Debunking the #1 myth about enlightenment | Robert Waldinger

[@LeTangKichiro]

Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. - Zen Proverb

[@quintessenceSL]

Chop water, carry wood.

[@bsloannyc]

I was wondering when someone was going to say this

[@vikitheviki]

Wax on, wax off 😊😊

[@360.Tapestry]

scrub the dishes, sweep the floor, clean the bathroom, cut the carrots... that enlightened soul is still in this vessel

[@Bat_Boy]

"want" is a problematic situation, especially in this absurd life. I am very careful of the things "I want". I hold them like an egg. Too hard, the egg cracks...too soft, it falls to the ground and breaks.

[@kamilyassi7170]

interesting content i must admit I've consistently felt driven to contribute to humanity's greatest pursuits, aspiring to wield influence, power,secrets to perfect health and security. Recognition has been a persistent desire, not stemming from pride or extravagance, but from a deep sense of identity and purpose. Internally, I yearn to delve into the depths of human understanding, seeking knowledge reserved for the select few. My aspiration is to embrace the enlightenment that our predecessors fervently wished for us to attain.

[@harrykatz914]

Your emotions are completely understandable; after all, you're only human. If you're truly seeking enlightenment, you can attain that and much more by becoming a member of the Illuminatus. While it may seem mythical, there are genuine avenues for entry available to you.

[@kamilyassi7170]

Certainly! Hmm, are you suggesting that it's realistically achievable to join? I've often thought it's only accessible to those from specific financial backgrounds.

[@harrykatz914]

Yes, that's deliberate; it's what they want you to believe. For a deeper understanding of the matter, researching Radiant Reservation will provide you with greater clarity and facilitate access to exclusive organizations.

[@kamilyassi7170]

That's absolutely marvelous! I deeply appreciate your suggestion. I've just researched RR and swiftly reached out.

[@claybarrel]

The first time I took LSD back in the mid-90's, some of my friends who had already tripped before, told they me they saw "god". Being an atheist even at that time, I was very intrigued. I never saw god, but I 100% felt apart of the universe though. There was no me, or you, or even the planets or stars-we were all the same, there wasn't even a question, it just felt so true to my core. This concept blew my little 18 year old mind.

[@mikefoster5277]

But that _was_ God. 😉

[@aquacruisedb]

@@mikefoster5277 I don't think it should even be given a name though...any word used detracts from the ineffableness. The idea of "god" is so constrained to human thinking and has so much unnecessary baggage, and implications that just simply don't fit.

[@mikefoster5277]

@@aquacruisedb I agree with what you're saying - but two points, if I may: Firstly, giving it some sort of name is surely helpful for people to agree on what is being spoken about/pointed to? [And 'God' is already about as universal a name as any]. And secondly, what we're referring to here surely isn't something caused by random chance alone? What we're talking about is not only something mind blowing, something unique and fundamental, but surely something inherently intelligent and necessary/uncaused as well? If the word 'God' carries misleading and unnecessary baggage and implications (which yes, it often does unfortunately) then I would suggest that some people simply need better educating!

[@chrisbarry9345]

​@@mikefoster5277The concept of God is forcing an identity or uniqueness onto a totality. Even thinking of God itself shows a limit in understanding

[@mikefoster5277]

@@chrisbarry9345 Good points Chris - and again, I totally agree with what you're saying. Looking at your first point however: Surely a totality must, by definition, be unique? [Can there be more than one totality?] And as I said previously, the name (or 'identity') we give it is nothing more than a marker, an arrow, to point toward what is being referred to (for the sake of simplification and common understanding). As I said, any misleading baggage or implications that subsequently arise are merely down to human miseducation. So let's not get rid of God - let's instead get rid of poor human education! [For the record, my personal definition of God is as follows: God = simply what is.] With regard to your second point: Yes, but isn't that obvious limit in understanding a good thing, in a way, in that it clearly points to something _beyond_ our limited human understanding? Something deeper, more fundamental, more intelligent, more mysterious - indeed, something utterly mind blowing. And so, why shouldn't such an incredible reality - the fundamental reality of each of our everyday lives, no less - be given a common name, simply as a pointer to that mystery which lies beyond? Why should it be shunned and kept quiet about and embarrassingly swept under the carpet? Shouldn't it instead be celebrated, inquired into and discussed? In fact, shouldn't it be, perhaps more than ever before, the hottest topic in town right now?

[@Mr22thou]

The first time I used LSD, I became aware that all humans are connected. Although I never recaptured that feeling, it never left me. I believe it changed my perception for ever. Over the last 34 years, I have been working with therapists/counselors, read many books and worked the AA 12 Steps in programs that focus on codependency or the absence of inner agency. All of it was important, even the worst times in my life, But the most important work was probably working with a therapist who guided me through the frozen or stuck feelings I was afraid to feel. It often felt like she was dragging me and I hated it. But, I wanted to get to the other side. There was more to it than that, but I'm not writing a book. Anyway, it's my understanding that meditation can do the same thing, but I needed more. But I gotta say this, it was so worth it.

[@xelasomar4614]

Enlightenment is not a feeling of euphoria, etc. Enlightenment is knowledge, comprehension, understanding. If the perception of oneness makes you euphoric, fine. But if you are doing it for the feeling or get overwhelmed by it, you are missing the lesson entirely. And if you are only doing it to just capture that feeling, you are not learning anything, you aren't getting past that first lesson.

