ENLIGHTENMENT
Enlightenment is a word that is often heard in this awakening. It is a word that has been used throughout the ages to signify an advanced state of spirituality, even saintliness. From one point of view enlightenment is a function of one's state of consciousness. When one transcends the limitations of the consciousness available in the states of sleeping, dreaming, and waking to experience and stabilize a permanent experience of pure consciousness, a permanent experience of one's true Self as pure consciousness, then one has achieved a state of enlightenment.Enlightenment is that state in which you experience the truth of your Self. It is a state of stable, all time, connectedness with the absolute basis of existence that is your true Self. That Self is indestructible. It is unbounded. It is you yet it is greater than you. Enlightenment is knowing yourself to be inseparable from the eternal, formless One Life from which springs all that exists
From this perspective, enlightenment is the knowledge of who and what we are coupled with the desire and ability to continuously grow toward our unlimited potential while becoming ever more effective in helping others to achieve this state of being themselves. In truth every human being is enlightened at their most fundamental existential level, but that truth is seldom experienced and appreciated. Lack of awareness of this fact is due to individual consciousness being focused on or absorbed by attention to the things and processes of the relative manifest realm.
When one is enlightened, and even as one progresses toward that state, we become able to produce more harmony and love in our environment because we live, think, and act on the basis of the harmony and love emanating from that ultimate level of our being. Enlightenment then is the development of direct contact with our true nature and with the source of all creation, God if you will, at the level of our Being which is the level of Being itself. Enlightenment is bringing our will into alignment with all the laws of nature which is to say into alignment with God's intention for us.
Enlightenment is that evolution of the fullness of life whereby the potential of life becomes an actuality. The potential for unbounded spiritual development is the promise of evolution. Enlightenment is the actualization of that potential. Every step toward enlightenment is a step in the direction of evolution.
Enlightenment grows through practicing meditation and other forms of communication with the higher Self. It also grows through such practices as choosing to cultivate love, compassion, forgiveness, gratitude, respect for others, and positive attitudes toward others, ourselves, and life. There are many paths to enlightenment. Each of us needs to find and use that which is best for us at that moment. Basically we are all enlightened beings, but most of us are just not aware of it yet
Enlightenment is the birthright of every human being. Enlightenment is our destiny. Ultimately it is impossible not to become enlightened. The purpose of a human life is to reach the fullness of Being. To reach that fullness is enlightenment. The process of gaining enlightenment, however, involves every step of progress toward greater levels of spirituality. Enlightenment is both a process and a state of Being. The flow of life by itself carries us there, but we can decide to move with that flow.
Enlightenment is also a collective phenomenon. As we progress along the path of enlightenment, a new age dawns. This will be an age of unity and diversity together, coherence, harmony, peace, prosperity, health, and happiness for all. Our lives will be transformed. More accurately we will transform our lives, our social institutions, and our culture.
In the final analysis enlightenment is the ability to experience every moment of our lives with courage, creativity, peace, vibrancy, and love.
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