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-   -   How do you define "enlightenment"? (https://www.spiritualforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=106190)

Jared.L 29-09-2016 08:06 AM

How do you define "enlightenment"?
 
There is no single agreed-upon definition of the word “enlightenment.”

For me, “enlightenment” refers on one hand to an attainable shift in conscious experience that is described in Zen and other traditions: a shift toward a more fluid, nondual, stable, mindful, accepting awareness—a lasting realization of Satori, in other words.

On the other hand, I also once rapped the words, “Find your own satori,” indicating my belief that people should define “enlightenment” for themselves. For me personally, enlightenment means affirming existence, realizing we are living in a kind of “sacred,” sublime wonderland, and treating life as an opportunity to create, adventure, enjoy, and learn as much as possible.

What does “enlightenment” mean to you?

Serenity69 29-09-2016 08:15 AM

http://www.newworldlibrary.com/Artic...x#.V-zNcHnlvcs

Jared.L 29-09-2016 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serenity69


Amazing article, thank you :hug3:

Within Silence 30-09-2016 05:43 PM

The ending of attachment to conceptual thought.

“Not till your thoughts cease all their branching here and there, not till you abandon all thoughts of seeking for something, not till your mind is motionless as wood or stone, will you be on the right road to the Gate.”
― Huang Po, The Zen Teaching of Huang Po: On the Transmission of Mind

“Here it is--right now. Start thinking about it and you miss it.”
― Huang Po

“Suppose a warrior, forgetting that he was already wearing his pearl on his forehead, were to seek for it elsewhere, he could travel the whole world without finding it.” Huang Po

“Learn only how to avoid seeking for and attaching yourselves to anything.” Huang Po

“There is only the one reality, neither to be realized nor attained.” Huang Po

ocean breeze 18-10-2016 05:03 AM

Good question. I see people are just relying on quotes and articles, unable to define it for themselves.

I often ponder this question a lot as i don't know the answer myself. Perhaps enlightenment is an awakening to the truth within yourself. Or perhaps its realizing that there is no "truth" to be sought. There is no "self" to seek. Or maybe its the realization of your own unlimited potential. But even with words like "truth" one needs to be cautious. As just about anything can be labeled as truth. And the mind can be very cunning and cling to anything and say "this is the truth."

Clover 18-10-2016 08:04 PM

For me, it's the destruction and crumbling of everything you thought to be real. It's stripping away at untruths. It's getting to a peaceful state of being, until of course the next layering of stripping occurs... Get a helmet, its a wild ride..

r6r6 23-10-2016 05:38 PM

To see more clearly, what was less clear previously, and when I state 'see' I mean to perceive, or understand if not comprehend a greater whole of related connections of a concept, or scenario, or set of events before us physically and/or abstractly.

Enlightment is a passing thing that comes and goes moment by moment, day by day week by week etc...imho

r6

Miss Hepburn 23-10-2016 07:30 PM

I don't use the word, nor define it....however...probably...
when we see no separation and know Who we are...
when we see this place is not real...when we see that Bliss is the Reality.
:smile:

SaraTherase 24-10-2016 03:12 PM

I personally define enlightenment as feeling better than I did before, previously or in the past. I feel when we feel enlightened we feel lighter and less burdened by any heavy sorrows, pain or sadness within our souls, more closer to love, lightness and all that is good - shifting away or out of the dark. Just generally becoming closer and more truer to ourselves than ever before :love5:

kingfisher 28-10-2016 03:31 PM

There is the joke about the guy sitting in the lotus position and saying:- "I've thought about it so much beforehand that now I'm actually enlightened I'm just a little bit disappointed'

:smile:


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