IF you are enlightened, what do you care?

Question

the other day I asked why western religeons hold people back from enlghtenment ... and in return I was asked the question above

... so I put it to you (notice he capitalized IF)... :)

first let me say that I don't claim to be enlightened, just a free thinker that has begun to understand the way he feels about the world around him ... and is willing to share his truths, and listen

I'd like to think a quest for understanding is worth doing, but I find when I ask religous questions I'm frustrated with the answers I get from the right. Long winded paragraphs of scripture that cannot be proven or un-proven mean nothing to me. I want to understand what leads to blind faith, and why there is resentment on both sides.

Eric_Putkonek said ...

"If you are enlightened...it does not mean you no longer care."

... tell that to the dali-lama

the point of accepting all things as they are is because you care so deeply that you can see it from all sides, and in that wide view you find clarity ... I'm beside myself wondering how some could mistake enlightenment with apathy

Answer 1

2 answers:

to the main heading - enlightenment is deeply loving, but in a way that tends not to take action very quickly. This can look like apathy to those who don't understand.

to the question of blind faith etc. - there is not one spiritual path but 7, each with their own kind of enlightenment like experience. Different people are attracted to different paths. Faith is one path - if you do that path well, you pray and listen to your intuition, and devote your life to caring for others, not yourself, and trust in god to look after you. If you do it badly - well you have obviously seen plenty of that.

In the same way the quest for enlightenment can be done well or badly - to do it well you accept yourself as you are - whatever thoughts or feelings come you watch them come and go. Done badly it is a never ending attempt to stop your thoughts and feelings that ends up tying yourself in knots, and worse off than when you began.

Answer 2

I am an Atheist. Religion is a method of control. So of course it does not encourage "enlightenment" I sincerely believe that religion has a drug like effect on its followers. I used to be one of them. Self rightousness IS a strong drug. They feel better than others and special. Even if deep down inside they know better they will live in denial and spend thier time trying to fool themselves and everyone around them. They do not have the ability to think for themselves and do not understand how anyone else can.
I do not feel resentment toward individuals who are religious. I detest the idea of religion. It is dangerous and intolerant. I strongly believe that it divides the people of this world and puts a hold on progress. I want more than anything to try to get people to THINK! To open their minds and hearts and stop looking upward for answers and look inside themselves for them.

Answer 3

If you are enlightened...it does not mean you no longer care. It just means you are not attached or find some sense of self in whether or not what you care about comes about.

There is what is called a desireless desire.

Some of the enlightened feel the need (are called per se) to teach and help "others." But in a way, they are also without a care.

~ Eric Putkonen

Answer 4

I am not. But I believe, enlightenment is really getting in touch to your inner self and that caring is one of those acts that become a natural course for them in maintaining selflessness. Selflessness prevents ego from growing and blocking your connection to the truth of real you.

Answer 5

Part of me doesn't care. But part of me wants to share my knowledge. I can't stand ignorance, so I want to do something about it.