I think I have run into more than 20 people in the last 1.5 years claiming enlightenment, most are self declared in one form or another ( the other is some confusingh thing where I think they are claiming enlightenment but I have to guess at what it is they are claiming). Often it is their inner guru in the form of a personalized Guru or something like this.
One on youtube said he was "afforded the name jananoff and declared in God consciousness by none other than Lord shiva himself" The same one's brother claimed he was declared enlightened by his guru, but then in closer scrutiny, the Guru only said something to the effect that the disciple is progressing, then the Guru moved on the mahasamaddhi, and after this, it was in a vision that his Guru afforded him this title. This guy falslely accused me of practicing witchcraft and also being a mason. My opinion is if the vast majority of those I have encountered claiming enlightenment were to be face to face with a living Sat Guru, they would be advised that there is yet further to go, there is no "me", no "ego", no mind rerooting in enlightenment. The majority of these people won't hear one word of this, would not come within 10 feet of a Sat Guru (a real one not interested in money, getting disciples, or handing out ego candy). If they do, it would only be on an equal level and the door would be closed for hearing one word that suggests there is yet further to go. Ramana has pointed out that it is a very rare one that will make it without a guru. This opinion I have is not popular but I frankly don't give a rats ass about popularity. It wouldn't surprise me that those in the category i mentioned won't even read this. There is a usefulness to this though in my opinion. My experience with those in the category I mentioned compared to with those that legitimately are enlightened is vastly different , the difference between walking away in a lasting clarity compared with a disharmonious surrounding air of confusion. It appears the people think they are accessing deeper levels than what is taking place, I asked my Guru how it is that this can happen. The answer was that the basis for it is one is now different than they were, so this is thought to be the enlightenment. Again, my guru said this is why it is very important that there be a one to one relationship with the living Guru. And yes, to those who disagree with my opinions, I am very arrogant. I think it can be understood why this is so. Hridaya Puri
