Enlightenment isn't just one state
Posted by Jed Lopez on Thursday, November 10, 2011
Many individuals has the notion that enlightenment is one state. Many also imagine that when it's attained, an individual is eternally in that state.
The following will not be a definitive article on this subject. It's simply an expression of my own thoughts.
My opinion is that enlightenment is not only one state but is a progressive and gradual establishing of states of consciousness.
I, myself have not reach the end of the road. However from years on a non secular quest, I can safely say that enlightenment happens in a collection or levels of self-realisations and self-discoveries.
Usually there is a difference between an initial awakening and a later stabilisation of that stage that happens through practice or experiences. The initial awakenings are new discoveries concerning the dynamics of consciousness, while the stabilisation is the assimilation of what is being found into one's life experience. Sometimes, a brand new discovery can fully over-rule or modify upon an older one.
Virtually all levels of enlightenment might be mentioned to be related to Presence. Nonetheless, the enlightening Presence comes in numerous levels of depth and clarity. The degree of depth is straight dependent on the extent and depth of 1's readability as well as one's realisations/discoveries.
Also, as one progresses along, the relationship or connections of oneself to the universe and existence at giant also turns into clearer.
Below very briefly illustrates the progressive and stage-based nature of enlightenment:
When one first start meditating, one may first experience the all-pervading Presence. This Presence, is most frequently skilled when ideas are momentarily suspended. This Presence which exists in the Eternal Current Moment is our true self.
However such an expertise can solely be labeled as an awakening to the true self.. which is no-self. It's because, after the meditation, the Presence appears to have disappeared. One can't perceive and find the connection of presence to our everyday life. Therefore one could have problem re-buying the Presence. And it takes many phases and sequence of realisation to know the connection of Presence to our phenomenal world. It can be said that the prolonged sustaining of Presence depends on the levels and depth of realisation.
Also, throughout the earlier levels we could mistaken one other state to be the pure presence. For example, we could mistaken 'I AM' for pure presence. It's because the pondering mind has created a reflective picture of Pure Presence. This reflection of absolutely the is 'I AM'.
Often, with a purpose to move by way of the 'I AM' stage, the individual should transfer unto even deeper understandings. These understandings could embody realising that one's character just isn't the doer of action. This stage could persist for a while earlier than the person realises the phantasm of subject-object division. This stage includes recognising the hypnotic impression of there being an observer and the being observed. Here is the place one begins to see through the illusionary nature of our phenomenal world.
I can not touch upon the stages before me as they are beyond me. However, one can still see from the above description that enlightenment will not be so straight-forward after all.
On your crucial discernment. Thanks for reading.
The following will not be a definitive article on this subject. It's simply an expression of my own thoughts.
My opinion is that enlightenment is not only one state but is a progressive and gradual establishing of states of consciousness.
I, myself have not reach the end of the road. However from years on a non secular quest, I can safely say that enlightenment happens in a collection or levels of self-realisations and self-discoveries.
Usually there is a difference between an initial awakening and a later stabilisation of that stage that happens through practice or experiences. The initial awakenings are new discoveries concerning the dynamics of consciousness, while the stabilisation is the assimilation of what is being found into one's life experience. Sometimes, a brand new discovery can fully over-rule or modify upon an older one.
Virtually all levels of enlightenment might be mentioned to be related to Presence. Nonetheless, the enlightening Presence comes in numerous levels of depth and clarity. The degree of depth is straight dependent on the extent and depth of 1's readability as well as one's realisations/discoveries.
Also, as one progresses along, the relationship or connections of oneself to the universe and existence at giant also turns into clearer.
Below very briefly illustrates the progressive and stage-based nature of enlightenment:
When one first start meditating, one may first experience the all-pervading Presence. This Presence, is most frequently skilled when ideas are momentarily suspended. This Presence which exists in the Eternal Current Moment is our true self.
However such an expertise can solely be labeled as an awakening to the true self.. which is no-self. It's because, after the meditation, the Presence appears to have disappeared. One can't perceive and find the connection of presence to our everyday life. Therefore one could have problem re-buying the Presence. And it takes many phases and sequence of realisation to know the connection of Presence to our phenomenal world. It can be said that the prolonged sustaining of Presence depends on the levels and depth of realisation.
Also, throughout the earlier levels we could mistaken one other state to be the pure presence. For example, we could mistaken 'I AM' for pure presence. It's because the pondering mind has created a reflective picture of Pure Presence. This reflection of absolutely the is 'I AM'.
Often, with a purpose to move by way of the 'I AM' stage, the individual should transfer unto even deeper understandings. These understandings could embody realising that one's character just isn't the doer of action. This stage could persist for a while earlier than the person realises the phantasm of subject-object division. This stage includes recognising the hypnotic impression of there being an observer and the being observed. Here is the place one begins to see through the illusionary nature of our phenomenal world.
I can not touch upon the stages before me as they are beyond me. However, one can still see from the above description that enlightenment will not be so straight-forward after all.
On your crucial discernment. Thanks for reading.