Ascension certainly is a word that implies an 'upward movement' and/or rising.
Often this feeling a.rising, becomes an object goal in and of itself.
The effort of a strategic ascension to some 'other', over there.
Whereby one could be congratulated for their great climb up their spinal ladder to the grand 'finish line' of sorts, is the root impulse for many.
Yet the profoundest teachings speak fundamentally of the NOW, the Present... realized through no-seeking.
I remember a quote from Adi Da, as he describes the source Divine Reality, as 'always already the case'. Another comes to mind as well, titled "Heaven is above but you don't have to go up to be there".
The Great Mandala is well decribed via spectra(colors) and levels(of a sort). Perhaps this also contributes to the notion of a raising up, ascension, en.lighten.ing, as there is progress towards the higher most Divine center.
As there is also the 'descending' and 'ascending' paths of personal conductivity in Qi Gong, one can further see how we can reference this concept of ascension in varied ways. So, across many scales of description we observe an upward or arising tendency.
I would say, see it in witness consciousness.
For it is, in and of itself, not what really IS.
Realization is possible in the true moment, standing as clarity of consciousness, unmoved....by whatever appears to be arising.
Beyond simply 'mind', and the psycho physical reaction of the 'point of view'.
One could talk about the gravity of the situation, and how we can ascend beyond the density of it all, but is that really it either? Can it all be real.eyes.d and in that apparent crystal clarity, a brightening up, be translated or as I have read, 'tranmuted'?
That, which is current, can change and morph and clarify, around one who truly recognizes the conscious living now... that is always already the case and most prior to all of this we identify with.
This 'human version' conditional reality is clearly being shown now to not be our real state. It is simply the grossly limited experience we are having that we have accepted to date as ALL.
What is ascension? I dare not attempt an absolute opinion but this is my muse.
Gosh I still say in encouragement ...7UP!... for it articulates movement beyond. As well as a nod to the great traditions that understood the 7 stages.
But i know in growing profundity, the understanding of being one who merely IS.
Enlightening to that, one brightens and opens to Grace, and outshines conditions that imply effects either limiting or liberating.
Duality is not so binding...it just remains unseen... and one could say 'holds us back'.
