How can a student understand what is occurring within/around them, when in the midst of Spiritual Awakening?

I'm writing a book that deals with the relevant experiences, the critical tools needed, as well as the methods of personal growth. Too much for here.

The student doesn't have to understand what's occurring around them.

It's about what the student is doing within the mind. What's outside does not matter, really, and even the existence of what is 'outside' is vehemently argued by scholars.

As for progression, first you must let go of all that you have been taught (brainwashed) from infancy. (Wise statement of Yoda! To unlearn what you have learned)

Then replace that with what you are learning. Your mind will go through many different reactions, some of them fairly violent, when letting go of inaccurate perceptions.

There will be a lot of vacillation between the 'old' and 'new' perceptions until you gain solid ground in the new. Habits are hard to break.

The terms you listed are different perceptual tools used in different systems to organize and attempt understanding. The only universal description I have come across is in Quantum Theory. Find a movie series called "What the Bleep Do We Know?" Interesting presentation of Quantum, bordering on silly, but quite good.

To me it just means being mindful. The more mindful the more awakened. I think the more mindful we are the more we realize that undefinable enlightenment. Easier said than done to be mindful. After a certain point its clear that many of the idle things we do all day are not only unmindful but they pollute the ground in which mindfulness is cultivated, (If life is chaos and confusion and a continuous stream of repercussions then its not the easiest thing to do to sit quiet and return to the breath.) This is a weird place to be, when everything that seemed real and regular and from a rather deluded perspective "right" suddenly becomes the booze imbibed by he who knows he has a drinking problem, if that makes any sense.

We are at a place right now of rest. Like newborn babies. Just rest. We'll learn to pull ourselves up and walk later. The higher energies have changed us and we are in/at a new place. We have just begun. For now, just breathe. Be in the NOW. Be aware of being in the NOW. All will become clear. Breathing and being in the now are essential. We cannot rush this. Understanding comes as we need it. You have your own built in teacher. *smiles*

Is there a universal description?

Unfathomable Numbers of them.

On earth and different worlds.

All of them are just labels.

like these...

Its all just a Ride...

dont Think about how it works...

Sit back and let your Spirit enjoy the Ride

MTFBWY

*Bows*

:)(:

Mind control concentration then the nervous breakdown.