Christianity & Enlightenment

Aknaton · #1 25-07-2022, 04:25 PM

What do you think about enlightenment with regards to Christianity?

Molearner · #2 25-07-2022, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aknaton

What do you think about enlightenment with regards to Christianity?

Aknaton,

The invitation is open but the easier path….literal reading of Scripture….is the shiny object that is the impediment to enlightenment. Another factor of much of Christianity is that it has been appropriated for servitude to politics.

inavalan · #3 25-07-2022, 05:49 PM

One's enlightenment means one's significant better understanding of the wider-reality.

If your studying of Christian dogma leads you to interpret it in such a way that you better understand the wider-reality, then you get more enlightened.

If you rely on others' interpretations, it is unlikely to get enlightened.

Still_Waters · #4 25-07-2022, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inavalan

One's enlightenment means one's significant better understanding of the wider-reality.

If your studying of Christian dogma leads you to interpret it in such a way that you better understand the wider-reality, then you get more enlightened.

If you rely on others' interpretations, it is unlikely to get enlightened.

Nicely said.

Nowayout · #5 26-07-2022, 03:10 AM

Christianity is not about the "individual enlightenment", it's about so much more, as many true Christians understand having been Baptized and in communion with Jesus.

There is a deeper significance, go read the saints.

And come on folks, this is a Christian way, not Buddhist, or where have you been?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlJhoCDvXlM

Saint Issac, pray for us...

Lord have mercy on them. they do not know you.

Aknaton · #6 26-07-2022, 03:16 AM

The Holy Spirit has taught me a few things about enlightenment and He's still teaching me about it. He said that Adam beheld the All-in-all, that is God in himself and all things but when he fell, his spirit became empty and soul darkened. This emptiness caused him to search for God and this darkness caused him to relate with the earth using a different framework, hence the development of 'self/ego'. Mankind is searching for truth here and there, and as such, we see many ways to fill this emptiness - this void.

The common paths that detail enlightenment have varrying focuses. Some sects within Buddhism seek this emptiness of the human spirit as reality and truth. Tantra and other related yogic paths fill the void with a particular spirit or grouping of spirits. We see this in the mantra 'om namah shivaya', 'om gum ganapati namah' and so on. In other yogic paths, their guru or the spirit of their guru is called upon to fill in this emptiness. These paths generally view truth as being, knowing one self as they and beholding the all as being one. Unfortunately their spirit remains unregenerated and stagnant, and though one is able to experience their 'true & empty self', they are not able to function as that self, save for those who merge their human spirits with other spirits and provide methods of energizing the merger. They are also able to behold the all as one and some are able to see how God illuminates the all, but they are unable to communicate and relate to Him. However, He is able to communicate with them.

In Christianity however, this emptiness is filled by the Holy Spirit who then works with us to form us into the likeness of Christ. The human spirit is regenerated and brought back to life through divine energy infilling and thus lives a life in the spirit and in the body. Just as a vehicle that has died can be serviced and brought back to operation and newness is similar to how God's Spirit regenerates our human spirit. And the filling in with gas and other lubricants is in a similar fashion as to how God's Spirit provides divine life energy to a person's spirit. This merger between the Holy Spirit and our human spirit causes us to behold the All-in-all, who is God, and by virtue of His Spirit being in them, they have something in common and can relate with each other. Once one is awakened in the Christian sense (resurrected), they are able to grow and function in their human spirit just as they do with their human body.

But then again, we would need a clear definition of enlightenment means.

Nowayout · #7 26-07-2022, 03:31 AM

If that's too much, then turn to the Most Holy Virgin Marry..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-3h9TQ312c

Nowayout · #8 26-07-2022, 03:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aknaton

But then again, we would need a clear definition of what enlightenment means.

It all comes back to you. God is great and leaves us free to search for the truth.

It is truly personal, and yet there is this personal awareness.. enlightenment.
This is good!

It's like this, you are in a dark room and you use the light of your intellect to find a way out. But this room is multi-faceted, and full of shadows, anyway. Life is large. Jesus was everything.. to me. Do you believe, or you don't?

Here is where the conversation ends.

A Christian forum, eh..

Aknaton · #9 26-07-2022, 03:55 AM

@Nowayout
I agree, Christianity is much more than concerns our own selves, like the Lord says, 'deny the self and take up the Cross'

@invalin
What is the wider reality?
By others interpretation, who do you mean by others?

Nowayout · #10 26-07-2022, 04:06 AM

Life is a mystery, where would I be, without you. Some Christian and Buddhist hermits lived their lives in the desert, alone. With God? Without God, I am nothing... Jesus moves me.
One can be a great Buddhist monk, Ok. It's another thread... they split in essence.

I feel God's spirit in me, as I pray. It's not just a mental undertaking... for me.

Enlightenment is not all it is about.

Although it helps the be centered, in mind, body, and spirit.
Jesus would agree.

Have you come here to put down Christianity, or have you come here to learn?
Debate vs Discussion.. Lol..