Enlightenment
Have you ever wondered what you really are, why you are here, or what God is? Enlightenment, or Self Realization is a deep and lived understanding of these things. The term can be used to describe the clarity and realization of the answers to some of life’s conundrums. Many philosophers have plugged away at answering life’s questions, such as: What am I? Why am I here? What is the meaning of life? What would truly make me happy? The answer to these questions is not something material, yet everyone seems to be searching for it.
Is Self Realization possible?
Most people don’t consider the possibility of Enlightenment as a reality. I didn’t. “That’s for Buddha and Jesus and people like that, but not me” they think. Actually in this day and age, it is more prevalent for people to have a higher level of consciousness and experience life more positively. Many are awakening to a Unity consciousness. This may sound preposterous or just not important, but it truly involves your life every day. Why do things happen the way they do? Why are there so many problems, so much suffering in the world? What is the cause of this?
We will all experience tragedy in our lifetimes. Pain, death, disaster and loss are an innate part of life…how well equipped will we be to handle and understand what is happening? How will these events be viewed, and will they be a deep wound in our psyche, or an opportunity? Why hide from the inevitable? It is not as bad as we may think. In fact, it is splendid. Imagine how much easier everything in your life would be with that understanding. It would be enlightening, wouldn’t it?
How do I go about it?
There are many paths to realize the phenomenal truth about ourselves. One of the best ways is to align or study with someone who is Self Realized. There are different levels of teachers, just like anything else. Very few are actually at the level that is most helpful. Great benefit can come from reading the words of or directly connecting with someone who has completed the earth path and is free from the suffering of the world. A teacher is an invaluable guide on the path, as they have already traveled the journey you are embarking on. They know the routes with potholes and the tourist traps and can help you circumvent them. They can help you understand what you are experiencing, or where you may be stuck. For most, this is much quicker than going it alone. Just being in their presence many times reveals one’s own answers. Their energetic field is more complete and fills in the blanks, so to speak, in our awareness. A great assistance is to read books by teachers that contain higher Truths. This provides access to many different teachers and ideas from different vantage points. It can open one to new and more effective ways to look at life or oneself.
Meditation is helpful on the journey of Self Realization to calm the overactive mind and be present. It can help us gain a clearer perspective. Meditation can allow one to open to a higher level of consciousness and have spiritual experiences more readily.
The Enlightenment process also involves the intent to be a more loving person, to be more kind, generous and less self-concerned. To look for happiness beyond the material. Who do you know that is eternally satisfied with a big house or the fastest car? Not anyone for very long. That kind of happiness is fleeting. It is much more fulfilling to build relationships and promote peaceful, healthy lives. To do things for others that demonstrate your love and make them happy, or help them in some way. Think how much fewer our problems would be if everyone was helping others and we all worked together? It would be amazing. If you would like to live that way, why not start now?
Any and all of these practices can be beneficial. In the end, understanding is granted by Grace when it is granted. Everyone’s path is different, but as the Buddha said: “There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to Truth; not going all the way, and not starting.”