0n0w1c

are there any visitors here that feel they have reached enlightenment? i was wanting to to hear a first hand account from someone that i could ask questions. how does one know if they are making progress or is this just something that happens without feeling they are approaching it. how much have they devoted to reaching it? those types of questions... i am intrigued by the possibility of reaching it myself.

sweep

although I am by no means enlightened I can offer some words that express (what I have gathered) leads to a condition of enlightenment.

1. increased happiness (more smiling, less frowning)

2. increased care towards others (consideration in times of deprivation eg. letting weaker people eat when you are starving)

3. not taking the self seriously and not identifying ideas, beliefs, tastes with the self.

4. seeing good in everyone and not being quick to judge

5. forgiving the self for past actions, that you deem wrong- what is conscience?

6. forgetting the past and seeing afresh, in terms of change

7. being observant and in the moment

8. beating fear in circumstances previously dictated by poor past experiences

9. having a simple life, and a passion, but not a passion for strong bodily tastes, such as drugs and the adrenalising influences of television- these narrow our focus and govern our actions more, thereby preventing change and the process of learning. When we pay attention to particular strong stimuli we miss out on the bigger picture

10. being positive (linked to points 6 & 8) and not allowing the mind to govern, in terms of our expectations

11. accepting that random equates to that which we cannot measure, thereby we don't know much. If we listen and look more than we talk this can be beneficial.

kalamasutta

Personally, I prefer the Achaan Chah "keep the bugs away" approach.........."Do not worry about enlightenment.When growing a tree, you plant it, water it, fertilize it, keep the bugs away; and if these things are done properly, the tree will naturally grow. How quickly it grows, however, is something you cannot control."

So:- just keep the bugs away, "don't worry, be happy".............although as another Master has said concerning the miracles of his own path....."when happy laugh, when sad cry".......being at one with our true humanity, being ordinary, nothing special.

The Pure Land path speaks of us as already being enlightened, that our lives should be expressions of gratitude in self forgetting, living more from the centre of others, hearing their voice.........the so called "easy path".......

Heathen Dawn

I feel I've reached enlightment when I commune with Nature. You may not call it enlightenment as such; then again, it's so easy to dismiss other people's spiritual experiences as counterfeit (it's definitely the Christian thing to do! ).

DMB

Heathen Dawn: I hope you read William Wordsworth:

and

Amos

How about his most famous line from "Intimations from Imortallity"

This "timely uttering" was the key to his transformation and indicates that it was an instant he could remember and write about.

[ September 15, 2002: Message edited by: Amos ]</p>

Waning Moon Conrad

It may indeed be an experience of enlightenment.

There may be degrees and species or flavours of enlightenment too.

From the point of view of Buddhism and I believe all other types of Mysticism, there can be a danger in assuming that a particular experience is enlightenment.....

.......a mouse on an excursion to a lake which it understands to be a large body of water and well worth seeing might stop at a puddle thinking that that is the goal.

Answerer

Enlightenment simply means 'awaken' without feeling the sense of having superpowers, an eternal lifespan or being superior. It is just a normal state of mind that corresponds to a very high state of awareness, equanimity and discipline.

[ October 05, 2002: Message edited by: Answerer ]</p>