Recently, my inner Guide taught me about three states of mind: the resistor, the doubter and Abiding.

The resistor is a common state of mind within the world. It is the state of resisting our truth. The resistor thinks he knows who he is. The resistor might say, "Hi. My name is Regina. I am a 49 year old woman and the mother of one daughter. I like hiking and ice cream. I don't like coconut. I'm not very competitive, but I do know how to set goals and achieve them."

That is the resistor. The resistor is the idea that I am this body, this personality and these thoughts. When I am fully in the resistor state of mind, I do not question who I am and I may not realize I am resisting my truth, because I think I know who I am.

The next state of mind is progressive towards awakening. It is called the doubter. The doubter has become aware of an inner Guide. It may see itself as listening to God, Holy Spirit or Jesus, and it may recognize a desire to surrender to this One. As we progress within the doubter phase, we listen to the false self (resistor) less and we simultaneously follow the inner Guide more. However, while we are in the doubter state of mind we are not fully embracing the inner Guide as our Self. That is why this state of mind is called doubter. We are increasingly aware of our true Self, but we continue to doubt it is what we are. We prefer to see it as a holy Other whom we talk with, listen to and follow.

The third state of mind is Abiding. Abiding is fully recognizing our Self and abiding as Self.

The doubter state of mind is a bridge from resistor to Abiding. The willingness to listen within and follow is a helpful part of the process of awakening.

An obstacle to awakening is resistance to the idea of inner-surrender. When we resist surrendering to an inner Guide, we refuse to step on the bridge to Abiding. Resistance to surrender is common, which means that many of us are not stepping on the bridge we want so much to cross.

How do we overcome resistance to surrender when our mind is telling us that surrender is sacrifice?

One answer to this question is self inquiry. We can begin a questioning process with the purpose of recognizing the difference between the false self and our true Self.

A person who feels the desire to awaken has a sense that he is not the person he claims to be. This means the true Self is beckoning him, and he can hear the Voice (or intuitive guidance) of his true Self. Therefore, he can trust that the process of self inquiry will help him step off of the shore of resistor and onto the bridge to Abiding.

Here is how self inquiry works. The person who wants to move into surrender must recognize that he has two ideas in his mind. One idea is to maintain the self he already knows, and the other idea is to surrender and begin the journey towards Abiding. The one who recognizes these two ideas must pause and question each idea for Self-resonance. He asks, "Who is the 'I' that wants to make decisions and maintain control?" As the mind answers, he can also ask, "Is this who I am?" And then he asks, "Who is the 'I' that wants to surrender and step onto the bridge to Abiding?" He can also say, "The unknown is fearful. Who is the 'I' that wants to go? Is this who I am?" As he asks these questions, he should feel within for Self-resonance.

When the two ideas are questioned, the questioner will recognize that one idea returns answers with a deeper Self-resonance. The one with deeper resonance is the idea that speaks for the true Self. The other idea may be louder and more fearful. It may seem to have more reasons for why it is right and why the questioner should listen to it. But the questioner can recognize the Voice of his true Self by the deep feeling of resonance within.

As one practices self inquiry regularly, one becomes surer of the difference between the two ideas. As one becomes more aware of the difference, one becomes more willing to follow the Voice of the true Self onto the bridge of surrender. This is how one passes from the resistor state of mind to the doubter, which leads to Abiding.

Here is how The Holy Spirit's Interpretation of the New Testament (NTI) describes the process:

When the Light begins to dawn within the mind, you will recognize it. And yet, you will not understand it or accept it completely at first, and so you may also fear it. This is only the reaction of a mind long blinded by darkness when it first encounters the reality of Light. Let this fear not upset you. It is natural in the transition. But because you have seen a glimmer of the Light, it will call to you, and you will follow it through your fear. For somehow you know that in the Light lies the absence of fear and all that you have ever sought.

As you listen for the Light, the Light will grow brighter in your sight. It will speak to you and touch you so that you know it is the Light's intention to reach you. You may sense that the Light comes from someplace else, outside of you, but you will not be mistaken regarding the love of the Light, which is undoubtedly for you.

Next, a merging will seem to occur. You will continue to sense the Light as if it comes from a source that is separate from you, but you will begin to notice the Light within you also. It will move you and work through you, and you will begin to feel excited about following its guidance.

During this time, miracles will move you, and you will notice that you have begun to change. Times of doubt will visit also. But if you open to Me, even within your moments of doubt, the miracles that you experience will convince you that your faith is well placed, and you will continue to follow the guidance of the Light.

When you are ready to listen to Me and trust Me fully in all matters and all things, the time will come that you will experience that which you did not expect. This will be a time of celebration, for your eyes will be opened, and you will be fully immersed within the Spirit. The Light shall be one with you and you shall be one with the Light. And you will not ask, "How is it that this happened?" For you will know it is your truth, and you are now seeing it, because it is so.

When you have given yourself fully to the Spirit, the Spirit shall be fully within you. This is not a change at all. For this is as it has always been, but in your sleep, you do not know. So the realization of your truth is but an awakening from a sleep in which you thought one thing was true when it was not. (NTI John, Chapters 20 & 21) (For additional reading, please see A Course in Miracles, Chapter 5.II, The Voice for God)

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