Spiritual awakening and enlightenment are terms used to describe profound shifts in the human sense of self. Sometimes they are considered as different stages of the same process.

Enlightenment typically refers to a more stable psychological breakthrough. It is the culmination of the awakening process. It is not an abandonment of worldly engagements, but as indicated in the Heart Sutra (Prajna Paramitā) a clear sense of self that also recognises itself as prior to consciousness.

"Gate, gate paragate,
  parasamgate;
  Bodhi Svaha"
  Gone, gone, gone beyond,
  Utterly gone beyond
  Enlightenment hail.

In this context, "consciousness" refers to the mental movie—the thoughts, feelings, and perceptions that are constantly changing. What is "prior" is the silent ineffable mystery that allows the movie to be seen.

Genuine spiritual freedom tends to manifest as a lack of reactivity; a decrease in the "I, me, mine" narrative. It isn't about being "happy" all the time; it’s about less attachment to specific outcomes or identities, a spaciousness where emotions can arise and pass without the core sense of self being overwhelmed.

Stable, full enlightenment is considered extremely rare. Many people have temporary "glimpses" or "peak experiences" that they mistake for permanent awakening. The human ego is incredibly crafty. In most cases people are genuinely trying to reach a deeper reality but are hampered by lack of awareness and the power of subtle conditioning.

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The old monk sat by the side of the road. With his eyes closed, his legs crossed and his hands folded in his lap, he sat. In deep meditation, he sat.

Suddenly his zazen was interrupted by the harsh and demanding voice of a samurai warrior. "Old man! Can you teach me about heaven and hell!"

At first, as though he had not heard, there was no perceptible response from the monk. But gradually he began to open his eyes, the faintest hint of a smile playing around the corners of his mouth as the samurai stood there, waiting impatiently, growing more and more agitated with each passing second.

"You wish to know the secrets of heaven and hell?" replied the monk at last. "You who are unkempt. You whose hands and feet are covered with dirt. You whose hair is uncombed, whose breath is foul? You whose sword is all rusty and neglected. You who are ugly and whose mother dresses you funny. You would ask me of heaven and hell?"

The samurai uttered a vile curse. He drew his sword and raised it high above his head. His face turned to crimson and the veins on his neck stood out in bold relief as he prepared to sever the monk's head from its shoulders.

"That is hell," said the old monk gently, just as the sword began its descent. In that fraction of a second, the samurai was overcome with amazement, awe, recognition and compassion for this gentle being who had dared to risk his very life to give him such a teaching. He stopped his sword in mid-flight and his eyes filled with grateful tears.

"And that," said the monk, "is heaven."

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WU WEI
The art of acting in a subtle way.
byronevents.net/wuwei

THE DAZZLING DARK
John Wren-Lewis and Ann Faraday
byronevents.net/wrenlewis

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