Enlightenment Is Bullshit

[ULFBERHT]

Admittedly, the title to this post is somewhat clickbait-y, but that is genuinely my feeling at the moment. I'm feeling strong resistance to this concept of enlightenment. Should I meditate on that? 

What's the point in doing this work anyway? After scrolling through this part of the forum it seems that not many people are very different from me in their seeking, wanting to associate with ideas/ concepts/ people, pointing fingers, moralizing about what's right or wrong, etc. And even if that weren't the case, what difference does it make anyway? The world doesn't need me to be enlightened. The world doesn't need me, or any of us, period.

I'm also afraid that I'm getting too caught up with Leo and his ideas and that scares me. I can feel myself identifying with his brand and that frustrates me. I've been burned in that regard a few times before and I'm doing my best to avoid that trap. I can feel my physical reaction when I read criticism of ideas I've been introduced to here, and that's concerning as well. I feel like I'm gonna spend all this time meditating and shit and in the end it'll all be for nothing. And not the cool kind of nothing, but like wild goose chase nothing.

As I'm typing this I'm also beginning to notice how maybe all of these criticisms I'm projecting outward are somehow a mirror of something going on internally. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I feel like my internal dialogue and my resistance to enlightenment are telling somehow.

Thoughts? Not trying to malign Leo, the people in here, or the work that people are doing. Just thinking out loud.

[ULFBERHT]

Just realized this post immediately follows one of a similar topic and title. My bad! Would still appreciate responses though.

[Primeval]

I am not Enlightened. I question sometimes if there even is a permanent state like Nirvana. But as far as meditation goes, it's like going to the gym but for your mind. You go to the gym and work out, then you take that strength and fitness gained out into the world. Well same deal with meditation; You sit each day and your focus/attention and peace of mind etc increases.

[Prabhaker]

11 minutes ago, ULFBERHT said:

What's the point in doing this work anyway?

Enlightenment has no function, it has no utility, it is not a means to some end. It is enough unto itself. It is such a contentment, such deep satisfaction with oneself and the cosmos, such a strong let-go, that you don’t have to do anything. Just being is more than you can have conceived – the joy of just being, the blissfulness of just being.

[Emerald]

14 minutes ago, ULFBERHT said:

Admittedly, the title to this post is somewhat clickbait-y, but that is genuinely my feeling at the moment. I'm feeling strong resistance to this concept of enlightenment. Should I meditate on that? 

What's the point in doing this work anyway? After scrolling through this part of the forum it seems that not many people are very different from me in their seeking, wanting to associate with ideas/ concepts/ people, pointing fingers, moralizing about what's right or wrong, etc. And even if that weren't the case, what difference does it make anyway? The world doesn't need me to be enlightened. The world doesn't need me, or any of us, period.

I'm also afraid that I'm getting too caught up with Leo and his ideas and that scares me. I can feel myself identifying with his brand and that frustrates me. I've been burned in that regard a few times before and I'm doing my best to avoid that trap. I can feel my physical reaction when I read criticism of ideas I've been introduced to here, and that's concerning as well. I feel like I'm gonna spend all this time meditating and shit and in the end it'll all be for nothing. And not the cool kind of nothing, but like wild goose chase nothing.

As I'm typing this I'm also beginning to notice how maybe all of these criticisms I'm projecting outward are somehow a mirror of something going on internally. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I feel like my internal dialogue and my resistance to enlightenment are telling somehow.

Thoughts? Not trying to malign Leo, the people in here, or the work that people are doing. Just thinking out loud.

It's good that you're becoming aware of these traps. You especially don't want to get hemmed into getting too hooked on one teacher's perspective. It's most natural to go in and out of resonance with spiritual teachers on this path. Getting hooked on one limits your ability to progress. I think realizing what motivates you toward enlightenment is important too. At the root of everything, everyone is seeking happiness and fulfillment. But despite the fact that enlightenment entails complete happiness and fulfillment, there are often unconscious middleman mindsets that hi-jack our intentions. That's why knowing your true intentions is key. Some people seek enlightenment because they want to feel special or wise. Some others seek it because they want something new to happen. Some others seek it because they hate their life and want to end their suffering. Others still seek it because of curiosity. Many are not aware of these underlying reasons. But none of these intentions are very "pure" and are rooted in ego. They are coming from a desire for things to be other than they are. So, I recommend chucking out the IDEA of enlightenment and simply seeking to perceive what is true beyond all assumptions and beliefs. 

[JustinS]

@ULFBERHT As soon as I've slowly gotten ridden of my perception of enlightenment things have started to become smoother. More happiness and fulfillment just within this framework of body. I'd recommend try getting off the internet or stop reading anything on enlightenment for 3 weeks. Just be wherever you are at, and enjoy what is right in front of you. See how that feels afterwards.

[Extreme Z7]

@ULFBERHT I don't want to speak of enlightenment too much but I will say that all doubts and skepticism is normal on the enlightenment journey. The reason why I don't let them get to me though is because my higher intuition and direct experience tell me that there is something to spiritual enlightenment and I recognize just how much my own thoughts about reality is irrelevant.

[Malelekakis]

6 hours ago, ULFBERHT said:

Admittedly, the title to this post is somewhat clickbait-y, but that is genuinely my feeling at the moment. I'm feeling strong resistance to this concept of enlightenment. Should I meditate on that? 

What's the point in doing this work anyway? After scrolling through this part of the forum it seems that not many people are very different from me in their seeking, wanting to associate with ideas/ concepts/ people, pointing fingers, moralizing about what's right or wrong, etc. And even if that weren't the case, what difference does it make anyway? The world doesn't need me to be enlightened. The world doesn't need me, or any of us, period.

