People wonder, How does one reach this state of awareness?

"I can only share my own experience with you, and note that few follow the steps because they are so simple. First, the desire to reach that state was intense. Then came the discipline to act with constant universal forgiveness and gentleness, without exception. One has to be compassionate toward everything including ones own self and thoughts.

"Next came a willingness to hold desires in abeyance and surrender personal will at every moment. As each thought, feeling, longing or deed was surrendered to God, the mind became increasingly silent. At first I turned over entire stories and paragraphs in my mind, then ideas and concepts. As one lets go of the desire to own these thoughts they no longer reach such elaboration, and begin to fragment while only half formed. Finally, it was possible to turn over the energy behind thought itself,before it even becomes a thought.

"The task of constant and unrelenting fixivity of focus---allowing not even a moment of distraction from meditation---continued while doing ordinary activities. At first they seem very difficult, but as time when one, it became habitual, automatic and effortless. The process is like a rocket leaving earth.: At first it requires enormus power, then less and less at it leaves the earth's gravitational field; and finally it moves through space under its own momentum.

"Suddenly, without warning, a shift in awarenes occurred, and the Presence was there, unmistakable, all-encompassing. There were a few moments of aprehenension as the self died, and then the absoluteness of the Presence inspired a flash of awe.   This breakthough was spectaular, more intense than anything previously known---it has no counterpart in ordinary experience.

Dr. David R. Hawkins, author, teacher and speaker. Avid promoter of A Course in Miracles. http://VeritasPub.com