Lesson 100 - Q&A – What is enlightenment?

From: Yogani
Date: Thu Jan 29, 2004 0:21pm

New Members: It is recommended you read from the beginning of the web
archive, as previous lessons are prerequisite to this one. The first
lesson is, "Why This Discussion?"

Q: Before we do all the practices would it not do justice if we
clearly define ENLIGHTENMENT? "What is enlightenment?" I guess many people practice the techniques for powers, problem solving etc. Few of them practice for actual enlightenment... would it make a difference?

A: Yes, I agree that it is important for everyone to know what the
ultimate objective of advanced yoga practices is. But does it make a
difference? Let's explore that.

We have focused on the subject of the enlightenment process several
times (including the fruition in unity/Oneness), and also on the
subject of "powers." Here are a few of those lessons:

#35 -- Enlightenment milestones
#76 -- Siddhis: Are powers real?
#85 -- Enlightenment milestones revisited

In addition to these, there is an ongoing discussion on where we are
in the enlightenment process throughout all the lessons. There are
many sub-milestones that can be recognized. In general, I try and
keep out of philosophical and theoretical speculations, and instead
tie everything to practices and direct experiences we are having. The
lessons attempt to keep it relevant by keeping the discussion
as "experience-based" as possible. That has a practical value as we
have experiences coming up. If we understand where our experience
fits into the overall enlightenment process, we can have a much
better handle on our practices and what to do: when to make small
adjustments, when to forge ahead, and when to hold back. So, everyone
gets to sit in their own driver's seat -- a new approach, really. It
seems to be working for many, which fills my heart with joy.

It should be emphasized that undertaking meditation and the other
advanced yoga practices does not have to be with the end goal in
mind. We'd all like to find some relief from the burdens of daily
life, more inner peace, more bliss, and find more energy and
creativity to carry on toward our goals, whatever they may be.
Everyone has their own ideal they are aiming for, their own bhakti
process, if you will. Their own idea of "enlightenment." So, while
there is an enlightenment process, everyone has their own approach to
it, their own ideal they hope to fulfill. As we move forward with
daily practices, our ideal will expand as our nervous system
purifies. Over time, we reach higher and higher. That is how bhakti
unfolds in our nervous system. Then, one day we are seeing everyone
as an expression of our blissful self, and we have become a fountain
of love. There may be a thousand levels of expanding experience on
the way to that one, each as valid as the one before and after.

To tell you the truth, it really does not matter why people do
advanced yoga practices. We each have our own reasons. Doing them
will open our gateway to the infinite regardless of our original
motivation for coming on to the path. Purifying and opening our
nervous system to the truth will expand our point of view to what is
true, no matter what point of view we started with. So, while it is
good to hear about our final destination of enlightenment, it is even
better to be a more fulfilled person today than we were yesterday.
This is the real draw of advanced yoga practices, because they do
work day by day with regular practice, and that is where the rubber
meets the road.

So, what is enlightenment? It is a process, a journey. Most
important, it is the ideal you choose that turns you on to doing
daily practices.

The guru is in you.

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