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

ENLIGHTENMENT: Of those who have experienced a state of “oneness” and are free from mental suffering, there are EXTREMELY rare souls who are spiritually-enlightened (at least enlightened to such an extent to be worthy of the label). If the term was to be taken literally, a person may be permeated or imbued in light to varying degrees, just as the ocean is more illumined by direct sunlight than it is by the reflected light of the moon. So, when a layman thinks of an enlightened being, he or she typically imagines a person who knows what life is “all about”, or has “seen the light of God” (metaphorically speaking). Simply having an awakening experience is quite far-removed from being an enlightened sage! If one was to approach a rocket scientist (that is, an aerospace engineer), one would expect him to fully understand his field of expertise. He would necessarily be fully conversant with advanced physics and chemistry, and know precisely how to design and launch spacecraft into outer-space. Similarly, an enlightened sage is one who understands LIFE. He knows how this phenomenal world came to be (at least from the perspective of a philosopher, rather than a theoretical physicist), how the law of action and reaction actually works (as opposed to blindly following various beliefs regarding causation, such as the fallacious notion of universal retributive justice), how to become liberated from all forms of temporal suffering, and should be able to logically answer any question posed to him by a spiritual seeker (what to speak of highly-intelligent members of the scientific and philosophical communities). Therefore, the essential quality of enlightenment is a holistic knowledge and understanding of LIFE. Furthermore, that is how the term is normally used in common parlance (e.g. “Let me enlighten you about ethics”). Every human being who has ever lived, can be RANKED according to their level of enlightenment. Even if one understands that there is more to existence than physical, tangible matter and localized, discrete consciousness, one could claim to be more enlightened than a gross materialist. Therefore, somewhere in the world resides a person who is the most ignorant fool on earth, and at a different location one may find the most enlightened sage extant. Like practically everything in life, enlightenment is relative. Even “complete” enlightenment is not an absolute state. Even the most educated person alive has the capacity to increase his knowledge. Evidentially, not even “Divine Incarnations” are all-knowing. An enlightened person has eschewed all belief systems, and relies solely on objective, DEMONSTRABLE concepts, knowing that even the most accurate notions are relative, and that Ultimate Reality is Absolute. Read Chapter 03 to appreciate this philosophical foundation. A laconic way to describe how it feels to be an enlightened (and awakened) human is thus: Imagine yourself (that is, your waking-state persona) somehow entering a dream, and interacting with the dream characters, giving no regard to any uncomfortable situation including possible death, for you know that you cannot die. That is similar to how a genuine sage relates to this seemingly-real creation - continuously at peace with what is. A fully-enlightened person is almost invariably a member of the Holy Priesthood (a prophet, to be more precise), and NECESSARILY possesses a genius or near-genius level of intelligence. “Necessarily”, because, as previously stated, he is required to competently respond to even the most difficult questions and conundrums posed to him by others (otherwise, he can hardly claim to be a fully-enlightened individual). Imagine approaching a so-called “enlightened sage”, and after asking him the most profound questions imaginable, he responds with such silly, bizarre concepts that would make any college philosophy student grimace, or even more embarrassingly, say, for example, “Ummm...I don’t know!” On the other hand, even the village idiot can receive awakening experiences. However, to be liberated from suffering, one normally requires at least an average level of intelligence, because understanding the nature of suffering (as opposed to mere pain) is a rather intellectual concept. Chapter 20 describes the innate nature and the kind of duties expected of a genuine member of the Holy Priesthood (“brāhmaṇa”, in Sanskrit). Needless to say (although in the corrupt, decadent society in which we find ourselves, it is indeed required to state), an enlightened person adheres to a strict code of morals and ethics, such as the avoidance of illicit sexual activity, gambling, intoxicants, and animal products. To be fair, there are many examples of persons who seem to be very awakened and/or enlightened, yet engage in base pursuits such as those mentioned above, due to their genetic make-up and their conditioning. However, this category is devoted to highly-evolved beings who LITERALLY radiate holiness - those who even the vilest of souls can recognize to be elevated far above ordinary, animalistic humanity. Sometimes, those vile souls far more easily recognize enlightened saints than do persons who are supposedly spiritually-advanced, as when the demoniacs, called “Legion”, instantly identified the Divine Avatar, Lord Jesus Christ, as the Son of the Most High God, whilst the Jewish high-priest at the time, Caiaphas, considered The Perfect Person Himself to be naught but a ominous rabble-rouser and a blasphemous sinner. It seems logical to assume that any person who purports to be a fully-enlightened soul must be morally-upright. Therefore, those who profess to be enlightened individuals, yet who actively support objectively-evil ideologies and practices, such as socialism, communism, democracy, feminism, homosexuality, and carnism, are of no practical benefit to society (quite the contrary, in fact - they are a DETRIMENT to society). The devilish character, known as “Satan” in the Judeo-Christian tradition, seems to have been quite enlightened about spiritual reality, yet I’m not sure if anyone would refer to him as an “enlightened being”. To be rather forthright, a fully-enlightened sage will accept the conceptual framework of this Holy Scripture, “A Final Instruction Sheet for Humanity”, as being an accurate description of life as it is (or as it could be or should be). It is far preferable for a guru to teach impeccable moral precepts, yet have a flawed understanding of metaphysics, than vice versa. Out of billions of humans, there may be one or two fully-enlightened masters. These self-realized world-teachers are almost TOTALLY shunned by society, for, as Lord Jesus Christ once proclaimed: “I am the enemy of the world because I am telling the world that it is evil” (paraphrased). It is extremely easy to identify a truly-enlightened spiritual master, because as Lord Jesus also so rightly asserted, “You will know them by their fruits”. An actual spiritual master (“brāhmaṇa” or “guru”, in Sanskrit) will fully-uphold the perennial principles of holiness and righteousness (“sanātana dharma”, in Sanskrit), especially the supremely-important dictum of non-harm, or non-violence (“ahiṃsā”, in Sanskrit). Go vegan! Perhaps the very first question one should ask a prospective guru is “What is the ideal form of government?”. If he acknowledges monarchy to be the only legitimate form of governance, then ask: “Does free-will exist for any living creature?”. If he responds in the negative, then the chances are that he is an authentic guru, assuming, of course, that he is a strict vegan, and is DESPISED by most all of humanity. If he has more than a couple of dedicated disciples, he is, in all likelihood, teaching something less than the full truth, for the truth is very difficult to bear. In the considered opinion of this author, there have only ever lived a TINY handful of human beings who could be described as being “fully-enlightened”. Therefore, if you, the reader, consider yourself to be a dedicated spiritual seeker, earnestly searching for one such master, it is suggested that you temper your expectations. Perhaps the closest that you will ever get to receiving guidance from a fully-enlightened sage, is to diligently scrutinize this “Final Instruction Sheet for Humanity”, from start to finish, in a systematic and repeated fashion. For example, you may read one chapter per day in monthly cycles, without, of course, neglecting the all-important Appendix of this Holiest of Holy Scriptures. “Through our eyes, the universe is perceiving itself. Through our ears, the universe is listening to its harmonies. We are the witnesses through which the universe becomes conscious of its glory, of its magnificence. You are a function of what the whole universe is doing, in the same way that a wave is a function of what the whole ocean is doing.” ************* “Enlightenment or awakening is not the creation of a new state of affairs but the recognition of what already is. Try to imagine what it will be like to go to sleep and never wake up. Now try to imagine what it was like to wake up having never gone to sleep.” ************* “You have to LET it happen, just like you have to LET yourself go to sleep - you can’t TRY to go to sleep. You have to LET yourself digest your food - you can’t TRY to digest it. And so, in the same way, you have to let yourself wake-up (become liberated).” ************* “Liberated people have to be very cool. Otherwise, in a society which doesn’t believe in equality and cannot possibly practice it, they would be considered extremely subversive.” ************* Professor Alan W. Watts, British-American Philosopher.

[@JLchevz]

There's a story in which the Buddha became enlightened only when he stopped trying to become enlightened. Only by truly letting go did he achieve it.

[@dvdmon]

That's simply one definition of enlightenment, which is involved with conceptual knowledge, but the type of enlightenment that is talked about here is in the context of spiritual understanding that is closer to "experiential knowing." So, again, it's just two completely different ideas that use the same work, but the one you speak is not what he's referencing.

[@xelasomar4614]

@@dvdmon Conceptual understanding, or spiritual understanding, understanding is understanding, and for the same reason that fear is a detriment, so is euphoria, etc. Two sides of the same coin. But both will stop you from continuing to understand. And unless you can't feel them, and then ignore them, push them aside, you are not moving forward.

[@mountainhobbit1971]

are you speaking as someone who IS an 'enlightened' human being?

[@mentalhealthrevolution9366]

Zen monk here. Beg to differ 😅 The Buddha taught there are four stages of enlightenment, each with permanent, increasingly deeper levels of freedom. The therapeutic promise of Buddhist meditation is not just bliss during meditation but a more permanent rewiring of one's nervous system -- this is why enlightened people show extraordinary baselines of brain waves, even when not meditating.

[@Jeebus-un6zz]

Yeah Ive learned from the Tibetan tradition through authors like Pena Chodron and went to a temple that included a Tibetan and Theravada monk. Enlightenment is always talked about thusly- with the caveat that ordinary people are more attached to worldly things and this will be unable to reach the highest forms of enlightenment until they're able to renounce those things. Though I know nothing about Zen and what goes on with Zen teachers... I kind of avoid that sect of Buddhism because I've heard the practice is based heavily in external objects of meditation such as Zen Gardens and statues of the Buddha, which to me deeply contradict the premise of non-attachment; the capacity for enlightenment exists in you, not in a statue or garden. For that matter, none of those external things are 'real' when you see reality with an enlightened mind. Maybe you have a good counterpoint to this?

[@tr1ckster726]

It's just not realistic to feel "almighty and superior", that's an extremely selfish mindset. Everyone has problems, including zen monks, no matter how enlightened they are. Pretending they don't exist is fake and doesn't serve anyone.

[@mentalhealthrevolution9366]

@@tr1ckster726 I can confirm I have my own problems lol. And yes, it would be toxic to pretend otherwise.

[@gw2955]

Sounds like you are attached to the stages to be honest.

[@GalaxyNewsRadio_]

@@tr1ckster726what if compared to you I am almighty and superior

[@Jsjsjsxjjdw]

I think it’s important to know in the back of your mind/subconsciously understand the interconnected nature of all things. But, at the same time, know that we are all having a somewhat separate and individual experience in our physical vessels/physical forms.

[@Rheologist]

Awakening is the realization that the “separate and individual experience” that you believe you have is entirely a delusion.

[@0_3_6_9_0]

That field opens further when you take into consideration past and future lives.

[@DarkUnicorn72]

@@Rheologist you're stupid

[@marijasvetozarevic6911]

@@Rheologist in some ways it is, in other ways it’s not. We are all born in a individual separate body and learn about the world through our own lens for a reason. No amount of enlightenment will ever change that. Otherwise, non of this would have to exist in the first place. We can all just stay in the spirit world as the one that we are.

