by Lauren Ashley
What is Ascension?
Ascension is the process of awakening to our authentic nature. Fundamentally, it is a process of emotional healing; by clearing our subconscious conditioning (from societal programming + personal experiences) along with Miasmatic imprints (past-life karma), we are able to reconnect with all aspects of Self, thus resulting in the liberation of consciousness. Through a Jungian (psycho-analytic) lens, the ascension process is described in terms of ‘shadow’ and ‘archetypal’ integration, which ultimately leads to ‘self-actualization.’ It is important to note that Ascension is not ‘random,’ but is occurring on the planet now as a direct result of the astrological phase we are moving through, and the accompanying energy these astrological alignments bring forth. Many ancient civilizations prophesied the major events that are unfolding at this point in space-time, and were able to do so because they understood this concept of a ‘cosmic clock’ and the general cycles of nature. Living apart from the natural world has many implications, which are playing out amongst humanity and between other forces, now. The collective has devolved into a zombified and amnesiac state, with no recollection of who we are, where we are (in relation to the greater whole), or why we are here. A core component of the ascension process involves understanding, experiencing and subsequently integrating the multidimensional nature of ‘reality’ and the co-creative role humanity has played in cultivating the manifested world as it is today. Being that the 3D, material world mirrors the collective (un)conscious(ness) in form, we have the opportunity to observe our evolutionary process as we experience and move through it. In order to consciously participate in our evolution, we must first become aware that it is happening.
Ascension is Consciousness Expansion
Another way to conceptualize Ascension is through the lens of consciousness; more specifically, the expansion of consciousness. Since everything (as we comprehend it) is relative, we will define consciousness as it relates to humanity: the animating life force of the physical body.
Consciousness has supposedly evaded understanding in modern science, which is important to note, because it exemplifies the inherent limitations of categorical systems and their incapacity to comprehend let alone define The Transcendent through fabricated human models. History has shown how this cycle seems to infinitely repeat, but the deceiving inevitability of such constraint can be overcome through consciousness expansion, or Ascension.
There is a lot of (mis)information around Ascension; most of it is either inaccurate, vaguely evasive, or grossly over explained through a 3D lens (cognitively). It is my intention to present these ideas in a way that is comprehensible (and comprehensive), yet pushes the limitations presented by the human mind’s current 3D framework. The challenge with this as I see it, aside from the obvious limitations inherent in the conundrum itself, will be striking an appropriate balance between respecting the truths that exist at each level and the Truth of Unity Consciousness, which embodies all concepts of truth within It but is simultaneously more 'whole' than all of them.
The soul, the spirit, + moving beyond judgement
The general meaning of the term Ascension is typically associated with movement ‘upwards’ or going ‘higher.’ In many esoteric thought systems, consciousness, the soul, and the Spirit are distinct and hierarchically understood (Spirit being the ‘purest’). I acknowledge this idea in the interest of being thorough, but wish to move beyond the rigid concept. I implore you, the reader, to be open to doing the same - always keeping in mind a more expansive perspective. It is important to recognize that higher does not mean superior or better, and there are no hierarchical structures (judgement) once we expand beyond our thinking-ego mind and into our feeling-heart center. A natural result of this shift is the transition from judgement to discernment.
The ego + ascension
Consciousness expansion occurs simultaneously to (and as a consequence of) ego-constriction. Ego-constriction is facilitated by emotional healing, and emotional healing results in integration. Integration is the process of reclaiming fractured parts of Self. Take a moment to imagine a flawless glass vase, and then picture half of the vase getting smashed with a hammer. What is left is still a vase, but it has become a fractured version of its original form. As such, the vase can no longer hold water or flowers and may not even be able to sit upright on a flat surface. This simplistic analogy is similar to the state of human consciousness before emotional healing: it is fractured and existing as an incomplete representation of its original nature as a result of trauma.
The more unhealed wounds we carry in the unconscious part of the mind, the ‘smaller’ our conscious awareness becomes. Therefore, conscious awareness is requisite for consciousness expansion. The integration process is a process of UN-becoming. The ego, with its singular role (though dualistic in nature) of ‘compare and define,’ is essentially the mediator between the conscious and unconscious and therefore is inherently neutral, as all effective mediators are. However, the ego becomes problematic when its intended purpose extends beyond its scope, and it transitions roles from that of the mediator to the judge. This is problematic because the ego is binary and simplistic; the qualities of higher consciousness are inaccessible to it; and therefore, when the ego attempts to act as higher consciousness while lacking the ability to apply discernment, it simply reverts to judgment because that is its inherent limitation. The ego can compare and define (quantify experience) although typically this is through a distorted lens; once it attempts to objectively qualify experience, it exceeds its function and inevitably slips into judgement. This is what we may consider a ‘corrupt,’ 'imbalanced', or ‘negative’ ego.