Which raises again a point of interest: what is the value (much less the meaning) of the "title" of enlightenment? Everyone has some sort of experience and knowledge right now. It appears presumtuous to know, much less claim that this is the "end-state", much less that it is a permanent end-state. And presumes or implies a fair amount of attention on the future. An apparent contradiction.
If unbounded, unrestrictedness is here now, what more is needed? If unbounded, unrestrictedness is not here now, focusing on a future state won't help much. --- In [email protected], "Rick" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > There is a book that addresses this idea, it's called: > > "Halfway up the Mountain, The Error of Premature Claims to > Enlightenment" by Mariana Caplan, Hohm Press > > I read it over a year ago so it's not too fresh in my mind but I do > remember thinking that how did I know that the people in the book > were qualified to decide wether or not someone was in fact > enlightened or not. The book though, is a very rich source of quotes > and short dialogues from dozens of teachers representing many > spiritual schools. > > Rick Carlstrom > > > --- In [email protected], TurquoiseB <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > wrote: > > > > Just as a question to the folks participating in this > > > > discussion, do you assume that enlightenment, once > > > > realized, is permanent? Since I've been away from TM > > > > and its teachings for 20+ years, I'm trying to find out > > > > whether we're on the "same page" here. I certainly do > > > > not assume this, based both on teachings I respect and > > > > the personal experiences of myself and others (periods > > > > of enlightenment can just come and go). The teachings > > > > were Tibetan in origin, and have to do with ways in > > > > which one can definitely mess up after realization of > > > > enlightenment and make it "go away." TIA, > > > > > > There are several on this list who claim to be permanently > > > enlightened--perhaps they could answer this question? > > > > That's actually one reason I asked. There are some > > schools of thought (like TM, when I was around) that > > suggest that once realized, enlightenment is perma- > > nent. There are others that believe that it can come > > and go. I tend to believe the latter, for many reasons. > > > > Now, if the latter were true, and one had begun to have > > enlightenment experiences, had announced them to the > > world, and then those experiences faded, what does > > one do? > > > > How many would have the strength of character to go > > back to all those people one had announced one's > > enlightenment to and say, "Ooops?" > > > > In several traditions this situation has come up often > > enough that they don't recommend talking about one's > > experiences as permanent until they have been present > > 24/7 for ten years or so. > > > > Unc To subscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Or go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ and click 'Join This Group!' Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
