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Enlightenment
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Enlightenment |
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Spiritual Enlightenment… in an age of scientific reasoning
... where to find enlightenment and how to recognize it(4th edition - February 2006) by A.O. Kime Men have always sought spiritual enlightenment, some occasionally and others continually... and for those who seek, many questions linger. It’s always a matter of where to look and a concern over whether they'll ever find it. They might also wonder if there is more than one fountainhead... or if a proper method to search exists. They should know however, it is to also recognize enlightenment if ever to find it. So, what is enlightenment? Is spiritual enlightenment different? Well, to be enlightened is to free oneself of ignorance and misinformation although 'good ideas' might also fit. Spiritual enlightenment, on the other hand, pertains to that which advances oneself (spiritually) or society as a whole. But isn't spiritual enlightenment also just dispelling ignorance and misinformation? Well, the distinction lies in how one quantifies ignorance and misinformation... they are, after all, relative matters. If someone becomes aware of something not humanly known beforehand, were they once ignorant? If it proved them wrong... were they once misinformed? Well, perhaps only God might think so... but not man. Spiritual enlightenment is a commodity existing beyond that normal. Spiritual enlightenment, being an unknown quantity beforehand, for many people it is mystical knowledge. However, a person believing true enlightenment must be accompanied by a clap of thunder would never find it. They shouldn’t expect angels to sing (or clouds to part) either although the process is amazing. Enlightenment is simply having obtained a greater understanding but, importantly, it is a matter of degree. Most often it is a profound realization or it borders on profoundness. In short, to receive spiritual enlightenment is a step forward on an elevated path. It is part of our learning process except it comes to us spiritually, never from a classroom and rarely from a book. Knowledge gained from a classroom or book isn’t considered enlightenment because, largely, it is already commonly known or expected to be known. Sometimes a rare book, perhaps one which hasn’t been widely circulated, could contain enlightenment if the information was spiritually derived and unique. Gaining unique knowledge doesn’t mean exclusive knowledge however... exclusive knowledge probably doesn't exist. Even if a few thousand people knew, it would still be relatively unique and, not surprisingly, it is usually ancient wisdom. So, to receive enlightenment isn’t really a magical process and the results, while perhaps startling, lack the dramatics... although great satisfaction from a greater understanding can still be expected. However, in an age of scientific reasoning, spiritual enlightenment is becoming rare. It is becoming rare because modern man tends to believe the scientific community has all the answers, or will. Scientific inquiry, while extremely productive in most all areas, does have its limitations… therefore spiritual enlightenment is often necessary. It is the cutting edge, the door-opener. After all, just as much as the English language has difficulty describing sensory experiences, science has difficulty with the metaphysical. Empirical enlightenmentThe most important type of enlightenment is often of a spiritual (metaphysical) nature because that is where man's knowledge falls short. It is important because that type of knowledge can't be scientifically derived. It comes empirically. While most religious teachings have a ring of truth, they cannot be advanced because of their rigid tenets. They have boxed themselves in. In other words, spiritual enlightenment comes not from scientific circles, since they do not adequately address spiritual phenomena, nor does it usually come from religious circles since they cannot be objective. For most religions, to be objective is tantamount to heresy. There is another thing concerning enlightenment one should consider… its value. It is one thing to feel enlightened, quite another if the knowledge holds no value. Enlightenment without value only feels like a step forward, but it is a false step… imitating progress. To realize something never considered before may only represent a piece of the puzzle. While each piece is important, assuredly critically important, it may fall short in really serving us. It would only serve us if we are later successful in filling in some or most of the blanks. While any enlightenment obtained is usually about the meaning of life, it could also include something about human nature. There is more to learn about human nature despite what the psychologists might think. While human nature is merely a piece of life’s puzzle, any new knowledge obtained would be of immediate benefit. In other words, value can be found without completing the puzzle. The meaning of life can be shelved until later... when one is more fully enlightened. But, even if one was, hardly anyone would believe their claims. This is largely due to believability but also because one prefers to discover these things on their own. There is a powerful inherent need for self-discovery... but for good reason. Justice and The EnlightenmentAnother form of enlightenment may come as it pertains to justice, much as it did for certain men of the 18th century in France and England in a movement known as ‘The Enlightenment’. Rousseau was the best known of the group and a close second was Voltaire… considered a genius. Outrageous that he was, and a rascal, Voltaire nonetheless contributed. Since justice is not taught by science or religions, naturally any knowledge gained in this area is often enlightenment. Classrooms don’t teach justice as they should either... rarely is anything lacking pointed out. One might think I’ve misconstrued the event by taking the meaning of ‘The Enlightenment’ literally. Some may believe the participants weren’t really enlightened but instead it was merely an intellectual group effort which furthered the cause of freedom. In other words, believing there wasn’t really any ‘enlightenment’ involved. I would disagree… these men were enlightened to the fact the process was necessary. They knew it was not only necessary because freedom is a good thing for the human race, but because it is a spiritual