You must know that becoming enlightened does not mean acquiring special virtues. It simply means staying aware. The practice of extending your state of consciousness may not give you the power to control the material world. However, it will give you the power to be completely free from the suffering caused by clinging to the things and experiences of the physical world. Enlightenment is not a special state of mind; it is the freedom of the mind and heart from any kind of attachment and gives rise to an awareness of human experience devoid of a concept of identity separate from the world around us. Although it is a complex path, it is absolutely achievable through practice and mental training. Just like any major achievement is difficult but possible; becoming enlightened is also complex but achievable. If you can't find the enlightenment of where you are now, where are you going to look for it?
Many people believe that only suffering can lead to liberation. But it doesn't have to be that way. We all belong to the universe, and the universe doesn't care whether we suffer or not. We ourselves are the key to our absolute freedom. And the paths to reach enlightenment are many, as there are many beings in the universe. When we become aware our consciousness expands, when we are not it contracts. Furthermore, reality will always be ready to show us that it is not possible to act against its natural laws. Each of us is free to choose the kind of reality he wishes to live, none of us can break the rules. Every being who is part of creation has the same freedom of choice.
Some of us have preached the absolute certainty of a particular path, but ultimately it doesn't matter how you reach enlightenment. The enlightenment is there and it is up to you to decide how to get there.
Obviously it is not possible to define a precise path and steps that are unique and always correct for anyone. It is not external events that have great importance, it is your reaction to those who have it.
The more you fear, the more things to fear you will encounter, especially when you fear the fear of pain. Our original fear is a correct warning in the presence of a possible danger. The important thing is to notice the problem and then let go of the fear. It is a fundamental element of "Expansion" and "Contraction"; during the course of your life you will meet many others. To achieve enlightenment, we need to accept the daily rhythms of expansion and contraction. Each of us is completely free to choose, but you already know this.
Awareness is real, as real as we are ourselves. Whatever we have done to withdraw from cosmic consciousness (the one source of all that exists, or as you prefer to call it) we are continuing to do it. We all come from one place, we will all return to that one place.
I hope this article shows you some simple attitudes that can assist you on your journey.
Steps
Step 1. We have all made mistakes
It seems that this is how we learn. ' It is repeating the same mistake over and over again that damages us. However, we are free to do so. What we should ask ourselves is: "What is the cause of pain and suffering and how can we eliminate them on a deeper level?" Some say that it is only through excess that we can realize the limit. Being in the here and now it is considered by many to be the first step towards liberation.
Step 2. Seek the company of a sage, a teacher, and a good book on natural laws
Step 3. Take some time to be aware
Too often, our responsibilities and concerns involve us to such an extent that we forget the pleasure of the moment.
Step 4. Sit quietly and let your thoughts and judgments reveal themselves and then disappear on their own
Stay in the here and now. Enter a state of calm and mental clarity.
Step 5. Notice the different smells you smell, the noises you hear, and the objects you see
Face every daily situation with curiosity and observation. Greater presence often leads to greater awareness.
Step 6. Practice meditation, you can do it wherever you are, at any time it will be enough to fix the mind concentrating it on a present object
Step 7. Read what has been written about enlightenment and spirituality in general
Some of the most important philosophers are Gautama Buddha, Jesus, Laozi, Mohammed, Mohammed, Dante, Francesco Bacon, William Blake and others. The doors of perception have a lot to say about this subject, both directly and indirectly.
Step 8. Delve into the Noble Eightfold Path and understand the Four noble truths.
Step 9. Always be aware of the present moment and enjoy any activity you do during the day (eating, sleeping and even using the bathroom)
Step 10. The steps listed are basic techniques that you can greatly benefit from
An important "step" towards enlightenment would be integrate into your conscious life something that currently belongs to your unconscious (called "integration"). Search the web to find out more.
