The traditional concept of enlightenment is that something has to be gained through an effort by following someone who is considered to have attained (speaking relatively) it, and therefore, has the power to give it to you. Something that has a permanent state in phenomenality - usually referred to as “Bliss” (refer to part 1). That on acquiring it, all your questions will be answered and you’ll be free for eternity. That is the perfect solution to all your problems.
It is not that the traditional concepts or what’s written in the scriptures is wrong. Who am I to validate or refute scriptures written by the great sages? However, I do feel that there is a fundamental misunderstanding in our interpretation of the ancient texts which has brought about great confusion, conflict, and chaos for centuries.
Not only that but many unscrupulous elements readily take advantage of this ignorance that we have in our understanding of the concept of enlightenment. The scriptures give statements (Mahavakyas) like, That Thou Art (Tat-Twam-Asi), I Am Brahman (Aham Brahmasmi), or “I am that I am” (Bible), and we feel that this is the starting point of our spiritual exploration.
That’s not the case. On the contrary, this is the culmination or the fundamental understanding of the Sages that has come through ages of spiritual exploration that have been written in the scriptures. Therefore, do not mistake such statements to be the starting point. Even they are merely pointers to the absolute.
People who claim that they can show or give you the perfect method for self-realization are either delusional or operating with devious intentions. There is nothing to gain anywhere. Who wants to gain what? This message is not about gaining anything but losing whatever is left. When everything is gone, Nothing alone remains.
Anything that “you” gain is a self-enhancement that continues involvement in the drama of phenomenality. No guru can give That to you. All the guru can do is point. You have to discover the Truth through your own personal experience and investigation. The investigation that eventually culminates into the one fundamental inquiry: Who wants to be enlightened?
The following text is from my book, The End of Me & My Story
Especially In India, a person wearing a robe with a shaved head and living life like an ascetic is worshipped by people as an Avatar of God. The idea of renouncing the world for higher spiritual attainment – call it moksha, freedom, enlightenment, or whatever you like, is appealing to the common man. The message by the masters is that do as I tell you, and you will get it. I have the perfect recipe to enlighten you, mere mortals. I have the mantra to give you immortality – freedom from the suffering of the endless cycles of birth and death.
To be honest, some of these are genuine masters with good intentions. For example, Nisargadatta Maharaj’s Guru, Siddharameshwar Maharaj instructed him to stay with the “I-thought.” Nisargadatta Maharaj earnestly followed his instruction and attained self-realization. Even Ramana Maharshi advocated self-inquiry to his disciples. The intention behind such instructions was not to make the “person” realized, but to enable their minds to discriminate the unreal from the real. Such masters do not come across as authority; as all-knowing. They are simple in their ways and one feels peace in their presence. They do not rely solely on words to deliver the message. For the ripe minds, their presence is enough.
However, there are some people who proclaim themselves as perfectly enlightened masters with the special power to awaken others. They spend decades studying scriptures like the Vedas and Upanishads. They flawlessly recite verses from the great scriptures with pride and enthusiasm. They claim that they are above all worldly desires, and prescribe the same to others, but remain surrounded by wealth themselves. They claim to have something special that others don’t have. They create non-profit organizations and run them like corporate businesses with complete political support.
And all of this spiritual showmanship appeals to the ordinary people because most of them have a poor self-image. They project their own desirable traits onto these masters and create expectations. When the enlightened masters falter, these people are the first to push them from the pedestal.
The End of Me & My Story
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