Maybe Enlightenment Is More Common Than We Think?

[Puer Aeternus]

27 minutes ago, UnbornTao said:

@Cathy92506 Are you Pretty India?

Not this witch hunt shit again, lmao, hope you're joking.

[Ishanga]

6 hours ago, Cathy92506 said:

I live somewhat of a hermit lifestyle. I practice Zazen every morning for 40 minutes, followed by 40 minutes of Kinhin. During these sessions, I embrace silence and stillness. But this has nothing to do with "awakening" or "enlightenment."

Awakening is just the process of letting go of that emotional baggage that occurs daily. We go through life without being stuck in identifying with those thoughts. We have the thoughts and emotions, but we don't identify with them.

It's that simple. Maybe more of us are enlightened than we realize?

I don't think what You describe above is common, the process of "letting go" which in other words means not letting the past/memories rule You, is not the case for most ppl, at least not from what I am observing and experiencing, most are hanging on the past/memories more so than ever, but I will say that what You shared is good advice and one of the first steps towards Enlightenment, Enlightenment itself is much more than letting go or living now, these I think are just tools, so that basically we are at Ease, Peace is our natural experience, from that stable platform we can rise up to more intensity in our Emotions, Physicality and Energetically, so that what we have seen in our previous generations via creativity, invention, innovation and such look pale in comparison..

The society conditions us to hold on to the past and try to relive it over and over again, that way the money keeps rolling in and the power players stay on top!

[UnbornTao]

@Sugarcoat@Puer Aeternus I might be a bit paranoid because of some of the recently created troll accounts. AI-generated content is rampant.

It doesn't help she used an entirely AI-generated response to answer to one of my DMs, and now the weird formatting. Or that she keeps being evasive about my questions. 

@Cathy92506 If this is your only account and you aren't a troll, sorry for being a pain in the ass. 

Edited August 17 by UnbornTao

[Natasha Tori Maru]

I don't know, to be honest! 

I don't know anything. 

Revel in the not-knowing 😁

All human beings are on the path, even when they don't realise it. Some just further long than others? There really isn't anything to aim at - just discovery 🙏

[Oppositionless]

4 hours ago, Cathy92506 said:

Thank you. But I'm somewhat confused with some of the responses I'm getting. I'm new to this forum and I don't understand a lot of phrases that are being used. I can't tell if they are agreeing with me or if I'm getting pushback.

Awakening is defined in a lot of different ways! It could refer to lots of different experiences. Some realize no self but don't realize they're God. I kinda think Jesus was the first to realize he was God, before he could do that Buddha had to realize no self!

There's also differences in degree, big ones. A spiritual prodigy like Ramakrishna spent many many hours in profound samadhi. But most just have the realization and it doesn't lead to such profound psychological effects!

Edited August 16 by Oppositionless

[Oppositionless]

4 hours ago, Joshe said:

 

I'm not sure exactly what enlightenment or awakening is, but it's been a question on the table for many years. And I've wondered if it's much more simple than what many here believe. 

If I go by your definition, which I'm opened to, then yes, it's not as rare as people make out. But I'm not sure that's all there is to it. 

Some people will say enlightenment is no self an awakening is God realization but even that isn't super descriptive! All just words!  

[Oppositionless]

24 minutes ago, Natasha Tori Maru said:

I don't know, to be honest! 

I don't know anything. 

Revel in the not-knowing 😁

All human beings are on the path, even when they don't realise it. Some just further long than others? There really isn't anything to aim at - just discovery 🙏

All I know is whatever is appearing within awareness right now!! Knowledge is an experience!!!

Edited August 16 by Oppositionless

[Cathy92506]

4 hours ago, Joshe said:

Sorry, didn't mean to derail things. 

I'm not sure exactly what enlightenment or awakening is, but it's been a question on the table for many years. And I've wondered if it's much more simple than what many here believe. 

If I go by your definition, which I'm opened to, then yes, it's not as rare as people make out. But I'm not sure that's all there is to it. 

It seems to me that there is a "spiritual marketplace" where a lot of money can be made, all in the search for "enlightenment." There are countless courses and lectures you can subscribe to. Infinite yoga poses. Infinite meditation retreats. You can pay $10,000 and fly to Brazil to participate in an Ayahuasca retreat.

And after one event is done, it's time to do another. It's endless.

There is no money in the belief: "Before Enlightenment - Chop Wood, Carry Water. After Enlightenment - Chop Wood, Carry Water."

Can you imagine a Yoga teacher, or a Zen Master saying, "Give me your $$$ and I'll teach you how I wasted 20 years of my life doing this in search of Enlightenment."

BTW, there is value in those methods. Just as one spends 40 minutes on the treadmill, there will be positive, subtle effects in one's life. It's the same with meditation and yoga. But one doesn't do 40 minutes of treadmill in search of Enlightenment.

[Atb210201]

I see love everywhere.

I feel enlightened by that sight.

Enlighten me with your love O you enlightened lovely people.

Keep the door of your heart open.

You are precious enlightening the whole universe with the love in your heart.

Edited August 16 by Atb210201

[Breakingthewall]

50 minutes ago, Cathy92506 said:

seems to me that there is a "spiritual marketplace" where a lot of money can be made, all in the search for "enlightenment."

Yes, because It's supposed to be the ultimate achievement and also the end of suffering, so people appear who sell it. It's a perfect place for narcissists, who partly believe what they say, but can't stand a profound critique of their mental framework without saying: "You don't understand because you haven't awakened."

The issue of enlightenment doesn't have a globally accepted definition, and a consensus is currently emerging that it means identification with consciousness defining it as the screen where change arises. 

Edited August 16 by Breakingthewall

[Breakingthewall]

A definition of enlightenment: two facets: form and essence.

Form is unfathomable, the total, the limitless abyss of what is, manifesting as flux. You. 

Essence is its quality: it is being, brilliant, full. Being because it is, always, immutable in being. Brilliant because it stands out, luminous; that is its character. Full because it lacks nothing; it is everything.  It's not one, not two, it's total.

Edited August 17 by Breakingthewall

[Hojo]

Its not just letting go of baggage something magical will happen that you never would have beleived could happen. Its a mystical experience with a mystical creature. Like communicating with a unicorn.

Edited August 17 by Hojo

[Cathy92506]

On 8/16/2025 at 2:12 PM, Ishanga said:

I don't think what You describe above is common, the process of "letting go" which in other words means not letting the past/memories rule You, is not the case for most ppl, at least not from what I am observing and experiencing, most are hanging on the past/memories more so than ever, but I will say that what You shared is good advice and one of the first steps towards Enlightenment, Enlightenment itself is much more than letting go or living now, these I think are just tools, so that basically we are at Ease, Peace is our natural experience, from that stable platform we can rise up to more intensity in our Emotions, Physicality and Energetically, so that what we have seen in our previous generations via creativity, invention, innovation and such look pale in comparison..

The society conditions us to hold on to the past and try to relive it over and over again, that way the money keeps rolling in and the power players stay on top!

"I don't think what You describe above is common, the process of "letting go" which in other words means not letting the past/memories rule You, is not the case for most ppl, at least not from what I am observing and experiencing," Eckhart Tolle says that most people live their lives lost in thought, identifying with them. I'm always wondering what "most" mean though. Because 51% is "most."

 

"Enlightenment itself is much more than letting go or living now,"

Before Enlightenment: Chop Wood, Carry Water. After Enlightenment: Chop Wood, Carry Water."

What is your picture of a person that is "Enlightened?" Is it someone who has a 'love-glow' about themselves that other people will easily notice?