How do YOU define enlightenment? How do you know when your enlightened?

[mwight]

I am just curious of others thoughts and opinions, on what constitutes enlightenment, and how one knows when one is enlightened.

[Gerard]

I am just curious of others thoughts and opinions, on what constitutes enlightenment, and how one knows when one is enlightened.

 

Because if I post my personal opinion on such complex metaphysical topic I'd be given an answer according to existing traditions and schools of thought I am going to give you two links that might shed some light on your query:

 

http://www.urbandharma.org/ibmc/ibmc2/sudden.html

http://www.kusala.org/udharma6/enlightnirvana.html

 

 

On the other hand, once I came across an online Buddhist site that contained a more traditional view of what enlightenment would entail from a supramundane perspective. However I didn't bookmark it but I still remember some details of what was said in it:

 

1. Sudden realization of all lifetimes

2. Ability of see all worlds, astral and celestial

3. Etc.

 

However, you shall not seek these as they are basically siddhis, which in turn will enforce our egos and deviate us from the path toward spiritual enlightenment.

[mbanu]

I am just curious of others thoughts and opinions, on what constitutes enlightenment, and how one knows when one is enlightened.

 

One is enlightened in a Taoist sense when one can grasp Te, and through it Wu Wei, leading to harmony with the Tao. How to know when you're enlightened is a bit of a trick question, because when you are enlightened, the question won't be important anymore. Thomas Merton described it quite nicely in his paraphrasing of Chuang Tzu:

THE TRUE MAN

 

What is meant by a "true man"?

The true men of old were not afraid

When they stood alone in their views.

No great exploits. No plans.

If they failed, no sorrow.

No self-congratulations n success.

They scaled cliffs, never dizzy.

Plunged in water, never wet.

Walked through fire and were not burnt.

Thus their knowledge reached all the way

To Tao.

 

The true men of old

Slept without dreams,

Woke without worries.

Their food was plain.

They breathed deep.

True men breathe from their heels.

Others breathe with their gullets,

Half-strangled. In dispute

They heave up arguments

Like vomit.

 

Where the fountains of passion

Lie deep

The heavenly springs

Are soon dry.

 

The true men of old

Knew no lust for life,

No dread of death.

Their entrance was without gladness,

Their exit, yonder,

Without resistance.

Easy come, easy go.

They did not forget where from,

Nor ask where to,

Nor drive grimly forward

Fighting their way through life.

They took life as it came, gladly;

Took death as it came, without care;

And went away, yonder,

Yonder!

 

They had no mind to fight Tao.

They did not try, by their own contriving,

To help Tao along.

These are the ones we call true men.

[agharta]

I think enlightenment is earmarked by the ejaculation of a genie during masturbation.

[林愛偉]

I think enlightenment is earmarked by the ejaculation of a genie during masturbation.

 

 

hahahaha

[mwight]

I think enlightenment is earmarked by the ejaculation of a genie during masturbation.

 

 

ROFLAO

[nightwatchdog]

My buddy Greg took a snapshot at the exact moment of my enlightenment:

 

[mYTHmAKER]

One doesn't know.

If you know you are not enlightened.

 

He who knows not, knows.

He who knows, knows not.

[mantis]

the ejaculation of a genie is a siddhi, do not be burdened by this if it happens to you, it will go away in time.

[beancurdturtle]

I think enlightenment is earmarked by the ejaculation of a genie during masturbation.

Then all you need to do is buy the "Superpower Chi Balls" in the Google ads at the top of the page.

[doc benway]

If there is an "I" here to define and experience enlightment, then "I" am not there yet.

[三江源]

I think enlightenment is earmarked by the ejaculation of a genie during masturbation.

 

 

 

tru, dat.

[sean]

jLQD90Las5c

[林愛偉]

jLQD90Las5c

 

 

wonderful! wonderful!

[mwight]

jLQD90Las5c

 

 

cool,

[Cameron]

One of my Aikido teachers-who grew up in Tibet-told me many years ago when I was getting into Zen and taking this whole business of awakening very seriously.

 

"It's not mysterious. You just do whatever it is that you are doing. You let go in each moment into whatever life gives you".

 

He made a point he had not reached that point-yet-but he had done enough training-years growing up in Tibet and years training in Japan-that I trust him.

 

Here is a clip of him in action in NYC.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQxPlkd2Css

[Yoda]

I've not heard about the genie thing before... I'll keep my eyes peeled!

 

It would be a shame to accidently squash the dude in kleenex or something...

[mat black]

I've not heard about the genie thing before... I'll keep my eyes peeled!

 

It would be a shame to accidently squash the dude in kleenex or something...

 

 

hahahaahahaa

[Yoda]

Maybe when one is no longer compelled to post things?

 

Seriously, though, the quest for enlightenment is never ending, so it can't be encapsulated with just the 'genie stage' or the 'non-ego' stage or anything.

 

But if you need a quick and dirty definitive definition, it's the ability to stop one's heart at will.

[Trunk]

[mwight]

 

thats deep man... and you never even said a word.

[mbanu]

 

You know, if Ron Jeremy were still around, he'd have a picture for you.

[Sunya]

i think you know when you're enlightened. the Buddha knew, or maybe buddhists have different definition of enlightenment than taoists? it is a pretty broad term.

 

to me, its when you stop thinking with your ego, completely let go, and just be in the present moment. completely engulfed in eternity.

[Trunk]

You know, if Ron Jeremy were still around, he'd have a picture for you.

Yee-oowwww!

 

mbanu!!, good to hear from you!

Long time, where have you been???

[hagar]

You're enlightened when you're really really angry, instead of just grumpy.

 

h