[@JagadguruSvamiVegananda]

🐟 02. A BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF “LIFE”: Everything, both perceptible and imperceptible - that is, any gross or subtle OBJECT within the material universe which can possibly be perceived with the cognitive faculties, plus the SUBJECT (the observer of all phenomena) - is to what most persons generally refer when they use the term “God”, since they usually conceive of the Primeval Creator as being the Perfect Person, and “God” (capitalized) is a personal epithet of the Unconditioned Absolute. However, this anthropomorphized conception of The Absolute is a fictional character of divers mythologies. According to most every enlightened sage in the history of this planet, the Ultimate Reality is, far more logically, Absolutely NOTHING, or conversely, Absolutely EVERYTHING - otherwise called “The Tao”, “The Great Spirit”, “Brahman”, “Pure Consciousness”, “Eternal Awareness”, “Independent Existence”, “The Ground of All Being”, “Uncaused Nature”, “The Undifferentiated Substratum of Reality”, “The Unified Field”, et cetera - yet, as alluded to above, inaccurately referred to as a personal deity by the masses (e.g. “God”, “Allah”, “Yahweh”, “Bhagavan”, etc.). In other words, rather than the Supreme Truth being a separate, Blissful, Supra-Conscious Being (The Godhead Himself or The Goddess), Ultimate Reality is Eternal-Existence Limitless-Awareness Unconditional-Peace ITSELF. That which can be perceived, can not be perceiving! Because the Unmanifested Absolute is infinite creative potentiality, “it” actualizes as EVERYTHING, in the form of ephemeral, cyclical universes. In the case of our particular universe, we reside in a cosmos consisting of space-time, matter and energy, without, of course, neglecting the most fundamental dimension of existence (i.e. conscious awareness - although, “it” is, being the subject, by literal definition, non-existent). Just as a knife cannot cut itself, nor the mind comprehend itself, nor the eyes see themselves, The Absolute cannot know Itself (or at least objectively EXPERIENCE Itself), and so, has manifested this phenomenal universe within Itself for the purpose of experiencing Itself, particularly through the lives of self-aware beings, such as we sophisticated humans. Therefore, this world of duality is really just a play of consciousness within Consciousness, in the same way that a dream is a person's sleeping narrative set within the life-story of an “awakened” individual. APPARENTLY, this universe, composed of “mind and matter”, was created with the primal act (the so-called “Big Bang”), which started, supposedly, as a minute, slightly uneven ball of light, which in turn, was instigated, ultimately, by Extra-Temporal Supra-Consciousness. From that first deed, every motion or action that has ever occurred has been a direct (though, almost exclusively, an indirect) result of it. Just as all the extant energy in the universe was once contained within the inchoate singularity, Infinite Consciousness was NECESSARILY present at the beginning of the universe, and is in no way an epiphenomenon of a neural network. Discrete consciousness, on the other hand, is entirely dependent on the neurological faculty of individual animals (the more highly-evolved the species, the greater its cognitive abilities). “Sarvam khalvidam brahma” (a Sanskrit maxim from the “Chandogya Upanishad”, meaning “all this is indeed Brahman” or “everything is the Universal Self alone”). There is NAUGHT but Eternal Being, Conscious Awareness, Causeless Peace - and you are, quintessentially, that! This “Theory of Everything” can be more succinctly expressed by the mathematical equation: E=A͚ (Everything is Infinite Awareness). HUMANS are essentially this Eternally-Aware-Peace, acting through an extraordinarily-complex biological organism, comprised of the eight rudimentary elements - pseudo-ego (the assumed sense of self), intellect, mind, solids, liquids, gases, heat (fire), and ether (three-dimensional space). When one peers into a mirror, one doesn't normally mistake the reflected image to be one's real self, yet that is how we humans conventionally view our ever-mutating form. We are, rather, in a fundamental sense, that which witnesses all transitory appearances. Everything which can be presently perceived, both tangible and immaterial, including we human beings, is a culmination of that primary manifestation. That is the most accurate and rational explanation for “karma” - everything was preordained from the initial spark, and every action since has unfolded as it was predestined in ETERNITY, via an ever-forward-moving trajectory. The notion of retributive (“tit-for-tat”) karma is just that - an unverified notion. Likewise, the idea of a distinct, reincarnating “soul” or “spirit” is largely a fallacious belief. Whatever state in which we currently find ourselves, is the result of two factors - our genetic make-up at conception and our present-life conditioning (which may include mutating genetic code). Every choice ever made by every human and non-human animal was determined by those two factors ALONE. Therefore, free-will is purely illusory, despite what most believe. Chapter 11 insightfully demonstrates this truism. As a consequence of residing within this dualistic universe, we experience a lifelong series of fluctuating, transient pleasures and pains, which can take the form of physical, emotional, and/or financial pleasure or pain. Surprisingly to most, suffering and pain are NOT synonymous. Suffering is due to a false sense of personal agency - the belief that one is a separate, independent author of one’s thoughts, emotions, and deeds, and that, likewise, other persons are autonomous agents, with complete volition to act, think, and feel as they wish. Another way of stating the same concept is as follows: suffering is due to the intellect being unwilling to accept life as it manifests moment by moment. There are five SYMPTOMS of suffering, all of which are psychological in nature: 1. Guilt 2. Blame 3. Pride 4. Anxiety 5. Regrets about the past and expectations for the future These types of suffering are the result of not properly understanding what was explained above - that life is a series of happenings and NOT caused by the individual living beings. No living creature, including Homo sapiens, has personal free-will. There is only the Universal, Divine Will at play, acting through every body, to which William Shakespeare famously alluded when he scribed “All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” The human organism is essentially a biopsychological machine, comprised of the five gross material elements (which can be perceived with the five senses) and the three subtle material elements (the three levels of cognition, which consist of abstract thought objects), listed above. Cont...

[@ebrennie]

What a clear, concise explanation. There’s so much noise out there in mindfulness. So much pseudoscience. Too many charlatans. I remember when I realized this about enlightenment. That a steady state experience wasn’t possible, or really the objective. Striving for perfection can be very exhausting and you miss so much along the way. What a relief I felt!

[@hannuback]

I think there is a real danger of getting disconnected from the every day reality with the kind of spirituality that only seeks ultimate experiences. Spirituality can be those blissful states and ecstasy, but it is also feeling peace in the every day mundane life. The calm and restful mysticism shouldn't be overlooked just because it doesn't come with loud announcement and greater than life emotion.

[@gorgzilla1712]

Exactly. Mundane peace is the majority of my practice

[@Darth_Bateman]

It’s called addiction. 😂

[@hannuback]

@@Darth_Bateman Having dealt with addiction I do agree that in some cases it is that. Searching for strong emotional experiences all the time makes people hooked on just about anything. Interestingly spirituality hasn't done that for me, but I've seen it happen. I guess this is a matter of definitions too, for me spirituality has always been more about introspection than great emotions. I do suppose everyone has their own journey.

[@cuttingthrough4718]

When Suzuki said ‘there is no enlightened person, there is only enlightened activity’, perhaps he was saying that enlightenment means activity without a self - that there is no one doing, knowing or trying to be…

[@DJWESG1]

Um I think it means the opposite.

[@willieluncheonette5843]

"there is no enlightened person" is surely not what he meant, since there have been several enlightened ones down through the ages

[@JagadguruSvamiVegananda]

@@willieluncheonette5843, in your own words, define “ENLIGHTENMENT”. ☝️🤔☝️

[@willieluncheonette5843]

@@JagadguruSvamiVegananda please see my post below

[@willieluncheonette5843]

@@JagadguruSvamiVegananda please see my comment below on enlightenment.

[@strollingthroughparadise353]

Enlightenment is an overused word that really separates people and automatically sets up a goal or a hierarchy, which also creates separation. When you really comprehend that human beings, nature and everything else are like waves of the Whole, you don’t need words to describe your understanding. As soon as anyone says “I am enlightened” the ego is engaged making the person think they are superior even when they don’t think they’re feeling that. Beyond ego/mind is the awareness of who we are along with all that exists. Having an unusual “spiritual”experience is also the ego/mind wanting to relive the sensation of the joy of connection instead of discovering how to live aligned with the Whole. Naturally honest with self and all, grateful to be alive right now, authentic, kind and present. Wake up to who you really are! 🙏

[@jamiea8155]

Don't mix up enlightenment with the experience of attaining enlightenment. Once enlightenment occurs, the way of perceiving the world and oneself is fundamentally different forever. It's not that 'everything is connected' but that everything is the same reality manifesting itself in multiple forms. Also don't mix up enlightenment with kensho - something that seems to have happened in Zen (maybe it's a translation issue). Kensho is a glimpse (after which 'you' come back), enlightenment is a permanent shift. Of course getting attached to kensho can be an obstacle to enlightenment, but not being obsessed with kensho doesn't mean denying the existence of enlightenment, or conflating the two.

