Is it enough to realize one’s Self to have us ascend? It certainly is enough to have us be enlightened, but Ascension, as has been said elsewhere, appears to be “enlightenment plus.”
To a great extent this appears to be the case because we are shifting dimension taking our physical bodies with us. That is a much, much greater task than simply experiencing enlightenment while remaining on the same plane.
Whatever role realization plays in Ascension, something else seems also to be at play.
That something else is what our galactic, celestial, and spirit sources refer to as “raising our vibrations.” For the most part I want to refer to SaLuSa in this essay, but one quote from Matthew is so central that I’d like to give it before proceeding. Matthew said on Jan. 11, 2010:
“Readers have asked if enjoyment of pornography ‘occasionally,’ gambling, sex parties, ‘social drugs,’ an extramarital relationship, and ‘dabbling in black magic’ can delay spiritual evolution or prevent physical ascension with Earth.
“When you put those activities into the context of everything we have offered as guidance for spiritual growth, you will know that the answer is ‘yes.’ Regardless of your reasons for indulging in those kinds of diversion, they all generate very low vibrations that form a barrier between the consciousness and the 
Putting a barrier between the consciousness and the soul and dimming the light within are antithetical to Ascension. Raising vibrations is conducive.
Completing our unfinished issues, focusing on love, exercising compassion, visualizing the descent of the 12 rays, leaving aside sensual pleasures such as Matthew described – all these are ways of raising our vibrations.
For more detail on the matter, let’s turn to SaLuSa. SaLuSa agrees with Matthew that the level of our vibrations at the present moment has been determined by how we lived our lives. Some will choose to remain with their lower-vibrational lifestyle.
“Everyone has been given the same opportunity to lift their vibrations, and much of this is decided by your choice of life style. Some will not give up the lower vibrations, and are clearly unready for the changes required to overcome them. There is no judgment about such choices, as it is your life and you are entitled to experience it as you desire.” (2)
SaLuSa says that the way we originally came to Earth was that we “dropped down into the lower vibrations.” (3) “Your true home is not in the lower vibrations.” (4) “The higher vibrations are … your natural home.” (5)
In fact, the lower the individual’s vibrations, the more hellish their existence. Spirits who are utterly debased live in terrible circumstances on the other side in regions known as the “Dark Planes” and the “Winterlands.” (6)
“If you have ever heard reports of what it is like in the lowest astral levels, you will know that the vibrations are so low that it is almost completely devoid of Light. More to the point matter is unable to hold its form and tends to fall apart. Imagine being a soul who has dropped to this level through their lack of Light. It is a miserable existence and is their Hell, because they have allowed their godsparks to become so dim.” (7)
We seldom have any experience on Earth that approaches what we will find in the Fifth Dimension.
“On Earth heaven is what you make it, but you rarely touch the pure vibrations that exist above the 3rd. dimension. You could not really have expected otherwise, as the vibrations are too low to manifest that which is found in the higher dimensions.” (8)
The way to leave the Dark Planes or the Third dimension is to raise our vibrations. Ascension “is for those of you who have stepped upon the lighted path that lifts you out of the lower vibrations. The reality you envisage will be more than you can imagine, and your consciousness levels will increase rapidly.” (9)
“The most important thing is to put your efforts into raising your consciousness, so that you can be sure of being ready to ascend. Unless you reach a certain level of vibration, you will be unable to proceed when the opportunity arises. However, once you express the intent to ascend you are given every help to get there.” (10)
“The only way you leave the lower vibrations is by lifting yours to a higher level, so that you can rise up with them. So we are talking about your success in leaving the 3rd. dimension and duality, and placing yourself beyond the clutches of the dark Ones. We will save individuals from danger, but these are exceptions and that is quite different to interfering with your spiritual evolution. To ascend you must have raised your level of consciousness, and so many souls are still held back by their lack of spiritual development.” (11)
Ascension “will place you in the fifth dimension or higher, which is far removed from the limiting vibrations you are now in.” (12) There we shall find safe harbor.
“The higher vibrations are levels of existence where you are safe from the dark energies, as they cannot survive in them. It is your natural home where your own powers of creation provide all that you need. Whatever you leave behind when you rise up, you will have absolutely no regrets, as nothing can compare with the beauty and perfection of the higher realms.” (13)
The rising vibrations coming from other dimensions and regions of space are the force that will lift Earth and all of us who are open to them out of the lower vibrations.
“Love is Light and it is lifting up every soul and also Mother Earth. It is the powerful energy that is breaking down the lower vibrations, as they cannot continue to exist in its presence. “ (14)
(Continued in Part 2)