before enlightenment

Before enlightenment, one really is unenlightened

After enlightenment, one knows that one has always been enlightened


Enlightenment is a paradoxical affair. In fact, life is paradoxical and enlightenment is living life as it is, even though it makes no rational sense.


This is one of the great paradoxes of enlightenment, that before becoming enlightened one’s life is deep down a misery. There is an ongoing undercurrent of discontent, unhappiness, which overflows into everything, which taints every aspect of our life. Even hearing that one is truly enlightened, and is just yet to realise it, does not help. For such words can weave a deception in the mind that does not touch in any way these deep currents of discontent.  


Yet it can happen, the great transformation which has been spoken about by the sages for millennia. This can happen to me, to you, to anyone. Strangely, in the moment of enlightenment, one will feel that one has always been enlightened and that all beings are enlightened, for it is in our very nature. Yet, from the perspective of the unenlightened one, he or she truly is unenlightened. So do not deceive yourself by thinking that because you have only to realise enlightenment that somehow there is nothing to it, that no transformation can occur – no, this is not correct. A huge transformation can occur. I say huge, in fact it is the smallest of changes, deep down. Yet, when that deep current of discontent ceases to flow and in its place a contentment comes, every aspect of life changes. For these deep currents affect our outlook in every moment.


So it is, that enlightenment can bring about a great change in the experience of life, in the feel of life. Yet, it is also true that an enlightened one knows that he has always been enlightened. For this enlightenment is something within oneself: a flame, burning deep within, waiting for the right moment to engulf you, to burn up everything that you think you are. The flame is within every one of us, for some it has already flared up and for some that moment has not yet come, but it will, it will, it will.

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