Okay “How you were raised and educated determines your thought patterns” – > Allan > > While there can be some truth in this, it need in no way be the final > word in thought patterns. >
You are right it is not the final answer but it does give an idea of where a person is and how their thinking progresses. People can change< I know I have,, but the basis of my thinking remain the same. > > “ What do you view enlightenment as?” – Allan > > The clarification of consciousness, some use nouns like Theosis. As a > descriptor, the mind observing itself to the point where it > understands itself. > Okay for simplification purposes "The Clarification of Consciousness." Is a good description, I know it can be expanded but I am a simple man. That is nice because it allows for a man that is well educated and very knowledgeable to be enlightened,, which they truly are and keeps away from the bright white light thing. > “ If you find nothing will lead away from Enlightenment ... Why are > not more people enlightened?” – Allan > > This is a much larger question than it appears at first glance. A > simplistic response includes things like: > > Many are enlightened. > More are on the way. > Very very true by our definition a child is very enlightened. with rare exception most kids love to play.. except where conditions are very sever but then you will sitll find kid trying to play, anything can become a toy and the community (other kid) make it even more enjoyable. Even babies are born enlightened they know and love to suckle and they even know h w to pray, meditate and ask any mom,, there chanting really does bring results and is effective. I am reasonable sure you have heard a child wailing or is that just crying..? Interesting form of chanting.. It takes more work and time for many than might be imagined. > So it seems we lose our natural enlightenment at some stage.. Now the original question is what prevents enlightenment the original answer was nothing. Now it seems there is things that prevent enlightenment Ït takes work and time, many people it seems are unwilling to put that effort in. so they never reach enlightenment.. > > Also, such a question almost begs more questions like: At what point > in time would one expect a set number of enlightened beings to exist? > How do unenlightened beings determine who is enlightened? Etc. > We can begin to determine who is enlightened by defining what we are discussing, then we are talking about common ground and then can determined who and how many. By the our common definition (though simplified ) we do have a starting point and thee are many levels of what can truly be considered enlightenment. On the other hand if you talk about enlightenment in terms of the gate-less gate it becomes almost an elitist thing more common than people realizing but still elitist. Why people to not attain it when it seems they should. Maybe it is just one of the many forms of enlightenment all of them being equal. As for common knowledge when you experience concepts by having to live through them in real life, when someone speaks of them, they become common knowledge for you. > I know that many here at ME have, over the years, presented opinions > on this. > > That is what makes ME great,, there are many great opinions,, and they don't even have to be right,, they are just opinions,, and each is entitled to their own opinion. here we have a chance to share them. Allan -- ( ) I_D Allan --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups ""Minds Eye"" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/minds-eye?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
