Enlightenment is Not Just One State

Many people has the notion that enlightenment is one state. Many also believe that when it is attained, a person is forever in that state.The following is not a definitive article on this subject. It is just an expression of my own thoughts.My opinion is that enlightenment is not just one state but is a progressive and gradual establishing of states of consciousness.

I, myself have not reach the end of the road. But from years on a spiritual quest, I can safely say that enlightenment happens in a series or stages of self-realisations and self-discoveries.Usually there is a difference between an initial awakening and a later stabilisation of that stage that happens through practice or experiences.

Almost all stages of enlightenment can be said to be associated with Presence. However, the enlightening Presence comes in various degrees of intensity and clarity. The degree of intensity is directly dependent on the level and depth of one's clarity as well as one's realisations/discoveries.

Also, as one progresses along, the relationship or connections of oneself to the universe and existence at large also becomes clearer.Below very briefly illustrates the progressive and stage-based nature of enlightenment:.When one first begin meditating, one may first experience the all-pervading Presence. This Presence, is most often experienced when thoughts are momentarily suspended. This Presence which exists in the Eternal Present Moment is our true self.

However such an experience can only be classified as an awakening to the true self. which is no-self. This is because, after the meditation, the Presence seems to have disappeared. One cannot understand and find the connection of presence to our everyday life. Therefore one will have difficulty re-acquiring the Presence. And it takes many stages and series of realisation to understand the relationship of Presence to our phenomenal world.

It can be said that the prolonged sustaining of Presence is dependent on the stages and depth of realisation.Also, during the earlier stages we may mistaken another state to be the pure presence. For example, we may mistaken 'I AM' for pure presence. This is because the thinking mind has created a reflective image of Pure Presence. This reflection of the absolute is 'I AM'.The stages before me I cannot comment as they are beyond me.

Nevertheless, one can still see that enlightenment is not so straight-forward after all.For your necessary discernment. Thank you for reading.

By: Shen Gerald