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.

I'm a recovering addict and haven't done drugs since May of 2005. And the last time I did LSD was 1994.

Answer 1

Very Good... Kudos to you for your honest evaluation of experience. Certainly enlightenment doesn't depend on religious affiliations,( but many would have you think so), There are no set rules or principles to adapt to attain a higher realization. Drugs are not necessary nor any other mind altering condition. Enlightenment comes from within, not from without. Drugs, Religions, and external phenomena may help "set the stage" in certain instances to where enightenment can be realized but not in all cases. You can't "force" enlightenment. It's more like allowing it. Live your life well as a good person and don't worry so much. Worrying can set up barriers to attainment of realizations. You've already made it a good way:-)

Answer 2

I would say that the more religious one is the less the chance of being enlightened simply because there is usually no space allowed for such an experience. I am not saying that the usual picture of enlightenment is necessary or even useful most of the time. Imo the children born today are already much more enlightened than in the past and their parents have a somewhat better chance to give then the necessary freedom to evolve. You would not believe the stuff that is being taught under the name of religion. You also would not believe the resistance which is offered to anyone who even tries to inform the general public about some of this nonsense. The Crusades and the Inquisitions were not any worse than what exists in this day and age. Enlightenment imo is a waking up to the facts and an escape from the consequences of speaking up. This is why most of the awakened ones we know about suffered some form of crucifiction. Nowadays one drinks a glass of water or has a meal and it's all over. "Ve have vays!"

Answer 3

I hope you feel better with that off your chest. It is good to stream of consciousness journal. Take a deep breath and relax. What the heck are you talking about. I'm kidding. Most honest adult people grapple with the religion they were brought up to believe. It is part of the maturation process. It sounds to me like you're looking for a guide post for testing what is coherent and trustworthy. I find that reason is a good place to start. How did you discover that Grandma's beliefs might not all be true? Keep that standard in mind and keep asking questions. Find out what you most value in life and then examine why? How will you justly get more of what you find most valuable? The LSD thing, is just a red herring. The guy that invented it was trying to make a better headache medicine. Go figure.

Answer 4

I don't know your age, however, it isn't unusual for people who are raised in one Religion to question it as they get away from home and on their own. That has been the case for me and over the decades of my life since then, I have studied various belief systems, the occult, and the non religious scientific opinions. I'm not an expert on any of it but I did study enough to satisfy myself that there is a case for spirituality that doesn't conform to any specific religion. You might call it enlightenment, I would, with the caveat that it is ongoing and not an "end state of being."

I really believe that to reach that state, we must set out on the "grail search" that defines "belief" for ourselves. Some will find it in religion, some in agnosticism, others atheism or science. Some may not find it in any of these but in their own soul and mind, find the answers they have been seeking. And..for those who are content to believe what another tells them is true, then perhaps that is the right road for them. We just each need to find our own space and claim it.

Answer 5

Wow, long post. ;-)

I'll be honest with you. I wouldn't trust anything when intoxicated. Because then truth becomes distorted. I used to be religious, in fact I was a xtian for a long time, but one day something snapped and I realize that what I've been told the truth, really wasn't. I guess in a way, everyone has their own truth. I don't think enlightenment is for the religious. Go with what you think is right deep down, and what your common sense tells you. But I wouldn't trust the LSD and drug experiences.

Answer 6

I can relate to a lot of what you said in this, but at some points, I disagree. Paranoia is not total awareness of your environment, which I associate with enlightenment, but awareness of your INTERPRETATION OF your environment. In those times, it's better to be aware that your anxiety exists, than to LIVE your anxiety as if your interpretation is real, because the truth is, anxiety is in your mind; reality is colorless, flavorless, featureless, and lacking any moral values. Perception and culture, which only exists at the level of human experience, creates all of those.

But I digress...

Enlightenment is for everyone. Buddhism teaches that all beings have teh capacity for enlightenment, you included. Most streams reject the concept of a higher being, but it isn't necessarily incompatible. Good luck!

Answer 7

Yeah, for the golden rule. Careful with your experimenting. Leave it at that. You can get to much of a good thing. Also, think how you would feel if your child was doing what you are and got hurt or your family now, b/c this was going to be the last time. Just be careful and think of the big picture

Answer 8

Enlightenment is for those who do not know.

To be enlightened you must first not know something about that which you are being enlightened.

This can happen to anyone, as nobody is even close to knowing the full truth of our existence, life, reality, virtue, justice etc.

Answer 9

I felt enlightened when I became an Athiest, and I didnt have to drop acid.

Answer 10

i think true Enlightenment comes at the moment when you finally know and accept who you really are and realize your purpose in life and no longer care what others think.