Leo's Practical Guide To Enlightenment

[Hunter Arrington]

1 hour ago, Acharya said:

@Hunter Arrington I don't mean the "dull" person, but one with genetical issues and/or with physically menomated brain. The one that might not even imagine what "to concentrate the effort single-mindedly" is.

From a scientific standpoint, it certainly might be able to be figured out. I know of a guy who has a neurological genetic issue that experiences infinity, and has insights on what seems to be an experience of god. He also tries to explain what Jesus meant and the teachings of the Buddha. I think this whole enlightenment thing is more scientific than we know.  

Edited January 7, 2017 by Hunter Arrington

[philosogi]

1 hour ago, Hunter Arrington said:

I think this whole enlightenment thing is more scientific than we know.

Isn't science just a tool to study reality?

[Hunter Arrington]

8 minutes ago, philosogi said:

Isn't science just a tool to study reality?

I don't know. Is it? 

[Leo Gura]

8 hours ago, Acharya said:

Can a mentally handicapped person reach enlightenment?  Would you please explain me this "idea" thing? 

@Leo Gura

Probably not, although who knows. I would guess one needs a basic level of intelligent capacity to do this work. One has to be smart enough just understand what is being pointed at.

6 hours ago, zoli1964 said:

@Leo Gura

what purpose have meditation and body training if everything is an illusion?

why are u continue with your everyday life as once u experienced the TRUTH (enlightenment)?

1) It can be a tool to reach the realization that everything is an illusion. Or you can just do it to function smoother within the illusion.

2) Why wouldn't I? Everyday life is identical to enlightenment.

 

[zoli1964]

10 minutes ago, Leo Gura said:

1) It can be a tool to reach the realization that everything is an illusion. Or you can just do it to function smoother within the illusion.

2) Why wouldn't I? Everyday life is identical to enlightenment.

1. like an antivirus, that is funny, that made my smile for today, thank you.

2. i don't get it exactly, what do u mean by Everyday life is identical to enlightenment.

[Leo Gura]

@zoli1964 There is no difference between enlightenment and non-enlightenment, or anything else.

This is not possible to understand until you have a deep enlightenment experience. So don't worry about it.

[WorthyBird]

On 1/7/2017 at 11:11 AM, Hunter Arrington said:

I think this whole enlightenment thing is more scientific than we know.  

Yes I believe this warrants further discussion and that there is no reason to hold "enlightenment work" as anti-scientific. Advances in scientific discovery seem to corroborate the insistences produced by enlightenment or direct consciousness experiences. 

For example, the non-existence of a "self entity" is a pretty plain psychological fact, and modern physics seems to be making continuous advances regarding the interconnectedness of particles and even the non-existence of public objects sitting in space.

“A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness." - Albert Einstein

 

 

 

 

 

 

[FirstglimpseOMG]

Hiya. Wow. I think it's a little mind-boggling that a discussion of this nature and magnitude is only a few clicks away for the curious. This is all spreading like wildfire. The species and planet might have a chance in hell after all.

[30secs]

hey that's Tarsier that can be found here in the southeastern part of the Philippines:)

[Key Elements]

12 Basic Qualities of an Enlightened Person 

by:

Charles Francis Author of “Mindfulness Meditation Made Simple: Your Guide to Finding True Inner Peace”

 

“If you think you are enlightened, go home for Thanksgiving.” — Ram Dass

We sometimes say that some people are enlightened, but do we really know what that means? We might say that because they are kind, loving, and insightful. While these may indeed be qualities of an enlightened person, it’s hard to be sure unless we ourselves are enlightened.

I’ve been on a spiritual path most of my life, and in my experience I’ve seen how people are transformed through spiritual practices. Here is a list of qualities that most of them attain. This is not a comprehensive list, but I think it contains some of their most prominent qualities.

Keep in mind that there are varying degrees of enlightenment. That is, everyone is at a different point in his spiritual development, and some may be more enlightened than others. Also, these qualities can be possessed by both men and women. Enlightenment is not exclusive to either sex.

