OMG: Book II

So, continuing on with stages, one other thing that the first three stages have in common is some idea of karma. In each of those stages, people believe that their actions have some kind of effect on what happens to them in the future, or that their past actions have some kind of effect on what is happening to them now. Interpretations of this are different depending on whether it's stage one, two, or three. In stages one and two, these interpretations are more literal: "If I am bad, I will be punished." In stage three, it's more vague: "There isn't really good or bad, per se, but there are definitely things I am supposed to do so I don't conflict with God. If I conflict with God, my life might get tougher, but I'm not sure."

Keep this all in mind as we go to:

Stage 4: In this stage, God is somewhat amorphous, but by no means inactive. Actually, it is quite the opposite. People in this stage realize that everything is connected to everything else. Your thoughts and actions affect everything around you, and nothing happens by chance. In this stage, coincidences disappear. Nothing is a coincidence because it is all brought about by God, who has infinite organizing power and intelligence, although not in the conventional human sense. Karma also disappears. There is no "good" or "bad" thing you can be punished for because even the so-called punishment is there for a reason, to teach you something and to bring about other events later on that may not be so bad. In this stage, God is a nurturing, guiding, and compassionate presence that will respond to you. Qualities of this God, therefore are: Compassionate, Nurturing, Intelligent

Stage 5: In this stage, people realize that God is not only active, but is acting through everything in the world. Specifically, God is a part of the world rather than an outside observer. Physical objects are part of God just as much as non-physical ones. Moreover, every object is constantly being created and re-created from moment to moment. There is not only no such thing as coincidence, but people in this stage start to realize that they understand a tiny bit about how things DO come about, and that manifesting those things to the benefit of themselves and others is not just possible, but is a reality. It becomes clear that people have functions, and those functions involve creation, along with God. In a sense, we are co-creators with God in this stage. Qualities of this God are: Creative, Abundant, Energetic

Stage 6: In this stage, conventional wisdom on what is "self" and what is "other" starts to break down. In stages four and five, people realize that everything is connected to God, and to all other things. In this stage, everything in humanity is not just connected, it is one big thing. The concept of "self" increases to encompass not just the worshiper, but all living things. All living things are in communion with this God on a constant basis. The universe consists of this "self" and of God only. The two are in total harmony. In that sense, the creative urges of stage 5 are still there, but they are understood in a higher context: creation is something that happens on its own, but in fact, everything that should be already is. Qualities of this God are: Sacred, Intimate, Ecstatic

Stage 7: In the final stage, the concepts of "self" and "other" break down completely. The self and the God are One. Everything just is, and that is-ness is God. Furthermore, that's all there is!

As I usually add, this information is really a belief system. Your mileage may vary, and as with all people, your beliefs make your reality. What I have put here is a guide, and the credit goes to Deepak Chopra for laying it out this way. My hope is that my re-wording and shortening of this material acts as a helpful pointer to those who require some information to become a tad more aware.