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Who do you think is enlightened in the world today?

capslockf9

Active Member
The ego is a powerfull force. Ego here is defined as the nervous activity that creates fear. One fear is lose of identity. Another fear is fear of not belonging. Also fear of the unknown. Religion is a perfect safe guard for ego fear. Religion gives people identity, sense of belonging and the mystery is solved.
The ego is a powerful force.
 

Sunstone

De Diablo Del Fora
Premium Member
Buddhas don't seek influence or recognition from others.
To do so wouldn't be very enlightened would it? ;)

wa:do

Perhaps one of the few reasons a buddha would come forward would be to teach others, and not everyone by any means is cut out for teaching. I think most enlightened people just stay out of the spotlight as much as they can.
 

painted wolf

Grey Muzzle
Perhaps. I think it would be in the way he presented himself. Thus far I haven't run into anyone seeking students that didn't want power over them.

wa:do
 

autonomous1one1

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
It would seem that seeking influence or recognition from others, wanting power over them. desiring followers or worshippers, etc. all would be matters of the ego and would not be consistent with Enlightenment. However, an attitude of generously sharing with equals or just making Enlightenment known for those interested would seem consistent would it not?
 

sandandfoam

Veteran Member
I was just wondering if enlightenment is a state that it would be possible to maintain while navigating daily life?
I have a notion that enlightenment is a state that can be accessed rather than in some sense 'always on' ?
 

painted wolf

Grey Muzzle
It would seem that seeking influence or recognition from others, wanting power over them. desiring followers or worshippers, etc. all would be matters of the ego and would not be consistent with Enlightenment. However, an attitude of generously sharing with equals or just making Enlightenment known for those interested would seem consistent would it not?
Absolutely, you walk beside someone, you don't lead them. You certainly don't ask for payment for the company.

wa:do
 

ranjana

Active Member
I was just wondering if enlightenment is a state that it would be possible to maintain while navigating daily life?
I have a notion that enlightenment is a state that can be accessed rather than in some sense 'always on' ?

I could never answer because I am not enlightened, but it serves me well to see it this way:
that the freedom/state/purity of enlightenment IS what I am, and all the ignorance that covers it is a false identification. The work is purifying the mind to identify with the eternal conditionless being rather than the conditioned mind.

I think the mind can be purified but is not the vehicle for enlightenment. So when you navigate daily life, you must use the mind, but know that you are not the mind. Then the enlightenment is your own realization, and that becomes your permanent knowledge when it has been truly seen, and then it is not a state to go in and out of.

But again, this is just what I have been told and makes sense to me.
 

Dezzie

Well-Known Member
Well... I can't really say who specifically but I can say what should be more enlightened...

:hug: LOVE :hug:
 

crystalonyx

Well-Known Member
Actually, I would consider most religious unenlightened, they are merely following thousands of years of tradition, hardly original.
 

autonomous1one1

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
Does "enlightened today", means those who are still living?

Because I have some names who are dead.
Hi gnostic. Believe that it is posted somewhere that the intention is 'alive today' or 'recent past.' Anyway, some of us would be interested in any you suggest. Mystic will correct us if it is not allowable.
 
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autonomous1one1

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
I was just wondering if enlightenment is a state that it would be possible to maintain while navigating daily life?
I have a notion that enlightenment is a state that can be accessed rather than in some sense 'always on' ?

I could never answer because I am not enlightened, but it serves me well to see it this way:
that the freedom/state/purity of enlightenment IS what I am, and all the ignorance that covers it is a false identification. The work is purifying the mind to identify with the eternal conditionless being rather than the conditioned mind.

I think the mind can be purified but is not the vehicle for enlightenment. So when you navigate daily life, you must use the mind, but know that you are not the mind. Then the enlightenment is your own realization, and that becomes your permanent knowledge when it has been truly seen, and then it is not a state to go in and out of.

But again, this is just what I have been told and makes sense to me.
Greetings Stephen. One must bow :bow: to the wisdom offered by ranjana in response to your question. Let me just add that the experience/state can vary with different individuals. Seyorni has posted about some with the 'state' 24/7. Still, many experience an in and out -ness. [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Here is an audio of EnlightenNext executive editor and education director that is interesting in this regard once you get through the intro stuff. Scroll to the bottom of the page to 'Resources for Deeper Understanding' and 'click here to listen.'
Evolutionary Enlightenment Intensive with Andrew Cohen[/FONT]
 
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