Step 11. The path to enlightenment as described by Shakyamuni / Gautama Buddha himself occurs through the development of virtue, concentration and wisdom
Step 12. Enlightenment is not a state of mind that can be forcibly achieved
Our lives are governed by the eternal law of cause and effect, according to which if we do evil we will receive a bad result, if we do good we will get a good result. What matters is the awareness you experience and not what happens.
Step 13. Acting with intention will naturally trigger a higher state of consciousness
By walking one can raise one's state of consciousness. Use walking meditation. Just as learning to count the cycle of your breaths can deplete a normal state of consciousness and allow you to reach a higher one, so the cycle of steps in walking can lead you to the same result. The same happens with the rhythm of the music, when the normal consciousness is replaced by a greater awareness that invades the musician carrying him into a higher stream of consciousness. Don Juan illustrated the flow of images to Carlos Castaneda. Carlos walked with don Juan while he kept his eyes crossed to widen the flow of images and favor the exhaustion of the normal state of consciousness in order to reach a moment of total lucidity. This awareness of being in a higher state of consciousness will motivate you to improve your walking meditation skills.
Advice
- You are the key to your own enlightenment. The thought of having to reach a goal can be an obstacle, our original nature is enlightenment. All we have to do is understand that there is nothing to achieve but rediscover our "primary" self.
- Expanding the mind through drugs (or psychoactive substances) is not the best way to achieve enlightenment. It could be compared to the use of a helicopter to conquer the top of a mountain, but this does not mean that the summit is not reached. Remember that psychotropic substances can be dangerous and cause acute fears. Enlightenment is a process that must come from within.
- Enlightenment is not a path someone else can take for you. Only you can save yourself. The same goes for others.
- As you become familiar with being aware, you will notice that your thoughts will diminish and that you will more frequently experience thoughtless awareness. At this point it may be useful to perform relaxation practices in order to induce thought-free presence. Literally, it will help you bring your mind and body back to their natural state, far freer from the incessant thoughts caused by current living conditions.
- Meditation and other body-based practices such as pranayama (controlled breathing) form the foundation that underlies other more advanced techniques. The benefits of advanced techniques will be perceived more quickly and the state of enlightenment will be experienced with greater awareness if the mind has reached a state of stillness. With a little practice, meditation promotes the quieting of mental activities, and introduces you to the deeper aspects of your consciousness, allowing you to be aware and enjoy the reality of enlightenment more easily. Enlightenment is not something to be achieved. If you try to focus your mind too much, you will only agitate it and get the opposite result. Note that regular and constant meditation practice (one or two short daily sessions of about 20 minutes each) is more important than meditation performed over long periods of time.
- Learn Yoga, Tai-Chi, or Aïkido. They can help you in your quest for enlightenment.
- The duration of the lighting process can vary according to your wishes.
- Just as proper nutrition and exercise can create a more harmonious experience of physical health, understand how some practices and techniques relate to enlightenment. While not essential, they can in fact be a great support on the path that leads you to enlightenment. This does not take away from the fact that you already have everything you need and that awareness is your original natural state of mind. Always remember that excessive thinking and research can lead to the opposite of what you want.
- Nothing is always right or wrong, because things are in eternal transformation. Choose what's best for you in the present moment and remember that you are not alone. Your choices may or may not affect others. Kindness and good manners can be the best path. In a word, choose "compassion" or "give (do) to others the best you would (would) do if you were in the same situation."
- Your intuition, or your common sense, is also your best guide.
- What is real? Our senses can deceive us, but not our emotions.
Warnings
- You have to learn to trust yourself completely.
- Remember that "mind expanding" drugs can be dangerous if handled by inexperienced hands.
- Don't be afraid to leave your physical body. If you have taken care of it properly, it will be there waiting for you when you decide to return.
- Remember to always act in moderation without overdoing it.
- The scientific evidence is based on the repetition of duplicable events and miracles do not appear to be duplicable. For this reason, there is no way to understand miracles through science. Our awareness is a sufficient miracle.
- What we teach best is what we most need to learn.
- It is best not to seek enlightenment per se, but to fulfill every action in life as consciously as possible, reminding yourself that each step is a reward.
