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Discussion => Newbie discussion => Topic started by: Basquiat57 on August 20, 2013, 08:12 pm

Title: The Enlightenment Manifesto By Basquiat
Post by: Basquiat57 on August 20, 2013, 08:12 pm
For thousands of years, human's have always been in pursuit of a mythical holy grail, the perfect state of being. Some say this pursuit started with the Buddha's now famous proclamation "I am Enlightened", however a close study of our past suggests that enlightenment or at least the idea of enlightenment, has been around way before the Buddha ever set foot on earth.

So what is enlightenment anyway? Enlightenment goes hand in hand with the notion of an absolute Truth. An undeniable experience of the Glory of Everything. The sudden realization of the Oneness.

BUT
Could the idea of enlightenment just be the child of humanity's insecurity regarding reality? Could it be that enlightenment is just our way of dealing with a harsh reality? A lie orchestrated to keep us from being depressed by the bland reality that is life, sort of like how parents lie to children about Santa?

I say yes, and no.

Enlightenment means different things to different people. To a person who sees enlightenment as a sudden, magical experience where God's Absolute Truth shines on you, forever changing you to the perfect Man, then you could compare it to Santa or the Tooth Fairy. And sadly, I can bet my life's savings that none of us have or will ever see the white bearded man in red. However, some people view enlightenment quite differently. Some people see it as a slow development of knowledge, wisdom and acceptance. "Ok, that seems more realistic right" Still you may ask,"knowledge, wisdom and acceptance of what exactly?"
Life.

Life is the type of thing that can't be given a straight and undebatable definition. Through living, we all learn and determine what life means to us. Naturally, our conclusions on what life means will differ. So if that's the case shouldn't the meaning of Enlightenment be the same? Precisely. That's the magic of it. I believe enlightenment doesn't have to be some supernatural change that happens like the strike of lightening from Thor's hammer (Lol). It is an everyday thing. Through living (learning), experience (wisdom) and acceptance of your own life, you become enlightened. It is about discovering YOUR Truth. To me that's magical, and it beats any myth about walking on water or glowing in the dark.

I believe accepting this very fact is enlightenment on its own.

Lol so life isn't so bland after all!
What are your views?


Basquiat