Monday, June 12, 2006

Enlightenment and Stumbling Blocks

I have met so many who believe that fireworks should go off, bells should ring and we should become changed beyond recognition in the blink of an eye. If that is what enlightenment means to you, you might as well give up now. The likelihood of that happening is akin to waking up tomorrow on another planet. It just ain’t gonna happen.

I am not exactly sure where these expectations come from, other than many who find the way are lost again at the first indication of extraordinary powers. They put forth the idea that these powers are granted as part of the path, rather than the true fact that we are simply aware of more of what we already are. These so called powers reside in all of us., even in those who have no idea how to access them.

All great teachers have warned that these seeming powers are a trap that can lead us from the path. They should be noted then let go, just as the ego's thoughts are noted then let go while in meditation.

The possibility of the ego seizing on these abilities as it's own and using them to further it’s goals is a real and present danger. The only acceptable use of these newfound powers is when we are sure that we have been called upon to perform some act that benefits another. They should never be used for personal gain of either power or financial benefit. Such use will take us from the path and build up massive karmic debt. When we interfere in another's life, we must accept responsibility for the good or the bad we do. Such interference should be done only after a great deal of thought and examination of one’s motives.

6 comments:

Don Iannone, D.Div., Ph.D. said...

Thank you for saying this. So many expect the wrong thing. You must be reading my mind. LOL. Sincerely, wonderful perspective here on enlightenment.

Blessings!

Zareba said...

Thank you, Don. There are so many misconceptions as to what enlightenment is, and what the path is. For every person it is different. My purpose is simply to make people think. ...Z

Alexys Fairfield said...

Enlightenment is a lifetime odyssey. There are no magic pills or formulas, only the desire to unfold. If that desire is strong enough, it will keep one formly planted on the path of illumination.

Meadow said...

And you remind me again ... I'll use the word "chosen" just because it's a term I'm familiar with though it's connotations may be inapplicable ...

Chosen people tend to run from what they see, at least at first. People who make spectacles of themselves and their "gifts" probably aren't the real deal.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it. :)

Zareba said...

Thank you, Alexys. I agree that the desire to grow keeps us on the path. ...Z

Zareba said...

Hi AbNorMal: The language is clumsy but the sentiment is true. One of the major drawbacks to discussing these concepts is the lack of applicable language to express what we mean. We are often left with describing all the things that "something" is not, in order to discuss that something at all. It reminds me of Winnie the Pooh looking everywhere that Christopher Robin was not! ...Z