[@1988MaxVivas]

I studied Buddhism during 8 years, the last years mostly in the Theravada tradition. Ultimately I left and retired to my activities. In my personal experience I could tell that what is resumed in this 5 minutes video is all what I need to know, and not more, about Buddhism.

[@goldie9731]

There is nothing in this video that even comes close to defining or explaining what enlightenment is according to the Buddha, certainly not a Theravada understanding

[@1988MaxVivas]

@@goldie9731 latest syncretic traditions got a completely different conception about practice than Dhamma.

[@goldie9731]

⁠​⁠​⁠@@1988MaxVivas I’m sure they do. I believe my point still stands, saying this video is all you need to know about Buddhism and not more, when this video doesn’t go into any Buddhist practice or even offer a definition for enlightenment, doesn’t make sense to me and indeed may put people off from learning more about what could potentially help them.

[@bparcej6233]

As a perfectly unenlightened being, I can say that a glimpse of clarity is sufficient to confirm the reality of a higher state of consciousness. This keeps me from wandering away from the path. As you indicate, we ought to behave as an enlightened person…loving kindness to others and ourselves…✨

[@hn5460]

"loving kindness to others and ourselves"

[@JagadguruSvamiVegananda]

😇अहिंसा परमो धर्म 😇 ahiṃsā paramo dharma (“non-harm is the HIGHEST religious principle” or “non-violence is the GREATEST law”). Therefore, only a strict VEGAN can claim to be an adherent of the eternal religion (sanātana dharma).🌱

[@embah42]

From the gateless gate: 35. Every-Minute Zen Zen students are with their masters at least two years before they presume to teach others. Nan-in was visited by Tenno, who, having passed his apprenticeship, had become a teacher. The day happened to be rainy, so Tenno wore woodden clogs and carried an umbrella. After greeting him Nan-in remarked: "I suppose you left your wooden clogs in the vestibule. I want to know if your umbrella is on the right or left side of the clogs." Tenno, confused, had no instant answer. He realized that he was unable to carry his Zen every minute. He became Nan-in's pupil, and he studied six more years to accomplish his every-minute Zen.

[@JKR1968]

Perfect

[@diplomatamaravilhosa2813]

This is so accurate. In my experience, the enlightenment gives you a feeling of deep peace and that everything is resolved, no need to fix. Which can be a problem bc it steals the feeling of meaning in life. You just get into this state of mind like “ok, I can die now because there’s no need for me to archive anything so everything that I do is pointless” 😅

[@lucemiserlohn]

In your experience, so so. Interesting.

[@clayhamilton3551]

If that’s the conclusion you came to, it wasn’t true enlightenment. Just another delusion.

[@Rzevy]

I can second to this statement. I personally went through a prolonged state of connectedness and bliss. I'm talking about months. I could stay there forever (and I still can) but I decided to weave into a normal life. I'm still blissful on a daily bases and I "infected" my spouse with this enormous flow of life energy. So, in my personal experience enlightenment is a path not a final destination

[@shrin210]

​@@clayhamilton3551So you achieved enlightenment? What is it??

[@hn5460]

@@shrin210 clayhamilton3551 was correct when said so, but what his understanding is is another question. He probably got it somehow, but if he got it, he cannot describe it to you fully bc words cannot describe it.

[@ayounglivelysoulinanoldtir3512]

that description of what enlightenment realy is, the realisation that everything that exists is part of a greater oneness is ,indeed, a perfect description of my own enlightnment experience. there have been several such times in my life when i have percieved great profound truths about the true nature of God & creation, but this is the most important concept of all. furthermore, i find that you can't delibirately search for such experience by spending hours in meditation, fasting, deprival of worldly pleasures, taking psychadelic drugs or any of this sort of stuff. i have never needed to do these things. if you are open minded, & capable of understanding such things, then experiences of this sort will just come to you, naturaly & spontaniously, often when you least expect them. i've had such experiences while walking in the countyside, standing in my garden, doing housework, & even sitting on a toilet!!!

[@male20yearsold]

Good points, and for me, enlightenment is simply where wisdom follows knowing after knowing after knowing after knowing on and on...

