1 4 S p i r i t ua l i t y S t u d i e s 7 - 1 S p r i n g 2 0 2 1 On January 26,1977, Jiyu-Kennett (1997, 144) experienced the great awakening, which she described in this way: “The mind is illuminated by infinite space, I cannot say neither that in the middle is emptiness nor that there is not emptiness. It is pristine, I am not IT, IT is in me, so form is emptiness and emptiness is form.” In the second part of her book, written in 1992, Jiyu-Kennett (1997, 162) completes her teaching that she started in the first part of the book. She returns to the fountain of water that starts in her chest and goes upwards her body: “This morning I can see a silver pump in my body, powered by my will. It is running a fountain of water that springs in my chest, through my body.” Jiyu-Kennett sees this vision, which correlates to developing energies, as a very important source and a condition for development of higher spiritual experience, including awakening. Tab 2. Comparative Chart of St. Teresa of Ávila and Rōshi Jiyu-Kennett Based on Comparison of Subtle Energies Teresa of Ávila Jiyu-Kennett Description of Subtle Energies heavenly water, fire, light, warmth, nice smell yellow light, golden light, water, fountain Subtle Energies and Body heavenly water streaming upwards, through the body, from the depth of the soul stream of light (or fountain of water) from the chest upwards through the body Effects Accompanying Development of Subtle Energies I. purification of the soul from sins (Lat. purificatio) – First three mansions purification of the mind from bad karma Effects Accompanying Development of Subtle Energies II. illumination (Lat. illuminatio) – Fourth mansion vision of internal light – Manipūra chakra Effects Accompanying Development of Subtle Energies III. mystical death (silkworm turning into a butterfly metaphor) – Fifth mansion death moment occurring in the course of developing subtle energies – Āgyā chakra Effects Accompanying Development of Subtle Energies IV. “flight of the spirit”– Sixth mansion transcendent states – development of Five golden pillars over the head Effects Accompanying Development of Subtle Energies V. spiritual marriage (Lat. unio) – Seventh mansion awakening (Ja. kenshō) – fully developed central Golden pillar over the head 3.2.2 Summary In our comparison study, we investigated the spirituality of St. Teresa of Ávila and Rōshi Jiyu-Kennett, concentrating on subtle energies. We found interesting similarities in three aspects: (1) description of subtle energies; (2) link between subtle energies and body; (3) accompanying effects of subtle energies. We fond obvious similarities in the description of energies flowing upward the body and over the head in a form of celestial water, fountain of water, light and similar. This is a highly objective epiphenomenon of spirituality or mysticism, as it is perceptible not just by mystics themselves, but also by other people. However, a subjective description might differ – meaning description of the influence and experiences brought by these energies. This is where descriptions are heavily influenced by personal experience, historical context, culture and religion. Similar are also phenomena that accompany subtle energies. Firstly, these energies gradually reveal hidden negative
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