And so, the tricky thing about this is that Consciousness Itself isn’t an object, but there’s often a subtle object or experience of some sort that is present within it when we look for it. But regardless of the beauty of any experience, it is still distinct from Consciousness, which is the Context of every experience.
Consciousness is present in every state. Getting clear about this is foundational in that it is the “You” that is continuously here, whether you’re having a spiritual experience or a mundane experience.
Consciousness Itself, is always present; your conscious nature is simply aware of whatever objects are there. It is our identity as freedom itself.
The Red node is present in most spiritual and mystical traditions but different cultures relate to this Ground of Being in different ways.
Most of the traditions in the West tend to be on the Orange node side in relationship to the Ground of Being. Contemplative traditions in the three Abrahamic monotheistic religions — Judaism, Christianity and Islam– tend to contact, commune with and even merge with the Transcendental Divine through the language and perspective of devotional relationship.
In contrast to that approach, many of the traditions in the East tend to be on the Purple node side. Meditative traditions in Buddhism, Hinduism and Taoism tend to contact, commune with and even merge with the Transcendental Divine through the language and perspective of our identity as Radiant Bliss and Peace. There have also always been unusual mystical traditions that have been inclusive of all the nodes.
Distinguishing between Red and Purple
There are many states that people identify as “Awakenings,” so what this word means depends on the school. What is important in this context is to be able to see the difference between recognition of this Intrinsic Awareness and having experiences of states such as blissful energetic openings.
Many Indian traditions understand these states as forms of absorption or “Samadhi.” One such state is called “Nirvakalpa Samadhi,” a total “No-Variety” state of absorption that is often pursued by yogis. When you enter Nirvakalpa, there is no sense of an experience or a person or any object of experience at all. In that state, the mind and all perception are totally absorbed in the Self, not in any way interacting with or cognizant of any outside world or experience. There is peace, but it is without any observer or experiencer, somewhat like deep sleep. Although Nirvakalpa Samadhi is a profound experience that is free of any multiplicity whatsoever, it isn’t the most essential piece to focus on when studying the Red node because it is still a state. It is not what I am referring to when I speak about awakening.
Another type of absorption occurs when bliss or ecstasy outshines all experience as the Radiance of Being. It’s known as “Bhava Samadhi” and is a profound non-conceptual state. The sense of separateness becomes absorbed into feelings of Power, Love or Awe. This outshining is a Purple node experience. It’s about energy and radiance and can increase in intensity to the point where everything dissolves, sometimes giving way to total absorption.
It is not necessary to experience either of these two states in order to awaken to your nature as Intrinsic Awareness, but they can be very useful if they happen naturally, either before or after recognizing it. If these states do come, they can be extremely restful or blissful. Also, there can be a kind of deep reassurance about the reality of all of this that permeates you, and it becomes unquestionable after a while. But still, these are temporary states, they are not permanent; you have them and then you don’t have them; they come and go, although a deep sense of certainty may remain.
The essential awakening to the Red node is the recognition that you are always the un-findable Awareness of every state and object. While the initial recognition is awakening to or realizing that your fundamental nature is this Intrinsic Awareness, that Awareness in itself is not the event of awakening. It is not a particular event, and it is not a particular state. It is present at every event and in every state, and it is aware in every node, not only in Red. Red is simply the node dedicated exclusively to Intrinsic Awareness in itself.
(From The Tapestry of Being, Chapter 2 : You Are Freedom Itself)