Question regarding The Way...?

Question

Is The Way (to reach 'enlightenment') really a Way at all?

Answer 1

Oh No ! It is a pathless path. Maximum possible uncertainties are on this path ! That is why very few venture ! It could happen in a moment, or even take many many lifetimes. Yet, none of them regret the delay, and cherish every moment of the trial & tribulations ! Nor do the lucky ones for whom it happens too quickly, miss any fun that the late ones have. It is so because, once that stage or level is reached, all become contemporaries !

Answer 2

Yes. The " Way " is the path.

One might ask " I know the Way (the path), isn't that enough ? Do I really have to walk it ? "

The Way is the Light of the One that enlightens the path. The path may be illuminated...yet the path is to be stepped on or into if that enlightenment is to be reached.

Answer 3

Just stop and see, the way is really no way at all. Enlightenment if reached for will never be known, it is the *Original* ground of being, just get rid of ways and beliefs, do this day after day, month after month, year after year. "It will never be found by seeking, but only seekers find it" One has to hear of enlightenment and begin to seek, after a while of doing this one finds or hears that it can not be gotten by seeking. ~ : )

Answer 4

The way is truth, just desire the truth and you will start to notice it all around you. The truth becomes apparent when you give up your ego and allow yourself to just observe what is apparent at the moment. You do this by just knowing you will always do what is right (this allows the mind to relax , then it can take advantage of its connection to all things) and if you discover you have made a poor choice you will know what you did wrong and make a better choice next time. Don't expect to immediately start making all the right choices although do expect your life to become much easier the longer you follow this way. The choice is yours. You already knew this! :-)

Remember that we must find our place of rest in our mind and body, living in truth (to make life easier) is how we start. Living in lies and secrets, life will always be difficult delaying the rest to come.

Answer 5

Tao? I haven't read enough on it yet, about half of the Tao Te Ching. I need to do more research through other sources to understand practices and detailed beliefs. I can't speak of enlightenment but so far it has been a very freeing and balancing philosophy of life.

Answer 6

Enlightenment, to Buddhists is the attainment of a level of the Mind which is free from certain characteristics.

One characteristic we have is Delusions a term meaning false impressions, which is where what we experience with our senses as impermanence does not match what we perceive of these same experiences which is permanence. The realisation of this mismatch by actual experience of it allows us to make decisions based on the reality of these experiences as opposed to making choices hoping for a correct outcome. As an example, we see a pretty flower and feel joy at the sight we generally say to ourselves.."Oh, a lovely flower.." A week later we see the same flower yet it has faded we generally say.."Oh, how sad, the flower has faded.." Do we not..?

What has happened is that we have seen the flower with our senses..our eyes, yet we have placed a learned condition on its beauty in our consciousness, that of permanence. When we see the faded flower, this condition of permanence causes us to make a false decision about the flower, the decision that the sight is sad.

Another characteristic is selfishness. Most of us have experienced this and an example is when someone hurts our feelings and we feel anger. What has happened is that we have learned to characterise others into certain categories and these categories of folks have characteristics which are deemed to be harmful to us. When these characteristics are exhibited by someone, we feel hurt. If we train our Mind and Consciousness to be rid of selfishness, then these hurts can be minimised and there can be little to hurt. Mindfulness puts us into their shoes first and forgive others their foibles and lack of tact. Our "Self" is the cause of these feelings of hurt and it this "Self" we train ourselves to be rid.

There are other characteristics which we learn to examine, all of which are part of the Noble Eightfold Path.

The way to reach enlightenment, to Buddhists is known as the Noble Eightfold Path. Its description in the Suttas begins with a list of characteristics of the Mind which are to be developed holistically as opposed to one at a time, which development allows for an holistic change in the way we think and the way then that our Mind reorders the priorities in our Consciousness away from selfishness and towards selflessness.

The methods of Mindfulness Meditation are mentioned as the method to use to reorder these priorities and examine the selfish feelings which arise there. References are made to other teachings, such as "Self and Not Self", Dependent Co-Arising and so on so that these teachings can more easily be used for this examination and ways can be more easily be discerned to change the way we think and therefore the way we act.

As an holistic approach, this then becomes the Path, which then comes to mean the methodology which we use and practise. The term Buddhist Practise is literally just that...a Practise and Buddhists Practise these methods, Practise making selfless choices and therefore Practise as an approach to the Eightfold Path. We are not expected to become perfect Beings from the first day, on the contrary, we are expected to practise, often making mistakes as we perfect our consciousness through Meditation and Mindfulness, growing as we learn and becoming wiser and better at our choices of action with the effort.

You are quite correct thinking that the term "Way" as applied to the Noble Eightfold Path from a description perspective can be seen or perceived simply as a list of characteristics at first glance...Right Effort, Right Concentration, Right Mindfulness, Right Speech, Right View, Right Intention, Right Livelihood, Right Action...further investigation into its deeper teachings reveals that the Path or Methodology of approach holds greater meaning, that of the method to develop these characteristics and the reasons why it is done and is further expanded in other teachings and that the entire message of the Suttas in the Tripitaka (the 3 main teachings or Pitakas are seperated into 3 baskets called the Tripitaka) including the Four Noble Truths and all of the explanations and messages are inclusive of the Path.

I hope this explains some of the reasons for the Path being called what it is...

Peace from a Buddhist.....

Answer 7

The Way International is a religious organization founded by Victor Paul Wierwille.

The Way describes itself as a Christian biblical research, teaching and fellowship ministry that teaches others how to operate the "9 manifestations of holy spirit". Critics charge that the beliefs of the group are not consistent with orthodox Christian beliefs, and some accuse the group of being a cult.

Answer 8

It totally depends , upon you.

Don't go by any rule book , a bible or a Koran.

We made rules and enlightenment comes from inner enlightenment.

In the death bed ,or at the end of your life if you realise ,they way you led your life helped lot of other people...then really its the PROPER WAY you led your life and reached enlightenment.

Answer 9

not really. Everything is still there-within us. When we came to the world we just forgot everything about it. We have lost the memory , the need is to gain it back-thats all.
We have just got swayed from our true and eternal position, just need to step a few steps back.

Answer 10

The way is itself enlightenment
The destiny is light
Nothing but light