necessity. In the grand scheme of things, metaphysically and even politically, freedom is absolutely necessary as my article about how men often perceive freedom today points out... you might be surprised. As said earlier, enlightenment is often of a spiritual nature, so it might seem strange that justice often pops up… yet it should, especially since the spirit-world left justice unattended. Justice is solely mankind’s realm, apparently purposefully assigned to him since Mother Nature turns a blind eye to justice. She does not practice justice nor do her animals… except while perhaps nurturing their young. It is not 'justice' to animals however, but the instinctual need to perpetuate the species. Since Mother Nature and mankind are quite apart on this issue, it seems to indicate we’re not of the same broth as my article on Charles Darwin illustrated. Curious however, young animals while in their comfort zone and unthreatened, often have a childlike (human) innocence about them, and are just as playful. They sooner learn the harsh realities however… and become more obedient to them. While on the subject of justice, it is obvious enlightenment is still lacking within the U.S. government as evidenced in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Hazing and/or torturing prisoners, while important information may sometimes be extracted, perhaps life-saving, it creates a more determined enemy, increases their ranks and thus, multiplies the problem. About this, although it should be common knowledge, the guilty authorities are without any enlightenment at all. Such tactics always backfire and the dire consequences are always vastly underestimated… a part of human nature misunderstood by these psychologically-trained authorities. Discovering the causes of metaphysical phenomena would also be enlightenment even if the processes aren’t fully understood. To attribute a phenomenon to a cause, even more accurately, would be enlightenment. It would likely be ever-changing however because the spirit world does not exist in precise terms… and the problem for semantics. For that matter, there would be enlightenment available to most all scientific fields, namely astronomy, geology and anthropology, largely because they are associated with metaphysics. Actually, there isn’t much that isn't which means a whole lot of learning is in store. There is, in effect, a classroom for this purpose but one quite different. How to find spiritual enlightenmentWhile this article has tried to further characterize enlightenment, it hasn’t yet addressed the manner in which to obtain it. In classical times, it was believed oracles held such enlightening knowledge… those of Apollo at Delos and Delphi were the best known. Sometimes the source is called the ‘tree of knowledge’ or ‘fountain of knowledge’… as if a place. A burning bush might be sought or a tall, skinny, white-haired wizard. First of all, the source wouldn’t be located exclusively in any one place lest deny a large portion of the population. Such enlightening knowledge, if sought, would be available to every living soul… and it is. As to oracles and wizards, even though they evidently discovered how to obtain enlightenment, they selfishly kept their source a secret. Perhaps it was due to the prestige associated with being an oracle or wizard and if they were to reveal their source, well… Similarly, the American Indian ‘sweat houses’ are known as places to obtain enlightenment but that is commonly considered a private affair… nobody seems willing to talk about their experiences. For several centuries however, bodhisattvas (a Buddhist term) are known for having obtained enlightenment through nirvana, and are, uncharacteristically, willing to share their knowledge. Their problem however, and that of others, has been with trying to characterize their discoveries. Descriptive terms for the the metaphysical are practically non-existent. While enlightenment can be passed on to others, and may hold value, it is far better to have the goose than a few golden eggs. Besides, as said, most people will dismiss the findings of others. Since neither an oracle or wizard will tell you about their source of knowledge, perhaps not even an American Indian, then I will… their source is the Divine Intellect. It was first discovered (or first revealed) 1,800 years ago by Plotinus (205-270), the founder of Neoplatonism, although he called it the ‘nous’. Actually, I believe it is the same as nirvana… different cultures have different names. Therefore, never again will you need to consider trekking to Tasmania to seek out someone mysterious looking. You can forget about canoeing up the Amazon and your trip to Tibet can be cancelled… because, hallelujah, you have finally found it! But hold on… it isn’t that easy. Such discoveries, according to many legends, always need keys to unlock them. The keeper of these particular keys is not the Cyclops, dragon or an Egyptian mummy however, but one’s very own subconscious mind. This is starting to sound mysterious after all isn’t it? Well, it isn’t, the baloney was just thrown in to add the expected mystery to it. This was done to once again point out the unfortunate reality that most people expect the mysterious element… as if mystery and enlightenment go hand-in-hand. They would rather believe some wizardly-looking guy but not some lumberjack, cook or old family farmer. For too long people have associated enlightenment with mystery. They shouldn't, nor should people rely on those who 'look the part'... a common practice of con-men trying to take advantage of the public's association. Part of the con might be a purple room with some torches burning. Actually though, some people are enlightened several times a month without even trying. They just don't know it... you know, no clap of thunder, no wizard. Their realizations may often be profound realizations but, sadly, are often not pursued. Thoughts are fleeting, we all know, at least one should write them down... they're quickly forgotten. In order to become highly enlightened however, one needs to first pass some tests before that particular door is opened (the keys). And who conducts these tests? It is so simple... one's own subconscious mind. All one needs demonstrate are good habits consistently and a belief in the possibility of spiritual contact. However, it will take time... at least several months. Once one's subconscious mind is satisfied, you'll then know the Divine Intellect. A.O. Kime
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