Enlightenment is to know yourself
abracad, · Categories: buddhism, externally authored, spiritualityBy Lt Col R K Langar
What is Enlightenment
It is said that knowing others is wisdom whereas knowing yourself is enlightenment. In common parlance an enlighted person is a well informed person who can take part effectively in all types of conversations. He is an enlightened person who gives light without any prejudice. In spiritual language enlighted person is that who has realized his Self and feels the bliss of Divine at all times. This would mean heightening of self awaress to the highest degree which leads to God realisation who is present in all bangs. In other words Absolute knowledge of God is enlightenment. This is the Absolute meaning of the word enlightenment.
Buddha is commonly associated with the word Enlightenment as Buddha got enlightenment under a Bodhi tree even though he did not talk about God. Buddhism is a religion of wisdom and compassion. Buddha also said that enlightenment is the light let by man in himself and one enlightened soul has the potential to help millions. In Buddha’s enlightenment reason and self examination play an important part.
When we are not enlightened we speak from our ego. Enlightened living is living a life based on higher values, higher values that would lead a positive influence on the society. An enlightened person believes in equality and oneness besides having a reasoning ability. Logical investigation is an aid to enlightenment. Enlightenment also aims to liberate consciousness from the prison of sense perception.
In the relative sense, enlightenment is a higher understanding of any subject which when given out proves beneficial to the society. Other meanings of enlightenment are not identifying with limited boundaries, not identifying with body mind complex but identifying with Atma, soul or pure consciousness. Enlightenment can also be described as a state of blessedness. Enlightenment is not an intellectual state. It is a state of spiritual awareness which comes through moral building even though reason plays an effective part in achieving enlightenment. An enlightened person has strong positive qualities and he lives these values. This gives him a reason for living in the transient world. An enlightened person gets a mission of his life to live for others and spread moral and spiritual values. An enlightened person is a visionary who holds the power of mind to see ahead and draw picture to others with a view to achieve his goal of life.
Effects of enlightenment
Even though enlightenment may be relative or not absolute, enlightenment eliminates worries and anxieties which usually a man confronts in the empirical world. Enlightened also softens sufferings because an enlightened person is more aware than an ordinary that he is the soul or atma in essence and not body mind complex which accounts for our sufferings.
Enlightenment gives a broad vision which enables a man to live inspiringly. Enlightenment gives opportunities to encompass the well being of whole world or human kind. Enlightenment gives enthusiasm to serve the mankind as an enlightened person in an empowered person. An enlightened person chooses his own direction in life. He is calm and collected and never in hurry because who ever is in hurry gives the impression that thing he intends to negotiate are too big for him. His outward form remains in order even while dealing with bad persons as an enlightened person gives attention to his reactions to bad people and not to bad people as such. He is fully aware of the fact that the world is a mixture of good as well as bad. This way he strengthens his belief in oneness and equality of mankind. An enlightened person is not an extraordinary person but he appeals to others by identifying with them.
Enlightenment and India
India has produced a large number of saints, sages and enlightened persons. The strength of India his in spirituality and morality which took its birth in India before moving to the other parts of the world. Therefore there is no reason that Indians get themselves involved in immoral activities like corruption, self centeredness and greed. What is needed is to spread spiritual and moral values so that India can put her house in order India is quite capable of doing so.
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Filed in: buddhism, externally authored, spirituality
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