there is a zen saying regarding what it takes to gain enlightenment: “To gain enlightenment, you must want it as much as a man whose head is held under water wants air.”
seems extreme to me; in this world, there are not very many with their heads being held under water; and if that were true, it would not leave much time to become enlightened; I agree that a human being would desperately want air, and struggle mightily; I do not think that most people, however, are that desparate for enlightenment, nor are they focused enough, nor will they mostly likely be so anytime soon
if it takes such an extreme focus, I doubt very few , in this world will be wanting to gain enlightenment; as for the few, if they feel like me, they are not very taken by so-called “enlightened” beings in this world, whose conduct and attitudes leave a lot to be desired
enlightenment is not for my ego, or anyone else’s ego to be trashed, humiliated, or otherwise lessened by the “enlightened” one; worth and dignity of all come first, including respect for the individual, even if the “enlightened” don’t like their egos or claim that the ego is in the way of enlightenment; as far as I can see, most “enlightened” human beings have an enormous amount of EGO that they carry around, and yet THAT enroumous ego of the “enlightened” is not a problem
talk about disregard, contradiction, and disrespct
still, in this world, if an individual feels so inclined, or drawn to a relationship with an “enlightened” one, they are always free to do so; I just don’t want any part of it
I would rather be unenlightened and struggling to climb the highest spiritual mountain; if I ever say that I am enlightened, if I ever say that I am trying to teach, or that I am a master -- PLEASE -- someone, enlightened or not, take a gun to my head, and put me out of my misery
dharmicmel
thursday. 16 april 2009 ce
Sentient Developments Podcast Rebooted
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This was sent to me by George Dvorsky: Transhumanist-themed podcast: George
Dvorsky’s Sentient Developments After a three year hiatus, George Dvorsky
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1 month ago
Unfortunately a great many people who claim to be persuing or to have attained enlightenment have not left even a portion of their egos behind. They haven't gotten the message that being enlightened doesn't mean that they are better than everybody else.
ReplyDeleteWhat people think of my spiritual path when they view it from the outside is a serious source of irritation with me right now. None of the people I call "friends" seem to realize that this isn't a "crutch", that I'm not avoiding anything by living this way and I'm not claiming I have phenomenal cosmic powers.
It is a mindset, like any other mindset. It just happens to be the one that works for me. I don't recommend it for anyone else, I don't go on and on about it in connversation, and I don't try to convert people. It would be nice if they would return the favor.
mike:
ReplyDeleteunder no circumstances did I mean to say or imply anything that might be construed as a negative towards you, or your path
my beef, as it were, is with those ego-maniacs with cosmic messiah-complexes, who imagine they are enlightened, and who even claim to be the most enlightened of them all; then, on top of that, they think everyone else should follow their path and worship their enormous egos; over the past few years I have become increasingly jaundiced with this crowd, but NOT the subject of enlightenment itself; as well, I do not have any argument with serious seekers of any path; I am a friendly critic, as it were; in fact, I have wondered: what if I suddenly became enlightened, or decided that I was enlightened?; how would I be able to prove this to anyone, including myself?; under the circumstances, it would be quite a conundrum
as it is, namaste
People who have TRULY achieved enlightenment would not try tell a person what they should think and how they should live. The type of person you're talking about is the primary reason I stay away from groups of any sort.
ReplyDeleteI take this path very seriously, while continuously reminding my self not to take MYSELF seriously, which is the mistake a lot of people make.
If anyone decided to elevate me to the status of messiah or teacher, I would throw rocks at them to make them go away! And, like you said, if I ever elevate myself to that position, bullet to the brain!