1. Happiness

The enlightened person is happy and joyful. He has a cheerful disposition most of the time, and is willing to share that joy with others. He is always optimistic that all challenges have a resolution. Even though the resolution may not be the most desirable, he is confident that he is capable of being at peace with it.

2. Peaceful and Serene

The enlightened person is peaceful and serene, because he is free of fear and other unwholesome emotions. He can see that the human condition reaches beyond this physical existence, so he no longer has a fear of the unknown. He is free of worry because he understands that freedom from suffering comes from within, and not from material possessions.

3. Loving, Kind, and Compassionate

The enlightened person is loving, kind, and compassionate for two main reasons: 1) he genuinely cares about other people, regardless of whether they care about him, and 2) he knows that other people provide him with the spiritual nourishment he needs to continue growing. Therefore, he remains spiritually open to everyone.

4. Not Self-Centered

The enlightened person is not self-centered, because he has lost the sense of a separate self. He can see the interconnected nature of our existence. To him, this is not just a concept, but a reality. He realizes that all physical manifestations (humans, animals, plants, etc.) depend on each other for their survival.

5. Emotionally Stable

The enlightened person is emotionally stable because he no longer has an ego that needs validation for its existence. He is not hurt because there is no ego to hurt. He does not get angry because he is understanding and compassionate toward those who are not as far along the spiritual path.

6. Patient and Understanding

The enlightened person is patient and understanding because he appreciates how our ignorance creates our own suffering. He understands the challenges of achieving enlightenment, so he doesn’t condemn people for their missteps.

7. Humble

The enlightened person is humble. Since he knows his place in the universe, he doesn’t need validation from others. Therefore, he has nothing to prove to anyone, including himself. His humble nature allows him to be kind and gentle, and be open to everyone he encounters.

8. Insightful and Open-Minded

The enlightened person is insightful and open-minded. He is able to see the world with great clarity, without attachment to preconceived ideas about people, places, and things. This enables him to observe the world without jumping to conclusions. Belief and intuition are replaced with clarity of vision and understanding.

9. Inner Strength

The enlightened person has great inner strength. He has learned healthy ways of connecting with the sources of spiritual nourishment — through healthy interactions with people, and within. He no longer has a need for the power struggles that most of us engage in.

10. Leadership

The enlightened person is a leader. Having awakened to the point of understanding the nature of suffering, he realizes his duty to help other people find freedom from suffering. He leads by example, rather than control. People follow him because of who he is and what he stands for. They want to be more like him.

11. Mindful of His Health

The enlightened person is mindful of his health — physical, mental, and emotional. He knows that his mind, body, and spirit must be in harmony in order to maintain his spiritual condition. He has developed an understanding of physical and mental health, and doesn’t blindly depend on others for his health. He is mindful of the nutrients and substances he puts into his body.

12. Committed to His Spiritual Practice

The enlightened person never forgets how he achieved enlightenment. He is also aware that it takes continuous effort to remain that way. It takes a great deal of spiritual nourishment to help others along their path, so he’s aware that he needs to replenish his spiritual strength on a daily basis. Otherwise, he’ll lose his effectiveness as a spiritual messenger.

Overall, the enlightened person is mindful of himself, and the world around him. Furthermore, he is curious and willing to continue learning. He is aware that even though he can see with great clarity, developing an understanding of the true nature of our existence takes time to observe and investigate.

This is not a comprehensive list of the qualities of an enlightened person. But I think these are the most prominent. My purpose for examining these qualities is to give us a compass to guide us in our spiritual journey — a vision of the path that lies ahead.

From this list, it seems clear that enlightened people live rich and fulfilling lives. Those who achieve any measure of enlightenment do so through some form of daily meditation practice, a willingness to let go of old views, and a commitment to helping others find peace. It takes work and dedication, but it is well worth it.

Best wishes on your spiritual journey!

Edited January 17, 2017 by Key Elements

[Ramu]

@Ape why's that, Ape?

[Leo Gura]

@Key Elements That description of an enlightened person is a gross idealization. You will be sorely disappointed if that's what you expect.

