Is enlightenment for the religious only?

Question

I was raised Catholic from birth, and it was all colorful for a bit but once I reached adulthood I didn't feel enlightened at all. All that once was bright and good, became a big lie. Backed up by the most spiritual person in my family, my grandmother. Maybe it's her prayers that keep me alive, I don't know. I don't see people praying ever. I don't believe the people that surround me actualy believe in anything higher than themselves. But there's something inside me that makes me believe in something bigger than all of us. I have had it with organized religion. I'll respect yours, I'm not here to destroy anyone's belief. My belief was substituted by science and paychecks. I still believe in the Golden Rule. I live trying to make sence of my perception. In the past I used LSD many times. It never handicapped from doing anything someone who wasn't under the influence could do and it never affected my judgment. I believe in my experience I saw things as they really are.

(continued) much like Aldous Huxley wrote on his experience on LSD. I never had halucinations, saw sounds, heard smells or anything like that. I saw individuals as independent lifeforms not linked to eachother in any way or form, other than the indulgences they seeked. In all the experience has made me seek for something I know will not fill my hungry and inquiring self. So I seek enlightenment within what I call "public conciousness". The world. I barely make eye contact when I speak because I'm afraid of what I'll find, mostly denial or rejection. Some I just don't understand why they are still ruled by cavemanish behaviour and questionable anger towards others. Paranoia is total awareness. I'd like to point out that paranoia could be real or made up by our brain. When you feel it, there just might be someone watching. I don't think of it as a disorder, it's a perception. Humans are inquiring and curious people.

I hope we evolve to be a more thinking race. Maybe we could start solving the biggest mystery of all, our existence. It isn't hard to understand. Just like there are ants roaming around my home this time of year there will always be people roaming around looking for an answer. And as small as I just made people to be, there is another very much bigger plain of existence which many of us don't dare touch or talk about. Awareness. Everyone has gone so gung ho for their own motives that we have forgotten sanity and replaced it with omniscience. Calling awareness "the know" making it ureachable for those really in it, to open the door and introduce it to those outside. To see through lies. Most people are very cowardly to talk about this, and would accuse you of being insane, mostly because they're liars and their lives are founded on them. Everyone is included. No one believes in telepathy, religious leaders, politicians are afraid of it, they will shut you down. What would Jesus do?

So fine not all of us (including me) is a well developed telepath. But everyone should know that it is there, and it should be acknowleged whenever it comes up. So this is where you find me looking for enlightenment. In what people call "the know" or universal conciousness. Many times I thought of it as a no win situation. I become skeptical about all. What if what I seek is already here and the problem being is that I don't know it's designation. On this search "where to look" for becomes "who to look for". "When", is everyday and "how" is everyway. Many of us live in love. That's great for those who experience it. I have experienced a few forms of it. Love for myself at this time seems unreachable without the help of another, caring soul. Maybe it is that person I'm looking for. the end seems too far away right now, I'm not that old. Acceptance has to be my friend and my biggest weakness. I'm not one to settle for anything. Maybe this is it. I find it absurd to think that's the case

I just wanted to add that LSD isn't a pleasure drug. It doesn't cause a high and it's not addictive. It is not for the weak minded. I did it when I was too young to understand what it did. It has taken me years to understand what I experienced and what it meant. I don't endorse the use of it. I can cause severe brain damage if missused. It happened because it had to happen.

Answer 1

Would god reveal himself thru a chemical substance? Would Satan? That's your answer to LSD. You should look at religion as someone who is nowhere, because that's where you'll get without it. Try, be open, and never give up.

Answer 2

Enlightenment has nothing to do with religion.

Enlightenment comes from opening yourself up, allowing God to show you things they way they really are. This can be achieved through meditation/prayer or many other ways. Although you can speak with the Divine without using LSD, I don't have to get high to reach God.

God is everywhere. Within us all. We are indeed all connected since we all come from the same Divine Source. And when our physical existence ends, we all go back to that same Divine Source.

You want to see God, walk outside. God is there.
Talk with someone, God is within them.
Have inner dialog with yourself via meditation, God is there as well.

You don't need drugs to become "enlightened."

I leave you with a favorite quote:
"The wisdom of Enlightenment is inherent in every one of us. It is because of the delusion under which our mind works that we fail to realize it ourselves, and that we have to seek the advice and the guidance of Enlightened ones before we can know our own Essence of Mind. You should know that so far as Buddha-nature is concerned there is no difference in an Enlightened person and an ignorant one. What makes the difference is one realizes it, while the other is ignorant of it."

Answer 3

I don't think enlightenment is for the religious, but it sounds like you have become jaded. I don't worry so much and I don't guide my life by what others do. I still practice my religion despite the fact that I may not believe exactly the way others believe. I don't know how my car works like my mechanic, but I still drive it and have it fixed by him. I think enlightenment is an understanding of the world and the human condition such that ultimately we understand the real value and importance of the universe and every human life.

Answer 4

One must go beyond mundane religion to actually become enlightened. That doesn't mean give up all practices or right action. IT means give up all religious designations. We are all in reality eternal servants of God ( Also known as Krishna, Allah, Jehovah, Vishnu, etc. ) those who envied Gods position came here (Due to there is no envy in the spiritual kingdom and He gives everyone free will) He had to create this world so we could exhibit our free will and leave Him. Though He never leaves us. He is situated within the core of our hearts and we just have to call on Him and He is there immediately for us. It is just our mind and consciousness chooses to leave Him. People generally leave their religion find out of the hypocrisy and lies and dogma etc. We can go beyond all this and find God again. So much has been omitted added and changed in the Bible by King Constantine in 324 AD if you want to know the truth google gospelofthenazirenes.com Jesus originally taught karma, reincarnation, vegetarianism, and no one goes to hell eternally. Unless one understands this they can not understand the unlimited mercy and love of God. also read Bhagavad Gita as it is by Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada on asitis.com tells in detail all paths and how to attain the highest perfection. It is simple for the simple. I love it. Never stop seeking The Truth, it is available for the sincere seekers of it.

Answer 5

Japam(prayer) is also a method for enlightenment, It takes time.It is NIRVANA, knowledge of knowing our true nature. Religion does not interfere with yoga. Yoga methods are short -routes & has techniques to practice.JESUS IS A KRIYA-YOGI .Japa-yoga is given by JESUS.
NOTE; you were under influence of LSD. Use of LSD causes DISILLUSIONMENT. Pl. avoid LSD.
Peace be upon you. this is enlghtenment.

Answer 6

Enlightenment is nothing to do with God and Religion.
Enlightenment is Loosing fear, fear of everything.
Enlightenment is knowing yourself.

Answer 7

Enlightenment is not for the religious only.