I see this term here often. What does it mean to you? Can you be an atheist and be enlightened? If not, why not? If so, how so?
2007-12-17 14:57:04 · 16 answers · asked by in a handbasket 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Well, atheism has many different flavors. I think of it as not believing in a conscious, personal, sort of like the Sistine Chapel image of God. But others say if you have any concept of some level of existence beyond the material, you are not really an atheist.
It has been argued that Buddhists are essentially atheists. And the term enlightenment comes to most of the western world by way of Buddhism.
As to what enlightenment means, that's extraordinarily hard to define, because it means something which is beyond language. It is an awareness that transcends the material world, although it may indeed include it.
If you've read "Flatland," or seen the movie, you know about Mr. A. Square, and how he came to awareness of a third dimension through an encounter with a sphere. But then his imagination took hold and he said if there is a third dimension, perhaps there is a fourth. And the sphere said, no there's only three. Got very dogmatic about it.
That's how I see enlightenment. Awareness of higher dimensions, higher levels of existence, and ultimately awareness that we are in fact living in those spaces without noticing.
2007-12-18 00:18:09 · answer #1 · answered by auntb93 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It means that the darkness have been overcomes by light and anything lurking was brought to sight. It is an invasion of light of the darkness that looms on a subject.
The "enlightenment" is the wisdom that have overwhelmed the truth of those who perceived and believed that it was the truth although it may vary from the consequences of the truth therein.
Anyone can be enlightened by the truth that have been accepted by the bearer of the burdened beliefs of ones existence. It can be so by closing ones own initiatives to foresee of the outcomes of the multitude... ;o)
2007-12-17 23:13:50 · answer #2 · answered by wacky_racer 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Enlightenment is the highest level of your spiritual progress, when you achieve a point you don't have to learn anything else, instead you have to teach. You are wise, you have control over your thoughts, you have control over you attitude towards life, you are in connection with Spirituality, you are tuned with your intuition. It is a long road and it takes time to get to that point, certainly several lives, but this is the main focus for all of us and we all will get there.
Atheists can be enlightened, or course they can. Atheists can be as spiritual or even more spiritual than any other religious person. As long as they have a good philosophy in life, good thoughts, good attitude, have love in their hearts, do good deeds, etc, they are enlightened.
Peace!
2007-12-18 08:55:27 · answer #3 · answered by Janet Reincarnated 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, how I see it is this:
We humans are composed of two parts: body and spirit.
The spirit is a part of us composed of finer matter than our physical body... ie, a kind of energy.
Our spirit can become larger, more full of "up," "open," "connected" energy. This is enlightenment.
Enlightenment occurs by gradual processes of learning and receipt of spiritual light. This is done mostly by will. If we want to receive light, we do. Some people have no belief in God, but still wish to receive further light and knowledge.
So yes, even atheists can become more enlightened... ie obtain more light and truth. How much light and truth we receive depends on our willingness to receive it.... Faith is a grand determiner of willingness to be enlightened. Skepticism kills the "expansive" feeling, and receipt of light.
Thus, even if a person has some "wrong" views, as long as they have faith, they will continue to grow in enlightenment, and gradually all falsehoods will fade away as the Light begins to unfold all things to their view.
2007-12-17 23:10:27 · answer #4 · answered by MumOf5 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"Enlightenment" is a state of mind ostensibly acquired through study, reading, meditation, and other intellectual and spiritual pusuits, where the one seeking it arrives at Cosmic awareness or an understanding of the principles by which the Cosmos operates. The quest is undertaken consciously and leads, hopefully, to a higher dimension of consciousness if one is successful. I think that the state in actuality is exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to attain. However, a belief in a deity is not necessary to achieving enlightenment.
2007-12-17 23:12:40 · answer #5 · answered by Lynci 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When I am enlightened, it means I am standing under a bright light... whether it is artificial or natural doesn't matter.
2007-12-17 23:04:23 · answer #6 · answered by Canadian Scientist 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It means something made you realize the real goal in life. I haven't been enlightened. But as always, i pass down my learning to all
2007-12-17 23:00:55 · answer #7 · answered by trobop 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Two hundred years-old light bulb of history which some people find fascinating or a convenient term to fool others.
2007-12-17 23:03:02 · answer #8 · answered by Sincere-Advisor 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's existence without suffering, freedom from attachment.
I see no reason why being an atheist would keep one from realizing their ultimate self. It may actually help.
2007-12-17 23:10:14 · answer #9 · answered by ? 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Knowledge. Few were educated prior to the time of Martin Luther in Europe.
Catholic priests were the few with books and bibles to interpret.
2007-12-17 23:00:17 · answer #10 · answered by Mike 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