White Beard said:

How do you know what enlightenment is?

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We read it in a book.

The Chronic said:

This is true, it's also true that its effortless, but up until the stage that effortlessness is a direct living experience, effort must be there in some way shape or form

Its a paradox, if one genuinely desires enlightenment then they will eventually, naturally, be relieved of this desire, but they don't make the choice or decision themselves to stop desiring enlightenment, that decision maker would still be that same one that is 'in the way' 

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White Beard said:

The desire for enlightenment feels like a different desire compared to others. It feels like a burning obsession to stop being fake and to find out what is true. It isn't an egoic desire I suppose.

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its not a clingy possesive desire like usual, its an earnest yearning for what is True, for liberation
Its beautiful, and it eventually burns itself up, leaving desirelessness

White Beard said:

Oh, I'm not abandoning the good work.

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Good, i didn't think you were but i thought it was worth mentioning for the sake of the topic of 'desiring enlightenment'

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Anyone have any direct experience here or are you all just book worms? Speak up now.

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Vahn421 said:

For me, a good start has been realizing that I've hit the point where I can accept that fact that nothing may actually be what I thought it actually was.

Being born a religious person and slowly having been freed from that, it took a while for this energy to increase exponentially. Now I feel it's spiraling into infinity: I really am capable of accepting anything as reality at this point. There are a lot of realities that would SUCK, but I mean, why deny the truth if it's the truth?

There is no good reason for me to ever say, "This is NOT happening." Or, "No! No, no, no, no, no!!"

It's taking me less and less time to let go of these silly spirals that waste my energy. I still do it from time to time, but I've realized that, sooner or later, we're all going to be forced to accept what IS, including our Selves. And, "Forced" isn't even the right word... we'll recognize it, and it will cause us to rejoice.

"Enlightenment" feels sometimes like a spiral into infinity. Sometimes you're closer to the center of the spiral (vibrating faster, etc...), and sometimes you are further out. Drugs like Mushrooms and LSD almost always seem to push you closer to the spiral... for some it puts them right in the center for a few moments and then they spiral outward back to where they were before... maybe a little closer to the center permanently, if they something from their trip.

But, using the spiral analogy further, who wants to stay in one place forever, anyway? If, "Enlightenment" is a word used for the, "Next Level" in awkenening your consciousness, then what's the next level after that? And the next? And the next?

You know what happens when I hit LVL 100 in a video game? I get bored after a while, erase the file, and start a new one. I have a feeling the universe works the same way, but I seriously doubt I'm (We're) even on level 7 yet, as far as consciousness expansion and my (our) journey as a soul goes.

If there is ONE trait I look for in someone I would consider, "Enlightened" it is honesty. The more exposed someone is... the less ashamed they are of who they are to the world (even if they have ill intentions), the more I respect them and enjoy their company. I REALLY like real people who wear their heart on their sleeve.

-V

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oojijimoo said:

2 types of people, in my mind, can logically claim enlightenment.

1. Saints: I'll put under this category any type of true holy man, such as a Buddha, a Christ, a Sri Yukteswar, people who abide constantly or almost constantly in a state of samadhi and are doing pure good for this Earth.

2. "Light Carriers": I just coined this term, sorta.  I put myself and others on this forum in this category.  People who have seen the light, or heard the sound, or whatever, and are true sources of knowledge about enlightenment.  Word to the wise: people in this category can be crazy, you don't know their motives, and they are not necessarily your friend (I however will be your friend on the internet). lots of musicians and artists fit this bill.  You can totally become a saint if you have seen the light, and that is your path.

Just my take on the subject.

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oojijimoo said:

Anyone, and I think at some point everyone will be one.  It's kind of weird to me that so many people are in the dark...it confuses me haha...

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Exactly what I was looking for you are on the path as well.

White Beard said:

Quite impossible, no?
What is desired then? enlightenment lite?

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