2007-10-01 06:25:11 · 12 answers · asked by andrew v 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Enlightenment is that mermaid that swims up from the depths of the ocean in an idea.
2007-10-01 22:33:19 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
I have read the first 9 answers, two of which are at least an attempt to define the term.
You say enlightenment, not what is to be enlightened. Like all words, in all languages, it really depends on your contextual understanding of the term. That is what it means to you based on your experiences with the term or lack of them in your case.
If you look up a word in a dictionary, you may find your contextual understanding of a specific term will make you use the word in ways that will confuse others. This means you used the word in a way that is non-average, which is not such a bad thing.
In many religions, there is a quest for reaching a state of enlightenment. This is the point where you understand the nature of the universe, and the part you play within it. This is a part of my context for defining this term.
When I turned 40 I suddenly put much more value on awareness of the moment, trying to really be there, in the physical moment of time, on a deeper level than before.
I felt at the time I had become wise, as when I focused on the moment, others often seemed like pylons to be manoeuvred around, as they were not thinking about the moment. They were considering their grocery list, or something that had happened to them at work etc.
I was not wise, I was naive (a childish fool). Enlightenment, as far as a deeper understanding of small things is possible, true mental and spiritual 'enlightenment' is not.
Wisdom is not a destination, it is a process.
Good luck on your journey.
2007-10-01 14:06:10 · answer #2 · answered by adventureboyseven 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
enlightenment is when you enlighten someone and to enlighten means to tell them something they didn't know, like if i said i have a dog and you didn't know that I have enlightened you.
2007-10-01 13:29:33 · answer #3 · answered by lala. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Enlightenment announces the end of all. Having gained enlightenment (kaivalya jnana)... one reaches the stage of Mahavira, Gautama Buddha, Jesus Christ or Prophet Mohammed! Gaining enlightenment is the end crux of cosmic life! Beyond enlightenment there remains nothing on Mother Earth. One finally gains salvation (moksha)... the end of all!
Gaining enlightenment is not at all easy. In a hundred years or so... only one or two persons amongst 6500 million people existing on Mother Earth gain enlightenment! In the last about 150 years only two persons gained enlightenment... they were Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa and Maharishi Ramana.
God Almighty has endowed mankind to gain enlightenment in a period of 12.1 million earthly years... a long journey indeed! A cycle of 1.1 million manifestations is necessitated to reach the end of cosmic life... the 8.4 millionth manifestation! The form of human being is the highest manifest stage in the cosmic life cycle.
Only as a human being do we gain enlightenment... never in any other form! Gaining enlightenment... reaching the end of cosmic journey is the ultimate goal of every human life. Whether we do it now or many manifestations henceforth is the sole prerogative of individual human being. None can force other on the path of enlightenment!
Enlightenment can only be gained by controlling the five senses and the mind. Practicing absolute celibacy for a minimum period of 12 years is the next requirement. Reaching the stage of Nirvikalpa Samadhi (the state of nothingness) announces one having gained enlightenment. Traveling the path of absolute truthfulness is the foremost requirement of all.
Only when one remains truthful in life... do we hear the sweet small inner voice of our soul atman that seems to come from within our heart. The voice of our soul atman always guides us on the right path. Every soul atman desires liberation from cycle of birth and death at the earliest. The moment one gains enlightenment all is over for the soul atman within.
The moment one gains enlightenment... the liberated soul atman gains entry into the kingdom of God... the abode of God (aka Baikuntha in Hinduism). The kingdom of God is a point of no return. Having regained its original pure pristine form... the liberated soul atman remains in the kingdom of God till eternity... until the dissolution of the present Cosmos occurs!
Never from heaven or hell can the soul atman gain enlightenment. Enlightenment can only be gained in the human form... never otherwise! Both heaven and hell are interim stages in the life cycle of our soul atman. Whenever matching parents are not available on Mother Earth... the soul atman hibernates either in heaven or hell depending upon the residual balance of karma.
A positive residual balance of karma gains entry in heaven that exists in the core of Sun where temperatures exceed millions of degrees centigrade. It is in such high temperatures the soul atman feels comfortable. Hell exists in the periphery of the sun where temperatures are considerably less. In such low temperatures does the soul atman suffer for eternity!
Ever since the soul atman started its cosmic journey as an amoeba (single cell formation)... the first manifestation in the cosmic life cycle... its goal has always been reaching the end of the journey... the 8.4 millionth manifestation! The journey in the human form is the most pleasant experience for the soul atman within. More on Enlightenment - http://www.godrealized.com/enlightenment.html
2007-10-05 12:36:59 · answer #4 · answered by godrealized 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Wisdom/Knowledge
2007-10-01 13:29:12 · answer #5 · answered by Irish 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In literal meaning it is pure Knowledge got through insight.
Getting clarity of perception; revelation of hidden truths of life through intuitive powers;
2007-10-01 13:47:08 · answer #6 · answered by mlegiri 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Awareness.
2007-10-01 13:28:01 · answer #7 · answered by Calm 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Understanding completely!
2007-10-01 13:29:57 · answer #8 · answered by midnite rainbow 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to understand your purpose, and the nature of the universe. and to be at peace with it.
take me for example.
my purpose- none
nature/purpose of the universe- none it is here and is what we make of it
and im ok with the fact that i will one day die and be forgotten. it is being forgotten in life that is the true disappointment
2007-10-01 13:33:46 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think in my opinion it is an event that makes you see things in a whole other way
2007-10-01 13:34:30 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