http://www.huffingtonpost.com/natasha-dern/enlightenment_b_825365.html
"There is no enlightenment outside of daily life." --
Thic Nhat Hanh
What is this enigmatic and exalted state called "enlightenment"?
Why is everyone so enamored by this word? Why is everyone so eager
to attain it? Does anyone really understand the essence of it? Many
speak of it as if they do, and while others use it to enhance their
status. I have been in the presence of such people, and I am always
astounded at the level of ignorance guiding their behavior. Such
people are nowhere near awakened, let alone enlightened, and this
includes both teacher and student. It is like the blind leading the
blind. The irony is that the effort they expend on becoming
enlightened only impedes the realization that they already are.
Enlightenment is not something you do; it is about being.
This beingness seems to be the hardest lesson to master, for it
involves a gradual, developmental and cumulative process of growth
through steps and stages. It emerges as a natural consequence of
allowing, rather than by any egoic effort to attain it, because it
involves surrendering and the ultimate dissolution of the ego in
order to realize it. You can read the world's greatest mystical and
spiritual literature, become very knowledgeable on techniques,
rites and rituals, and yet remain completely unchanged.
Accumulation of knowledge is not enlightenment, and neither is the
prowess of mystical vocabulary the proof.
What we need is a new definition of what enlightenment means within
the context of modern existence. The popular version is depicted as
a sudden state of rapture and ecstasy, accompanied by luminous
light and visions, an end of suffering and the dawning of bliss,
thus permanently enlightening the aspirant. All this may very well
be true, but does this depiction really explain what enlightenment
is?
This state of beingness is easy to attain or maintain in an ashram,
monastery or somewhere up in the mountains far removed from the
challenges of modern life. There's nothing wrong with pursuing a
monastic life or dedicating your life to simplicity and seclusion;
this has its time and value on the journey. But how much of that
pursuit is authentic, versus escaping the demands of the world?
When you live in seclusion, you bet it's easier to maintain a
consciousness of love and compassion.
So what is enlightenment? How about coming down from that mountain
and putting your unity consciousness to the test amidst mortgage
payments and credit card debt, divorce lawyers and aging parents,
nasty bosses and health problems, wars and poverty? Such
conditions, as the alchemist knows, burns away the dross to reveal
who we are not. Yes, in the midst of the madness we awaken, grow
comfortable with our dualistic nature and develop mystical stamina
so that we can handle our sobriety. Illusions are like drugs and
enlightenment is like rehab.
An enlightened person neither seeks the light, nor remains inactive
in the darkness. Their goal is not enlightenment, but of conduct
toward self, life and others. When you're in the presence of such a
person, no verbal exchange is necessary to know who you are dealing
with. Such people can serve in monasteries or stock markets, run
corporations or run for office, walk the desert or walk to work.
They have the ability to see things as they really are, to accept
what is and remain open to all of life. This is done not out of
naiveté or denial, but out of profound understanding of how life
really works.
"After enlightenment, the laundry." -- a Zen proverb