I'm also afraid that I'm getting too caught up with Leo and his ideas and that scares me. I can feel myself identifying with his brand and that frustrates me. I've been burned in that regard a few times before and I'm doing my best to avoid that trap. I can feel my physical reaction when I read criticism of ideas I've been introduced to here, and that's concerning as well. I feel like I'm gonna spend all this time meditating and shit and in the end it'll all be for nothing. And not the cool kind of nothing, but like wild goose chase nothing.

As I'm typing this I'm also beginning to notice how maybe all of these criticisms I'm projecting outward are somehow a mirror of something going on internally. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I feel like my internal dialogue and my resistance to enlightenment are telling somehow.

Thoughts? Not trying to malign Leo, the people in here, or the work that people are doing. Just thinking out loud.

Two quotes that may help you: enlightenment is not about being better than anybody else,it is about befriending yourself and another nice funny quote :after enlightenment the laundry

Edited October 28, 2016 by Malelekakis

[Shin]

The point of enlightenment ?

Identification with everything and everyone as yourself which leads to infinite happiness ?

 

[Bob84]

10 hours ago, ULFBERHT said:

What's the point in doing this work anyway? After scrolling through this part of the forum it seems that not many people are very different from me in their seeking, wanting to associate with ideas/ concepts/ people, pointing fingers, moralizing about what's right or wrong, etc. And even if that weren't the case, what difference does it make anyway? The world doesn't need me to be enlightened. The world doesn't need me, or any of us, period.

Enlightenment is about letting go, including the idea of enlightenment itself. In that scene, there is no point.
A other option is to develop a ego that believe its enlightened. Which is a contradiction on itself.

Edited October 28, 2016 by Bob84
spelling

[cetus]

1 hour ago, Shin said:

Identification with everything and everyone as yourself which leads to infinite happiness ?

 

@Shin Your sort of on the right track. Lets call it your first taste of something other than you. Take that idea of self identifying with everything and realize it as everything is happening within awareness. It is not my awareness or your awareness, but a universal field of awareness.  Surrender what is you until only pure awareness remains.  there is no you or dog or identification or everyone or happy ect.,ect. I can tell you from personal experience that for years I realized myself as being one with the universe. While that is true on some level, there was still a me that remained to be at one with the universe. So I was on the right track, but I didn't take it deep enough to realize that there was no truth to a me that is thinking it to be at one with the universe.     But nice first taste anyway. Keep digging deeper, your getting there!

 

 

 

 

[The]

Bro enlightenment is just selling your soul.. How much is yours worth

[cetus]

1 hour ago, Kayako said:

Bro enlightenment is just selling your soul.. How much is yours worth

This is all spiritual ego talking here. Who has taught you this? Will eternal damnation of the soul be mentioned next?

Transcend that BS. There is only God. Don't fragment God into little pieces of this, that and the other, or good vs. bad. Separation is the root of all suffering.

Have you ever directly experienced what you refer to as "your soul"? If you have, you noticed there is no "You" in it to sell anything.

 

 

[ajasatya]

@ULFBERHT don't do it. it's frustrating because we need to deal with the very source of our frustrations.

it can be disturbing, stressful and sad. all the lies you keep telling yourself about yourself will pop up and you'll have to admit you've been lying to yourself for quite a while.

if you stop by and do what we try to do here, there will be pain. why are you doing it? this won't make you a better person.

[cetus]

16 hours ago, ULFBERHT said:

As I'm typing this I'm also beginning to notice how maybe all of these criticisms I'm projecting outward are somehow a mirror of something going on internally. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I feel like my internal dialogue and my resistance to enlightenment are telling somehow.

Haha I went through all this too. Denial is the ego's defense mechanism.  Keep pushing until you crack that shell. Your so close!

16 hours ago, ULFBERHT said:

Not trying to malign Leo, the people in here, or the work that people are doing. Just thinking out loud.

No, not at all. It's a process that everyone handles in their own way. 

[ULFBERHT]

@Emerald Wilkins Damn that's a really good insight. Thank you! I really like following you on this forum. Please continue your contributions.

[ULFBERHT]

On ‎10‎/‎28‎/‎2016 at 11:25 PM, JustinS said:

@ULFBERHT As soon as I've slowly gotten ridden of my perception of enlightenment things have started to become smoother. More happiness and fulfillment just within this framework of body. I'd recommend try getting off the internet or stop reading anything on enlightenment for 3 weeks. Just be wherever you are at, and enjoy what is right in front of you. See how that feels afterwards.

@JustinS Yes I actually limit my time on this area of the forum and on Leo's related videos to avoid too much buildup of any potentially limiting framework. Thank you for your insight.

[ULFBERHT]

@Extreme Z7

On ‎10‎/‎28‎/‎2016 at 11:47 PM, Extreme Z7 said:

@ULFBERHT I don't want to speak of enlightenment too much but I will say that all doubts and skepticism is normal on the enlightenment journey. The reason why I don't let them get to me though is because my higher intuition and direct experience tell me that there is something to spiritual enlightenment and I recognize just how much my own thoughts about reality is irrelevant.

Yeah the only justification I can give for "seeking" enlightenment is that I'm intuitively compelled to do so. I can't give a logical reason because I'm avoiding like the plague any framework that would allow me to. I think maybe because I'm so tired of one set of dogma or the other that the thought of breaking free from all of that is tempting.

[ULFBERHT]

@John Flores

On ‎10‎/‎28‎/‎2016 at 7:11 PM, John Flores said:

Enlightenment is the "I don't give a Sh#% realization"

lol nice

[ULFBERHT]

@cetus56 Lol I think the thing I can be thankful for in this moment is that I have just the smallest, almost imperceptible amount of awareness to notice what's going on in my mind while I'm doing this work. Gotta start somewhere, right? Thanks for your responses!