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

ENLIGHTENMENT: Of those who have experienced a state of “oneness” and are free from mental suffering, there are EXTREMELY rare souls who are spiritually-enlightened (at least enlightened to such an extent to be worthy of the label). If the term was to be taken literally, a person may be permeated or imbued in light to varying degrees, just as the ocean is more illumined by direct sunlight than it is by the reflected light of the moon. So, when a layman thinks of an enlightened being, he or she typically imagines a person who knows what life is “all about”, or has “seen the light of God” (metaphorically speaking). Simply having an awakening experience is quite far-removed from being an enlightened sage! If one was to approach a rocket scientist (that is, an aerospace engineer), one would expect him to fully understand his field of expertise. He would necessarily be fully conversant with advanced physics and chemistry, and know precisely how to design and launch spacecraft into outer-space. Similarly, an enlightened sage is one who understands LIFE. He knows how this phenomenal world came to be (at least from the perspective of a philosopher, rather than a theoretical physicist), how the law of action and reaction actually works (as opposed to blindly following various beliefs regarding causation, such as the fallacious notion of universal retributive justice), how to become liberated from all forms of temporal suffering, and should be able to logically answer any question posed to him by a spiritual seeker (what to speak of highly-intelligent members of the scientific and philosophical communities). Therefore, the essential quality of enlightenment is a holistic knowledge and understanding of LIFE. Furthermore, that is how the term is normally used in common parlance (e.g. “Let me enlighten you about ethics”). Every human being who has ever lived, can be RANKED according to their level of enlightenment. Even if one understands that there is more to existence than physical, tangible matter and localized, discrete consciousness, one could claim to be more enlightened than a gross materialist. Therefore, somewhere in the world resides a person who is the most ignorant fool on earth, and at a different location one may find the most enlightened sage extant. Like practically everything in life, enlightenment is relative. Even “complete” enlightenment is not an absolute state. Even the most educated person alive has the capacity to increase his knowledge. Evidentially, not even “Divine Incarnations” are all-knowing. An enlightened person has eschewed all belief systems, and relies solely on objective, DEMONSTRABLE concepts, knowing that even the most accurate notions are relative, and that Ultimate Reality is Absolute. Read Chapter 03 to appreciate this philosophical foundation. A laconic way to describe how it feels to be an enlightened (and awakened) human is thus: Imagine yourself (that is, your waking-state persona) somehow entering a dream, and interacting with the dream characters, giving no regard to any uncomfortable situation including possible death, for you know that you cannot die. That is similar to how a genuine sage relates to this seemingly-real creation - continuously at peace with what is. A fully-enlightened person is almost invariably a member of the Holy Priesthood (a prophet, to be more precise), and NECESSARILY possesses a genius or near-genius level of intelligence. “Necessarily”, because, as previously stated, he is required to competently respond to even the most difficult questions and conundrums posed to him by others (otherwise, he can hardly claim to be a fully-enlightened individual). Imagine approaching a so-called “enlightened sage”, and after asking him the most profound questions imaginable, he responds with such silly, bizarre concepts that would make any college philosophy student grimace, or even more embarrassingly, say, for example, “Ummm...I don’t know!” On the other hand, even the village idiot can receive awakening experiences. However, to be liberated from suffering, one normally requires at least an average level of intelligence, because understanding the nature of suffering (as opposed to mere pain) is a rather intellectual concept. Chapter 20 describes the innate nature and the kind of duties expected of a genuine member of the Holy Priesthood (“brāhmaṇa”, in Sanskrit). Needless to say (although in the corrupt, decadent society in which we find ourselves, it is indeed required to state), an enlightened person adheres to a strict code of morals and ethics, such as the avoidance of illicit sexual activity, gambling, intoxicants, and animal products. To be fair, there are many examples of persons who seem to be very awakened and/or enlightened, yet engage in base pursuits such as those mentioned above, due to their genetic make-up and their conditioning. However, this category is devoted to highly-evolved beings who LITERALLY radiate holiness - those who even the vilest of souls can recognize to be elevated far above ordinary, animalistic humanity. Sometimes, those vile souls far more easily recognize enlightened saints than do persons who are supposedly spiritually-advanced, as when the demoniacs, called “Legion”, instantly identified the Divine Avatar, Lord Jesus Christ, as the Son of the Most High God, whilst the Jewish high-priest at the time, Caiaphas, considered The Perfect Person Himself to be naught but a ominous rabble-rouser and a blasphemous sinner. It seems logical to assume that any person who purports to be a fully-enlightened soul must be morally-upright. Therefore, those who profess to be enlightened individuals, yet who actively support objectively-evil ideologies and practices, such as socialism, communism, democracy, feminism, homosexuality, and carnism, are of no practical benefit to society (quite the contrary, in fact - they are a DETRIMENT to society). The devilish character, known as “Satan” in the Judeo-Christian tradition, seems to have been quite enlightened about spiritual reality, yet I’m not sure if anyone would refer to him as an “enlightened being”. To be rather forthright, a fully-enlightened sage will accept the conceptual framework of this Holy Scripture, “A Final Instruction Sheet for Humanity”, as being an accurate description of life as it is (or as it could be or should be). It is far preferable for a guru to teach impeccable moral precepts, yet have a flawed understanding of metaphysics, than vice versa. Out of billions of humans, there may be one or two fully-enlightened masters. These self-realized world-teachers are almost TOTALLY shunned by society, for, as Lord Jesus Christ once proclaimed: “I am the enemy of the world because I am telling the world that it is evil” (paraphrased). It is extremely easy to identify a truly-enlightened spiritual master, because as Lord Jesus also so rightly asserted, “You will know them by their fruits”. An actual spiritual master (“brāhmaṇa” or “guru”, in Sanskrit) will fully-uphold the perennial principles of holiness and righteousness (“sanātana dharma”, in Sanskrit), especially the supremely-important dictum of non-harm, or non-violence (“ahiṃsā”, in Sanskrit). Go vegan! Perhaps the very first question one should ask a prospective guru is “What is the ideal form of government?”. If he acknowledges monarchy to be the only legitimate form of governance, then ask: “Does free-will exist for any living creature?”. If he responds in the negative, then the chances are that he is an authentic guru, assuming, of course, that he is a strict vegan, and is DESPISED by most all of humanity. If he has more than a couple of dedicated disciples, he is, in all likelihood, teaching something less than the full truth, for the truth is very difficult to bear. In the considered opinion of this author, there have only ever lived a TINY handful of human beings who could be described as being “fully-enlightened”. Therefore, if you, the reader, consider yourself to be a dedicated spiritual seeker, earnestly searching for one such master, it is suggested that you temper your expectations. Perhaps the closest that you will ever get to receiving guidance from a fully-enlightened sage, is to diligently scrutinize this “Final Instruction Sheet for Humanity”, from start to finish, in a systematic and repeated fashion. For example, you may read one chapter per day in monthly cycles, without, of course, neglecting the all-important Appendix of this Holiest of Holy Scriptures. “Through our eyes, the universe is perceiving itself. Through our ears, the universe is listening to its harmonies. We are the witnesses through which the universe becomes conscious of its glory, of its magnificence. You are a function of what the whole universe is doing, in the same way that a wave is a function of what the whole ocean is doing.” ************* “Enlightenment or awakening is not the creation of a new state of affairs but the recognition of what already is. Try to imagine what it will be like to go to sleep and never wake up. Now try to imagine what it was like to wake up having never gone to sleep.” ************* “You have to LET it happen, just like you have to LET yourself go to sleep - you can’t TRY to go to sleep. You have to LET yourself digest your food - you can’t TRY to digest it. And so, in the same way, you have to let yourself wake-up (become liberated).” ************* “Liberated people have to be very cool. Otherwise, in a society which doesn’t believe in equality and cannot possibly practice it, they would be considered extremely subversive.” ************* Professor Alan W. Watts, British-American Philosopher.

[@ADIGOD]

Sounds like everything someone who isn’t and has never felt enlightened would say

[@violetafarcas2852]

It's not called debunking a myth if it's based on Zen. Enlightenment is so much more than a Zen master. It's definitely not separate from the mundane, either (there's a subtle but important assumption that Enlightenment is separate from doing the laundry)

[@spheramide33]

Yea its kinda mindbogling to me how immesly convoluted this topic still is and how every tradition claims almost dogmatically they have the right kind of enlightenment. I suggest to any one who is serious about enlightenment which indeed is a permanent shift to look into the work of Dr. Jeffery A. Martin. He did the largest consciousness study in history, busted all myths and made the most effective protocol there currently is [45 days with a 70% success rate]. The sweetspot between science and spirituality.

[@pulse3554]

It’s so funny how this is such revelation to westerners. The oneness of reality being the simplest introduction. Hinduism (which isn’t really a religion, more so a collection of philosophies) is the tree that the branch of Buddhism lives on, on which Zen is a leaf. Go to the root

[@mikemo4252]

​@@pulse3554Because Western thinking has been subsumed with Rational Materialist Reductionism since the so-called Enlightenment (how ironic)

[@GizzyDillespee]

Not sure why you'd assume that enlightenment is separate from the laundry. Or if not you, then who else do you think might be doing the assuming? The host? He said he's never seen anyone who was fully enlightened all the time. Many people are all love and light during a meditation, or in a controlled environment, but when they go back to doing the chores, there are unenlightened thoughts and emotions creeping back in, and they snowball, and you're off! So, it's a matter of constant vigilance - no resting on your laurels. That was the point of that statement. He then said that if you DO encounter people who make that claim about themselves (they "became enlightened" and now they're enlightened forever), then you should be very suspicious of them and their claims. I would go even further than that - everyone I've ever met, who made that claim, was delusional. If you have a clear mind in that moment (don't want anything from the situation and people, and aren't otherwise preoccupied), then it doesn't usually take long for the signs of self-delusion to arise in the allegedly enlightened one. If it's in a controlled situation (workshop, lecture, supportive interview) a talented delusionist can pass for that long, or else they wouldn't have made it to that level. Did you ever notice that the fully enlightened ones are never part of an established religious organization that could provide oversight and potential validation? It's always freelancers who claim enlightenment.They never follow up with one of the esteemed lamas, or saddhus etc, to challenge this supposedly permanent change, and either authenticate it, or else continue working away to clear their delusions. It's possible that gaining yogic powers could lead to delusions of grandeur, thus becoming an obstacle. It's also possible that there are grifters who assume everyone else on the path is either also a grifter, or else a fool. Some people really do hold that sad attitude, which makes it impossible to relate to other people honestly and openly. The good news is, people learn new ways of relating to the world all the time. But do watch out for those who haven't learned any better way. BTW, I've got nothing to do with zen - not my style at all. I disagree with the host that there are only enlightened "actions", but I suspect it's really a semantics disagreement, and there's no need to clarify those terms, since i'm not a buddhist scholar.

[@matteframe]

an ecstatic experience isn't the same as enlightenment. I think that's the point of the statement.

[@LindaRae.]

Thank you, thank you. I recently had been playing back some of my own enlightened experiences and pondering how and why they faded over time, and missing them. Your presentation helped me reconcile their “losses”. Some of these exceeded what I will call “ordinary enlightened experiences”. Contrary to what others have posited, these times most often came during times of high stress rather than when raising self to a “higher vibration” was encouraged. So, thank you again.

[@enterthevoidIi]

Google spiritual narcissism, forget about enlightenment now 😅

[@DigSamurai]

It's not only that always being in a state of bliss is not possible, you wouldn't want it. There's ample evidence that humans require goals to move towards, something they can barely lift. Without contrast how can you know bliss?

[@wandereroftheabyss-o4l]

Enlightenment could be an absolute affirmation of life which could be achieved through philosophical reflections and active engagement. Whilst suffering would not end, but one would rise above it.

