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Who do you think is enlightened in the world today?

gnostic

gnostic

The Lost One
MysticSang'ha said:
Who do you think is enlightened in the world today?
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Homer Simpson.

D'oh!
34.gif


:sorry1: I simply just couldn't help myself.

:D
 
T

tinujatinpatel

New Member
The word enlightened can mean anything. However in its religous context I think you are asking about whether or not someone knows the truth. After all my research I have come to the conclusion that Jesus was the only person who was truth. So if anyone is enlightend it is those who follow Jesus to the grave.
 
TurkeyOnRye

TurkeyOnRye

Well-Known Member
logician said:
If enlightenment means knowledgeable, I have always enjoyed reading S J Gould and Isaac Asimov.
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You should read up on the concept of enlightenment. It's the most fascinating thing I've ever come across. Enlightenment is essentially rediscovering the obvious. If you want to introduce yourself to it, read this:

Amazon.com: The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment: Eckhart Tolle: Books

Don't let the title fool you. There is immense and self-evidently obvious knowledge in here and while I don't interpret it as spiritual as the author or many of its readers take it to be, it is a mind-expanding book for anyone who reads it, including intellectuals (perhaps especially so).
 
autonomous1one1

autonomous1one1

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
MysticSang'ha said:
Originally Posted by TurkeyOnRye
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the Dalai Lama said that he was not enlightened when asked that direct question when he was interviewed on an episode of 20/20.

No, turkey, you're absolutely right.
I just disagree with him. :D
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:) In an interview with Glen Beck on TV, Deepak Chopra was asked directly if he were Enlightened. He answered something to the effect that he has 'glimpses' in Enlightenment. Based upon the content of his recent book, "The Third Jesus," perhaps we should disagree with him as Mystic has done with the Dalai Lama :) and consider him on our list of the Enlightened. He certainly exhibits understanding.
 
autonomous1one1

autonomous1one1

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
Greetings. Has anyone read "Change Your Thoughts - Change Your Life: Living the Wisdom of the Tao" by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer? That book convinces me that one might agree with Maggie2 above and include Wayne Dyer in our candidate list of who is Enlightened today.
 
painted wolf

painted wolf

Grey Muzzle
I think any truly enlightened person, isn't going to be clamoring to make the list. ;)

We probably will never encounter such a person, as they are not looking to make themselves famous in any way.

wa:do
 
autonomous1one1

autonomous1one1

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
painted wolf said:
I think any truly enlightened person, isn't going to be clamoring to make the list. ;)

We probably will never encounter such a person, as they are not looking to make themselves famous in any way.

wa:do
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:yes: So true, Painted Wolf. However, we might see them surface because of interest in possibly helping others realize the true Self also, or surface by just living the Being that has been realized.
 
painted wolf

painted wolf

Grey Muzzle
So true, Painted Wolf. However, we might see them surface because of interest in possibly helping others realize the true Self also, or surface by just living the Being that has been realized.
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Anyone who says they know the way I can know my 'true self' has something to sell... ;)

wa:do
 
painted wolf

painted wolf

Grey Muzzle
yeah... I count them out. I also count out people who want you to pay with isolation from friends and family and such.

A truly enlightened person has no need for followers... just people who choose to walk beside them.

wa:do
 
ranjana

ranjana

Active Member
painted wolf said:
Anyone who says they know the way I can know my 'true self' has something to sell... ;)

wa:do
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maybe but arent they human? shouldnt they have an income? the rest of us have jobs, (mostly) and expect to be paid as teachers, or whatever our title may be.

shouldnt there be an exchange for the most valuable information in the world? doesnt it weed out the people whose minds are fixed from those whose are open?

obviously it is not black and white. when i have the chance to meet with a teacher, i ask to pay what i can, and that is always fine. when i am out of school and earning more money, i will gladly pay to support the transmission of knowledge, to me and to everyone who wants it.

the transmission of knowledge doesnt cost money itself, obviously, but what else do you propose to exchange? is the teacher supposed to live off of light? ;) or get a 'regular job' like the rest of us, and take away precious time from their purpose to illuminate?
 
painted wolf

painted wolf

Grey Muzzle
maybe but arent they human? shouldnt they have an income? the rest of us have jobs, (mostly) and expect to be paid as teachers, or whatever our title may be.

shouldnt there be an exchange for the most valuable information in the world? doesnt it weed out the people whose minds are fixed from those whose are open?

obviously it is not black and white. when i have the chance to meet with a teacher, i ask to pay what i can, and that is always fine. when i am out of school and earning more money, i will gladly pay to support the transmission of knowledge, to me and to everyone who wants it.

the transmission of knowledge doesnt cost money itself, obviously, but what else do you propose to exchange? is the teacher supposed to live off of light?
wink.gif
or get a 'regular job' like the rest of us, and take away precious time from their purpose to illuminate?
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Spirituality and a path to creator should never be for sale.

Most people have jobs... even the enlightened I'm sure don't mind a little hard work. In fact for many hard work is part of the path to enlightenment.

I'm also sure that the truly enlightened would be happy to just know they have helped another on the path.

wa:do
 
Caladan

Caladan

Agnostic Pantheist
I view an enlightened person as someone who is logical, educated, civilized but easy going, someone who takes the time to get the political flow in the world, to understand whats going on behind the scenes, a person you can discuss many issues with. a person that is not quick to judge, someone who is truly kind and doesn't harm others but also someone who will defend the weak and is capable of self defense. someone who is witty in survival skills, who has a lot of social qualities.

After saying that, I think that as a lot of us are people who are interested in spirituality, we have read a lot about enlightenment, and in a way it has been passed to us as a very rare phenomena achieved by the very few.
well.. who's to say that the joke isnt on us? in the sense that we have been idolizing this ideal figure of an enlightened being, someone who is not accessible. while there are educated, civilized, non judgmental, unselfishly loving people around us, who can enrich our lives and develop our outlook on many issues, in short.. enlightened people, not in the way of walking on water, healing the sick with a gentle touch on the forehead, meditating under trees for days, etc. but in the sense of people who promote logic in society, treat us with respect, are friendly to us, and we can have an interesting, meaningful, and developing conversation wtih.
 
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