Conscious Pathways Meditation Questions and Answers

Q: What is Conscious Pathways Meditation?

A: Conscious Pathways Meditation is a simple, natural, and easy pathway of meditation. Through the practical and accessible teachings of Conscious Pathways, you can experience the time-honored benefits of meditation, right here and now.

Q: What is Walking a Conscious Pathway?

A: Walking a Conscious Pathway is learning how to live consciously by walking through life consciously with awareness, bringing your state of natural meditation to wherever you are.

Q: What is “Natural Meditation”?

A: Natural Meditation is becoming aware of your natural state of peace and ease and learning to live in it. Essentially, meditation is the feeling of being. It is the feeling of existing. It is the feeling “I am”. This “I am” is beyond the “I am this”, “I have this”, “I do this”, “I am from this country”, “I have this job,” “I am married”, “I am single”, etc. Many spiritual practices have been created so that you can touch this space of “I am” within. Truly speaking, this feeling of “I am” is closer to you than your own breath—it has been with you throughout your whole life, at every moment.

Q: Do I have to go to the mountains or to a monastery to learn meditation?

A: Because meditation is your natural state, it is already where you are; you do not have to go somewhere else to find it. Through the practice of Conscious Pathways meditation, you understand that meditation is always right here and right now, right where you are. So, you can experience the many benefits of meditation at any time, in any place.

Q: How quickly can I experience the benefits of meditation?

A: The benefits of meditation can be felt quickly, and they also accrue over time. A regular meditation practice brings “daily realization”. What is daily realization? When meditation and walking a conscious pathway becomes a daily practice, you begin to realize the many benefits of meditation in your life: a deepening sense of calm, less anxiety and stress, an ability to skillfully navigate the ups and downs of life, a growing knowledge of yourself, and a deeper connection to the world around you.

Q: Through meditation, will I become enlightened?

A: Well, before that question can be answered, the question needs to asked: What is enlightenment? Many words have been written about this! Is enlightenment some far-off goal reserved only  for the very few? Is it some other-worldly state that has nothing to do with the everyday world? In the Indian tantric system of Kashmir Shaivism that Conscious Pathways lovingly draws from, enlightenment is recognizing your natural state of being. So, enlightenment is nothing special; it’s actually available to you every day. It is seeing things as they are without the illusions of the mind. Enlightenment is your natural state. All you have to do is recognize it. Conscious Pathways gives you time-honored tools to do this.

 Q: Is Grant a Guru?

A: Grant much prefers the word “mentor”.  “Guru” is a term and concept with much cultural and societal significance in the East, and at times it has been understood and "translated" somewhat differently here in the West. The term “Guru” has accumulated much baggage over time, including problematic abuses of power and scandals with sex, money, and other abuses. To avoid these negative connotations, Grant tends to avoid the term. This is not to say there are not good Gurus also, it’s just that the modern situation is fraught. It’s always good to understand that even the best guru or mentor is a human being first—a skilled teacher who will continually point you inwards to your own wisdom. Engaging with a spiritual teacher should not be about unquestioningly putting them on a pedestal and seeing them as some faultless, stainless being. It’s Grant’s view that now is the time for spiritual teachers to be authentic, accountable, and above all, human. Grant teaches that the true Guru is in you, and shows you how to access your natural inner wisdom and guidance to deepen your spiritual realization.

Q: What is Kundalini?

A: Kundalini is the energy of transformation that exists inside you. The term originates from Indian tantric traditions of meditation and self-realization. Essentially, kundalini is a transformative energy that can take you to deeper understanding of yourself and life. There are many different ways to discover this energy and to engage with it. Some teachers might say that they can “awaken” kundalini for you. Some will say kundalini cannot be controlled and that awakening happens directly from the Universe, other teachers assert that kundalini awakening can happen naturally as a result of being in their presence. Truly, kundalini is your inner power. It is the energy that can take you to spiritual enlightenment. A good teacher puts you in touch with this inner power so that you can experience the many transformations this energy brings. It is helpful to work with a teacher who is deeply experienced with kundalini and her manifestations, as it is at times a rigorous process. A skillful guide understands this as they have walked the path before you and can assist you when needed.

Do you have any questions about Conscious Pathways Meditation, Kashmir Shaivism, kundalini, yoga, or tantra that you would like answered? You are welcome to contact Grant to ask your questions.