A brief moment of enlightened thought?

[Athios]

Yeah, I kinda get what you mean.
It's not actually reaching enlightenment that's all important, it's how you got there.  [|)]

[Euphoric Sunrise]

That depends on the definition of enlightenment. I'm having trouble coming up with a suitable reply here so i'm not going to say any more just yet []

[Nick]

I attended the Zen Center of Los Angeles for a time back in the 1990's. During that time I also read a lot of important books on zen. One concept that was always written about was the term "enlightenment".

There is an impression that some people have that once "enlightened" (defined as a spiritual awakening), then that's it. I agree that it is not a final ending point, rather more of "now I realize we're all connected" and how do I live this physical incarnation in the best possible way.

So Paul, I think you are absolutely correct when you state that it becomes an "ongoing process of learning". Your post did make a lot of sense by the way.

Very best,

[James S]

Paul & Nick,
I'd thought much the same thing myself. Otherwise it's a case of - "Woohooo ENLIGHTENMENT.....mmmmm.....umm....ok, now what?"

I recall an intersting article written by Robert Bruce on his experience of Kundalini awakening, where for a brief moment his consciousness was connected to the knowledge of the universe (or something like that). As he came out of it he realised that in our present form we cant hope to retain such knowledge as was presented to him, so it was a matter of now having done it once, strive to do it again, and strive to be able to retain more of that universal knowledge.

So as you both say, it should be an ongoing process.
Besides that, I like to think that its not just one big leap to enlightenment. That each little step has its own reward, and is enlightening in its own way.

James.

[beavis]

paul_kcn "enlightenment is like a big wheel...it just needs to be turned, and after that it will continue spinning. Its not an ending point, but a begging. Once the wheel is spinned, its a ongoing process of learning."

I think its more like this. The wheel turns some when you get new astral knowledge. This makes you curious and makes getting new knowledge easier by using what you just learned. Then you push the wheel faster. When it spins fast enough, you ride it to a parking lot and learn from the other wheels, who tell you about the gas pedal...

[Athios]

Nice analogy beavis!
Sooooo......what does the gas pedal represent?  [][]

[beavis]

The gas pedal means the increase in knowledge is exponential. Thats how my telekinesis ability increased. The number of turns of my psi wheel per day went something like this (until I became temporarily distracted by something very important): .09 .09 .10 .10 .12 .15 .2 .3 .5 1 3 10 30 100 300 (1 number for each consecutive day). Then an empty bottle, small rubber ball, bigger ball, and finally I made a chair lean back half an inch. Now its back around .3 turns of the wheel, but I'll move the chair again some time.

[TheLunatic]

Enlightenment?

I think the best a human can hopeful is an understanding of just how ignorant he truly is. "The more you learn the more you realize how little you really know."

I like the wheel idea though. It always ends up back down in the mud sooner or later. IE when you think you've got a hold on things you find out otherwise.

[kromeknight]

[] My guru's a hamster
That little guy just keeps spinning that wheel of enlightenment for hours
Great post Paul it was every well explaned and makes a lot of sence.
Couldn't resist with  my sence of humour for the above joke [:I]
Take care All

[Paul_kcn]

I usually always forget the things I happen to think up that make the least amount of sense to me...so im deciding to write this one down. Plus, I thought it was an interesting train of thought

I was thinking...enlightenment isnt really an actual event, its a series of events leading to a turning point in life, right? Well...im viewing it like this..enlightenment is like a big wheel...it just needs to be turned, and after that it will continue spinning. Its not an ending point, but a begging.

Once the wheel is spinned, its a ongoing process of learning. I feel so many people today view this event(or should I say series of events?) of enlightenment as a final ending point...well, at least I used too. Today though, it seems like once I reach this point, its a state of being of continuos "learning"...

Im probably not making ANY sense...I just need to get the idea down. Plus, im falling asleep, so I will try my hardest to bring a follow up with my thoughts tomorrow...(or should I say today[:O])