What Are Signs Of Progress And Stagnation In The Path To Enlightenment?

[WaterfallMachine]

People have talked about them state of enlightenment itself, but has anyone actually talked about what happens slowly in the path to it? Does any even small benefit happen along the way or do the benefits only come at the end? What changes to worldview, emotions and actions does it cause in the progression over time? 

I ask first because I'm curious and second because if I know the signs of progress, then I might be able to notice if I'm being stuck in the traps to enlightenment Leo mentions in his videos. In the other way of thinking, what are signs of stagnation in this? Of following too much some status quo or close mindedness in your mind and not being aware of it?

Or are the signs too tricky to name and I have to find out myself?

 

[WelcometoReality]

@WaterfallMachine There are realizations all along the way and I don't think they end after enlightenment.

Be aware of these two traps:

Seeking trap. Searching for truth outside yourself. That means in books, videos and so on. Turn the attention inwards towards the source. I don't mean not to read books etc but those books are not the truth. They at best point to the truth. Take everything you read about it and ground it in your own experience and if you can't, forget about it!

Stagnation trap. At some point you might feel like you are stagnating. You stop being interested in spirituality. You might feel like you should abandon your practice and start with a new practice in another tradition. Or you start searching for new techniques or new information. Stagnation can be progression. Certainly if that stagnation is followed with a complete stop. 

 

 

[jse]

1 hour ago, WaterfallMachine said:

What Are Signs Of Progress And Stagnation In The Path To Enlightenment?

They look like this:

[eputkonen]

For me, there is no path to enlightenment.  Upon awakening, you clearly realize that all of that time you spent in the process of freeing yourself from bondage was the delusion of bondage itself.  All that "progress" was yet another illusion of the mind...it did not help you see through the illusions of the mind.  Enlightenment is sudden and complete (as they say in Zen).  Once the bottom of the bucket falls out...all the water goes with it.  I add...it should not have to be said that it never holds water again.

Most (if not all) of the illusions and delusions of the mind are tied to this idea of "me".  Just delve into that - who/what are you?  Realize who/what you really are (deeply/wholely, not just mentally)...the rest falls away.