That is more like a description of Jesus than your typical enlightened guy.

And even Jesus had his prickish moments.

So be careful about filling your head with such ideals. Yes, enlightenment generally orients people towards happiness and humility and love and all that, but it's not guaranteed by any means, and it will takes decades of additional work to actualize that potential.

It's very useful to make a sharp distinction between enlightenment and one's behavior, emotions, and level of development. You can treat these things almost like independent variables. In the same way that just because one knows calculus, doesn't make one nice or loving or humble or charming.

[Key Elements]

@Leo Gura That's why the title said 12 Basic Qualities of an Enlightened Person. It's only a general outline, not the entire package. The entire thing is too complicated.

[Leo Gura]

@Key Elements Fair enough, just felt I needed to emphasize the potential trap some readers might fall into.

[Ape]

@Ramu, you should direct that question to  @Leo Gura.

And ask him why he still hasn't fixed it.

 

Edited January 18, 2017 by Ape

[Zaid]

Thanks for this Practical Guide. I already started the Self-Inquiry work, I noticed deep confusion arising and high tides of emotional turmoil. I have also noticed my mind comes with different justifications to proof that I do exist somewhere in the brain. The good thing about this self inquiry method is after interrogating the mind chatter you get the reach a silent state, and when you question that "silent state" it does not answer you with anything. Based on my direct experience to that silent state... I found out that "I don't know" who is aware or what is aware.

[Leo Gura]

@Zaid Yes, that's how it tends to unfold. Keep at it. Keep at it. Keep at it, until something pops.

[LetTheNewDayBegin]

I believe this might be relevant:

Quote

What is the means for constantly holding on to the thought ‘Who am I?’

When other thoughts arise, one should not pursue them, but should inquire: ‘To whom do they arise?’ It does not matter how many thoughts arise. As each thought arises, one should inquire with diligence, “To whom has this thought arisen?”. The answer that would emerge would be “To me”. Thereupon if one inquires “Who am I?”, the mind will go back to its source; and the thought that arose will become quiescent. With repeated practice in this manner, the mind will develop the skill to stay in its source. When the mind that is subtle goes out through the brain and the sense- organs, the gross names and forms appear; when it stays in the heart, the names and forms disappear.  Not letting the mind go out, but retaining it in the Heart is what is called “inwardness” (antar- mukha). Letting the mind go out of the Heart is known as “externalisation” (bahir-mukha). Thus, when the mind stays in the Heart, the ‘I’ which is the source of all thoughts will go, and the Self which ever exists will shine. Whatever one does, one should do without the egoity “I”. If one acts in that way, all will appear as of the nature of Siva (God).

Source: http://www.sriramanamaharshi.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/who_am_I.pdf

[123456789]

What if I combine this method of self-inquiry with SDS? Will it be more effective?

[PureExp]

On 3/1/2017 at 4:43 AM, Leo Gura said:

I sometimes wake up in the morning and think, "I clearly know this entire reality is pure fantasy. Yet here I am stuck in this dream. Okay, let's get to work."

I'm trying to get to the bottom of this. Is it possible to end this dream? Or at least ensure that it never repeats again?

I know its all so beautiful, the Self having tons of colorful delicious experiences. Its the Mind that is not happy with it. Why? because duality. Everything has a bad side in this dream.

Traditionally, its believed that its possible to liberate the mind from repeated births and deaths (thats Samsara essentially)? To be frank (and I don't mean to offend anyone's beliefs and faiths), only a fraction of people believe this and as far as I know none of them had a direct experience of being freed in such a way. Repeated births and deaths remains a fiction for me. How to test its truth? Any ideas, anyone?

As I said, the Self has no trouble with life experiences etc, it is already free. There is nothing to bind it because there is nothing else there except it. We alone are. Ironically, this is a paradox, and makes life a bit more difficult for the mind. If the Self were bound (say by ignorance or something else), one could have freed it and be done with it. Problem is that we are free and still not free at the same time. So the question - how to achieve liberation (Mukti or Mokshya) remains.

I'd be very interested in your (or anyone's) answer about this mess.