If you feel like the heightened state of bliss is out of your reach you are not alone. We are not all the Dalai Lama or Buddha, still we try hard to be decent people. Much of the material written on the state of enlightenment leaves us feeling inadequate, like the most we could hope for would be to have a few momentary glimpses into this exclusive club. But let’s examine what enlightenment really is.
According to philosopher Immanuel Kant, “Enlightenment is man’s emergence from his self-incurred immaturity.” He goes on to explain that immaturity, in his view, is to not be able to live your life without using someone else’s understanding of it. This meaning has a kind of “Grow up already!” attitude attached to it. Seems to kind of take the fun out of being young. And when we were very young and immature, before our egos became crusty and hard, it seems like we were closer to divine energy. Being mature is overrated.
I do believe Kant redeems himself, however, when he explains that when we attach ourselves to the beliefs and concepts of others, we lose who we really are. Our parents, as good intentioned as they are, are the main culprits in feeding us guidelines and rules of how best to lead our lives. Add to that the chattering ideas of our peers and schoolmates, and we are suddenly lost in a sea of other people's beliefs. Before you know it we have become a separate individual living some stranger’s life.
Chipping away at this false person is the first step on your way to bliss. Your impetus to do this comes from realizing your life is not what you had imagined it to be. Millions of us poor slobs fall into this category. Being in this place of not knowing who you are is a great place to be.
Stay with me. Close your eyes and take a deep breath. You are is a state of awareness. You are aware you have no idea who you are. Just relax, and know your divine nature is not going anywhere. It has been with you from the beginning and it will continue to stay with you till the end of time. True, it is buried underneath a lot of crap. But guess what? This is good news. Your innocent curiosity is the beginning of enlightenment. Throw the idea of being mature away. Relish in your awareness of being dissatisfied, and throw out old beliefs that have served as no more than a crutch. You do not need beliefs to uncover your creative source or divine energy or whatever you what to call it. An open mind (and heart) will suffice.
One belief you may have heard along the way is that enlightenment is out of your reach. Discount ideas like this that stand in the way of your pursuit of happiness. It is your divine right to attain the bliss that comes with enlightenment. You can start by replacing objectionable beliefs with life-enhancing ones. Ultimately, though, you will come to see that any belief is counter to the enlightened state. Since a belief or a concept comes from an individual's personal perception, its very origin is created from an egoic mind. Getting way from this tried and true method of getting ahead in our very physical world can be challenging. But it is so worth it.
When you begin to see beyond your own little world, oneness begins to become more a part of how you interact with the world. Your life will become more about experiencing and less about reacting. Your energy will be naturally renewed because your openness allows for source to be readily available to you. Soon your dissatisfied state will melt away. And if you are determined to hold on to a belief, hold on to this one: Your enlightenment will unfold in the most natural way, and you will simply be.
Copyright 2007, Avenstar Enterprises, Inc. / Our Inner Source
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