Enlightenment

[Windwalker]

I basically see it that way using in some cases different words such as 'veil' rather than 'curtain'.

I used to use veil as well, but I thought curtain conveyed more the total blackout sort of thing, but I'm thinking I should maybe use heavy drapery instead, like the kind that when it pulls back, the movie begins on the bigscreen. "The theater drapery of our minds."

And I would add that from my perspective "learning to unlearn" is a matter of the heart not the intellect.

Absolutely correct! I'm glad you pointed that out to make clear. What we are actually doing is learning to trust the heart and just let go and allow. That word allow is the very heart of letting go to know. It's knowing we can ride that bike, just trusting our sense of balance from much practice. When we've tried to analyze ourselves into the Ultimate, we're only bringing a tiny little handful of ourselves with us that we mistakenly assumes can know everything by itself alone. We have to learn to stop trying to do that, trying to accomplish something we already know how to do. Then it's like riding a bike again, not just pedaling standing still. (I just got back from a very vigorous and hilly bike ride, so the metaphor won't let go...)

It's not a matter of studying textbooks on spirituality. From the movie They Might Be Giants : "The human heart can see what's hidden to the eyes, and the heart knows things that the mind does not begin to understand."

Again, absolutely true! We really are learning how to fly, you know that?

 

[Spiderman]

Pray and meditate without ceasing. Always seek, hunger, and thirst for righteousness. Listen to the heart

 

[Vinayaka]

In the paradigm I live in, it's called nirvikalpa samadhi, or Self-Realisation in English. It's the natural outcome of years of sadhana, internal discipline, when all karmas have been resolved, and happens to all souls ... eventually. (Most certainly not me, at the moment, maybe another 10 000 lifetimes)

It's also non-intellectual, beyond words, time, space, cannot be described, and all that jazz. To know it, you have to experience it. And that's about all you can say about it.

 

[osgart]

for me finding enlightenment is detecting that whole other world of the subjective. I can literally feel peace there, and love for that matter. It's finding the oneness of personal identity; the soul. it's getting in touch with the heart of being that manifests itself through certain kinds of feelings and knowing they all work together, and as I feel peace it distinguishes itself from other feelings. that's my enlightenment.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Interesting, I was just thinking about a thread like this. Took a whack at it in a couple of other threads but apparently missed. Will try again in my fashion.

In my lexicon, enlightenment is pretty much synonymous with revelation. 2 plus 2 is four. I didn’t figure that out. It is. At some point, it was revealed to me. I’m just walkin’ down the road. Some of the store windows are lit up, some not. Don’t really know why. Some folks walk down the road and there’s a bolt of lightning that lights everything up all at once. I am sooo envious.

Kind of like blowing dust off off a stone tablet, or blowing your nose.

Enlightenment is in the Kleenex that you throw away into the garbage can.

 

[Deidre]

I think it's the journey, not a final destination. Everyone's always thinking that they're seeking enlightenment as some grand finale, but every day, we are enlightened, the journey is enlightenment, itself. (imho)

 

[Shadow Link]

How is enlightenment achieved in your religion or form of spirituality?

Enlightenment, for myself, is a comprehensive effect occurring with little effort that usually allows myself to be able to outwardly express thoughts in the most simplistic ways. Those enlightenments will coincide with, or toward, a principle.

 

[arthra]

How is enlightenment achieved in your religion or form of spirituality?
And so the atheists/anti-theists don't feel left out, can you achieve enlightenment in your worldview? If so, how?

In response to your question allow me to post a few citations from the Baha'i Writings ...

Abdul-Baha makes reference to the Baha'i Cause:

"...its principles are the withdrawal of veils, the verification of signs, the education of souls, the reformation of characters, the purification of hearts, and illumination with the gleams of enlightenment."

~ Abdu'l-Baha, A Traveller's Narrative, p. 85

"When love is realized and the ideal spiritual bonds unite the hearts of men, the whole human race will be uplifted, the world will continually grow more spiritual and radiant and the happiness and tranquillity of mankind be immeasurably increased."

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith p. 229

Some of the requirements for planetary enlightenment:

"The unity of mankind.
The establishment of universal peace, right and justice.
Showing that religion must be conducive to harmony amongst men, and conforming to reason and science.
The equality of men and women.
Freedom and liberty for all.
The enlightenment of heavenly morals.
Love for all men and even for animals.
The universalization of general knowledge."

~ Abdu'l-Baha

(Provisional Translations, Epistle to Paris)

 

[Mister Silver]

And so the atheists/anti-theists don't feel left out, can you achieve enlightenment in your worldview? If so, how?

I find enlightenment through understanding.

 

[Valjean]

Neurological aberration, alteration or damage.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Neurological aberration, alteration or damage.

???

Are you saying that these are the requisites for enlightenment in your beliefs?

 

[Quintessence]

The term "enlightenment" is not typically used in the various Druidic traditions, or in Paganisms more broadly, it seems. The word has connotations of "ascending" or "rising above" that don't gel well with traditions that instead prefer to honor and embrace that which we are in all of its earthly, physical, and sensual glory.

I think perhaps the closest analogue to enlightenment in Druidry is probably cultivating Awen - letting spirit or inspiration flow through your life. Essentially it's the practice of always having a child-like mindset. Children see marvels and wonderment everywhere; something grabs their attention and they follow it where it takes them skipping merrily along the path. It's seeing the everyday extraordinary or the magically mundane. When Awen flows, there's usually a sense of deep gratitude and appreciation for all things. With that, comes a sense of peace and belonging in the universe.

How analogous this really is to enlightenment as understood in Eastern traditions I could not say; I have not given them extensive study. Would be curious to hear some comments on this from our Eastern fellows, though.

 

[Vinayaka]

I think perhaps the closest analogue to enlightenment in Druidry is probably cultivating Awen - letting spirit or inspiration flow through your life. Essentially it's the practice of always having a child-like mindset.

Certainly, once enlightened, the soul becomes like that. Inspired by what we mortals might seem boring. But Awen seems more pre-enlightenment, from your decription. In other words, there is effort to remain in that state. For the enlightened, the effort comes in not being in that state.