[@shrin210]

Is everyone in the comment section enlightened?

[@wandereroftheabyss-o4l]

I cannot confirm that, but hypothetically I do not think so since vast majority are constantly trying to averse "negative experiences" (which they find discomforting) viz. shame, poverty, disgrace, isolation etc; and constantly seeking after what is "positive experience" viz. wealth, power, relationships, status etc; which in my opinion is an inevitable response for anxiety that causes unnecessary suffering. Another, people cope their pain by going to gym, alcohol, pornography, music, venting emotions to name a few to averse life experiences. This takes away power from the individual and makes it more unbearable of life's adversities. [NS: I think for me enlightenment is just psychological freedom from false beliefs, societal restraints (education, religion, authority) and passions.] A few examples I would give would be Diogenes the Cynic, Socrates, Friedrich Nietzsche, Dostoyevsky, Gautama Buddha, J. Krishnamurti and so on. @@shrin210

[@perspectiveiseverything1694]

Well I always avoided saying I or someone else was "enlightened" bc it seemed so much more mystical & I'm very modest about spiritual matters. But according to this I've been enlightened most of my life. Continue on... ❤️

[@ml3141]

This video is one of the most enlightening about enlightenment! Thank you!!! 👍👍👍 🧡 😆

[@JagadguruSvamiVegananda]

Sings: “It ain’t necessarily so...” 🎤

[@ThaFunkster100]

I find this guy's opinion interesting given that Buddhism was started by the Buddha - a person who achieved a permanent state of enlightenment. Surely Buddha is the example we can look to.

[@hn5460]

this!

[@ViralLabs1]

According to Zen

[@BrothaNeo]

After looking at this video, I now realized that “enlightenment” is much simpler than we are taught it is.

[@360.Tapestry]

we overthink it. especially when we are young and don't understand most things. we start building this high expectation for what it is when we finally get it

[@hn5460]

Lol, nah, it is actually really hard, much harder than you would think, to the point that there are only a handful of people got it at this modern time, and at the same time, it is quite simple, and can come without prior knowledge and education.

[@V1brationCanine]

No, only 1% of the known population is enlightened. And it's not always permanent but if you train like the yogis do or do similar awareness training it is.

[@rvind000]

Its about experiencing & realising the natural of the existence. Which is non-physical.

[@JagadguruSvamiVegananda]

@@rvind000, kindly repeat that in ENGLISH, Miss.☝️ Incidentally, Slave, are you VEGAN? 🌱

[@donald1576]

My first experience with psilocybin mushrooms in the early 70s was a huge dose. While plenty has changed since then, the absolute knowledge of the connection to everything has never subsided. It hasn't stopped me from making all kinds of mistakes in my life LOL. But it's also never lost the calming comfort of that knowledge either. I know it's not for everybody but I'd certainly never discourage anybody from giving the experience of try especially these days

[@mmokhtabad]

The problem with this type of enlightenment is that it's happy with a lie instead of seeking the truth, and the truth is that "there is no global purpose that is backed up by logical thinking"

[@JagadguruSvamiVegananda]

In your own words, define “TRUTH”. ☝️🤔☝️

[@rvind000]

@@JagadguruSvamiVegananda Truth can't be defined, it can be experienced.

[@JagadguruSvamiVegananda]

@@rvind000, what is the thing experienced?

[@ChrisContin]

Push darkness a higher level. 1-Close your eyes, this is subjective darkness. 2-Follow a force to discover two, overlapping truths about yourself, filling the darkness one measure. The subconscious does this mechanically, so it is how "life" is. The consciousness is elevated! I am Bramaya, btw.

[@neon_nana]

I feel so chilled. I just randomly moved to the point of time and it was the beginning of his saying that The Well posted and I read in my algorithm. 2:33 + I can’t agree with it this more. We are in a constant ♾️. In fact, we should be wary of those who claim that they have an answer to life, solution to all. We are in a journey of lifepath. Not a film of Hollywood magic.

[@PixieTheLovableChihuahua]

FIRST 5 seconds just looking at his face a calmness entered my body~ His energy shines through the video!!

[@m.willow11]

There'll always be suffering because the world is imperfect but u absolutely can obtain a state of total peace and complete joy despite it. But for most, the road to true enlightenment is too narrow so they settle for the counterfit scraps at the table of false teachers.

[@matteframe]

we don't suffer because the world is imperfect... we suffer because *we* are imperfect, because we are confused about the nature of reality.. the universe does what it does, and it's our choice to attach concepts like suffering to those events. It's possible to be in pain but not suffer. That's the path.

[@m.willow11]

@@matteframe I agree re our imperfection. But is the world perfect when a major attack of blight ruins acres of crops or a virus / bacteria springs forth killing millions? What about when the clouds don't bring rain to the starving Ethiopians? The world is good, but it is not perfect. But even if it were, the fact that mankind itself is imperfect and currently dominates the world w evil ambition corrupts a perfect world by proxy.

[@matteframe]

The world isn't perfect or imperfect. It just is. Our problem is we want the world to be something it isn't. We want all good things to last forever, and all bad things to never happen. That's why we suffer. Because we don't recognize impermanence -- the ultimate nature of all things. @@m.willow11

[@dvdmon]

@@m.willow11 I would go one further to say that suffering is more about having beliefs and expectations that the world or the individual SHOULD be "perfect" (whatever that means!). When we are constantly met with reality that contradicts what we think should be the case, we suffer. That doesn't mean we can't work to make things better in the sense that we decrease hunger, poverty, etc. But that doesn't mean we have to take a position about the world (or ourselves) being somehow lacking until it fits some ideal. One person's ideal is not the ideal of another person, based on culture, genetics, politics, religion, etc. So we will never have universally "perfect world unless we institure a system whereby everyone is a genetic clone and has the exact same upbringing, personality, goals, values, etc. Rather we can except the world as it is now as perfect in that it's the one that we have, it's the one that exists. You can hold both ideas at once - a perfect world but also do things that add value to the world and its inhabitants as you see fit. Fixating on the problems causes us to suffer. Simply directing our attention to add value does not.

[@hn5460]

@@matteframe "It's possible to be in pain but not suffer. That's the path."

[@simrannisha8793]

This man looks like the epitome of calmness and joy.,more power to you sir.❤

[@LostYogi]

If you have no needs (for love, food, sleep, money, and so on) you are more likely to see what the world truly needs from you, and not what you need from it.

[@akanshakushwaha7947]

Enlightenment I think is knowing your true self and not relying how others do things and act. All matters is your thoughts and acts.

[@energybender]

This is incorrect, if you're familiar with Neem Karoli Baba, Sri Nisargadatta, Ramana Maharshi, Papaji, you can see these people are in constant bliss/ on another level. And the way they speak and act echoes this. You can see it in their faces instantly, it is unmistakable. And their aura.

[@PickleRickDude]

This is neither correct or incorrect, but you made it so.

[@BlueSky-v4d]

Thanks to this VDO, it's come to me that Zen has surpassed the Buddha's teaching. This is way more awesome, and really really realistic.

[@nicvoge2234]

Lots of useful insights here. I had never heard that Suzuki quote, but I would offer a different interpretation. Waldinger classifies an activity as enlightened by its consequences (e.g. bad for the planet). But, Buddhism emphasizes intentions, particularly with respect to one's own actions. Obscurations to enlightenment are ignorance, anger, hate, avarice and craving and attachment to those and other mind-body states. So, I would say that an enlightened activity is defined by NOT being motivated by these forces and instead being shaped and motivated by their opposites or more specifically the five immeasurables or something similar.

[@tammyleung7578]

Englightenment is seeing laundry as laundry. Nothing more, nothing less.

[@artistradio]

When people brag about how enlightened they are, it's a yellow flag for narcissism.

[@brendanrobinson6860]

Jack Kornfield is not a Zen teacher; he isn’t even a Mahayana buddhist.

[@XuanNguyen-nf3bi]

Wow, this is somewhat realistic, i was aggainsted Mr. Robert Waldinger idea at first when he said that there's no enlightment person and through all of his elaboration for that idea in the first 4 mins. But after the quote from Mr. Suzuki appeared, i guess everything is just make sense in its own way. After all, this video is knowledgable and useful for us, approach to a new way of thinking about enlightment. Thankyou, Big Think and Mr. Robert Waldinger.

