The enlightenment puzzle
May 28, 2024 17:59:58 GMT
Post by Stella on May 28, 2024 17:59:58 GMT
I'm going to try and keep this post shorter than my previous post. What I want to write about today is enlightenment. What actually is enlightenment? How do you achieve enlightenment? More to the point, how do you know that you are enlightened? How do you know that someone else is enlightened? If you are seeking enlightenment, then what is it that makes you feel that you're not enlightened? If you are seeking enlightenment, then how will you be able to recognize it?
My point here is how is enlightenment any different from our natural functioning as human beings? Let's think about this a bit more. I'm assuming that you know how to stand up, walk, go to sleep, wake up again, make use of your limbs, and so on. Let's think about all the things you know how to do naturally without ever being taught by anyone how to do things. Let's take the example of experiencing the sensation of pain or discomfort. You move, because instinctively you understand that motion is what counters suffering, but nobody has taught you this, nor has anyone told you how you should move. Nor do you sit there thinking about or trying to decide how to move. You simply move, and the pain or discomfort goes away.
Then overlaying all that natural existence which is innate and largely instinctive, you have conceptual reality which is maintained and reinforced by the habit or practice of thinking. This 'thinking', conceptual reality predominates through imprinting, and social and mental conditioning, or if you prefer social programming. This process started even before you were born, simply because you had parents, your parents had their own social programming, and ever since your mother was pregnant formed their own preconceived notions and concepts about you and who you would be and how you would live. What I'm referring to is social and cultural reality which you learned in the home, at school, and through social interactions, play and other socialization....read more
My point here is how is enlightenment any different from our natural functioning as human beings? Let's think about this a bit more. I'm assuming that you know how to stand up, walk, go to sleep, wake up again, make use of your limbs, and so on. Let's think about all the things you know how to do naturally without ever being taught by anyone how to do things. Let's take the example of experiencing the sensation of pain or discomfort. You move, because instinctively you understand that motion is what counters suffering, but nobody has taught you this, nor has anyone told you how you should move. Nor do you sit there thinking about or trying to decide how to move. You simply move, and the pain or discomfort goes away.
Then overlaying all that natural existence which is innate and largely instinctive, you have conceptual reality which is maintained and reinforced by the habit or practice of thinking. This 'thinking', conceptual reality predominates through imprinting, and social and mental conditioning, or if you prefer social programming. This process started even before you were born, simply because you had parents, your parents had their own social programming, and ever since your mother was pregnant formed their own preconceived notions and concepts about you and who you would be and how you would live. What I'm referring to is social and cultural reality which you learned in the home, at school, and through social interactions, play and other socialization....read more