What is spiritual enlightenment?

[Gambit]

Now, did I mention spirit/soul or mysticism? Spiritual has many definitions, one simply is 'not being limited just to materialism'.

If you're engaging in spiritual practices (e.g. meditation) in order to achieve spiritual enlightenment, then you're engaging in mysticism.

 

[Gambit]

My view, atheistic advaita, is totally bereft of mysticism.

Then it would appear that your "atheistic advaita" is not concerned with spiritual enlightenment.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Buddhists don't agree on what constitutes spiritual enlightenment.

Buddhists and Hindus do not insist on one meaning of things. It is accepted that people have various definitions.

 

[Aupmanyav]

If you're engaging in spiritual practices (e.g. meditation) in order to achieve spiritual enlightenment, then you're engaging in mysticism.

Again, if after quieting my mind with meditation, I go over the various theories that physics, biology, chemistry, sociology, etc. propose about things in the universe and make my judgment about the world, my society and my life, how is that mysticism?

Then it would appear that your "atheistic advaita" is not concerned with spiritual enlightenment.

I have given my definition of 'enlightenment' in post no. 97.

 

[LuisDantas]

Buddhists don't agree on what constitutes spiritual enlightenment.

So?

 

[LuisDantas]

Buddhists and Hindus do not insist on one meaning of things. It is accepted that people have various definitions.

Also, it is generally accepted that there must be various definitions, regardless of whether there is a common, coherent understanding of the core concepts. Human understanding is funny that way.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Also, it is generally accepted that there must be various definitions, regardless of whether there is a common, coherent understanding of the core concepts. Human understanding is funny that way.

We understand the core concept also - Dharma - the Eight-fold Noble path. That is why we do not bristle at the idea of various deities, we do not cut throats of those who do not agree with us or destroy Bamian Buddhas. The Bodhi tree still lives.

 

[Windwalker]

What does this mean?

Is your true self who you see yourself as, or imagine who you are? Can you be defined by ideas?

 

[Rick O'Shez]

Doesn't the meaning of "spiritual enlightenment" depend on which spiritual school of thought one is working with?

Absolutely. So if anyone gives a "definition" of enlightenment in a discussion like this it's worth checking from which perspective they are talking.
And even within a particular tradition there may be different understandings.

And of course some people just make up their own definition.

 

[Windwalker]

I'm more inclined to say that said experiences acquaint the individual with the nature of illusion and they may become more aware of the process by which illusions are created as a result of those experiences. But, that's just me.

Yes, of course. I do mean this as well. I was speaking of those who actually do come to that release. Not everyone practicing mystical paths will actually release everything, pay that price so to speak. They certainly gain much insights into the nature of themselves and reality, however. How much or how far will of course vary. It's not an automatic, Buddha in a Box in three easy steps, to be sure. If you just meditate every day, you'll be Enlightened. The raft has to have some course direction, follow some current.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

True. I agree.

No It, God or Goddess is compulsorily necessary. It is simply not having or having answers to life that satisfy one. If there is no conflict in one's mind, and the person knows what to do in a particular situation, then life is happy, peaceful; and that person can be termed as 'enlightened', 'realized', 'having obtained nirvana' (not lost in a forest), 'mukta' (delivered from doubts), etc.

 

[Gambit]

Again, if after quieting my mind with meditation, I go over the various theories that physics, biology, chemistry, sociology, etc. propose about things in the universe and make my judgment about the world, my society and my life, how is that mysticism?

I suggest that you reread my post (again and again) until you understand it.

I have given my definition of 'enlightenment' in post no. 97.

That's not spiritual enlightenment to conventional view of Advaita Vedanta.

Advaita (literally, non-duality) is a system of thought where "Advaita" refers to the identity of the Self (Atman) and the Whole (Brahman).[note 3]

(source: Enlightenment (spiritual))

 

[Gambit]

So?

So, the concept of Buddhist enlightenment appears to be more vague than the concept of God.

 

[Gambit]

Is your true self who you see yourself as, or imagine who you are? Can you be defined by ideas?

Perviously, you stated: "We are literally what we think, and unaware who we really are."

What does that mean (the underline portion of the above statement)?

 

[Aupmanyav]

That's not spiritual enlightenment to conventional view of Advaita Vedanta.

When did I say that? Advaita has many views and there can be new ones.

 

[Windwalker]

Perviously, you stated: "We are literally what we think, and unaware who we really are."

What does that mean (the underline portion of the above statement)?

That's easy. We create mental images of ourselves we self identify as. This is an illusion. There's an old saying I heard that somewhat illustrates this. "We are not who we think we are. We are not even who others think we are. But we are who we think others think we are". We project ourselves with our minds back to ourselves, and believe that to be who we truly are. We identify with, interact with, and become that mental self-image. We literally are those thoughts. That's an illusion of ourselves. And the same thing applies to the world of reality we imagine to be. We live in an illusion of mind and beliefs.

 

[LuisDantas]

So, the concept of Buddhist enlightenment appears to be more vague than the concept of God.

That would be quite a feat!

 

[Rick O'Shez]

We create mental images of ourselves we self identify as

Another way of saying this is that we identify with thoughts and feelings, and assume them to be the self.

"I think, therefore I think I am."

 

[Gambit]

When did I say that? Advaita has many views and there can be new ones.

Yours is not the conventional view.

 

[LuisDantas]

Yours is not the conventional view.

How would you even know whether it is, much less whether it matters if it is?