Is Enlightenment Even Relevant?
I came to be on this so termed path of spiritual awakening and enlightenment in what I can only describe as unusual. I was and remain, one of those people who began seeing out of the blue, 11:11 on digital clocks. Since I am extremely curious, just trying to find out what was going on with these numbers, caused me to look into spiritual writings and teaching, and the awakening movement and spirituality in general.
I made an intuitive decision early on, to ask for guidance from my inner self with the criteria that whatever I was to learn, would have to pass the test of love. By that I meant that any teaching or inner revelation would have to feel loving and could not be fear-based. The results are own insights about various aspects of awakening and enlightenment, that I wrote down in my journals in no particular order at first, rather more or less as they occurred to me . So what is enlightenment?.
Answer: Enlightenment is the conscious or subconscious search for god . The goal of enlightenment is attained when the seeker comes to realize that he (both he & she are implied) is, and always has been, that which is sought, ie; He is literally the creator who has placed himself in the center of his own illusion and in the center of his own creation.
This realization has to go one step further and be fully assimilated into the belief system of the individual and become a 'knowing' as opposed to a mere intellectual understanding or belief, in order for the creator, the God within, to become evident in the individual's actions, thoughts, and words, and in the manner in which the life is lived from that point forward.
A spontaneous flash of self-realization, experienced as "seeing into the void; seeing the reality of the unreality, ecstatic bliss; a heightened state of calm &/or love, or some other difficult to express and categorize experience, may actually precede or may follow a person's desire for enlightenment. This seminal event may occur as a result of meditation or some other practice such as yoga, or self reflection and prayer. The most important fact about spiritual enlightenment to note here, is that it is the realization that we are already what we have been seeking. With that in mind, how can we then speak of paths to enlightenment?.
HOW TO GET THERE FROM HERE, WHEN THERE IS ACTUALLY HERE
Enlightenment is that first incredible realization that we are intimately one with The Sublime, or The Creative Source. Yet it is but a first step. We are then meant to discover all that this means and how to manifest the enormous abilities that go along with this. We are meant to transmute darkness into light and co-create harmony on earth. Instead most seekers are content to sit in the bliss of meditation. It would also seem only logical, that Enlightenment is not so much about a path or a destination, but rather about an uncovering; a realization of what already is. The problem it seems that most people have, is with the following;
Step 1. We are already the God that we are seeking. Step 2. We are Spirits living in physical bodies to allow expression of life force & to evolve.step 3. We are made from essential primal substance., as is everything else.
Since so many people who consider themselves earnest seekers on the path to spiritual enlightenment, find these facts difficult to believe, or if believed, to make personal, there are innumerable hosts of qualified experts who have sprung up to tell them how to find just what it is they are seeking, usually for a price, and if they obey the prescribed methods precisely. I am at a loss to understand why the average person finds it so difficult to trust themselves. Sure others can help to point the way through books or classes or other means, but nothing important will happen until each seeker gets in touch with himself and turns over the presumed process of enlightenment to the creator within.
The present dearth of teachers, experts and holy men (and an equal number of holy women for that matter). have presented a picture so bewildering, that spirituality is now set to take up where organized religion ended as the cause for confusion and turning away from the true god. There is still great good however in this picture amd that is, that the number of people looking to spirituality, is actually proof that there is a worldwide awakening of humanity; and also that despite our selves (our sensory ego driven selves that is), it is this very spirit within us all that is doing the unfolding. We may get somewhat in the way of the natural order of things, but outside of extreme interference on our part, we will circle back quickly to arrive at the destination.
There are numerous 'paths' on the so-called spiritual path to enlightenment and awakening. Meditation is one such, and it is the most direct path to revealing the true nature of oneself and meeting the God, or 'master within' , unless one is fortunate enough to be awakened by grace, without even the seeking of such an awakening. Remember again, that there is no journey per se, rather an acceptance or discovery that you are already at your destination's end. You have arrived even before you have set out. Naturally there is a process of discovery that can be undertaken about why this riddle existed in the first place.
Enlightenment and spiritual awakening are about love; Love of self as well as love for all our other selves that live in other bodies. If you find it difficult to Love your self, your neighbor or your enemy, begin an earnest conversation with yourself, (your God within) to arrive at love. Without love as the main and the mandatory ingredient , you cannot make any real progress.
If you are finding this a difficult concept, think about it for a moment. If we are truly all one, or to use the analogy, "all parts of the same body," then would it not be natural for the body to want to be in harmony with itself?. Incidentally there is no "eye for an eye" in enlightenment, so Forgiveness is another mandatory step. Inability or unwillingness to completely forgive just will not cut it.
Lastly, and perhaps I should have started here first, the most important thing that you need to do, is to set aside time each day for meditation and self-reflection and a genuine desire to hear what the inner voice has to say. The higher self is the teacher and carries out the unfolding enlightenment without any assistance from you or any outside experts, or holy men. All that you need to do, is show up each day with earnest and constant desire in your heart to know who you really are, and spend a little time in silence. It is that simple.
You will be taught all that you need to know, and then if there is a teacher you need to meet in person or through a book, it will be arranged for you, if you give up trying to control the process. If there is an experience that your higher self feels that you should have in order to further your learning, that too will be arranged.
Meditation does not always need to be done in a formal manner, or for that matter always seated in a particular pose. A particular way of breathing is also unnecessary. What is helpful is to have certain predetermined times, places and rituals. You can meditate just as easily by going for a walk or while sitting and waiting in the dentist' office.
It is indeed necessary to have a calm mind, but even in this, you will be calmed by your inner self if you are willing to give up control and those "cant- fail techniques." Relax, and appreciate the process. Your higher self is caring, loves you and has a great sense of humor. It has been waiting a long time to show and tell you some really amazing things.
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