I have always been attracted to simplicity. Perhaps that is why Krishnamurti's admonition to "be independent of circumstances" has always struck a chord within me.

We are all a product of circumstance, to be independent of circumstance allows us to be infinitely self creating.

Exactly, and everything is so subjective.

There's beauty in simplicity

Bump

when people suggest they are " enlightened",
i say " ok now what"?

if they look at all surprised,
they are faking.
and, no point in arguing at all.

The path to enlightenment may be asymptotic.

I have never met anyone who was enlightened.
I have met many who proclaimed themselves so.
I have met few who did not proclaim themselves so, yet were nearing it.
...if it even exists.
...if it is not religious myth.

The thing about enlightenment is that there is many false confirmations. Many people that think that they have ended there suffering when in reality they are still on the path. That is why one must have the utmost of compassion to anyone who is claiming these things. Also one must ask themselves why they would doubt the word of the other. Would not having more enlightened beings in reality be a good thing? Do they conduct themselves in situations with infinite care and infinite gracefulness? Certain tells will be able to show the progress of the person in question. I think that the easiest way to tell if someone is enlightened is by having a conversation and looking at their flow. Do they get tired? Buddha represents the perfection in all things all while never having the need to sleep. Once you realize that your destiny is perfection the only thing left to do is strive for it.

So well put.

Y U NECRO OLD THREAD?

Anyway... I don't think it's a good idea to put all this mythic stuff around the concept, like not having to sleep. Gautama Buddha became enlightened after he finally turned his back on ascetism, and sought balance in life. Enlightenment is freedom from desire, and through this, freedom from reality. It's not a 'superpower'.

Anyway, the only path and progress that you should mind, and need to know anything about is your own. The only reason one might want to judge others is to determine if they would be a good addition to one's life as companions and teachers... And so far I've found that an astounding ZERO PERCENT of people who said or insinuated to be enlightened were even remotely fit to be - not a teacher, but even a friend or someone worthy to spend time talking to... so I pretty much treat it as a huge red flag these days.

I often hear this term - Enlightenment. I've used it to describe moments of time. Like a match that is lit. The initial combustion is strong and bright. The flame begins to dim as it engulfs the material. Eventually, it either becomes too hot to be held, blown out by the wind, runs out of combustible material, or it is used to pass the flame elsewhere and then intentionally extinguished. Maybe it was a "dud" and never combusted in the first place.

The sun once was not, now it is, and at some point it won't be.


If you're talking the spiritual type of enlightenment - I know nothing about that. But, I can usually find a light-switch in a dark room. (I carry a flashlight.)

ACY

If you can, be a conciouse being. Taking responseAbility for what it is in life that it offers nothing but great succes if and only when you dedicate your soul to expand beyond what you already know, giving up on anger will only help you the person realise that there is more to life and these are the beggining stages of true self realisation. I apriciate all of you for watching over your own selves because i know that without regrets I dare to say that everyone is perfect.
Does this mean that sometimes we make mistakes , the answer is yes but forgiveness is a key factor in overcoming them.

Peace

I knew one who was enlightened.

A real butterfly, of shifting colors and graceful movements, wandering the dream in an absence filled with balance. But he was very exhausted of it. Exhausted of all the light. So he decided to switch it all off, and then blew all the candles.

No one ever saw him again. No one remembers him.

Well, someone apparently remembers him.

Sometimes chillin' in the shadows ain't all that bad. Last night, I had a dream that I was outside without a shirt on. In the dream, my skin became burnt from the sun, and began to blister as it turned pink and purple. In that dream, I wanted to escape the light from the sun. (But there was no shade. There was no darkness to find shelter.)

And then I woke up, and here I am.

Its so easy for people to get into the "Automatic no" pattern. I have been struggling with this one. I think it's wise to examine why we feel the need to respond the way we do in both positive and negative situations. Are we responding to add something, to counter a point and show our own beliefs or are we doing it just to get that feeling of satisfaction of being right. When we start to look at why we respond the possibilities open up and we are able to come to terms with our own conditioned patterns. Did someone make you feel invalidated at an early stage in life and now that you can speak freely you need to regain what you missed out on? Maybe you were always told about how smart and creative you were and now there is a complex of humility. I feel The reason we are here is to learn and learning requires a stepping back from right and wrong and looking at things objectively and without bias. When we allow someones ideas to enter us free of the judgement filters we can gleam much into this persons world. Maybe instead of challenging them ask why? Why do you think this way? It can create a deep sense of compassion even if you totally disagree with the person, leaving you in a positive state to express why you believe something different.

I think enlightenment has to do with seeing things as they are, and from a human perspective doesn't make sense that its something that can be achieved. I feel that its more of a constant striving. We might be able to achieve balance and peace in ourselves but pure bliss is not truth if you cant also accept pain. There are 2 sides to every coin and 2 hands to every clap.

Love <3

PS. Im enlightened AF.



Edit - Well then. I just watched a video of someone clapping with one hand. I guess I was wrong...

Oh, i'm not enlighted. I enjoy my ego too much for that sorta thing.

Very, very wise! You might have accidentally (or purposefully) "enlightened" some people.

Take Care!
ACY