[@hn5460]

Nah, Robert did not get it at all, even in the fist part of the video he was correct. The second part is where he showed his misunderstanding about enlightenment. You have the ability to understand Vietnamese, and it is an advantage, just go and find books, lectures from master Thích Thanh Từ (recommended) or master Thích Duy Lực to study and to follow, you will hopefully understand enlightenment correctly.

[@maestoso47]

Suzuki’s quote really jives with my experience.

[@Jeebus-un6zz]

The problem with it is that every Buddhist branch believes this but may draw different conclusions than what this man is trying to bring you to. I doubt that even this quote was meant to be viewed in this context.

[@bobandrews605]

best explanation about enlightenment I have found in many years

[@franccescalove52]

In other words, you are part of the void, you are in the void, and you are watching the void. That's enlightenment. The world keeps being crazy, and the wise do not grieve. All you need to do is to stay in the core of the engine----your heart and mind, and you can always find peace.

[@unseekingseeker1359]

I would say, effortlessly bilocating awareness between duality and singularity, breath by breath, in an unending continuum is what enlightenment represents

[@armartin0003]

My takeaway: Be kind. And beware of nice people. (nice being people who pretend to be perfect for their own selfish reasons).

[@quantessenz]

Ah yes, no video about enlightenment without 1000 opinions from other enlightened beings in the comments. I am happy, I am not alone... WITH HAVING AN OPINION! But most important, respect for the opinion of Robert Waldinger and thank you for using your voice in this wilderness!

[@ChiDante]

The issue is mostly the unrequired way of putting things on a pedestal. Enlightenment is also called awakening. And it is the first step of something far greater. Non the less, truly enlightened beings understand the value of sleep and rest. The words are just pointers and not the actual thing. Reality is on a spectrum and the truth of that is just too much for those who still need to rest in a comfortable illusion of certainty. There is always a higher level. And it's a painful thing to be made out of touch but mostly unconscious people cannot bear to accept somebody that has a quality of greatness, as one of them, if they can't see it in themselves. That's why hierarchy is used. People first need to stop with the mental violence of constant comparison. Otherwise they hurt themselves and out of subconscious self-defense they start to attack. The meaning of Namaste!🙏🏻 Is the antidote that needs to be internalized. Whilst STILL!!!(ness) holding the natural awareness of Power that IS!! unique to each . even if yet unknown (and probably always beyond a personhoods understanding) - everpresent

[@Jacobk-g7r]

2:43 enlightenment isnt only about knowing, its about what you do with that enlightenment or how you share it to let others use it. Like how we share the differences using words and then we can find even more differences using the new tools. Its like quantum mechanics and how a thought needs to be grown and go through the differences to be exposed in different ways. Like how we all have different ideas and use language to share them and then grow new words to understand them in more different ways like past tense and future and then even words that have slightly different meanings like synonyms and then antonyms. There is a sharing of energy that happens with enlightenment. Reality shares its differences and then you organize them to see some differences and then those can connect like connect the dots and most people only look at the connections or differences but understanding the balancing and then using the balance to pull it into existence through the differences.

[@Doors_of_janua]

Enlightenment is not an activity, it’s That which holds activity. Good and bad activity are still in the mind. The master said ‘ Not someone!’ So why do you speak of somebody performing actions? It’s a mis representation of what can’t be represented anyway.

[@willieluncheonette5843]

"Enlightenment is a simple realization that everything is as it should be. That is the definition of enlightenment: everything is as it should be, everything is utterly perfect as it is. That feeling...and you are suddenly at home. Nothing is being missed. You are part, an organic part of this tremendous, beautiful whole. You are relaxed in it, surrendered in it. You don´t exist separately - all separation has disappeared. A great rejoicing happens, because with the ego disappearing there is no worry left, with the ego disappearing there is no anguish left, with the ego disappearing there is no possibility of death any more. This is what enlightenment is. It is the understanding that all is good, that all is beautiful - and it is beautiful as it is. Everything is in tremendous harmony, in accord."

[@murray8378]

The other day a guy at work was complaining about all the lazy workers around him. I told him he should appreciate those guys because without them you wouldn’t be a hard worker. Once he can truly appreciate those guys for what they are and sees them as vitally important, he’ll be enlightened in that area. But that’s not going to happen overnight. He has to make conscious decisions everyday to get there. If he does eventually he’ll be “awaken” in that area. Then he’ll need to move on to another area where he’s currently unconscious. I think that’s what the teacher is saying, is to make conscious decisions and eventually you’ll be enlightened in certain areas. But there’s not enough years in a lifetime to be enlightened in every area. Maybe once we live to be 1000 we’ll see our first enlightened person LOL.

[@hn5460]

nah, enlightenment comes as a whole, not in pieces, but it comes with different levels.

[@grandpa_plays_chess2]

I saw a man who had climbed the mountain of enlightenment. When he reached the top, he began to jump. He raised his arms and vigorously jumped. I asked him what he was doing. He replied, "I'm trying to become enlightened." He wasn't aware he was.

[@sora4222]

Thank you, I have had a struggle with the exact assumption that you guys had talked about in this. That really helped me. ❤❤❤

[@robynwells8249]

I don’t really think about enlightenment. I meditate, engage with the world and hope that somehow I can make a small difference.

[@apollocobain8363]

How to be an enlightenment guru: 1. Talk slowly. Talk in circles. Say almost nothing but deliver it with sincerity that borders on arrogance. 2. Speak in tautologies while smiling. The beginner level is Kamala-isms like "Let us take a moment to think about this moment in time and the significance of the passage of time." It's a kind of hypnosis that draws you into a vortex of stupidity where not just words but entire sentences lose meaning. 3. The more advanced level uses the word "actually". Make it sound profound, eg 'We commonly think that X is Y but actually Y is X!" "We may think that omelettes are eggs but actually eggs are omelettes" (And if you are really Zen, they are "Ommmmmmmmm-lets") "People think that blank-mindedness is meditation but actually meditation is blank-mindedness!" 4. Find a room full of Boomers on edibles. Cha-ching!

[@oldieman730]

Well said Sir. You have voiced my understanding and experience.

[@sublimeister9630]

Let me just add that an “Enlightenend Activity” in the Now is always “beyond good and evil.” Pursue Compassion but don’t forget that cruelty is built in the very Nature of Existence. 🙏🏼😊

[@BrendanTietz]

I don’t think someone who’s not enlightened should be explaining enlightenment. I’ll listen to the Buddha himself.

[@simitha6035]

There's always up and downs. An in and out of it. Getting high and falling down afterwards. But any insight from a high, stays after coming down again. What bothered you at first. Doesn't bother you after a high anymore. Because you know the irrelevance of it.

[@kylehamma]

"Suffer what there is to suffer, enjoy what there is to enjoy." -Nichiren

[@360.Tapestry]

eat what there is to eat. poop what there is to poop

[@philgundy4798]

Yes. People can mistake being in a state of bliss for being in a state of enlightenment. Enlightenment is something to experience once, but to imagine you can go through it again, or need to go through it, or need to remain in it, is to mistake what it is. You can remain as a person who has gone through enlightenment, actually you have no choice in the matter, but then you are on your own to carry on with life. I suspect that an 'enlightenened being' is one who wishes to stay on a particular path in life afterwards as an example to others.

[@buddharuci2701]

Well done! I’m delighted. Thank you. Dogen Zenji knew of what he wrote. I’m happy.

[@Robinson8491]

If you're not in pain, and you are awakened; you are in that permanent state of bliss this man says nobody according to zen is

[@lenaalpha456]

Reasonable and clear. Thank you. But anyway it's so tempting to dream about some "highest knowledge" you can achieve somehow )).

[@dhananjaypandya5196]

Would love to see a conversation between Robert Waldinger and Sadhguru. The latter is an Indian mystic with very interesting views on bliss.

[@shrin210]

Gurus like Sadhguru are just therapy teachers. They just give you environment for stressed people bcoz community makes you feel better. But actually in bliss state, you are happy with yourself. So why is Sadhguru forming a community?

[@Galvvy]

For thousands of years, everyone telling you about awakening has never awakened, they've just heard it from someone else who heard it from someone else. Just food for thought.

