They say that it is noble to know the Truth, but that it is nobler still be the Truth...
Enlightenment is not simply a matter of recognizing and accepting these basic truths. Rather, it is an experiential reality which can arise after one has implemented these truths to transform one's entire existence.
Enlightenment is the fruit of practicing these truths. If one simply keeps them as dry intellectual formulas in the safe distance of the imagination, the nothing will ever come of it.
The kind of enlightenment I am talking about can only be reached by a transformation of consciousness. It does involve a radical change of mind - not a sudden change, but a gradual, almost imperceptible change over time. By the end of it, one has a very different subjective relationship to the rest of the universe than before.
That you haven't experienced this transformation yourself doesn't surprise me. It is consistent with my contention that your insight into Reality is narrow and not all that deep. You are still trying to reach for it while retaining normal, conventional consciousness. Thus, your reach is restricted.I don't recall ever calling it "rational enlightenment". It isn't something I would normally do, because I know that it would create the misleading impression that enlightenment is nothing more than being in possession of a bunch of intellectual truths.
As I say, it is the giving of one's entire life over to these intellectual truths which generates the transformative process and opens the mind to the Infinite.
Related teaching:
Realization of Truth is higher than all else;
Higher still is truthful living.
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Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who observes his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.
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Not every one who says to me, "Lord, Lord," shall enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
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Though he recites many a scriptural text, but does not act accordingly, that heedless man is like a cowherd who counts others' cattle. He has no share in the fruits of the religious life. Though he can recite few scriptural texts, but acts in accordance with the teaching, forsaking lust, hatred, and ignorance, with right awareness and mind well emancipated, not clinging to anything here or in the next life, he shares the fruits of the religious life.
Blair wrote:And what are your thoughts on the matter, or do you think throwing up a bunch of quotes somehow gives you kudos?
You are right sir and I apologize to you and all readers here. I should have commented, or at least questioned, in the original post. Upon reflection, I now see that my posting of those sayings (from Mr. Quinn and various religions) was actually a vain, let alone pointless, action here. I will refrain from posting for now and instead continue studying and practicing.
What does it mean to search for the Truth? What is Truth? You mean a deeper or more accurate understanding of true reality?
Is this not what is referred to as enlightenment, which is a realisation and acceptance that no thing has actual meaning and that to be enlightened is to just exist, to just be, free of all emotion and thought????
Does this not mean that there is effectively is no Truth for humans, beyond the subjective truth we apply to mental constructs?
