“The word ‘akh’ as a verb means ‘to be effective’ and the ‘akh’ as an entity was seen as a shining being who could come and go as it pleased. This means that the akh was not impelled by the forces of the universe to follow a set path but had achieved a state of freedom and ability to act in any situation.”
(“Pyramid Texts of King Unas Part 1” copyright Apepch7, contributed article on The Tao Bums site)
I’m suggesting that the free movement of awareness that is experienced in waking up and falling asleep is the “akh”. I’m also suggesting that we don’t see this all the time because we are attached, averse, or ignorant of the sense of location associated with the movement of consciousness.
I would also say that action that is precipitated by the sense of location without the exercise of volition is action which occurs from a state of freedom (and is appropriate, regardless of situation); as Kobun Chino Otogawa said, “you know, sometimes zazen gets up and walks around.”
When the sun is in the void, the sun is in its place (and moving?), even though it is unseen. I’ll have to reread the text, about whether there is a death and rebirth involved- is a connection to the entirety of creation implied, during the passage thru the void? You’d think I’d remember these things.
Checking the text:
“By tuning in to, or joining the sun’s journey through the Dwat the Egyptians
sought the same power of eternal rebirth that the sun had. They understood this to be the key to immortality albeit in the spiritualized form called the ‘akh’.” (Ibid)
That’s exactly my experience, by tuning into the sense of location of awareness even as I am falling asleep, I realize that my awareness moves, and when I tune in to that movement waking up I discover that this is a source of action beyond volition.