[@tightfight12]

That’s feeling of simultaneous oneness and difference with the world around. When we embrace this idea then laundry also becomes an act of enlightenment. No activity is small or big…the enlightened one starts feeling the nuances and realism in it thus demystifying the esoterism involved. In an enlightened person one can find the contradictory experience of unity and diversity playing harmoniously. This state is not a hypothetical one but to the degree one gets to this state one keeps feeling even simple acts as enlightened ones and in this way he spreads the positive vibrations around. Even simple acts ensuing from that self becomes simple acts of deep compassion and thus has the power to touch other’s heart to the core.

[@katherinekelly6432]

Enlightenment is the successful resolution of being born into a paradox that requires a person to do two or more contradictory things at the same time successfully. Holding on tight while being able to let go with equanimity. Fighting to the death with dignity and tranquility. It is being all dualities simultaneously so that one is living a non-duality life in a dualistic universe. The pursuit of this state is the only true purpose in life. It is why human beings were created. To achieve enlightenment. Much of what human beings create is the subconscious attempt to achieve enlightenment (Understanding/Resolution of the Paradox). This is the primary purpose of spirituality. Every human being is compelled to become enlightened, but few achieve it. One reason is due to the limits of language. Language is an obstacle because it is linear. It cannot encapsulate the non-duality (dualistic nature of existence). Human beings are God trying to know itself, but this curses human beings into thinking they ARE Gods.

[@elsoil3387]

People on the Advaita Vedanta path might disagree. Apparently Ramana Maharshi was in this constant state of bliss, even while attending to kitchen duties. He encourages that state as a form of surrender to his followers so that mundane work carries on by itself, as it were. I've read of a few devotees where that actually happened...

[@JamesRichardWiley]

Enlightenment is the discovery that your brain is transforming the energy that surrounds you and flows through you into the sensation of a solid world that surrounds you with your physical body in the center just like in your dreams at night.

[@Edward-f3j]

Nice

[@sheridanhonore3712]

Everyone with an interest in this topic should read After The Ecstasy, The Laundry by Jack Kornfield. This book will clear up a lot of misconceptions that people have concerning the ideas surrounding enlightenment.

[@K.M-H-lk9cl]

So glad to see Jack’s book mentioned!

[@et4213]

Enlightenment - learning to enjoy or keep peace in work and suffering, to work in a way that gives to others

[@PietroColombo-em5mz]

The most wise words, ever heard about the topic🍀💙🌹

[@garylarson4415]

I still tend to think that enlightenment refers to an expanded higher state of consciousness- not just an 'enlightened" outlook on things. For evidence of this read "Awakening the Kundalini " by Gopi Krisna.

[@nolansutherland3502]

Great video. All these comments about this being a correct or incorrect characterization miss the point. My own personal conception, from someone who has felt enlightenment and the healing it can facilitate, is that it helps you be a better person in this messed up thing we call life. Again, the laundry needs to be done, the crying toddler needs compassion, the bills need to be paid. All of which is just part of life and enlightenment allows you to enjoy the struggle. Life is suffering, it’s a meat grinder for something better after life. It whittles the soul, and whether you let it create something ugly and angry or something happy and beautiful is up to you and how you deal. Hopefully through that understanding, aka enlightenment.

[@DavidCraig-go1zv]

With God, all things are possible.

[@willd7858]

Carl Jung once said: “One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of lights, but by making the darkness conscious”.

[@edgarmorales4476]

Enlightenment can come in various ways-it can come as a mind-blowing experience which immediately transforms our perception of the SOURCE of BEING and our previous intellectual understanding of the world. Or-through persistent study of the Christ Letters, A Course In Miracles and A Course Of Love, little moments of extraordinary insight, little times of illumining shafts of LIGHT will enter our mind which will shift the focus of our inner sight-or clear the lens through which we see the world and judge the validity of all its opinions and beliefs. But True Enlightenment is the inflow of Universal Consciousness (what many "God," "Allah," "Jehovah"-etc) into our human consciousness which we will never lose and which permanently transforms our attitudes to the Creator and life generally. Gradually, we shed the illusions which previously blinded us and we find ourselves gaining mastery of our mind and actions, leading to wholeness in every aspect of our individual being. Walking the CHRIST WAY-as set out in the Christ Letters, A Course In Miracles and A Course Of Love-is a lifetime work leading directly to freedom from anxiety and want. As we read, we will find in them the Presence of Jesus and the Love of Jesus.

[@_lonelywolf]

Enlightenment starts with planting a seed which is the realization of Sunyata, which also forces one to relinquish all views regarding the nature of ultimate reality. Furthermore such a seed or realization can be deepened and cultivated by undoing old mental and psychological habits and reflexes using the power of meditation or self-observation moment to moment. In other words, although enlightenment always starts with a spark or planting a seed, cultivating it becomes a lifelong process in everyday life.

[@schadenfreude6274]

Video: Talks about Enlightenment 🙂 Comments: Taking LSD is Good. 😂

[@indigowendigo8464]

I am not enlightened when I judge others. I am enlightened when I eat a western omelet with chopsticks

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

You are urged to become VEGAN, since carnism (the destructive ideology that supports the use and consumption of animal products, especially for “food”) is arguably the foremost existential crisis.🌱

[@JustAWatcher73]

Sage Ramana Maharshi was fully enlightened all the time 🙏🏽

[@messier_33]

"He who says he knows, know that he does not know" - Upnishad

[@et4213]

Weird how so many natural structures take on the shape of electricity, roots, rivers, neurons, branches, veins and arteries, man made road systems to an extent

[@MrSunrise-]

Fractal structures are everywhere.

[@martinspiering5817]

I think this is a good start, but it's skipping over the fundamental (conceptual) paradox that although ultimately there's not a person that can "self-improve," improvement is possible. And as far as I know, Jack Kornfield is not a Zen teacher--he's practiced mainly in the Theravada tradition. But his book After the Ecstasy the Laundry is indeed excellent.

[@moderncontemplative]

I concur with Jack Kornfield who wrote an article: "Enlightenments, not enlightenment".

[@danfunk5505]

I read a letter to the editor thanking Buddha for his love of humankind in setting up "Enlightenment" ( a white lie of a goal, a reason.) in order to get people to meditate and become calmer, kinder and more open minded.

[@strangelaw6384]

2:29 the speaker and we all know that's not what he meant by that, but I appreciate it

[@Jacobk-g7r]

3:25 Yeah, the times you lash out or show a difference, reflect and understand and then use it to guide it into something else. Maybe like how kids stomp the feet on the floor, go punch a bag, or like an artist, paint the pain and release it. Thats why screaming and crying are types of release and then you reflect. You can do whatever and thats why the errors are allowed, because there are no errors but the difference can be seen that way and so we see the past and future are the same way, only a difference from the current.

[@allenmorgan4309]

I live in what people call an altered state all the time. I am enlightened. I am in all and all are in me. Everything is connected but it goes even deeper because everything exists within everything else and everything is the reflection of everything else. The whole is reflected within its parts and each part is a whole. When you say perfectly evolved is a misconception because there is no so called "perfectly evolved" person because everything is already perfect and whole in and of itself. It is not about evolving or becoming. Enlightenment is simply seeing reality for how it truly is and everything comes down to energy and consciousness which is what we are in our essence.

[@randomvicky939]

Omg ! Finally someone speaking the truth… Aleluia !

[@richardbond4496]

Individuals on KZbin who expound on the nature of enlightenment are akin to beggars residing in cardboard boxes offering advice on how to amass a fortune. This scenario mirrors the biblical analogy that Jesus used - the blind leading the blind, inevitably leading both into the pit of duality and conditioned thinking.

[@yashwantkumarjoshi4174]

A very good analysis, live the actual reality of enlightenment apart, for the practical world in which we are living today the attainment of enlightenment is practice of love to mankind and compassion. Whether the Zen philosophy, the Buddhist teachings of compassion, the principle of non violence in Jainism, the Jesus divine words to love mankind and the doctrine of Sarve Bhavantu Sukkhinah followed in Hinduism. They all indicate towards one goal that is to live with kindness and this is what the real enlightenment is.

[@gavinsmith28]

Correlates with true mystical traditions, thanks.

[@miguelangelleonabarca2921]

Very good video. Really. I was looking for it. Feel much more relaxed now. Thank you