What is enlightenment?

Question

This may be a hard question to answer, but I have devised three principles that may lead me toward this end.

1. Nonconformity (If everone jumped of a cliff, would you jump off one too? "Envy is Ignorance. Imitation is suicide." -Emerson)
2. Intuition (High level of intuition raises almost every other faculty including advanced empathy and high level of cognition)
3. Sage writing (Montaigne, Emerson, Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, Kant, Russell, Foucault, etc.)

Any other ideas would be very appreciated.

Answer 1

It is notthe intellect that reaches enlightenment. Enlightenment is gained through samadhi, the experience of pure consciousness. This frees the person from limitations derived from their conditioning. They become a singular, coherent entity through which nature expresses itself unobstructed. They realize that there is one ocean of existence, first through stabalizing the integrity of their wave, then by identifying with water itself.

Answer 2

Hmm, enlightenment is the perception of all things (yourself included) for what they truly are. You can try do do this yourself, but I would highly recommend you find some form of guide (it will almost certainly have to be a religion) that will help you achieve this.

I have read each philosopher you mention and each one will enrich your life, but none of them have the goal of teaching you enlightenment.

I will talk about Buddhism only because it is what I know best. There are Buddhist teachings *specifically* for helping you achieve enlightenment. In fact, that is Buddhism's primary goal. There are explanations on the true nature of the world, the true nature of your mind, even death itself. You may waste a lot of time searching on your own for these things, but I can understand, and admire, the desire to 'go it alone' its just that sometimes a little humility will take you a long way. ;-)

On your other topics:

Nonconformity for nonconformity's sake has no value whatsoever.

Intuition is only valuable when you have enough knowledge to intuit with.

Answer 3

'Enlightenment' is defined and described in Buddhism.
The the question comes which Buddhism ?
Since most of them are alreay much deviated and quire deluded from actual path.

I would suggest a Buddhism that is less influenced by Taoism,
Tantrik sects and idol worshippers, more like "Mahayana" sect or "Chan" buddhism of the original shaolin monks.
Definitely not "Theravada" or "Tibetan" buddhism.

Now to answer your question :
Enlightenment is your original state you awake to.
It is the heaven.
Once you reach there it is forever yours.
But .. it is neither imagination ... nor producted by mind.

How to reach there ?
Understand 4 noble truths and 8 fold path.

4 Noble truths :
Suffering exists (or is at least observed in the world)
There is a cause for suffering / pain.
It is possible to become free from sufferings.
There is a way to be free from sufferings. (To achieve Enlightenment)

Buddha (Or more specifically Gautam Buddah originally named as 'Siddhartha' by his parents - who is popularly known in Buddhism as 'Shakyamuni Buddha')
has shown 8 fold path to be followed for the journey towards
Enlightenment.

They are as follows (I have not written in the exact order that they are usually presented, however)

1. Right Thought (vision, mission, dedication, selection of a way of life etc.)
2. Right Speech
3. Right Action
4. Noble and genuine way to provide one's livelihood
5. Detachment (or non attachment)
6. Right Meditation or Contemplation
7. Not to get carried away by sensual pleasures
8. Nobility, respect and humility towards other people and life forms (sential beings) - a little compassion

Enlightenment is possible in this life if one one understands the 4 noble truths properly and follows the 8 fold path after understanding what each of the 8 components mean.

There is another path of Hindu Yogis that also leads one to the state of "Enlightenment" Or the one known as "Swarupawastha" (Established in one's own real state)

The path is known as "Raja Yoga" Or "Kriya Yoga".
Note that "Hatha Yoga" is neither advisable nor applicable or practical in today's day and time. With scientific reasons "Hatha Yoga" has been considered forbidden in today's day and time by Yogic authorities.
There is again Eight Fold path for this :
1. Yama : Non violence, Truth, No Stealing, Non Over indulgence,
No excessive greed
2. Niyama : Cleanliness of body, mind and soul, contentment,
Perseverance and dedicated hardwork,
Study of books, philosophy etc.,
Devotion to the God or ultimate reality or the
Supreme, or the One that encomasses everything
3. Asana - Right postures
4. Pranayama - Correct Breathing (Should not be done without
supervision of a master)
5. Pratyahara - Non attachment of one's action but seeing
God as the real doer, submitting the results of
one's action to the God (or the Supreme
described in 2)
6. Dharana - Contemplation
7. Dhyana - Meditation
8. Samadhi - True awakening

Steps 1 to 8 of hindu Yogies are steps of a ladder.
One must master previous steps in supervision of a master before proceeding to the next step.
(Without a master these things are not advisable to attempt,
they may harm or hurt a person if not done properly)

So both the above ways one of True Buddhism the other of a Hindu Yogi leads one to "Enlightenment" in the true meaning and the spirit of the term.

Answer 4

I would say an experience or a way of experiencing. It can't be put into words, really, because words aren't relevant to that way of experiencing. (Words are included, and words are important, but the experience is beyond words.)

Suggested reading (paradoxically):

"Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind" by Shunryu Suzuki

"The Key: Identity" by Kenneth George Mills

"Wherever You Go, There You Are" by Jon Kabat-Zinn

"The Varieties of Religious Experience" by William James

Answer 5

'Enlightenment' is a state where the ever-brooding thoughts on a specific question comes to an end with a self-contended answer for the question.

It is a 'Ray of Hope' at the end of the 'Spiritual-Tunnel'.

It is the success of the brain over the mind on a well-fought battle!

It is 'Eureka' for one who attains 'Nirvana'

Answer 6

Ready?...

Enlightenment (the degree of...) is grasping the tenents of self-awareness (being...ontology)

This may be a hard question to answer (it;s not)

The three principles you state are certainly related but not directly.

How about this to start:
- What does it really mean "to be"?
- What does being give you? What doesn't it? What are the trappings and freedoms of being?

Answer 7

It is acceptance without doubts, and control over superficial desires. It comes from above, but must be pursued by the scholar.

Answer 8

Enlightenment can only be experienced.

It cannot be 'given' or taught - you can only be guided on your path, enlightenment is a devine state of being and is to be found within yourself.

Answer 9

for me, it is expanding your mind to meet the changing times. martin Luther expending his train of thought created the church that was separate from the main religion for the time. if he lived during this time. he would expand his view to take in the changing view on life.

Answer 10

For me it's simply a time of increased knowledge coming to the forefront!!!