*CONVERSION - see CONSCIOUSNESS, AWAKENING
The 5 stages of mystic conscioussness are: 1. awakening or conversion, 2. self-knowledge or purgation, 3. illumination (or enlightenment, presence, transcendence, reality) 4. surrender (or dark night), 5. union (Mysticism by Underhill, p203)
Grant to us, O Lord, a heart renewed. Recreate in us your own spirit, Lord! When I offer a holocaust, the gift does not please you. So I offer my shattered spirit; a changed heart you welcome. (Psalm 51:1,?, ICEL translation). Pentitencial means "let of." We're afraid to let go of personal things (or control) to God [ie. use of our time]. The first hour of each day should be given to God in prayer/contemplation/meditation. We all find it easier to give than to receive, but we should receive and do so gratefully. Jesus illustrated when he washed the disciples feet. God is calling us to come deeper. (Sr. Laura Buffano [the singing nun], SRC, 3/20/97)
Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand. Conversion is a change of mind and heart. (Zen, p98)
Buddhism centers around enlightenment and Christianity centers around conversion. This is the call of Christ and the prophets. It is a clarion call, an invitation to rebirth, to a change of consciousness, to becoming a new man. It's just a question of conversion, individual and communal; and the rest follows after that. Exterior changes would be useless without a change of heart. (Zen, p103-4)