What does enlightenment feel like?

Question

I'm talking about people who spend their life trying to achieve enlightenment. Is it really that good? Is it worth an entire lifetime of hardship?

Answer 1

Most people think of enlightenment as a kind of magical attainment, a state of being close to perfection. At this level, one can perform amazing feats, see past and future lives of others, and tune in to the inner workings of the universe. This may be possible for a number of special beings, but for most of us enlightenment is much more in line with what Suzuki Roshi describes. It means having a quality of "beginningness," a fresh, simple, unsophisticated view of things. To have "beginner's mind" in how we approach things is a major teaching. In many ways, the process of enlightenment is clearing away the thoughts, beliefs, and ideas that cloud our ability to see things as they really are in their pristine form.

Answer 2

Well, if I ever find out, I will let you know. Do truly enlightened people hang out in a place like this? If I ever decide I have become "enlightened" I imagine the cosmos will be happy to show me otherwise.... I'm not sure that someone who is enlightened necessarily knows that is what he is experiencing....If someone endures a life that others would consider "hardship", and the end result is to feel at peace, oneness with all creation, and transcendance of what others consider "hardship" (what yet another might consider an intentional lifestyle), well, I can't say that the way I am living is any better than that, it may very well be worth it, to be free of material distractions, and understand who you are, what you're doing here, why the number 42*, and whatever else, sure why not?

Answer 3

Yes, enlightenment is a really very good state of life. But from your question I feel that there is some misconcept because it is not a result of lifetime hardship. In fact it's result of a life full of bliss. :) It all depends up on the path one selects for enlightenment. It is the most important thing. As you have mentioned about many people spending their life to achieve this state, they perhaps don't have the right person to guide them through the path to enlightenment. The journey to enlightenment begins with the bliss of mind, harmony in life. The state of enlightenment is a state of life where you really feel worth for your existence.

Answer 4

Is it worth an entire lifetime of hardship? In what way are you trying to find enlightenment anyway.

Life has hardship...suffering. Enlightenment is overcoming suffering...a permanent inner peace.

As for how long it takes, it may take someone 30 years...it make take another 3 seconds. You can never tell how long it will take you - how fast can you let go of manipulation and misidentification.

Enlightenment also means finding out who and what you really are - that really is one of the few things of worth in this world.

~ Eric Putkonen

Answer 5

Hardship? What hardship? Perhaps you're thinking of those monks, that work from dawn to dusk while puzzling over their koans? Well, that's one way of doing it, but there are others.

I think anyone that spends their entire life trying to achieve enlightenment is on the wrong track entirely. As JON C says, 'trying' too hard. Or looking in the wrong places.

Enlightenment? As I understand it, it's just a 'twist' in ones thinking really. Life goes on, as before. Nothing special to it at all. But life seems 'different' somehow.

Worth it? To be free from discontent? To enjoy every moment of life? I imagine that'd be pretty good to some people. But what do I know? Nothing really.
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Answer 6

is retirement worth a whole lifetime of hardship?

who said it takes a lifetime? some people search for enlightenment for their whole life, yes. But, what makes you think they aren't constantly being enlightened every day or multiple times a day.

one single experience of enlightenment is enough to change your lifetime forever.... and you don't even have to believe in Buddhism, or any categorized form of religion. Have you ever had a moment in your life when you felt like wisdom or a decision in your life just came to you without thought or contemplation? if so..... you my friend were enlightened!

Answer 7

The 'hardship' that we feel is the process of unwinding what we have entangled ourselves in !
Otherwise, the natural way we are is just that !
It would be more appropriate to call it re-discovery, rather than achievement. Regaining, sort of !
As to whether it is worth it, human history bears testimony that nothing else would satisfy or allow a human 'being' to settle for. May be some people prefer to entertain themselves for a while(this ' for a while ' may last life times !) with other things and then come for this !

Answer 8

Life without knowing is hardship. The trouble is, people think enlightenment is only for the few. I'll say this, everything is enlightenment! "The great way[enlightenment] isn't hard, just stop views". Relax take it easy, just be where you are, the truth isn't far away, it is so close it can be hard to see. The summer rain, a shout, a lone leaf falling, falling to the ground, just this. To simple most say, I say Ha, if you can't see the truth right where you are, when do you expect to see it? ~ : )

Answer 9

No its not worth an entrie lifetime of hardship. Enligtenment can come from anything, gaining something which could be learning something new or receiving something from someone. Enlightenment can come from figuring something out, going somewhere, i say live your life and you will be enlightened at some point.

Answer 10

It's worth many lifetimes.('hardship' appears differently in the Light of Day) It's better than one can imagine, yet it's our natural state of being. To stand under the Light, to become the Light, to see what the Light sees. Imagine having an intimate knowledge of All That Is. There's a familiar feel to it though it seems new.