Challenge Encountered While Doing Enlightenment Work

[Axel]

Hi forum,

I've been doing enlightenment work for quite some time and the challenge I am facing right now is that I notice that I am constantly transitioning between deep peace and then going back to "sleep". But that experience of deep peace is really short, like for a few seconds. Does anyone know what is going on? Is this normal?

Also, what other challenges have you guys faced before or are facing right now while doing the enlightenment work? Just curious =)

With love and thanks,
Axel

[Azrael]

48 minutes ago, Axel said:

Does anyone know what is going on? Is this normal?

Basically you'll encounter a lot of strange things on this journey because you - the ego - will begin to break down and more layers of bullshit get cut through from month to month. The game between being in peace and going back to sleep is one that will follow you through for some time. I have whole phases of like weeks and months in which I feel completely enlightened and I have other ones in which I am completely asleep and suffering a lot.

Having this for some time basically tells you that neither the phase of peace nor the phase of sleep is something you want to constantly manifest or get rid of. Because this doesn't work this way. Life is peace and sleep, terror and love. What will change is that awareness will develop around these things and you see how they "play with each other" - so you transform to a state of seeing through this and this calms you down a lot.

So, everything normal here. Just go on. Have fun!

[Mal]

42 minutes ago, Arik said:

Life is peace and sleep, terror and love. What will change is that awareness will develop around these things and you see how they "play with each other" - so you transform to a state of seeing through this

Beautifully explained. 

Yes and yes. Enlightenment is not about getting rid of any of these things. It's all about changing our relationship to it.

That's the beauty of this path, that the happiness we seek has always been the case. Nirvana is samsara, they are one. 

Mal

[Axel]

1 hour ago, Arik said:

Basically you'll encounter a lot of strange things on this journey because you - the ego - will begin to break down and more layers of bullshit get cut through from month to month. The game between being in peace and going back to sleep is one that will follow you through for some time. I have whole phases of like weeks and months in which I feel completely enlightened and I have other ones in which I am completely asleep and suffering a lot.

Having this for some time basically tells you that neither the phase of peace nor the phase of sleep is something you want to constantly manifest or get rid of. Because this doesn't work this way. Life is peace and sleep, terror and love. What will change is that awareness will develop around these things and you see how they "play with each other" - so you transform to a state of seeing through this and this calms you down a lot.

I see. Thank you very much for sharing your insight and experience!

[Axel]

34 minutes ago, Mal said:

Yes and yes. Enlightenment is not about getting rid of any of these things. It's all about changing our relationship to it.

Thanks mal for the clarification!