Am I enlightened?

[lekatt]

@gurujulp

Thanks!

I do not think that the physical being that just typed that question will ever entirely lose it’s sense of individuality, as I don’t think that even the most enlightened folk have entirely eradicated personality/self, but I do understand that is the goal.

Whether or not it is possible is something I am curious about. It may not truly possible or even desirable…

As OP stated, ‘ego’ and intelligence go hand in hand, and it may be that in order to achieve a high enough intelligent consciousness to desire enlightenment we need to have a complex enough sense of self to need to discard it. This would make it a rather difficult prospect to entirely eradicate that sense of individuality.

Personally, I really like that I have experienced that ‘clear’ feeling only temporarily. I kind of like being me, even though I am constantly aware of radical change in what I think of as me. I appreciate the separate specialness of myself as an individual even more for having experienced that.

I do wish that I could induce that ‘clear’ feeling easier, though. It comes rarely- and definitely not enough to keep me on the straight and narrow…

Which is why I am loving even typing about it. Folks I know in RL tend to look at me like a nutjob if I discuss this sort of thing, even though they can rationally discuss eating the body of Christ and transubstantiation like it is nothing…

Thanks, I wanted to know your feelings on this subject and find they are much like mine. I can meditate to the “higher” self as desired. The information I have gathered all indicates we will always remain individuals, we will always know who we are and why. Most folks here think the same way, looking upon the spiritual people as deluded. We just don’t fit into the religious or the science frame of thinking having had personal experiences to the contrary. I am used to it by now. I invite you to visit my site, found in the profile. There are like minded people posting there.

[lekatt]

@goodie

I don’t know about including this whole “getting past physical suffering” thing with any kind of enlightenment. You can learn to disregard mental anguish, emotional stuff, but I say, feel your physical pain, acknowledge it, just try to be as useful as you can to yourself and others while it’s going on. I don’t know if it is worth the effort to try to ignore pains existence. But this is from a person who must alert relatives in 3 states if I so much as rip a fingernail.

But I guess I want to talk more about the possibility that freidah35 is any more enlightened than anyone else. Is self examination a crucial step to enlightenment? I don’t know anymore. I think it’s more about trying to stop re-shaping the universe to fit your needs and wants and trying to re-grow yourself into something that fits better into the universe. But, in a strange way, I think that to do this I need to learn more about the round hole that I am trying to fit into than the square peg that I am.

But you know, people change how they look at things, I thought I was a fount of wisdom at 16 when I wrote “Know Thyself” in black magic marker on my bedroom wall. Right next to my Abraham Lincoln quote and my picture of my boyfriend. I knew just about everything.

I don’t see anything wrong with your approach to life, honesty, candor, seeking truth, these are the things that lead to “enlightenment.” In fact they are enlightenment. How well I remember the days of my intelligent youth. People change their views do to gained knowledge, and I don’t believe “change” will ever change. Really enjoy your posts.

[lekatt]

Looks like this thread is slowing down, maybe ending. It has been a very good one for me. Seems like out of adversity comes great knowledge. I found this link I thought might be appropriate. Hope we have some more on similar subjects.

Could a 'second chance' really work?

[Autolycus]

I see Buddhism as a leaf on a serene, vast Ocean. Christianity brings up images of non-consuming fire. Sorta like ‘the secret fire’ that Gandalf mentioned. I think both can lead towards enlightenment.

I don’t have much to say I guess. I just wanted to post so I’d have something to show for reading all five fascinating pages of this thread. Also, welcome to the boards Friedah35.