So I have really been getting into this and believe all this is possible if not I wouldn't be posting here. emoticon About to go on for 2 more days of straight self-inquiry.

Some questions have come up :

a) Are there many kinds of awakening? If so, how do we even know which is legit?

I just watched a video by Daniel Ingram and he says some interesting things...some people get powers, some not, some both...and then a whole bunch of other things about awakening I'm not sure I agree with or not. He's clearly an experienced meditator, though not without controversy which I won't get into here.

I guess the issue here was that I thought awakening was an endpoint that we are all walking to, but if there are different types and "flavors" how would those manifest? Is that the reason why there are different models like xabir's and the Maps of Insight?

b) Who is really awakened? Daniel Ingram? The Dalai Lama? Ramana? etc

Trust is sometimes hard to come by. I mean, I accept that Jesus and Buddha were undisputably awakened, but how about in the modern context? Daniel Ingram does claim to arahantship. How about Adayashanti? Eckhart Tolle? Other modern people?

c) So there is no path that fits all, just different roads up the same mountain? (my view of religion)

That's what I have gotten from my extensive reading and meeting people. Tradition specific language means that it's phrased differently for everyone, but I see no huge difference between Christian contemplative practices to meet God, Buddhist meditation and various Shinto rituals. This ties into the same point above.

I also ask because I don't seem to have traversed exactly the same terrain as the Maps of Insight. Or rather, I have but in a very non-linear way. I've heard people talk about the A&P...and then people also NOT talk about it and say it didn't happen to them. So are there any universals on the road?

d) What happens when you are enlightened? Do you know what to do then?

Obviously we're still human and don't develop mystical healing powers all of a sudden. But what are the real, concrete changes? I won't deny that why I'm putting all my effort into this is that I seek to integrate my Higher Self and my human self. I want to access the divine wisdom that will allow me to make the decisions I need to make for my benefit and humankind. (The endgoal is to benefit humankind, I'm not doing this out of ego)

As always, any input and insight would be appreciated. May all living beings be blessed.